waymilky

Hello, I live in Colorado and I'm interested in a SL65 in Atlanta. Does anyone have any recommendations regarding any of the dealers or other professionals who would go through the car with a fine tooth comb pre-purchase? I've seen too many cars that look fine in pictures or on TV and not so well in person.

Thanks

Ingenere

I would just call a local MB store. Perhaps the one that knows the car and have them look at it.

BlownV8

Sounds like you are wanting a pre purchase inspection . An appraisal will determine a value possibly for insurance or if you are financing and the bank needs one to loan you more then market value..

Call a local MB shop and see if they will do the PPI. Their inspections are basic but it shouldn't cost you more than a few hundred dollars.

Viper98912

Sounds like a PPI.

You've got a few different MB dealers in ATL:
Atlanta Classic Cars
RBM
MB of Buckhead
MB of South Atlanta

In some way/shape/form I've had simple dealings with each of these dealers.

If you're looking for an indy to do it, Jonathan @ Blue Ridge MB is about the best you can get.

waymilky

Thanks for the responses. I had seen under the repair shop forum that quite a few people speak highly of Jonathan at Blue Ridge Mercedes, but I thought he only did repairs. However, I just got on his website and I see they do pre-purchase inspections.

Thanks for your suggestions.

cal1

If you have the inspection done, you might want to post the results. I am sure a number of us will respond to the particular issues. As a group, we have seen and or dealt with almost any issue that has arisen on the R230 platform and the different drivetrains.

You might ask the people doing the inspection to look at the condition of the fluid in the ABC system. The color will tell us a lot.

okbarnett

if youre trying to avoid a dealer, the info you can get at the dealer is priceless. they can look up all the MB service history and check things nobody else is capable of. MB buckhead is very friendly and theres a service manager at atlanta classic motors that is very helpful named bobby waites

carlsturm

Igree on importance of checking MB service history. BTW if you have VIN any MB dealer can check service history.

waymilky

Rats, it is going to be a no go on the car. I had Jonathan at Blue Ridge do a PPI on the car and it sounds like it has been poorly maintained. Engine mounts, transmission mounts, headlights don't match (one old, one new),tired interior, evidence of possible hail damage, etc. ABC fluid looked either dark green or dark brown, whichever it was, is wasn't good. Evidence of wheel repair. Too bad, I had been looking for a car in this color for a year now. Jonathan reiterated something his Dad had taught him, buy the car, not the color. I want both, and will wait for it.

cal1

That is too bad. Keep looking and we will do what we can to help out. Dark brown ABC fluid could be bad news. Funny what Jonathan said. I happen to own two pewter metallic MBs. It was certainly not my first or second choice, but everything else was right so I bought them. Could be some wisdom in Jonathan's dad's comment.

Viper98912

Well, good thing you found the issues. Keep looking...they are out there...

Flak_Jacket

Is this car at west georgia auto brokers?

waymilky

Atlanta Used Cars Marietta. Interestingly, I just looked on the site to make sure the name is correct and they have raised the price since I had it inspected.

Flak_Jacket

2007 sl65 with the red leather? Great looking car. A bit over priced for issues your talking about.

waymilky

Yes that is it, exactly what I'm looking for, silver with red interior. I believe the car was sold new in Wisconsin and the current dealer bought it at auction. It doesn't sound like it was well cared for from all of it's issues.

Viper98912

They STILL have that car? I was over there a three months ago looking at another car (I took my black SL65 actually) and got talking to the owner. I had noticed it was an 07+ 65, and I told him those are definitely rare. He was acting like he was ready to dump it, he just couldn't sell it to anyone. I bet you'd be able to get that car for a steal if you wanted to deal with the PPI issues. He was asking what I had paid for my 65.

On a separate note, I wasn't pleased with the salesman I dealt with. I was looking to test drive a car and it ran out of gas just before leaving the lot. The salesman was going to get one of the porters to go get a gas can. I watched him go right over to his friend and keep talking about his non-work-related conversation. Never found a porter or anything, while I was staring right at him the whole time. We just left and never went back.