1987 Mercedes-Benz SL 500

[Feehary]

https://www.pistonheads.com/buy/listing/20335941

[JJ77]

Hi. Do you have the MB data card to check the specification? What suspension does this car have, is it air suspension system, and if so, when was it last serviced/inspected? Thank you

[Feehary]

Hello

I am 99% sure it is not air suspension, but i will check with the garage that has maintained it since I've had it.

I thought i had all the documentation that came with it at purchase. There are photos of everything I have on the listing. If you have a specific question about an extra, I’ll happily answer that.

Sorry to not be more help

[JJ77]

Just checked myself, it’s gas filled shock absorbers and not air suspension system on the later cars. Thanks

[JJ77]

I notice that your local mechanic services the car when things go wrong or just standard oil services and spark plug replacements. When has he done the very important timing chain and timing chain tensioners which need doing at 80k to 100k or every 10 years. Can you state when these were done and show paperwork, as I can only see bills from 2018 to 2026, where they have not been done. Thanks

[Feehary]

Hello, I have to admit I had not heard of timing chain tensioners until today. I bought the car from the SL Shop at 103000 miles, so I would expect them to have done it inline with the recommendation at 100k.
I’m happy to ask the garage I use to check them. I’ll also double check with them if they might have done it.

[JJ77]

Many thanks for quick response. So to confirm you bought the car in 2013 at 103,000 miles and car has only done 4500 miles in 13 years, is that correct, and why was so little use? Thanks

[Feehary]

Yep, that’s completely correct. It is only really driven between late May to September, and even then only when the sun is shining. I don’t think we’ve driven it with the hard top on ever. It just gets used locally, it has never left the county.
It’s our second car and we’ve had a youngish family the whole time we’ve had it, so it only worked for family trips when they were small.
I ride a motorbike to work, so it hasn’t needed to be driven often. We had to get a second car and I just thought this was a much better option than a second hand Golf as it wouldn’t depreciate, looks absolutely amazing, is great fun to drive and, I have to admit, it’s pretty cool that wherever I go everybody just lives it.

[JJ77]

I hear you.. I had a 560 SL in southern Europe for many years.

Thank you for all your answers, for me the lack of use in 13 years in UK climate is not good, these cars corrode from the inside to out, so seeing the outside bubbling and corrosion, I can only guess what lies within, so I will bid accordingly and try to arrange an inspection within the auction for piece of mind.

[Feehary]

My pleasure. You’re most welcome to inspect the car whenever convenient

[JJ77]

Feehary, in photo 106 the stains in the carpet passenger side look like rust drips, has there been water coming in there and your local mechanic checked the Bulkhead for Rusting? Any chance you can take off the air vents below the windscreen and take photos of the bulkhead? Thanks

[Feehary]

Let me try and do that. I’m not the most capable when it comes to taking stuff apart and then putting it together.

It is extremely rare for the car to be left outside in the rain.

[Feehary]

I just spoke to the garage about the timing chain tensioners and they say they have no reason to think there is anything up with them. They did a head gasket thing which would have been close to them and if there had been any issues they would have raised it.

I also spoke to them about the bulk head and I will try and take it to them on Friday this week to get them to get a photo.

[JJ77]

That would be excellent option. Thank you.

[JJ77]

Morning, when the garage inspect under the blower heater for bulkhead rust, can they take out the spare wheel and photograph the boot floor please. Thanks

[Feehary]

I can do that. Will try and do after work today.

[Feehary]

Just back from the garage and no photo I am afraid. To get to the bulk head apparently would require 2/3 hours of time as there’s a lot of stuff to remove under the vent in front of the windscreen. The vent is held in my ‘suicide clips’ so they didn’t want to take it off there and then as no replacements.
Two mechanics looked under the bonnet and peeled back everything inside the car and stuck their hand up and found only dust, no evidence of rust on their hands. I can ask for an email from them stating this.
I know this is sub optimal. The earliest I could get it booked in to do this would be next Wednesday 20 May, which doesn’t help.
Please let me know what you’d like me to do.

[JJ77]

Thank you for taking it down for inspection. I wasn’t expecting the full 3 hr dismantling just if they could do the endoscopy type camera to check drain plugs have not been blocked and rust showing. I will just have to take a commercial view in the auction, as the earliest thorough inspection I could organise was 2 days after auction ends.

Appreciate the boot floor photo. Will leave you in peace now and bid accordingly. Thank you for being proactive and honest, not always in these types of auctions.

[Feehary]

My pleasure. They would have done the camera, but there is a wire wash directly under the vents. I guess to stop stuff from falling in.

Happy to answer any other questions anyone has. This is the first suction I have participated in snd I want to be as transparent as possible…

[Crimson_sk21]

You're doing amazing as a seller. A word of warning, as this is the internet and asking for stuff is free, you might get bored tyre-kickers asking you for all sorts of inspections, claiming there might be hidden damage to the car based on something they read online. Try not to get too bothered, they might do the same at every other auction, it costs them nothing. I would personally never pay labour costs to court someone that most likely was never serious to begin with, but hopefully it helps you with other more serious buyers. GLWS!