The car you are referring to is Graham's car, with the new carpet, not the original poster's 450sl. FWIW, I agree about the chrome covers- I'm sure he'll get to it!
Chief
Photo was before I finished - Cover has now been replaced! But I had to make and glue on a new top pin. Now it stays in place and does not keep falling off!
There is some other stuff that can't be detected in picture:
Trim around heater levers cracked - new ones coming
Heater switch knob broken - My fix did not last long. New one coming.
Seat Belt light lens broken - red piece glued in new ones no longer available
A/C not working
ECU cover removed - new one coming.
I am not looking at owning a show car, but having taken it to one a week ago, it seems as good as most I saw there.
Sorry I butted in on Viiginia car guy's thread. It has caused a little confusion!
If vcg's car is worth $11-13k, what would do you think mine be worth?
I agree with strife about used car values. My 1998 E320 in like new condition is probably worth less than my SL - makes no sense.
If gas prices keep going up the 380sl may become worth more than a 560sl. Wouldn't that be ironic.
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I will enter my appraisal estimate at around $14K. Real world price you might be lucky to get $10-12K. Even in Canada we're starting to see 560's selling for around $10K. Last year the floor was around $15-18K.
I have a step by step instructions to make it run on water I'll mail you a copy if you what it.
You could test in all out on mine frist
Believe it or not, but there is a company here in Ontario (Listed on TSX) that sells a water electrolyser that produces hydrogen for injection into IC engines. They only claim 12% mileage improvement, but this could be higher - maybe 20%. They are concentrating on diesels because that is where the money is. They lease the units to fleet owners who pay them back from their fuel savings.
There are of course a ton of on-line schemes offering to sell step by step instructions on how to build this kind of thing. No reason it should not work on the older cars. But I am not rushing out to put one on my SL
Vehicle: 1986 Mercedes 560SL 1966 Chrysler 300 Convertible
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 58
[quote=virginia car guy;2956666]Good evening everyone.
I offered the car on both Craig's list as well as this forum at 12k and got not response from either ad. I guess that many would consider these cars to be nothing more than expensive toys and are possibly the first casualty of people having less disposible income.
QUOTE]
Am from the DC area and regularly scan Craigslist, just for fun--and that's where I found the 560SL I bought in March.
Saw your listing and it was obvious you put a lot of work into it--even made me look up the shop that you listed as painting the car! However, this is what I was thinking after I read all you had done to improve the car: Boy, this thing must have been a basketcase, to require so much work. (I am not saying that was the case, but it could appear to be). That, in turn, made me wonder what still needed to be done to it? I don't remember any note about work on the timing chain or guides, a concern for a car with, what was it, around 157K miles? Also, the detailed repair costs of the listing could reinforce concerns people might have about owning an SL--it gave me pause about mine, so I also thought: Oh my God, am I going to need to replace all those things soon? Perhaps it was too much honesty about what was done?!?!?!? List the repairs, but not the costs?????
In addition, I agree with the overall market situation being a drag on cars--especially those purchased for fun, rather than need.
When I purchased the car it was not a basket case. It was a rust free car that required next to nothing to be operational. I had the top replaced and easily could have stopped there. I have many vehicles and never had the need to use this car as a daily driver.
Next I connected my love for Ebay with the needs of this car. I began by replacing items like sun visors and chrome & wood trim. I replaced perfectly good used parts with new in hopes of making this car as close to new as possible.
I am employed by a local equipment rental company and last year we had a mechanic in our shop that we hired to work on our diesel equipment that also was trained by Mercedes in Germany. I hired him to do side work on my car. For the price of what the dealer would charge me to replace a couple of tie rods, he replaced all the front end bushings, ball joints, tie rods as well as sub frame bushings. I made decision that since I had fairly inexpensive labor I would try to make this car as close to new as possible.
I had him replace the sub frame bushings, Steering box, Flex discs, and motor and trans mounts. I also had him replace the rear springs. With the addition of the new tires this car rides like an absolute dream and handles like new. I wanted to replace all rubber items and other age related items.
After a complete tune up, filters, brakes and replacing the battery & coil this car I felt was mechanically correct. Now it was time to go after cosmetics.
I did not like the seats that come in the 450sl and replaced them with a set from a 560sl.
I had them recovered and the seat padding replaced. I had the carpet replaced as well.
I added a Nardi steering wheel and a zembrano console box. I added a new rear seat so tht my 7 year old could ride in the back including new seat belts. I kept the original parcel shelf as well as the first aid kit and it is an easy change.
When I purchased the car the a/c did not work. I was told that it needed a new servo. I spent the money and installed the digital kit that is offered by performance products. While at it I had the compressor and other a/c components replaced and the system charged.
The last things that I did was have the car proessionally repainted. All the chrome was removed and the paint stripped. It is a georgeous chocolate brown with the palamino interior. I also purhased a very rare set of 16" Ronal r-9 rims and added new michelin tires. I also have a mathching set of original bunt rims with new michelin tires with less than 500 miles on them.
The car currently has 129,000 miles but clearly dosen't show it. The a/c has stopped working. I am told that no power is getting to the compressor but have not tried as of yet to track it down.
I appreciate your comments and you are correct in that it is not wise to list all the costs as it may intimidate a potential buyer of this type of car. I was just trying to show how much has gone into this car and what a steal it is considering the market.
I put a substantial amount of time and money into this car because I intended to keep it forever.
In all fairness the only reason I am selling it is becauce I was able to get a very good deal on a very low milage 560sl. I have decided that If the market is as bad as I think I may be wise to keep it and try again in the Spring after the election and see if the economy stabilizes. I will wait to see what happens with a new craig's list ad next week.
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