Some help on a this SL500 ive seen please

[umuk]

Hi guys....done post much but been a lurking member for years, but the last time I was looking for an w209 clk I got some great advice on here. so once again I'm asking for your opinion on this sl500?

its a daunting potential purchase having read the stories of can go wrong with these car but the fact its got warranty and looks to have been looked after pretty well I'm thinking this may be worth it?

I have no experience of these cars so any advice will be greatly received

thanks in advance.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2014...

[Dog Star]

That should be a much better bet than one of the early ones, and the price isn't bad.

[umuk]

Dog Star said:

That should be a much better bet than one of the early ones, and the price isn't bad.

thanks dogstar...I was hoping you'd be one that replies...ive read your posts about your experience and thats one of the reasons I havent pulled the trigger as. yet.

before I ring the guy...can you tell me what I should be looking out for etc?
its priced reasonably considering it has a updated interior and the warranty..but cant be too careful

thanks

[Dog Star]

umuk said:

....pulled the trigger...

Ooooof! Second one today!

umuk said:

can you tell me what I should be looking out for etc?
its priced reasonably considering it has a updated interior and the warranty..but cant be too careful

Check for water ingress and for any evidence that there has ever been water ingress into the spare wheel area; is the foam around the PSE pump wet? This is vital.

Does the car sit straight? At each corner the the distance from ground to top of wheel arch should be around 70.5 cm

Make sure the suspension goes up and down smoothly. With the engine running walk around the car and check it sits still, it's not bobbing up and down.

Check all the suspension joints - especially the balljoints at the bottom of the front shocks where they bolt to the control arm.

Check for shock leakage.

Check that every single gizmo works. Even a tiny thing will cost £££££££££s

Engines and gearboxes are usually bombproof so you should have no issues there.

If it has comfort seats check that all the bladders and functions work as they should.

Check the parking sensors work.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

[umuk]

Dog Star said:

Check for water ingress and for any evidence that there has ever been water ingress into the spare wheel area; is the foam around the PSE pump wet? This is vital.

Does the car sit straight? At each corner the the distance from ground to top of wheel arch should be around 70.5 cm

Make sure the suspension goes up and down smoothly. With the engine running walk around the car and check it sits still, it's not bobbing up and down.

Check all the suspension joints - especially the balljoints at the bottom of the front shocks where they bolt to the control arm.

Check for shock leakage.

Check that every single gizmo works. Even a tiny thing will cost £££££££££s

Engines and gearboxes are usually bombproof so you should have no issues there.

If it has comfort seats check that all the bladders and functions work as they should.

Check the parking sensors work.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head.

thanks again dogstar

just spoken to guy...seems to have done his homework before he bought it too.

Claims that the car is perfect other than a chipped bit on the front grille (not mentioned in the ad!) and a creak/rattle here and there from the roof when closed (said it was common and nothing to worry about?) no leaks or rust anywhere.

its got 4 previous owners...seems on the high side?

Trouble is i cannot get to see the car due to work commitments for a week and i do not eant to leave a deposit without seeing it...so im thinking do as much research and get as much help from you guys as possible so im armed with enough info to make the right decision once i get there. Just hope it sticks around long enough...although i cant see many people being in the market for a 5litre V8!

i guess i should get myself on the merc owners forum and see what else i can dig up.

[74merc]

Yeah, get on to mbclub.co.uk. The garage who worked on the car, PCS, and the previous vendor, Mercland, are both active members. It does sound like a straight example though.

[umuk]

74merc said:

Yeah, get on to mbclub.co.uk. The garage who worked on the car, PCS, and the previous vendor, Mercland, are both active members. It does sound like a straight example though.

well spotted about kercland on the numberplate! gave them a call...they sold the car early last year and recall it being a 'clean' example. hmm. only thing left to do is work out a way to talk the missus into letting me have it! or at least let me go view.

thanks guys....if you can think of anything else...please post.

[RG63AMG]

It looks very nice : ) OR if you fancy red leather?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mercedes-Benz-SL-500-/15...

NOT me selling but I do know the seller, a good lad.

[umuk]

74merc said:

Yeah, get on to mbclub.co.uk. The garage who worked on the car, PCS, and the previous vendor, Mercland, are both active members. It does sound like a straight example though.

well spotted about kercland on the numberplate! gave them a call...they sold the car early last year and recall it being a 'clean' example. hmm. only thing left to do is work out a way to talk the missus into letting me have it! or at least let me go view.

thanks guys....if you can think of anything else...please post.