SL/R129: Looking to buy a 300SL
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Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 21
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From: Long Grove, IL
'96 S500 Coupe - '91 300SL
Looking to buy a 300SL
I'm looking for some tips, issues and other things too look for on saturday when I'm going to look at a SL for sale.
It's a 1991 300SL with the 5-speed manual. It has about 62,000 miles on it.
I know the obvious things to look for like the condition of the clutch, convertible top, looking for evidence of body repair etc.. However I don't know if there's any issues specific to this car that i need to take into consideration.
It's a 1991 300SL with the 5-speed manual. It has about 62,000 miles on it.
I know the obvious things to look for like the condition of the clutch, convertible top, looking for evidence of body repair etc.. However I don't know if there's any issues specific to this car that i need to take into consideration.
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some
I'm looking for some tips, issues and other things too look for on saturday when I'm going to look at a SL for sale.
It's a 1991 300SL with the 5-speed manual. It has about 62,000 miles on it.
I know the obvious things to look for like the condition of the clutch, convertible top, looking for evidence of body repair etc.. However I don't know if there's any issues specific to this car that i need to take into consideration.
It's a 1991 300SL with the 5-speed manual. It has about 62,000 miles on it.
I know the obvious things to look for like the condition of the clutch, convertible top, looking for evidence of body repair etc.. However I don't know if there's any issues specific to this car that i need to take into consideration.
i know teh 300's had some wiring harness issues, make sure to have a good ind. mecahnic take a fine look at it.
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Wisconsin
300SL
No wiring harness issues that I know about, that did not happen until model year 1995. However they have an issue with head gaskets. I replaced mine at ~ 70k. They also suffer from stuck piston rings, which causes oil consumption, otherwise no issues. 5-speed is much more fun to drive than the automatic.
Good Luck, Harald
Good Luck, Harald
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 21
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From: Long Grove, IL
'96 S500 Coupe - '91 300SL
Well, I got it and I was satisfied with the price for the repairs it needs (namely it needs a new soft top). One thing I noticed driving it is that the shifter seems a little low and hits the console most noticeably in first gear. Is it possible a transmission mount is going out and its sitting a little low in the back?
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 16
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From: Wisconsin
300SL
That does not sound right. The shifter should not hit the console, I would check the motor and transmission mounts.
I would also recommend to change the trans oil to Mobil1 10W30 synthetic ( it does NOT take gear oil), made a big difference in shifting especially when cold.
I had my soft top replaced about 3 years ago, cost ~ 1,700.00
I would also recommend to change the trans oil to Mobil1 10W30 synthetic ( it does NOT take gear oil), made a big difference in shifting especially when cold.
I had my soft top replaced about 3 years ago, cost ~ 1,700.00
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 21
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From: Long Grove, IL
'96 S500 Coupe - '91 300SL
Thanks! I'll check on those mounts when i do the oil change. The shift quality seems fine also. I'll also check the linkages and bushings for wear. It only has 64,000 miles on it but it lived it's whole life in the city of Chicago. So it got lots of shifting.
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From: Laguna Niguel, CA
SL500
Why couldn't they have made the 500 with a Manual? :smash:
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From: Socal
1991 300sl 5 speed manual
