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Friend of a friend is offering this 1992 500SL for $5K. Elderly original owner is moving and needs to down size. Car is in amazing like new condition. Convertible with removable hard top. The catch is, it has 240K miles on it.
I've always admired these cars but I know used German cars with high miles can be problematic and expensive to repair. This car has been meticulously cared for though.
I know nothing about Mercedes ownership experience. Any of you Mercedes guys advise me on this?
I would want to see all the service records and compare them to the recommended service details in the owners manual. If possible take it to a shop you know and have it inspected. 240000 miles would make very nervous.
For $5k why not ? Just keep the title in the glovebox so you can just call the junkyard to pick it up when it breaks down.
Seriously though, I would buy it and enjoy it until something major goes wrong. That is from the era when MB was still building quality cars, 240k is nothing on that drivetrain.
If it has been maintained by a MB dealer it's probably in better condition than you think, considering how over the top their maintenance procedures are.
I purchased a very nice 2000 about 7 yrs ago, 65k miles, The original MSRP was $93k. I paid $9k. The third owner purchased from a local Mercedes dealer and spent $4k on an extended warranty. Over the few years she owned it warranty covered $13k in repairs.
One very expensive service item are the 9 hydraulic solenoids which control the hydraulics for the top. Mercedes wants $800 wholesale each. Luckily there is an aftermarket supplier who rebuilds them for under $100 called top hydraulics. It’s best to replace all and flush fluid at one time.
The other common issue is the vacuum pump which controls the locking system. I was lucky to find one on eBay and have programmed by an independent shop for under $200.
Check those items, for $5k, fun car and still gets respect on road.
That generation SL is one of the prettiest automotive designs and they are stout. I would have zero concern with reliability if you follow standard maintenance. That specific car looks to be in great shape for the mileage, clearly well taken care of.
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Our 2013 SL550 roadster, retractable hardtop, twin turbo v-eight,paddle shift, has been a real joy, and completely trouble free. Love the quality (as it should be, for an over $117,000 msrp car), performance, ride (adjustabe), handling, etc. Lots of pride of ownership with this one, and I now see why they sell for the big bucks. I will never hesitate to own another Mercedes if it has been treated properly and if it is equipped to suit me.
My sweet bride picked this one- she did good! Makes me smile every time I step inside.
Cheers,
Our 2013 SL550 roadster, retractable hardtop, twin turbo v-eight,paddle shift, has been a real joy, and completely trouble free. Love the quality (as it should be, for an over $117,000 msrp car), performance, ride (adjustabe), handling, etc. Lots of pride of ownership with this one, and I now see why they sell for the big bucks. I will never hesitate to own another Mercedes if it has been treated properly and if it is equipped to suit me.
My sweet bride picked this one- she did good! Makes me smile every time I step inside.
Cheers,
Eddie
Nice car, Eddie! How many miles do you have on it?
Still haven't heard back from the seller so it may be sold already.
I don't know if this even qualifies but I have owned three MB, all SL models. I owned a 1959 300SL, a 1961 190SL, and a 1965 230SL. When something breaks on a Mercedes be prepared to empty your wallet. Parts are very expensive. The model year you are looking at is getting long in the tooth so it may be teetering on expensive to outrageous. However, as you said, $5K it could be a fun throw away car. I will say owning an older Mercedes is a love/hate relationship. Even with all the frustrations you have, when you cruise down the road, top down, wind blowing and it's running like a top there isn't anything like it.
Update: Seller is in TX until the 12th. He lowered price to $3K! My buddy and I are going in haves on it so for $1500 I figure I can't go wrong. Will see wht happens on the 12th.
Update: Seller is in TX until the 12th. He lowered price to $3K! My buddy and I are going in haves on it so for $1500 I figure I can't go wrong. Will see wht happens on the 12th.
Why don't you remove the hardtop, and not only see the condition of the soft top, but you can also see if the convertible top mechanism works, or not. Just a thought....
Why don't you remove the hardtop, and not only see the condition of the soft top, but you can also see if the convertible top mechanism works, or not. Just a thought....
Yes, we will be doing that but I don't really care if the soft top doesn't work. I'll probably just leave the hardtop on all the time. If I do remove it I will leave the soft top down until I put the hard top back on.
No Mercedes out of warranty is a good idea. Even if you can do the work yourself it's a gamble, there is a reason these cars are pennies on the dollar as soon as they are out of warranty.
I should know, I have a 2012 C300 4matic, everything is expensive.
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A good friend of mine just traded in his 04. ABS issue and HVAC issues would have exceeded the value of the car to repair. Parts are also an issue. This car only had 50,000 miles on it.
I've had a couple of older Benzes. They are cash drainer. Beautiful to look at, but there is a reason they can be purchased so reasonably.
A good friend of mine just traded in his 04. ABS issue and HVAC issues would have exceeded the value of the car to repair. Parts are also an issue. This car only had 50,000 miles on it.
I've had a couple of older Benzes. They are cash drainer. Beautiful to look at, but there is a reason they can be purchased so reasonably.
What's that saying?? "A fool, and his money are soon parted...." Just say, No!
No Mercedes out of warranty is a good idea. Even if you can do the work yourself it's a gamble, there is a reason these cars are pennies on the dollar as soon as they are out of warranty.
I should know, I have a 2012 C300 4matic, everything is expensive.
A really good indy mechanic is the ticket to owning older German hardware.
Lucky I have one of the best right down the road. When I found out the owner had several 190E 2.3-16 stashed away, I knew we'd be friends. One of my favorite 80s Benzes. http://cedesrepair.com
A MB diesel would be OK with that mileage, but I'd avoid any MB gasoline with over 30K - from prior experiences! Especially an SL.
Disagree, my old man had an 85 380SE and an 03 E500 that both went to 300k with no major engine repairs, still running didn’t use oil. Yes, belts, gaskets, alternators, but not what I’d consider unreliable.
Yes, we will be doing that but I don't really care if the soft top doesn't work. I'll probably just leave the hardtop on all the time. If I do remove it I will leave the soft top down until I put the hard top back on.
06-09-2022, 11:42 AM
Mercedes 500SL? - Possible Purchase
