sl r129 anyone taken the risk on a 3/4k car
Discussion
16simon said:
Thanks again Doc. The dealer offered to send the car to Mercedes specialist for the service - I was pleasantly surprised at this - so I'd expect to see the service checklist, and anything that is highlighted on there.
I'll still check it thoroughly, and test drive it before finalising the sale though. I'll post on here and let you know how I get on....
When are you going? Would you like some moral support?I'll still check it thoroughly, and test drive it before finalising the sale though. I'll post on here and let you know how I get on....
DocArbathnot said:
When are you going? Would you like some moral support?
That would be very much appreciated, thanks for the offer. The car is in Netherfield, Nottighamshire and I'm hoping to collect it on Saturday morning (to be confirmed today by the dealer). Would that be convenient for you?
truck71 said:
If it's going for a service check when the gearbox fluid was last changed, it's due every 40000 miles.
Good advice, thanks - I'd expect a recent gearbox fluid (and filter) change. I don't think the diff oil is a service item but I like to get this done too on classic Mercs.16simon said:
DocArbathnot said:
When are you going? Would you like some moral support?
That would be very much appreciated, thanks for the offer. The car is in Netherfield, Nottighamshire and I'm hoping to collect it on Saturday morning (to be confirmed today by the dealer). Would that be convenient for you?
Sorry busy this weekend.
It is a cheap car after all so don't expect too much.
If it's sound, everything works and has some history, everyting else is a bonus.
DocArbathnot said:
Sorry busy this weekend.
It is a cheap car after all so don't expect too much.
If it's sound, everything works and has some history, everyting else is a bonus.
Ah well, thanks anyway.It is a cheap car after all so don't expect too much.
If it's sound, everything works and has some history, everyting else is a bonus.
It's interesting what you say about expectations.... I am expecting this to be rust free, with proper FSH, everything working and nothing needing to be done until the next service, as that's what the advert and discussions with the dealer have lead me to believe. I know that it's priced at the bottom end of the R129 price range, but I don't think that the prices have settled down yet so I don't think that price is always a good guide to condition.
Who knows what it'll turn out to be like though? The last car I put a deposit down on wihtout viewing it was an apparently mint low mileage Mk3 MR2 that turned out to have light panel damage all down one side. I really have no idea how the dealer thought that he'd get away with that one....
16simon said:
DocArbathnot said:
Sorry busy this weekend.
It is a cheap car after all so don't expect too much.
If it's sound, everything works and has some history, everyting else is a bonus.
Ah well, thanks anyway.It is a cheap car after all so don't expect too much.
If it's sound, everything works and has some history, everyting else is a bonus.
It's interesting what you say about expectations.... I am expecting this to be rust free, with proper FSH, everything working and nothing needing to be done until the next service, as that's what the advert and discussions with the dealer have lead me to believe. I know that it's priced at the bottom end of the R129 price range, but I don't think that the prices have settled down yet so I don't think that price is always a good guide to condition.
Who knows what it'll turn out to be like though? The last car I put a deposit down on wihtout viewing it was an apparently mint low mileage Mk3 MR2 that turned out to have light panel damage all down one side. I really have no idea how the dealer thought that he'd get away with that one....
Justayellowbadge said:
Mine is a 280, in the same colour. Beryl does suit the ambered.
Had it since the start of the year and it has been way better than I expected a 2k car to be. Put the hardtop back on a week or so ago and it has transformed it into a comfy coupe.
Ridiculous value at the moment.
I thought that I'd got a good price, but £2k is crazy (assuming that it's not a complete shed). But is your GF/wife happy with it? Had it since the start of the year and it has been way better than I expected a 2k car to be. Put the hardtop back on a week or so ago and it has transformed it into a comfy coupe.
Ridiculous value at the moment.
16simon said:
Justayellowbadge said:
Mine is a 280, in the same colour. Beryl does suit the ambered.
Had it since the start of the year and it has been way better than I expected a 2k car to be. Put the hardtop back on a week or so ago and it has transformed it into a comfy coupe.
Ridiculous value at the moment.
I thought that I'd got a good price, but £2k is crazy (assuming that it's not a complete shed). But is your GF/wife happy with it? Had it since the start of the year and it has been way better than I expected a 2k car to be. Put the hardtop back on a week or so ago and it has transformed it into a comfy coupe.
Ridiculous value at the moment.
The OH is a fan. We have a Mini Clubman Cooper S as the dog wagon and I think she enjoys getting into a car that isn't carpeted in dog hair.
its not beryl blue- its pearl blue this one
Justayellowbadge said:
Mine is a 280, in the same colour. Beryl does suit the ambered.
Had it since the start of the year and it has been way better than I expected a 2k car to be. Put the hardtop back on a week or so ago and it has transformed it into a comfy coupe.
Ridiculous value at the moment.
Had it since the start of the year and it has been way better than I expected a 2k car to be. Put the hardtop back on a week or so ago and it has transformed it into a comfy coupe.
Ridiculous value at the moment.
^ sorry to hear that Doc, hope it's nothing expensive.
Well, I phoned up MB Nottingham after they'd serviced the car, and it all looks good: they adjusted the front wheel bearings, replaced the spark plugs, wiper blades, both front tyres (with the same make as the rear tyres), the coolant, as well as the engine oil.
They noted play in the wheel bearings, perished flexi hoses on the rear brakes, play in the front suspension arms, and corrosion in the exhaust centre section. It's going for an MOT next so if it fails on any of these they'll be replaced. The plastic front arch liner are missing, apparently Mercedes didn't replace them when they replaced the wings under warranty due to corrosion.... although thinking about it, it could also have been due to a front end smash so I'd better ask for evidence that the car is HPI checked and wasn't ever written off.
They checked the VIN and apparently this car isn't affected by the wiring loom problems.
I phoned the dealer as well, and he sounded a bit rueful that he hadn't asked more for the car
Anyway, I'll collect it tomorrow morning and see for myself!! Is there anything I should particularly look for? I know that the car should come with a wind deflector, hard top stand and tools to manually open/close the soft top.... anything else?
If there's only one central locking fob or key (are they integrated?) does a spare cost much?
Well, I phoned up MB Nottingham after they'd serviced the car, and it all looks good: they adjusted the front wheel bearings, replaced the spark plugs, wiper blades, both front tyres (with the same make as the rear tyres), the coolant, as well as the engine oil.
They noted play in the wheel bearings, perished flexi hoses on the rear brakes, play in the front suspension arms, and corrosion in the exhaust centre section. It's going for an MOT next so if it fails on any of these they'll be replaced. The plastic front arch liner are missing, apparently Mercedes didn't replace them when they replaced the wings under warranty due to corrosion.... although thinking about it, it could also have been due to a front end smash so I'd better ask for evidence that the car is HPI checked and wasn't ever written off.
They checked the VIN and apparently this car isn't affected by the wiring loom problems.
I phoned the dealer as well, and he sounded a bit rueful that he hadn't asked more for the car
Anyway, I'll collect it tomorrow morning and see for myself!! Is there anything I should particularly look for? I know that the car should come with a wind deflector, hard top stand and tools to manually open/close the soft top.... anything else?
If there's only one central locking fob or key (are they integrated?) does a spare cost much?
Pretty sure as standard there should be 2 standard fob keys (folding ones with remotes) but my manual also shows a thin credit card sized remote control which has a thin retractable key. I don't have mine, and I think they are quite rare.
edit: You should also get a pair of white cotton gloves with the tool kit, these are very rare.
edit: You should also get a pair of white cotton gloves with the tool kit, these are very rare.
Well, I went to see the car, but I didn't buy. I'm sort of kicking myself now though....
It had been stored by the dealer for about 2 years, and the interior (including the inside of the hood) was a bit mouldy. The seats were a bit worn and coming unstitched at the front, there was a minor dent on the driver's door, and some bodged wiring to the front of the N/S/R wheelarch but otherwise the car looked and drove well. I saw the reg doc and both previous owners were titled.
However, there wasn't a spare key, or any key to disarm the immobiliser under the bonnet, which put me off a bit. The wind protector, toolkit and jack were also missing. The dealer hadn't MOT'd the car as promised (to be fair, it had been MOT'd in May and had only done 40-50 miles since) and didn't have the check sheet from the service carried out by MB Nottingham.
So, that was enough to put me off.... maybe I missed out on a bargain, or maybe I dodged a bullet?
It had been stored by the dealer for about 2 years, and the interior (including the inside of the hood) was a bit mouldy. The seats were a bit worn and coming unstitched at the front, there was a minor dent on the driver's door, and some bodged wiring to the front of the N/S/R wheelarch but otherwise the car looked and drove well. I saw the reg doc and both previous owners were titled.
However, there wasn't a spare key, or any key to disarm the immobiliser under the bonnet, which put me off a bit. The wind protector, toolkit and jack were also missing. The dealer hadn't MOT'd the car as promised (to be fair, it had been MOT'd in May and had only done 40-50 miles since) and didn't have the check sheet from the service carried out by MB Nottingham.
So, that was enough to put me off.... maybe I missed out on a bargain, or maybe I dodged a bullet?
If its rust free that's half the battle, if its running well that is a bonus too.
The hood possibly not being cleanable as well as being sat for 2 years and the bills that can give you with things seizing up could put you off.
Did the roof mechanism work well and the hardtop (if it has one) go on and off well?
The hood possibly not being cleanable as well as being sat for 2 years and the bills that can give you with things seizing up could put you off.
Did the roof mechanism work well and the hardtop (if it has one) go on and off well?
It sounds like you're expecting a lot for your money.
At that price range you should expect to either put up with a few things or spending some money on improvement.
I'm happy to buy at the lower end of the scale and spend a little time and money on the car. Probably no cheaper in the long run than buying a better car, but it helps me bond with it.
On a plus side I only broke a shock in the pothole
£100 for a pair of Sachs and I'm good to go. I'm working my way round the suspension so may have replaced them anyway.
Good luck finding a car.
At that price range you should expect to either put up with a few things or spending some money on improvement.
I'm happy to buy at the lower end of the scale and spend a little time and money on the car. Probably no cheaper in the long run than buying a better car, but it helps me bond with it.
On a plus side I only broke a shock in the pothole
£100 for a pair of Sachs and I'm good to go. I'm working my way round the suspension so may have replaced them anyway.Good luck finding a car.
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