Mercedes-Benz 560SL | FerrariChat

Mercedes-Benz 560SL

Discussion in 'Other German' started by Jack-the-lad, Jul 5, 2013.

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  1. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    I've been interested in these for some time and have been doing some research on prices, typical problems, etc. I'm looking at the best ones available and was wondering if anybody here has had any ownership experience you'd like to share.

    Thanks.

    Jack
     
    Jack-the-lad, Jul 5, 2013
    #1
  2. Bullfighter

    Bullfighter Two Time F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    ourSL.com | Mercedes-Benz SL Information and Data is a good resource.

    Haven't owned, but have driven a low mileage '86 560SL. Terrific car, but a fussy top to put up and down (by modern standards). The cars were fully debugged by the time the 560SL arrived.
     
    Bullfighter, Jul 5, 2013
    #2
  3. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    I bought an 88 560SL for my wife three month ago.

    Paid $8 with 113k miles.

    Came with new leather interior, new soft top, hard top in excellent condition, new brakes, rotors, calipers on all corners, new timing chain, head gasket, new exhaust, springs, and a few other things.

    Previous owner had the car for 8 years and gave me $13k worth of receipts... :)

    We retrofitted the air con with a new compressor ($1,600).

    The car still surges when cold (probably some vacuum leak somewhere) but I will tackle that next year.


    The car runs awesome, looks great, people love it.

    It's really small for me (6'5") and I usually don't drive it at all.


    Kai
     
    Kaivball, Jul 5, 2013
    #3
  4. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Thanks. I've been looking at cars with <60K miles and as much ownership and service history as possible. It's encouraging that so many cars with >200K miles are out there, even though I wouldn't buy one. It tends to confirm their quality of engineering and build.
     
    Jack-the-lad, Jul 5, 2013
    #4
  5. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ Lifetime Rossa Owner

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    My wife and I want one.

    Just look out for smoke on start up. Otherwise, mileage is a non-issue.

    Original 1989 MSRP was about $65k plus $1,300 gas guzzler tax in 1980s dollars.
    That's more than a 328.

    Matt
     
    Smiles, Jul 6, 2013
    #5
  6. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Kai,

    How's the ownership experience going? I'm still looking for "the best one."

    Jack
     
    Jack-the-lad, Nov 4, 2013
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  7. Kaivball

    Kaivball Three Time F1 World Champ Owner

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    The surfing was a bad throttle body and intake manifold... $2,000

    Other than that the car has been outstanding.


    Kai
     
    Kaivball, Nov 4, 2013
    #7
  8. Pass

    Pass F1 World Champ Silver Subscribed

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    Pass, Nov 4, 2013
    #8
  9. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Great. Glad you're enjoying it.

    Jack
     
    Jack-the-lad, Nov 5, 2013
    #9
  10. Jack-the-lad

    Jack-the-lad Seven Time F1 World Champ Owner Silver Subscribed

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    Jack-the-lad, Nov 5, 2013
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