SL280 1998 Yes or no?

[dandpl]

Thinking of buying an SL280 from 1997 with low mileage but it has only done 2000 miles in the last 13 years with only two or three hundred a year for the last few.and was last serviced 13 years ago. I am having it checked over by Mercare in Plymouth. What concerns would you have?

[acme]

To not service a car, especially one as special as a R129 SL shows wanton neglect in my eyes & therefore I’d steer clear personally.

[300sl-24]

The fact that its a 280 would put me off even more. The R129 is a heavy old car and the 280 is quite under powered. Make sure you drive it and prepare to be underwhelmed. Great cars with the right engine 320 minimum.

[DS129]

Interesting, please let us know what the inspections shows up.
If it has only done 2000 miles in 13 years what would "servicing" consist of - check tyres for degradation/cracking and brake discs for corrosion ?

[W201_190e]

If it hasn't been serviced in 13 years I would suggest leaving it. It would need to be very cheap.

[carcrazypop]

I'd hate to think what state the oil is in after 13 years, never mind all the other components such as tyres etc. Even if Mercare give it a reasonable bill of health, I'd only consider it if it was really cheap.

Otherwise, walk away, plenty more cars around.

Good luck.

[Old Merc]

300sl-24 said:

The fact that its a 280 would put me off even more. The R129 is a heavy old car and the 280 is quite under powered. Make sure you drive it and prepare to be underwhelmed. Great cars with the right engine 320 minimum.

I agree, before I bought my SL320 I took a 280 for a run and was amazed at the difference, flat and gutless. I`ve had my 320 for 14 years now, brilliant car, nothing has ever gone wrong with it.

[PositronicRay]

Old Merc said:

300sl-24 said:

The fact that its a 280 would put me off even more. The R129 is a heavy old car and the 280 is quite under powered. Make sure you drive it and prepare to be underwhelmed. Great cars with the right engine 320 minimum.

I agree, before I bought my SL320 I took a 280 for a run and was amazed at the difference, flat and gutless. I`ve had my 320 for 14 years now, brilliant car, nothing has ever gone wrong with it.

Yours is clearly better maintained than mine.

I've had mine 7 yrs, the 1st few yrs were the worst. Plenty of electrical glitches, some simple (contact cleaner & reseating connectors) Some more complex (head scratching, wiring diagrams and soldering irons)

The worst was a failed flex disc, one Sunday afternoon doing the Calais dash to catch a ferry, 2 days delay.

Plenty just worn out and replaced though. Water pump, fan clutch, heater valve, suspension/steering, soft top, engine loom, indicator switch.

It'll make a good car for someone, someday when I sell.

My advise to new owners is (unless proof it's been done) big service, replace fluids, consumables, rubbery bits, gummi pfledg on the rubber seals (several times) lube the throttle linkages and bonnet catchs (this never seems to get done) Then drive it lots, they hate being left standing.

[dandpl]

Thanks to everyone
I did not buy it I had it inspected and found that perhaps 2k was needed to get it "right". But I would still have a 280 with 6 owners.
Probably a very sound car but cars when not used serviced etc.............

Still looking.

[PositronicRay]

I saw a few before taking the plunge. None were as good as promised, so I opted for roadworthy but budget.

That way I'd have plenty in my war chest.

Truth be told the last thing I want is a really smart original one. Lives outside, daily driver, dog transport, holidays, 6000 MPA. My aim is mechanically sound, comfortable, leak free and patina.

Settling into a gite for a few weeks, packed to the gunnels.

Edited by PositronicRay on Monday 20th July 07:49