gocargo

Greetings. I'm considering a SL500 off-lease, 3/2002 build date, 43,000 miles w/sport pkg, wood-trim upgrades & keyless-go, for around $69,900 plus tax.

According to Carfax milage report section, this vehicle seems to have been in the shop a number of times.. does this seem like a abnormal number of electrical and fuel system service repairs.. or does this seem like normal Carfax reporting on similar milage vehicles?

06/28/2002 4,162 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Engine serviced
Electrical system serviced
Miscellaneous service performed

08/21/2002 5,501 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

10/18/2002 7,823 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Electrical system serviced
Miscellaneous service performed
Engine serviced

12/06/2002 7,917 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

01/13/2003 10,952 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

02/18/2003 11,799 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Fuel system serviced
Emissions system serviced
Engine serviced

05/19/2003 13,602 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

07/22/2003 14,000 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

09/11/2003 19,837 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

11/05/2003 21,745 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Miscellaneous service performed
Brakes serviced
Electrical system serviced
Engine serviced

12/10/2003 21,850 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

02/04/2004 24,002 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Electrical system serviced
Engine serviced

03/30/2004 28,301 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

06/23/2004 32,250 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Electrical system serviced
Engine serviced
Miscellaneous service performed
Brakes serviced

08/13/2004 33,203 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

10/05/2004 36,733 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Fuel system serviced
Emissions system serviced
Electrical system serviced
Engine serviced
Miscellaneous service performed

11/30/2004 37,201 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced

02/11/2005 42,517 Service Facility
Vehicle serviced
Miscellaneous service performed
Engine serviced
Cooling system serviced

Thanks, Brett

ajf1

STOP, step away from the vehicle! No really, that is way too much money to pay for a 43,000 mile car with previous issues, that car is worth somewhere in the high 50's. Is it located at mercedes benz store? You should be able to find a car with half the mileage for 70 ish. what color is the car?

lorinserbenz

I saw a 03 Sl500 (keylessgo was the only option), sell for $65000 at auction two weeks ago, it had 26000 miles...
RUN do not WALK away from that car.. with 46K its a FINANCIAL TIME BOMB

MBAMGPWR

I have an 03 SL500 Black/Ash with 9500 miles for sale. It has NAVI, 18" Chrome AMG Wheels, Illuminated Door Sills (blue), Euro Impact Strips, Wood/Leather Steering Wheel, 6-Disc CD Changer, and Chrome Gill Accents on side & hood.

I'm asking $72,500.00+shipping (which I would help arrange).

NO history, NO accidents, 2nd owner car. PM me if you're interested...

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...68#post1144968

gocargo

It's black.
I went over the repair list item by item with the dealer on the phone today. 4 on the list were the routine A and B service, 2 were for wiper blades, 1 was door seal, 1 was belt torsioner and few other very minor items. There were no engine, transmission, wiring harness or folding-top issues. But the one repetitive service issue that it was in 4 times for was the "phone" which I guess means the previous owner had the Mercedes cell phone connected to his radio?

I am waiting to see the actual list in person and should receive the fax tomorrow.

Car has 9-months remaining on factory waranty and will come Starmarked for 1 more year to 100,000 miles. I will put less than 10,ooo miles per year and probably keep year, maybee two at most and may consider a 24 month lease.

Advantage I have with buying from this dealer (over a private sale) is quick/easy financing and extended warranty, dealer I've bought from before and wants to keep me a customer.. and no shipping problems.

Wadda you think?

lorinserbenz

Id go for MBAMGPWR's car verus what you are looking at..
You know for sure his folks car was well taken care of.
Shipping will only be $800 or so... so for $4000 more you get a car 40,000 less miles and one that was babied... thats a no brainer for me..
You can go to www.capitalone.com and get a check overnighted for his car..
VERY easy, several of my friends used them for person to pe rson sales.

43000 is just way to many miles to me... especially for a car only two years old..
What is the interior condition? lots of shoes scuffs on the entrance panels? stuff like that annoys the crap out me.. Id nit pick the car to death then offer the dealer $63K..

gocargo

I'll give it some thought although I'd rather have the sport front bumper.

Thanks
//Brett

gocargo

Next case:

What about a black/ash '03 w/20k miles, sport, wood & comfort pkg's, bi-xenon and keyless go with new zr?18 tires on AMG rims, fact warranty thru 8/06 & 1 addational year Starmarked for $74,9 ..100% financed at 5.6% 60 mos. I reviewed the entire Vehicle Master Inquiry which included repaired seat switches, front crankshaft seal & valve cover resealed only probs worth mentioning.

Am I getting closer to the r230 drivers seat?

-Brett

lorinserbenz

thats good deal...

I did a Manheim search for the whole county and the prices range from 59k (superrough high miles) to 74 for excellent.
Id go for it, the car has a bunch of options, warranty and a good interest rate.

allenjdmb

an 03, with sport, keyless, xenons, with 21k. Brilliant with ash, rubber was up. Car did $68 k, plus fees, etc. Very clean with no paintwork. I wouldn't buy one without sport unless you could steal it, and they are definitely coming down. As sales of the new cars are getting softer by the month, the used ones are getting cheaper as well. I see one in my not too distant future.

gocargo

Thanks for you guy's advice. I pulled the trigger on the 20,000-mile black 03 sport, biXenon, comfort, wood, keylessGo today and was able to have the dealer replace the amg spoke with some 04 chrome wheels.

lorinserbenz

Congrats! Sweet ride..

RadSteve

I think you got a good deal. Good looking car!