89 MB 560 with 77k miles, any problems?

[BeyGon]

My neighbor is selling his wife's 89 560 convertible, hard top, soft top and the mechanism to lift the top and hang it in the garage. I have been looking at it for years and really like it. Are there any real big problems with these. They are the original owners, she just wanted something bigger and got a Cadillac. Really clean great looking car, new tires, everything works. He told me 10k for it. Kind of a bittersweet orange. Any thoughts?

[RANDY P]

sounds good, timing chain may stretch past 100K- listen to valve covers for garbage can sounds at startup.

[ben parrish]

Sounds fair. The car is thirsty but is pretty bulletproof. HEAVY!!! I say go for it if you like the car. The top hoist is very nice to have.

[McLovin]

Very similar to the 911. '89 was the "last of the line" for both the 911 and the SL, in a lot of ways. Both are still relatively simple cars, still built during an era when they were intended to last a long, long time. Both, I think, can be considered modern "classics." As "end of the model run" cars, all the bugs were worked out and they are the most reliable of the line.

I'd only say to drive it around a bit to make sure you really like it. They are not sports cars by any stretch.

[daepp]

My old boss's 560SEL had to have a total top end job due to leaking valve guides at just over 100K miles. Didn't seem reasonable to me, but I loved that car.

Leaking valve guides... Another 911 similarity

[kaisen]

At $10K, it's a steal if it is as nice as you suggest. I'll buy it if you don't.

[LakeCleElum]

A friend sold one with 188,000 miles for $10K a few years ago.....I was pissed and reminded her I had 1st dibbs...............She had forgotten......

[Mrmerlin]

found a few online with more miles and more money,
looks like you ought to jump on this....
The color may grow on you
Link to similar miles car about double the cash
http://www.schmitt.com/viewimage.asp?ID=2959

[RANDY P]

there aren't too many out there. Those are the last of the really, really well built Benz, before the became all technologically advanced and bothersome.

rjp

[BeyGon]

I talked to my wife about it tonight, she thinks I should get a job or sell my Vangagon/Subaru if I buy it. I am 6'0 and the guy is taller than me. He knows I didn't like my wifes Tbird because my head touched the top all the time, he seemed to like driving the car but thought it was under powered. I don't know, havent ridden in it but it's a V8. I have never sat in it. Will have to get in it. I still think they look good. I have lived here seven years and never saw it out at night. I called the insurance co. today, with my Porsche tickets it will raise my insurance but only for the next year, then back down cause the tickets will drop. We will see. If not I will tell anyone interested where it is.

[BeyGon]

I admit I feel a little dirty about this, I have been looking at Porshes but nothing close and nice like this. Some nice cars but just farther than I wanted to drive to look at. This is too easy.

[kaisen]

Buy it, and if you don't like it, I will buy it from you. No risk!

I'm 6'2" and fit just fine in the W107 cars.

No brainer, but it's no sports car. More like a torquey grand tourer

[aigel]

Have you driven it? That will help make up your mind. It has nothing sporty about it - very solid and heavy and that school bus steering wheel just is out of this world. There is no stick shifts available in the US of A. either, which really would help give you at least the impression you are involved in driving ...

The rear suspensions can be tricky, you will want to make sure it is good before buying.

George

[RANDY P]

Use that thing as a freeway cruiser between towns. Buy it, and if you don't like it flip it for some extra cash.

rjp

[slow&rusty]

Funny I have been eying these R107 560SL cars as of late too. The 238hp 5.6L is pretty average by today's standards but impossible to break and these cars will go on forever and continue to look beautiful, I have seen 560SLs break 250K miles on original heads an block with just regular oil changes and maintenance. They are easy to work on too and parts are cheap and readily available.

I have driven several 560SLs and they drive great, they feel much different than a 911 but that is OK as they are great comfy cruisers...100mp/h is easy, acceleration is very decent too. I am 6'0" and fit great in the car.

$10K for a 77k mile car is cheap too.
Go for it.

Yasin

[Shaun @ Tru6]

mercedes 560 SL 1988 - Red -Classic

[island911]

Sell the syncro?! don't do it.

I do like the SL's, but I'm surprised that people are saying that they fetch that much. -check ebay "completed listings" ...for similar condition/ miles.

[speeder]

I look at auctions for 107 MB SLs once in a while since we have one in the family. (1980 450SL bought new). Like most older cars that were produced in large numbers, only very exceptional ones bring strong money. The rest are very cheap. I never look at the 560s, though, since I prefer them as old as possible. Just like 911s, the pre-'74 cars are much better looking with their smaller bumpers.

The 107 SL was the best-selling car that MB ever made, if not mistaken. They are a dime a dozen. Here is an extraordinary one that recently sold, of course the big $$ comes from Europe for one like this:

Mercedes-Benz : SL-Class - eBay (item 160495456000 end time Oct-23-10 15:23:09 PDT)

[McLovin]

These days, $10K is a good chunk of money in the Euro used car market. So many cool Euro cars from the 80s and 90s (and beyond) are dirt cheap. SLs, M3s, M6s, just saw a really cool low mile 5 speed 190 16V go for nothing, Jaguars are being given away, the list goes on forever.

The problem isn't finding cool cars at low prices, the real problem is figuring out what you really want to own, and finding enough room to keep cars. If I had a 10 car garage, I'd have every spot filled, for sure, and for not a lot of money.

[BeyGon]

Originally Posted by McLovin

These days, $10K is a good chunk of money in the Euro used car market. So many cool Euro cars from the 80s and 90s (and beyond) are dirt cheap. SLs, M3s, M6s, just saw a really cool low mile 5 speed 190 16V go for nothing, Jaguars are being given away, the list goes on forever.

The problem isn't finding cool cars at low prices, the real problem is figuring out what you really want to own, and finding enough room to keep cars. If I had a 10 car garage, I'd have every spot filled, for sure, and for not a lot of money.

There is the big problem, as soon as I got it I would find a Porsche I could get and then what, I have a MB.