[canthony]

I live in Columbus Ohio. I have been looking for a 560SL for a couple of months. Lots of reading on this forum, plus looking at ads and cars. I am trying to make a decision on what makes the most sense for me. I am not a DIYer, so I will need to take whatever I buy in for service. As I see it, I can likely pick up a 100,000 mile plus car for $8-$10,000, and then plan to put $4-$5,000 into it to bring it up to speed (new timing chain and guide, rubber parts, etc.). My other option is to look for a lower mile car, say 50-70,000 miles, for between $15,000-$20,000. Any thoughts on which path makes the most sense.

Also, for those with significant experience, am I better off waiting until winter to purchase? I am not in a hurry.

Thanks for any input you can offer.

Carl

 

[jaymaynard]

Don't assume that a lower miles car won't need the same service a higher miles one does. All of these cars are old enough that many parts will have deteriorated with age. In particular, assume you'll need to replace timing chain and guides if they're over 10 years old, regardless of mileage. Additionally, a car with more miles has been driven more and more frequently, and so may well have had more maintenance done to it than a lower mileage car that's sat around for years in someone's garage looking pretty.

Find a good independent MB mechanic in your area. There's a forum on here for that. Then pick a car based on what you can afford and how good condition it is in. Try to find one without any rust, or only small bits of cosmetic rust. Then once you've found one you like, spend a couple of hundred bucks on a prepurchase inspection. That way, you won't be guessing; you'll know what you're getting yourself into.

On these cars, actual condition is everything. Din't be scared of a car with 150,000 or 200,000 miles on it if it's in good shape and doesn't need anything.

 

[cwmoser]

I started a thread a few years ago wondering if anyone actually had an SL without "issues". I think it will be very hard to find any 30+ year old car without "issues". In your search I suggest you not look for or expect perfection.

 

[reno4u2]

Service records are a HUGE plus. Without them you pretty much have to assume the work hasn't been done.

 

[canthony]

service records

Thanks to all for the responses to date. It is helpful.

I have looked a lot of cars, and it seems that most don't have very good service records. I did locate this car, which seems to have pretty good service records in the car fax. This is the only car that I have looked at with this many miles where they did something with the timing chain.

Any thoughts on this one?

1989 Mercedes-Benz 560 - Oklahoma City, OK

I would obviously have it inspected before pulling the trigger on it, but the price seems reasonable and the car does seem to have been maintained.
Carl

 

[ChiefRider]

Ok, several good things in your original ask-

You are not in a hurry. Yes, as we get closer to the wintertime, sellers will be more negotiable. Use that to your benefit!

You have a reasonable budget expectation. Good never comes cheap. If you are not a diy-er, spend it up front on the best example you can find.

Here is my advice. In your budget, avoid rust at all costs. A significant part of why most buy these cars is the way they look, and the build quality. These are significantly compromised in a rusty example.

Find an example that has a thorough maintenance history. Someone who cared enough about the car to keep it in great shape, this will pay you huge dividends.

 

[canthony]

Thanks Chiefrider. Any thoughts on maintenance shown on the carfax provided with the OKC car? Good, just good enough, etc?

 

[jaymaynard]

That looks like a very nice car. If you like it, get a prepurchase inspection. The price seems reasonable, as well. Assuming the prepurchase doesn't show any red flags, I think you'd be happy with it.

Don't assume that you won't have to put money into it, though, unless you get very lucky.

 

[RLT61]

I bought a low mileage 86 560SL. Had to deal with quite a few issues. Most were small but it does add up (I listed them in my Garage).
The main problem with low mileage SL's are the timing chain guides. These need to be changed due to age. If the seller does not have documentation that they guides have been changed you are looking at a $1200 preventive maintenance repair bill.

 

[canthony]

I figure that I will have to put some money into any of these cars, so the lower price is attractive. Gives room for some maintenance funds.

 

[Weather Man]

What use do you intend? You can get away with a lot if usage is light, and they all look great in any case. Actually I would recommend an 84-85 380SL as they are less expensive to acquire, less expensive to operate and maintain, and deliver just as much joy wherever they go. Go for aqua if you can find it, or classic white.

 

[canthony]

May be looking for a shipper - any recommendations?

I am hoping I have found my car, and 89 560SL, although I have some work to do yet to confirm - inspection and actual eyeballing by a kind member of this forum. If I have found the car for me, I am going to have to have it shipped from Oklahoma to Ohio. Any suggestions for actual companies that have done a good job? I likely won't be spending more than $10k or so on the car, so I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't want a disaster either, so I don't want to totally cheap out. I have a few quotes from online inquiries in the $850 range.

Any thoughts?

 

[rowdie]

I am hoping I have found my car, and 89 560SL, although I have some work to do yet to confirm - inspection and actual eyeballing by a kind member of this forum. If I have found the car for me, I am going to have to have it shipped from Oklahoma to Ohio. Any suggestions for actual companies that have done a good job? I likely won't be spending more than $10k or so on the car, so I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't want a disaster either, so I don't want to totally cheap out. I have a few quotes from online inquiries in the $850 range.

Any thoughts?

Yes. Go with enclosed transport. Maybe a few hundred more than open but worth it.

 

[SoonerCPA]

I am hoping I have found my car, and 89 560SL, although I have some work to do yet to confirm - inspection and actual eyeballing by a kind member of this forum. If I have found the car for me, I am going to have to have it shipped from Oklahoma to Ohio. Any suggestions for actual companies that have done a good job? I likely won't be spending more than $10k or so on the car, so I don't want to spend a fortune, but I don't want a disaster either, so I don't want to totally cheap out. I have a few quotes from online inquiries in the $850 range.

Any thoughts?

Curves Ahead Transport..:..Fine Automobile and Motorcycle Transport Specialists

Company owned enclosed transport. I've used with very satisfied results.

Cheers,

 

[Rhinoww]

I don't want to be Debbie downer, but I would do a thorough Carfax and get a mechanical PPI on that car. It just looks way too clean and the paint looks way too good. Since this is a reseller, I would presume that they spent a little bit of time on the internet looking at comps. I'm skeptical (but appreciate a good buy). Is the title rebuilt? What are the miles? The MBCA badge on the grill does give me hope though that you found a great car.

What did Reagan say - trust but verify.

I had a car I was going to buy at a dealer by my in laws in Florida. It looked great in photos. I had my in laws drive it to a local INDY who was very highly regarded for 107 work. He stopped the inspection halfway through the time we agreed I would pay him for, told me that the car was unsafe to drive for a number of reasons, and told me to call the dealer and have them pick the car up. He liked my in laws (who drove the car over), and didn't want to see them get hurt. Best money I spent on a car I didn't buy.

 

[dugald]

Yes. Go with enclosed transport. Maybe a few hundred more than open but worth it.

I have had cars transported both open and closed. All arrived undamaged but the enclosed one was certainly cleaner.

 

[canthony]

I decided to buy the car after a great deal of assistance from a forum contributor an president of the OKC Club, Charles (Sooner CPA). I cannot say enough good things about the help he offered and provided - he went out an looked over the car for me and provided a lot of detail on the good parts of the car and those that need some tlc, obtained service records from the local dealer, and provided me contact information for the local (trusted MB) mechanic. All of this help was volunteered and hugely appreciated. I owe Charles.

I had the inspection done, and there some things to fix, as you would expect. Overall, however, the mechanic thought the car was in relatively good shape. I closed the deal today and just need to get the car shipped.

Thanks to all who responded, to my initial inquiry and followups about shipping. I am still nervous, since I have never bought a car I haven't put my own eyes on this one personally, and of course the shipping thing has me on pins and needles.

I will report back with pics when the car arrives.

Thanks again to all.

Carl

 

[cwmoser]

I decided to buy the car after a great deal of assistance from a forum contributor an president of the OKC Club, Charles (Sooner CPA). I cannot say enough good things about the help he offered and provided - he went out an looked over the car for me and provided a lot of detail on the good parts of the car and those that need some tlc, obtained service records from the local dealer, and provided me contact information for the local (trusted MB) mechanic. All of this help was volunteered and hugely appreciated. I owe Charles.

I had the inspection done, and there some things to fix, as you would expect. Overall, however, the mechanic thought the car was in relatively good shape. I closed the deal today and just need to get the car shipped.

Thanks to all who responded, to my initial inquiry and followups about shipping. I am still nervous, since I have never bought a car I haven't put my own eyes on this one personally, and of course the shipping thing has me on pins and needles.

I will report back with pics when the car arrives.

Thanks again to all.

Carl

If I had SoonerCPA assisting me, I would not be nervous. Well, maybe a little concern about the shipping company. But, I had my Lexus LX470 shipped from California to North Carolina last year on open carrier and it came to me pristine, clean, and the car was as nice as the seller described it. I'll admit it was an Ebay purchase, sight unseen, and I had wired the money to complete the transaction all before I laid my eyes on it.

 

[SoonerCPA]

Carl,

Thank you for the kind words. I'm pleased I was able to offer some help. As 30 year old vehicles, they will have needs but I think you found a nice one to begin your 107 experience. Many good folks on this forum always available to provide insight and advice. I look forward to following your journey.

Cheers,

 

[jaymaynard]

If Charles and the mechanic he recommended both said the car is good, you can rest assured that the car will be in the condition described and won't eat you out of house and home with repairs, at least not right off.

It did look good in the pictures, and having the service records is a big plus.

Get ready for a fun adventure! The first time you take it out for a cruise with the top down will make it all worthwhile.

As for owing him...he did tell you where the nearest Sonic was for a picture, right?