SORN or not to SORN/Sell?

[John042]

Usually SORN my tidy unmolested Cim'4Ltr the end of this month but have this annoying itch for a Merc SL The response from dealers seems uniform. Don't buy convertables in this time of year. Of course they would give me a silly trade-in price even a 5Ltr model. So does the bottom drop out of the market for our machines this time of year? Cheers J C

[fausTVR]

Winter coming so a poor time to sell, especially to a trader, ouch. With you on the SL though, always loved the R107's, test drove a couple, nearly had a silver-blue one but he wanted too much. Has to be the 500 but interior design a tad staid after a TIV. It had a good gutteral growl on it when prodded though.

[John042]

Thanks fausTVR. Yes SL's are good value and consumption across 2.8, 3.2 & 5.0 Ltr's isn't that different. I guess pulling 2 tons of metal makes the 5 Ltr the better buy? I'm certainly not going to give my Chim away for one to a dealer. Mind you if the weather stays like this I'll keep it on the road, especially when my insurers want £100+ for a laid policy. Cheers J C

[macdeb]

I don't SORN, for the sake of 6 months tax it's not worth it. What is worth it are the sunny days between now and next summer of which there seems more than summer as of late.

[John042]

True macdeb. Seasons seem all to C**k at the moment. I was saving a bit by my insurers only wanting £53 for a laid up policy last year,reinstating the policy in full when putting the vehicle back on the road. However, now they want £100+ for the laid up policy and no doubt an admin fee to alter the policy when I decide. So it doesn't add up to much difference keeping the beast road legal. Don't you love "Rip off UK" Cheers J C

[fausTVR]

John042 said:

True macdeb. Seasons seem all to C**k at the moment. I was saving a bit by my insurers only wanting £53 for a laid up policy last year,reinstating the policy in full when putting the vehicle back on the road. However, now they want £100+ for the laid up policy and no doubt an admin fee to alter the policy when I decide. So it doesn't add up to much difference keeping the beast road legal. Don't you love "Rip off UK" Cheers J C

Who are you insured with may I ask? I'm with Mannings and they said when I revert to laid up cover for winter, the overall effect is I would save about £100.

[andy1acarss]

Well September is a good time to sell as at least 3 of us have bought a Chim in the last week! I had an SL 300 24V R129. Nice cruiser, good over speed bumps and comfortable. All are juicy. 320 in later one is a compromise. Make sure roof all works as a pain and expensive to sort. Be prepared for young people to say its and old mans car. R107 rust is a problem. I have driven a few 500's 300 and one with a full glass hard top which weighs a ton and an SL 55AMG which go like stink but drive one 1st as you may regret selling the Chim which is more of a toy. I kept my SL for 3 months bought on inpulse!and sold it to a German who flew over and took it back to Germany.Good luck but be sure its what you want.

[John042]

Thanks andy1acarss for the informative reply. You're right it might be an impluse I've never driven one yet but should imagen it's a sedate drive a bit different from my Chim which seems to be happy at the legal limit ++ Didn't think 300's suffered with rust worm though? What's DIY on them like or is it a visit to an agent for special tools etc? From the figures I've found there appears to be little difference in consuption between the 3.2 and 5.0 Ltr? Love this site, good informed advice and tech' help. "Crack on Pistonheads. Cheers J C.

[andy1acarss]

Hi John. When I said rust I was refering to the r107 which is the older shape SL. The r129 which I had were very good and havnt seen a rusty one. 500 is the one to pick but still a heavy car to get going. Servicing is straightforward. The 300 24v have an ignition module which will make your eyes water but the 500 is a lot cheaper. Hard top is standard so if anyone is selling ask why they havnt got one. Dustbin lid steering wheel. Check suspension bushes etc as its a heavy car. There is a top man for fixing Mercs in Sidcup Kent, depends where you are. The merc club online is very helpful and you can learn a lot on there.

[John042]

Thanks again andy1acarss. It's probably a phase I'm going through. I was impressed with a lift in one, comfort or what. More of a motorway cruiser.I would think fuel consumpton on short journeys would be worse than my Chim' 4L? Cheers J C