Benzworld.org - Mercedes Benz Discussion Forum - View Single Post - 1986-1989 560SL question

rsmith · 01-10-2007, 11:42 AM

Hi
I've had 2 1988 560SL's I bought the first one in 1993 with 19k mi on it.I used it for a daily driver and was so impressed with it I started looking for a low mileage one when mine hit 140k that was in 1999. Here in Fla there are a lot of SL's hidden away in garages with low mileage. I found one with 21k but here's the problem with garage queens. Where I drove the first car to 140k with just routine maintenance(oil gas belts and muffler hangers) the "new car" developed all kind of seal leaks (trans. steering box water pump ect.) mostlikely from sitting. I paid $22500 for the first car drove it for 120k and sold it for $20,000 While the resale on all the Benz have dropped since then I don't think they will go much lower and you have the opportunity to buy a engineering masterpiece at a reasonable price. Ive seen local 86-88 SL's listed for $9000 to $12,500 with about 100k. You may find 450's cheaper but the gas mileage is 11-12 compared to 17-18 for the 560. I just bought a 1990 560SEC for my daughter as a daily driver paid $4500 with 108k and for some reason it gets about 1mpg better than the SLand seems to have a lot more power.But you can't put the top down.

Anyway how many 15+ year old Jap cars do you see on the road?

01-10-2007, 11:42 AM	#10 (permalink)
rsmith BenzWorld Junior Member Date registered: Nov 2006 Vehicle: 1990 560 SEC 1988 560SL 1998 E320 4matic wagon Location: Florida Posts: 49	Hi I've had 2 1988 560SL's I bought the first one in 1993 with 19k mi on it.I used it for a daily driver and was so impressed with it I started looking for a low mileage one when mine hit 140k that was in 1999. Here in Fla there are a lot of SL's hidden away in garages with low mileage. I found one with 21k but here's the problem with garage queens. Where I drove the first car to 140k with just routine maintenance(oil gas belts and muffler hangers) the "new car" developed all kind of seal leaks (trans. steering box water pump ect.) mostlikely from sitting. I paid $22500 for the first car drove it for 120k and sold it for $20,000 While the resale on all the Benz have dropped since then I don't think they will go much lower and you have the opportunity to buy a engineering masterpiece at a reasonable price. Ive seen local 86-88 SL's listed for $9000 to $12,500 with about 100k. You may find 450's cheaper but the gas mileage is 11-12 compared to 17-18 for the 560. I just bought a 1990 560SEC for my daughter as a daily driver paid $4500 with 108k and for some reason it gets about 1mpg better than the SLand seems to have a lot more power.But you can't put the top down. Anyway how many 15+ year old Jap cars do you see on the road? Last edited by rsmith : 01-10-2007 at 11:56 AM.