Mb500sl

jwasbury · 07-30-2016, 02:45 PM

My Aunt is offering up my late uncle's car. It's a 2000 model I'm told, 41k miles. He bought it new. Still looks new. I've always had a fondness for these cars. Any ideas on value. It's a "Designo" series car. Pretty cool metallic blue color with a hint of purple going on. Any ideas on value from the PPOT brain trust?

Bob Kontak · Bob Kontak's Garage

I see plenty on cars.com. Most at dealers.

$20k asking price for a cream puff with 40k miles down to well under $10k for a driver with 130k miles. Take off 20% from dealer cost and assume a family price. Maybe $13k but just talking.

All I can add from experience is I bought a 2004 ML350 for my daughter from a customer. Giveaway price with 160k miles after Lexus offered trade in price. Robust six cylinder. I am in salt country. "Spot" rust (none through) and a cracked windshield. It's a driver but still sweet.

In 12 months or so, I have replaced the driver's to passenger side rear brake line (rust) and put a set of pads on the front. Before buying across six years or so, replaced the driver's rocker panel brake lines (rust) feeding the rear, one transmission cooling line (rust) and the Manifold Absolute Pressure sensor. Under $50 for the sensor. A set of tires stung a bit but they are 17" fatties. Yours would be more.

Oil changes "demand" Mobile One oil and filter. If you watch sales you can pull it off for about $75. The crankcases on these take way over the capacity of a routine American car.

I am happy with this car to date. It does not demonstrate the crap that is referenced, and that I have experienced repairing in like year BMW X3's.

greglepore · 07-31-2016, 04:03 AM

Around 8-10k. Just bought 96 sl600 for myself. The post 97 cars have bigger brakes. Does it have a pano roof?

The hydraulics for the top fail at around that age, but its an 8 hr diy project and only about $500 in parts.

They are nice touring cars. Not sports cars by any means, but good gts- perfect for a run down River Road to New Hope...

jwasbury · 07-31-2016, 04:40 AM

^car has two tops, factory hardtop and the ragtop. I need another car like I need a hole in the head, but I know this one has been babied and well cared for since new.

greglepore · 07-31-2016, 05:11 AM

They all have 2 tops. Some of the factory hardtops are "panoramic" ie glass tops, very nice in the late fall/early spring, and still worth 2k or so. These cars were close to 100k new, the v12's more like 125.

speeder · speeder's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwasbury

^car has two tops, factory hardtop and the ragtop. I need another car like I need a hole in the head, but I know this one has been babied and well cared for since new.

Maybe help her sell it then or flip it if it's kosher within the family and you study the market to make sure that your time and $$ is worth it. Following Ebay will get you close enough to the street value if you pay attention to all the variables. This car would be top of the R129 market if it's pristine and has records.

The ownership experience on these is of a very well made 2-seat luxury car. It is not a sports car by any stretch.

silverc4s · silverc4s's Garage

There's usually one on Bring a Trailer at any given time. Look there, good place to sell these days.

jwasbury · 07-31-2016, 03:50 PM

I wouldn't buy it with the intention of flipping. I expect my Aunt would sell to me for friends and family pricing. Perhaps it could scratch the ragtop itch and I can sell my Turbo Cab...put a lot of cash back into the bank. I know the SL isn't going to perform like the 997tt, but 99% of the time I'm just cruising anyway.

greglepore · 08-01-2016, 06:55 AM

If you want to try one, you're welcome to drive my 600...

jwasbury · 08-28-2016, 07:45 AM

The car is too nice to pass up. Drove it home 300mi from Pittsburgh yesterday. My first Benz.

1990C4S · 08-28-2016, 08:00 AM

That's a nice car. I've been thinking about an SL500, SL320 or S320 daily driver.

speeder · speeder's Garage

That's a really nice car. And that's the only way you want to buy one, you are not sinking $$ into a black hole w that. Good score!

nvr2mny · nvr2mny's Garage

Very nice! Enjoy it.

greglepore · 08-28-2016, 03:50 PM

Designo-sweet.

sc_rufctr · 08-28-2016, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwasbury

The car is too nice to pass up. Drove it home 300mi from Pittsburgh yesterday. My first Benz.

:::

:::

Beautiful car. After this there's no going back.

slow&rusty · 08-29-2016, 10:03 AM

M119 engine packaged in a beautiful car! Congrats.

tabs · 08-29-2016, 11:34 AM

Spectacular. Thats a Saturday night go to the Country club or Sunday to brunch car. Elegant.

Rinty · 08-29-2016, 12:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1990C4S

That's a nice car. I've been thinking about an SL500, SL320 or S320 daily driver.

We had a 300 SL for a few years, and it was a wonderful car. Very comfortable, fast, and roomy.

For use as a daily driver, the only issue might be the big doors - finding enough room to open them, in a parking lot.

As part of the PPI, make sure the high beam flashers work, and the seat back releases.

greglepore · 08-29-2016, 01:31 PM

As a dd, you'd not do better than an s320 or 420. The w140's are simply the most "relaxed" car I've ever driven...nothing stresses you, they ride smooth, are super quiet, and while not sporting steer very precisely and handle well enough that no situation makes them ruffled.

With any 320, make sure the headgasket issue has been addressed. Its not cheap.

And I'd second the comment on the r129 doors, its why so many have scuffed speaker grills - can't often open them all of the way.