Help on buying an 88 560 SL tomorrow
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 8
Likes: 1
From: Florida
2017 SL 450
Help on buying an 88 560 SL tomorrow
Hi,
I am new here and I got myself into a situation I hope I will be ok.
I am supposed to p/u an 88 560 SL tomorrow morning from a private owner at a Me/Be, BMW independent shop that did all the car's work.
Supposedly the complete interior and soft top are a year old.
Never hit (car fax) wheels refinished, new steering box, all tie rods, center link, ball joints, shocks, springs, timing chain with guides and sensors, tranny rebuilt,
Exhaust, new fuel pump and filter, all new rubber seals on hard and soft top, new tyres, brake calipers, discs, pads, and more. I was told over 10,000 in work past 18!months. Totally maintained over kill.
Car has a rough idle cold or at operating temp. I was told that car has been sitting 6 months causing this. I am paying under 9,000 for car, which is less than the new mechanical bills.
I ran Carfax last night after I said yes to purchase and all is good except for miles.
It said in 2014 there was 198,000 on odometer and now showing 96,000.
It in reality had in the area of 200,000 miles. I have no idea if it was turned back or had a new speedo installed.
I will have to do nothing to this car except hope that motor lasts till 250-300 k miles.
Body straight, never hit. No rot. Good color combo Blk/grey.
I am new with a 560 SL. Not cars. I am debating if buying this am I am safe with the buy? Please respond before morning on 2/29.
Thanks
Jax
1988 Me/Be 560 SL
I am new here and I got myself into a situation I hope I will be ok.
I am supposed to p/u an 88 560 SL tomorrow morning from a private owner at a Me/Be, BMW independent shop that did all the car's work.
Supposedly the complete interior and soft top are a year old.
Never hit (car fax) wheels refinished, new steering box, all tie rods, center link, ball joints, shocks, springs, timing chain with guides and sensors, tranny rebuilt,
Exhaust, new fuel pump and filter, all new rubber seals on hard and soft top, new tyres, brake calipers, discs, pads, and more. I was told over 10,000 in work past 18!months. Totally maintained over kill.
Car has a rough idle cold or at operating temp. I was told that car has been sitting 6 months causing this. I am paying under 9,000 for car, which is less than the new mechanical bills.
I ran Carfax last night after I said yes to purchase and all is good except for miles.
It said in 2014 there was 198,000 on odometer and now showing 96,000.
It in reality had in the area of 200,000 miles. I have no idea if it was turned back or had a new speedo installed.
I will have to do nothing to this car except hope that motor lasts till 250-300 k miles.
Body straight, never hit. No rot. Good color combo Blk/grey.
I am new with a 560 SL. Not cars. I am debating if buying this am I am safe with the buy? Please respond before morning on 2/29.
Thanks
Jax
1988 Me/Be 560 SL
SPONSOR/MBworld Guru
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 215
From: California
MB W204/W212, BMW E66, Porsche 958, VW MK6 TDI, Maserati Ghibli SQ4
Welcome to MBWorld. I'd query the previous owner on the mileage discrepancy... usually rolled odometer is a big red flag for me as I'd wonder what other shady aspects the previous owner might be hiding.
Last edited by AZN Optics; Feb 29, 2016 at 01:40 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1,018
Likes: 59
From: Virginia
2012 E550 Coupe, 2013 Escalade ESV, 2013 Lexus GS350, 2003 Honda VFR, 2017 Yamaha Kodiak 700 EPS SE
Welcome and good luck!
I had a 1989 560SL that ran great. Wish I still owned it but sold it a couple years ago. Price sounds fair especially with all that work done.
