mb230s

If anybody is selling their 1999-2001 SL600 shoot me a PM. I'm not looking to pay top dollar! I've seen pristine examples for $40K and high mileage for $20K. Something under 50K miles and in good shape is more my goal. Pano roof would be nice. Prefer silver but would consider any color other than red.

Benzo1999

I noticed you're looking for an SL600. My car is everything you're looking for less 2 cylinders. Super Clean, 38000 Miles, Silver/Black, Zenons, Sport Package, Every Option (sans Wood Steering wheel).

Having a baby & the wife has been nagging me to get a sedan. At least she's ok with an S55

If you're interested, drop me a line or give me a call.

thanks,
Roy in Chicago
773-531-1790

CWW

Ya, good luck with hoping the perfect 600 turns up overnight. I was at one time in the same position that you are now, and it took me two years to find the one I wanted.

At peak production (MY's '97 and '98), they only made around 1,000 600s, and only around 700 were then imported to the US. In most other years, this number was significantly lower, more like 200.

According to the book "The SL Experience", firemist red accounted for 25% of normal production and magma Red accounted for another 8%. So you can back out fully 1/3rd of the available vehicles from being prospects right from get-go.

You also want less than 50k miles, which considering the newest R129 around is now 6yrs old, probably eliminates 80%+ of what is left once you exclude the 1/3 of them that were produced in red.

So, you are now in territory where there are probably only one or two cars (or maybe none) in the entire country that will fit your criteria. The real deal-killer on this one is going to be the price. You also want a bargain.

I am afraid adding all these variables together is not going to work out for you. For a 500, 320, or some other car where there were many multiples more produced, you can hold out for the condition and miles you want and maybe still find a bargain. Unfortunately, when you are talking a car that there are maybe 25-50 for sale in the entire country, and most or all of those won't fit your age and mileage criteria, you are going to have to pay to get what you want. Especially because you want the pano roof. Every R129 owner knows those things go for $3500 by themselves on Ebay, so you're really not going to find a bargain on one that has that option.

This is an age-old thing...if you are bargain hunting, you need to flex a bit on how many miles you will accept. If you want a specific set of options, miles, etc., you are going to have to pay for it.

I waited 2 years and still had to pay out the nose for my 10k mile SL600 in silver/black, without pano and without multi-countour seats (two things I wanted), because in almost that entire time it was the only one in anywhere near the condition I wanted with lower mileage.

I guess what I'm saying is, having gone down this road myself, trust me: You are being way too picky, especially on the price point, in what you are looking for. To get the car you want, you need to be prepared to spend (in my estimation) between $30k and $40k.

mb230s

Thanks for the inputs -

Roy -
I *might* want to look at your 500. I'm in no hurry and will at least spend a couple more weeks looking for the 600.

CWW -

Great points. I would be willing to sacrifice on the Pano and potentially the color. I saw a Firemist Red G55K and it was better than most reds from what I recall. Do you by chance have good photos of a 129 SL with both of the reds you mentioned? One may grow on me. I don't think the mileage will be much of an issue. It seems low mileage is more common than high mileage. I'll pay several thousand more for my "ideal" car if it really checks out but I do think I'll find one under $35K without many problems - just a question of how much below $35K. For less than ideal color/mileage/years I think I'll be in the $25-30K range for a good driver. $20-25K will get me a high mileage example that probably needs some work. I'm very willing to travel.

On cars.com today -
1999 w/ 102K miles for $18K
1998 w/ 45K miles for $21K
2000 w/ 88K miles for $23K
2001 w/ 62K miles for $25K
1998 w/ 37K miles for $26K
2000 w/ 41K miles for $28K
2000 w/ 31K miles for $28K
1998 w/ 33K miles for $30K
1999 w/ 48K miles for $33K
2002 w/ 8K miles for $34K
2000 w/ 31K miles for $35K
2001 w/ 11K miles for $39K
2001 w/ 60K miles for $40K
2002 w/ 31K miles for $42K
2002 w/ 37K miles for $46K

I also know of a 1999 w/ 11K for $35K (w/ Pano) and a 1999 w/ 12k for $37.5K.

When did you buy your 600? I think the market might be very different now. With the 2009 body revisions you can expect the 2003-2008 SLs to get traded-in, which means many 129 owners will probably jump at the cheaper 230s. I also think the economy is really effecting people financially and a V12 MB isn't the most economical mode of transport.

It seems to me that $40K is the top end of the market, which I'm not really shooting for.

Appreciate all the comments and leads! Keep up with the input. I really appreciate it.

Dave

Benzo1999

Sorry for the confussion, I don't have a pano.

Otherwise, I have a super clean summer only car if anybody is interested in buying it.

Thanks,
Roy in Chicago

mb230s

BTW - you have 4 less cylinders not 2.

mb230s

This one sold in the low $23K range according the the dealer - asking was $25K.

http://www.carsdirect.com/used_cars/...des-Benz/SL600

2000 w/ 45K miles black/black no pano. Assuming it was in mechanically OK condition and no major body damage I would have been interested. Too late....

Benzo1999

good luck finding a pano top.

mb230s

Yeah - I know. It would be nice to have but is not a 100% must-have.

lynns

Take a look at the 1997 with 14K miles and Pano at OurSL under Classifieds>Cars for Sale>89-02>SL600.

mb230s

I saw that - at $42K they are smoking crack from other prices I've seen and the haggling I've done the past several days.

Doesn't hurt to ask though!

lynns

If your really serious about wanting a low mileage, SL600 w/ a Pano roof I would talk straight with this guy and not infer that he's smokin dope. This is a very rare color combination. (189 emerald (green) black metallic)

I will say that this guy is no hurry as I have seen this car 4 sale for quite awhile. So I would only start negotiations if you are really serious.

mb230s

Crack not dope..... Just an offhand expression - not an accusation.

I'm very serious about buying but would prefer to deal with somebody serious about selling. I've already got a dealer w/ the 11K mile 1999 w/ pano mentioned above down to $32K. A 1997 with similar miles priced $10K higher doesn't seem like a serious seller. A friend of mine that knows cars is going to check out the 2002 w/ 8K miles for $34K on Friday - no pano but for an 02 with low miles I'll consider it.

tusabes

If I could get you exactly what you want (silver, pano, under 50k miles) how much would you be willing to pay?

I have quite a few connections in California on great lowmile 600s and can do this one no problem, PM me if serious.

BTW I can likely arrange the transaction to occur through an MB dealership for your added peace of mind.

mb230s

I have a potential 98 model year found - any others looking to sell?