SL/R230: In the market for used SL
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
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From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
In the market for used SL
Hi everyone,
I'm going to upgrade from my W211 to a used SL550 or SL55 in the next year or so. I have a lot of questions:
1) Is there a year that was better in anyway (02,03,04,05)?
2) Anything specific I should look for when looking at one of these used?
3) What sort of insurance increase should I look forward to?
4) How often do you change tires and breaks
5) Is there an extended service contract? what does it cover? what are the parameters?
6) How many times do you end up at the service department for repairs each year?
7) What other cars did you look at or consider?
8) Is the body style set to change any time soon? Any pix?
9) Whats the best way to buy this car used? Ebay? Private? Dealer?
I'll keep it at that for now. Thanks for your time.
I'm going to upgrade from my W211 to a used SL550 or SL55 in the next year or so. I have a lot of questions:
1) Is there a year that was better in anyway (02,03,04,05)?
2) Anything specific I should look for when looking at one of these used?
3) What sort of insurance increase should I look forward to?
4) How often do you change tires and breaks
5) Is there an extended service contract? what does it cover? what are the parameters?
6) How many times do you end up at the service department for repairs each year?
7) What other cars did you look at or consider?
8) Is the body style set to change any time soon? Any pix?
9) Whats the best way to buy this car used? Ebay? Private? Dealer?
I'll keep it at that for now. Thanks for your time.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
Originally Posted by trezaei
Hi everyone,
I'm going to upgrade from my W211 to a used SL550 or SL55 in the next year or so. I have a lot of questions:
1) Is there a year that was better in anyway (02,03,04,05)?
2) Anything specific I should look for when looking at one of these used?
3) What sort of insurance increase should I look forward to?
4) How often do you change tires and breaks
5) Is there an extended service contract? what does it cover? what are the parameters?
6) How many times do you end up at the service department for repairs each year?
7) What other cars did you look at or consider?
8) Is the body style set to change any time soon? Any pix?
9) Whats the best way to buy this car used? Ebay? Private? Dealer?
I'll keep it at that for now. Thanks for your time.
I'm going to upgrade from my W211 to a used SL550 or SL55 in the next year or so. I have a lot of questions:
1) Is there a year that was better in anyway (02,03,04,05)?
2) Anything specific I should look for when looking at one of these used?
3) What sort of insurance increase should I look forward to?
4) How often do you change tires and breaks
5) Is there an extended service contract? what does it cover? what are the parameters?
6) How many times do you end up at the service department for repairs each year?
7) What other cars did you look at or consider?
8) Is the body style set to change any time soon? Any pix?
9) Whats the best way to buy this car used? Ebay? Private? Dealer?
I'll keep it at that for now. Thanks for your time.
2) Just your standard stuff. You should probably get one under warranty, even if it's 1 month left. You want to make sure everything is in good condition, like the abc, roll bar, etc
3) too many factors to consider
4) too many factors to consider. Tires last anywhere from 10k to 20k miles (premium brands). General rule is change brake pads every 20k, rotors every other time. Of course, if you drive hard, you have to adjust accordingly
5) Some cars have the original MBUSA extended warranty. Some dealers also sell third party warranties. If you buy a car and you want an extended warranty from a third party, ask your servicing dealer who they sell. This will minimize your risk of getting your claims denied.
6) I don't think anyone's had major problems. Just follow schedule A & B. Airmatic/abc problems is something to be careful of, but that applies to all airmatic/abc cars.
7) I bought mine in Feb 2003, I ordered it when it was released in 2002. I was considering the E55, but it wasn't due for release for another year.
8) 2007 is the refresh. You can probably search on here for the pictures. very very minor changes. Hell, don't think anyone will notice, cept for the tail lights.
9) too many factors. Private party is cheapest. Dealer is most expensive. I think private party with a car under warranty is probably the least expensive.
I hope you have a 2nd or 3rd car. 2 seaters are inconvenient as hell. You want to know a quick way to turn an expensive car into a piece of crap? Fit 4 people into a car that's meant for 2 heh.
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,434
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From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
I hear you on the 4 seater.
The way I look at it though, I've had my W211 for 2.5 years now and people have been in the back maybe a dozen times and each of those times there was an alternate car we could have taken. This will be my only car for the time being, I might buy another W211 cause I really like it but not soon.
How do you feel about the trunk space? I know the roof folds into the trunk but does that mean the amount of space in the trunk actually changes or is the roof folding space always reserved for the roof somehow? Can you fit a suitcase and 1 duffle bag in there?
I am not that worried though cause I can always pick up a used truck for 10K which is how much the wheels on this car would cost
The way I look at it though, I've had my W211 for 2.5 years now and people have been in the back maybe a dozen times and each of those times there was an alternate car we could have taken. This will be my only car for the time being, I might buy another W211 cause I really like it but not soon.
How do you feel about the trunk space? I know the roof folds into the trunk but does that mean the amount of space in the trunk actually changes or is the roof folding space always reserved for the roof somehow? Can you fit a suitcase and 1 duffle bag in there?
I am not that worried though cause I can always pick up a used truck for 10K which is how much the wheels on this car would cost
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
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Trunk space is fine. You can easily fit a large suitcase + smaller bags in there.
There's a divider/cover that latches down in the trunk which allows you to open/close the roof. If you are in need of more trunk space, this cover can remain up, giving you more vertical room to store something. Car will still drive, etc, but you cannot lower the roof.
rear seats is like insurance. You think nothing of it most of the time, but when you need it, you're glad that you have it.
There's a divider/cover that latches down in the trunk which allows you to open/close the roof. If you are in need of more trunk space, this cover can remain up, giving you more vertical room to store something. Car will still drive, etc, but you cannot lower the roof.
rear seats is like insurance. You think nothing of it most of the time, but when you need it, you're glad that you have it.
Last edited by jl88; Mar 17, 2006 at 05:37 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2001
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It's just a car. Not an extension of my e-***** or my ego. I don't put much worth into crap that I buy, since they are easily replaceable/forgettable.
Don't get me wrong; I still enjoy/appreciate nice cars. But personally, I don't need to drive a nice car all the time, or hell, even half the time.
That's not to say I don't have something planned in the next few months!
Don't get me wrong; I still enjoy/appreciate nice cars. But personally, I don't need to drive a nice car all the time, or hell, even half the time.
That's not to say I don't have something planned in the next few months!
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AlabasterWhiteSL ObsidianBlackML
You can find really good deals on used SL's right now, if you wait a little until the 07 come out, I think you'll save even more money, just a thought
Last edited by blazinginder; Mar 17, 2006 at 06:28 PM.
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From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
Originally Posted by blazinginder
You can find really good deals on used SL's right now, if you wait a little until the 07 come out, I think you'll save even more money, just a thought
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Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,434
Likes: 1
From: So Cal
2010 RRS ; BMW K1200R; 14 E350 ; 14 RRS on order
how different is the old Nav from the new Nav?
Is it DVD vs. non DVD? Whats the diff really?
Can you get the new nav in the old car for any price?
Is it DVD vs. non DVD? Whats the diff really?
Can you get the new nav in the old car for any price?
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
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Well, depends on if you plan on using the Nav. The old nav will get you to where you want to go, but the DVD based nav is just a lot cooler. That's all subjective of course. The difference in prices between Model years is anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 each year..
Don't know about retrofitting. That's something you need to talk to Steve (MBenzNL) about.
Don't know about retrofitting. That's something you need to talk to Steve (MBenzNL) about.
Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 123
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From: Sarasota, FL
07' CLK63 designo Graphite/Black; 07' E350 Sport White/Cashmere
Originally Posted by jl88
Well, depends on if you plan on using the Nav. The old nav will get you to where you want to go, but the DVD based nav is just a lot cooler. That's all subjective of course. The difference in prices between Model years is anywhere from $5,000 to $10,000 each year..
Don't know about retrofitting. That's something you need to talk to Steve (MBenzNL) about.
Don't know about retrofitting. That's something you need to talk to Steve (MBenzNL) about.
Jim
