SL/R129 2001 SL500 purchase question

Nov 10, 2007 | 08:00 PM

Pilotguy

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Piper

2001 SL500 purchase question

I'm going to look at a 2001 SL500 this week. It has 62,000 miles and was a 2 owner car. CARFAX shows regular service through 42,000 miles but then stops so I'll check with the MB dealer. The current owner (car lot 100 miles from me) says it seems to be very original. Here's my question.........they say the valance under the front end was damaged somewhat when they drove it onto the lot and hit a curb. They are having it fixed and will require a small amount of paint. They are asking $25,000. [B]What does this damage do to the value?[/B]

Thanks in advance.

PG

Nov 10, 2007 | 09:31 PM

DannyM383

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From: Texas

'04 SL55,'07 S550,'06 E55

...

I've had a few of these, none of them gave me any headaches just do the oil changes on time and you have a fantastic machine for a fraction of its MSRP

Nov 10, 2007 | 11:38 PM

herb999

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From: OAKLAND,CA

2000 SL 500 Mineral Green

Not much effect if the repair and paint are properly done.
The R129 resale value has become very poor lately since the intro of the 230.
Herb 2000 SL500

Nov 11, 2007 | 12:38 AM

Pilotguy

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Piper

Why does the 230 have an effect on the SL500?

Nov 11, 2007 | 05:58 PM

AMGSport

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilotguy

Why does the 230 have an effect on the SL500?

Any new version of a car will (usually) drive down the price of the previous model. The current SL500 (R230) is "more desirable" than the previous generation SL500 (R129).

Corvettes, Porsches etc are no different. Look at the price of the 1999-2004 Porsche 996 cars...when the 997 came out it knocked the crap out of them...Same for C5 Corvettes...the nature of the beast...

Nov 13, 2007 | 10:33 PM

lynns

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2006

Posts: 391

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From: So California

2000 SL500

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilotguy

Here's my question.........they say the valance under the front end was damaged somewhat when they drove it onto the lot and hit a curb. They are having it fixed and will require a small amount of paint. They are asking $25,000. [B]What does this damage do to the value?[/B]

Damage to an R129 AMG front apron is a common occurance and will not change the value of the vehicle unless it is left ugly.

There are several ways to repair it depending on the amount of damage. 1) Insurance deductible 2) Relace the front apron at $1700 for the part and additional for paint and labor 3) Call out a Bumper Mobile Repair for $250-$500

Note: If you buy this car check the paint quality of the repair and stay away from concrete parking slabs in the future.

Dec 27, 2007 | 04:36 AM

Hesam1

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Joined: Nov 2007

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1996 Mercedes-Benz SL500

Personally if I'm paying $25000 I'd rather get a 1998 with 20,000 miles than 2001 with 60,000 and damage on the frame. 1998 is made by Benz not Chrysler and there are few available for sale with under 30k miles.