SL350 - Advice etc

[Maverick_JDL]

Hello all, just started thinking about buying an SL350 as at circa £20-22k they are a bit to good to not consider.

However I know little about them in terms of what I should be looking out for etc. I.e any must haves and big no no's and in terms of issue that tend to crop up with the car and dealers etc.

All comments etc warmly welcomed.

Thanks.

[mercGLowner]

I have been looking for SL500s now going for under £20K. What I would look for:
- Full MB service history an absolute must (good specialist would be OK - but check).
- The right colour and miles, the prices/desirability of these SLs is mileage/colour dependant. Do not buy red, blue is marginal and so it cubanite. Stick to silvers (brilliant silver and Tellurite)and black.
- Roof seals can fail (and did) make sure the ones you look at do not leak (into the boot primarily). A lot of cars were repaired under warranty - about £2K to fix.
- Get a decent warranty, if you buy from a main dealer (and there are a few bargains there too) insist on a Tier one warranty.
- Air suspension can be costly to fix on 500's. It is optional on the 350.
- Go for a well specced car (easier to resell) desirable options - parktronic, pano roof, keyless go, Bose sound, 18" alloys, COMAND (some 350/500s haven't got it would you believe) - the standard alloys are not very good looking in my view.

Hope that helps.

[Maverick_JDL]

Thanks for this, seems like I am thinking along the right lines then. I wouldnt of known about the roof seals