SL55 winter quandary....
Discussion
Do I spend the best part of £1000 on winter tyres for the original turbine wheels and then undoubtedly need to have them refurbished after winter, or, buy something like an old Jeep Cherokee for similar money and then sell it on in the Spring?
The added advantage of the latter being the ability to tuck the SL away for those harshest of months.
The added advantage of the latter being the ability to tuck the SL away for those harshest of months.
"All my possessions for a moment of time!" - Elizabeth I
Two-car strategy. [even three-car if you can make the numbers add up
]
If you're like me, you like having different tools in the toolbox. The dichotomy - switching from a bully sports 4x4 to grouchy boulevardier - really makes me appreciate both cars ever the more.
If you're cruising around in an R230, then, I'm guessing running costs are sort of, 'whatever', to you, so picking up a 4x4 is just a utility question. Years ago, I did consider a Cherokee, but then I inevitably starting considering P38s, then MLs, then throwaway Fronteras...until...until...I couldn't look past an X5. Just does it all, for me. I toyed with a Cayenne upgrade, but then shuddered at the thought of opening the curtains and seeing the horrid thing.
Enjoy!
Two-car strategy. [even three-car if you can make the numbers add up
]If you're like me, you like having different tools in the toolbox. The dichotomy - switching from a bully sports 4x4 to grouchy boulevardier - really makes me appreciate both cars ever the more.
If you're cruising around in an R230, then, I'm guessing running costs are sort of, 'whatever', to you, so picking up a 4x4 is just a utility question. Years ago, I did consider a Cherokee, but then I inevitably starting considering P38s, then MLs, then throwaway Fronteras...until...until...I couldn't look past an X5. Just does it all, for me. I toyed with a Cayenne upgrade, but then shuddered at the thought of opening the curtains and seeing the horrid thing.
Enjoy!
SL55 is a fine car, very fine car.
However, the minimum default running costs of a second car, any second car, are highly likely to exceed any winter on-cost of running the SL over winter.
E.g., winter tyres all round = £1,000 plus 4 wheel refurb in the spring (if necessary) = £250, gives a cost £1,250 (minus the value of any reuse of the winter tyres the following winter) vs. the cost of purchasing the new car, getting it on the road (tax, insurance etc) and any potential service and maintenance including winter boots for the second car. Plus winterising a second car (blades, anti freeze etc etc).
Is the SL55 high value / cherished enough to merit avoiding winter?
In my view not worth it.
However, the minimum default running costs of a second car, any second car, are highly likely to exceed any winter on-cost of running the SL over winter.
E.g., winter tyres all round = £1,000 plus 4 wheel refurb in the spring (if necessary) = £250, gives a cost £1,250 (minus the value of any reuse of the winter tyres the following winter) vs. the cost of purchasing the new car, getting it on the road (tax, insurance etc) and any potential service and maintenance including winter boots for the second car. Plus winterising a second car (blades, anti freeze etc etc).
Is the SL55 high value / cherished enough to merit avoiding winter?
In my view not worth it.
Winter tyres, never bothered in six years of ownership for my SL. But I have walked to the car, tried to move it in the snow and it didn't even play ball. Jumped in a 1.7 puma and like a sturdy mountain goat and made it to work with minimal hassle.
I have two sets of wheels now, but haven't bothered with winter tyres due to the prohibitive cost. If your interested in a second set of urbines drop me a PM.
I have two sets of wheels now, but haven't bothered with winter tyres due to the prohibitive cost. If your interested in a second set of urbines drop me a PM.
Thanks for the replies, you've confirmed both sides of my arguement but collectively not helped at all as I'm still undecided!!
I'm not convinced that buying a 2nd car for around £1k will be much more expensive than winter tyres as it'll have the same value in the Spring should I decide to sell whereas the tyres would be virtually worthless. Insurance will be around £250-£300 for the year but I'll only need that for 6 months tops.
I'm not convinced that buying a 2nd car for around £1k will be much more expensive than winter tyres as it'll have the same value in the Spring should I decide to sell whereas the tyres would be virtually worthless. Insurance will be around £250-£300 for the year but I'll only need that for 6 months tops.
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