Pilotguy

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

DannyM383

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

herb999

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

Pilotguy

Why does the 230 have an effect on the SL500?

AMGSport

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...

lynns

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.

Hesam1

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.

lynns

I kinda doubt that this thread is of any concern at this time since it was first posted on 11-10-07.

hineywineries

*If the guy is still looking, I'd be more concerned about buying from a used car lot than worrying about a front apron.