SL/R230: Looking to buy a used SL... What should I look for?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Looking to buy a used SL... What should I look for?
My lease is up on my Infiniti. As much as I love the car, I've recently moved to California and want a convertible. I've always loved the SL's...
There are a glut of these things for sale in Silicon Valley for $30-$45K, depending on the year.
I'm currently looking at a 2005 for $38,995. It has 47K miles. All the options appear to match what I am used to in my Infiniti with the exception of the rear backup camera.
Carfax is clean and it's from a reputable dealer.
What should I look out for with one of these rigs? Any problems with the 2005s that I should know about?
There are a glut of these things for sale in Silicon Valley for $30-$45K, depending on the year.
I'm currently looking at a 2005 for $38,995. It has 47K miles. All the options appear to match what I am used to in my Infiniti with the exception of the rear backup camera.
Carfax is clean and it's from a reputable dealer.
What should I look out for with one of these rigs? Any problems with the 2005s that I should know about?
Banned
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
SL55
First thing to do is get on your back and look at the front end.
I mean REALLY look at it long and hard. Look for damage to the front Air Dam. Look for reapirs. This part of a SL will tell you much about the car.
If the car is abused. Its going to show up here.
Look in the rear wheel wells. Is there tons of caked on rubber ?
This is also a sign of abuse.
Make sure there is no issue with rattles and the roof.
Make sure of the amount left on the brake pads and tires.
Make sure and get the Repair History from the dealer.
Thankfully a 2005 wont have as many electrical issues.
But if you find too many ABC or Electrical issues in the past.
Avoid the car.
These cars are either rock solid or cursed. Avoid the Cursed ones.
Try for a extended warranty with the dealer. If its in good shape its worth an extra couple grand to 100K Miles.
I mean REALLY look at it long and hard. Look for damage to the front Air Dam. Look for reapirs. This part of a SL will tell you much about the car.
If the car is abused. Its going to show up here.
Look in the rear wheel wells. Is there tons of caked on rubber ?
This is also a sign of abuse.
Make sure there is no issue with rattles and the roof.
Make sure of the amount left on the brake pads and tires.
Make sure and get the Repair History from the dealer.
Thankfully a 2005 wont have as many electrical issues.
But if you find too many ABC or Electrical issues in the past.
Avoid the car.
These cars are either rock solid or cursed. Avoid the Cursed ones.
Try for a extended warranty with the dealer. If its in good shape its worth an extra couple grand to 100K Miles.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
My SL55 has been great. I have had it for 5+ years and have zero complaints. It has done everything from DD to track days, and been the test bed for my company's 55K tuning.
No complaints here.
No complaints here.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
First thing to do is get on your back and look at the front end.
I mean REALLY look at it long and hard. Look for damage to the front Air Dam. Look for reapirs. This part of a SL will tell you much about the car.
If the car is abused. Its going to show up here.
Look in the rear wheel wells. Is there tons of caked on rubber ?
This is also a sign of abuse.
Make sure there is no issue with rattles and the roof.
Make sure of the amount left on the brake pads and tires.
Make sure and get the Repair History from the dealer.
Thankfully a 2005 wont have as many electrical issues.
But if you find too many ABC or Electrical issues in the past.
Avoid the car.
These cars are either rock solid or cursed. Avoid the Cursed ones.
Try for a extended warranty with the dealer. If its in good shape its worth an extra couple grand to 100K Miles.
I mean REALLY look at it long and hard. Look for damage to the front Air Dam. Look for reapirs. This part of a SL will tell you much about the car.
If the car is abused. Its going to show up here.
Look in the rear wheel wells. Is there tons of caked on rubber ?
This is also a sign of abuse.
Make sure there is no issue with rattles and the roof.
Make sure of the amount left on the brake pads and tires.
Make sure and get the Repair History from the dealer.
Thankfully a 2005 wont have as many electrical issues.
But if you find too many ABC or Electrical issues in the past.
Avoid the car.
These cars are either rock solid or cursed. Avoid the Cursed ones.
Try for a extended warranty with the dealer. If its in good shape its worth an extra couple grand to 100K Miles.
"First thing to do is get on your back and look at the front end.
I mean REALLY look at it long and hard. Look for damage to the front Air Dam. Look for reapirs. This part of a SL will tell you much about the car.
If the car is abused. Its going to show up here."
I have a 2005 SL55 with 7,500 miles on it and the car is truly pristine. I have had the undeside of the air dam repainted 3 times--1. The dealer scraped it when it was in for routine service 2. A car in front of me kicked up a rock that took more than its share of paint off of the underside of the air dam and 3.The dealer did it again.
The front ends on these are so low that they are prone to damage. I would not equate an air dam that has been repaired to a car that as been abused.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
I had carmax offer me $58000 for my 2008 with 6K miles. I had them appraise it just to see how much the SL's have taken a hit in the last year. I have $86K in the car that was purchased new in January of this year with a MSRP of $106K. I think you can do a lot better then what you are looking at.
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta, GA
2005 SL500
used SL prices
Why have SLs taken such a price hit this year?
I am looking at 2005 SL500s and the prices are good, but there is quite a range even in dealer CPO vehicles.
What is a good price for a 2005 SL with 15-20k miles, panorama, cd changer? I am in Atlanta.
Thanks!
I am looking at 2005 SL500s and the prices are good, but there is quite a range even in dealer CPO vehicles.
What is a good price for a 2005 SL with 15-20k miles, panorama, cd changer? I am in Atlanta.
Thanks!
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: NJ
Sigh...
new model looks different, and now that they're becoming readily available that's a huge hit to "older" styling. Throw in an awful economy, lots of used SLs for sale, and a car that gets poor mpg and I'm surprised they haven't dropped more
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Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
My SL gets 19 mpg no matter how I drive. I like the original style. the 2009 looks like crap and is a gov't required redesign. These are beautiful cars. All cars are taken a big hit I know a guy at the gym that has a 2006 Range Rover that only has 30K miles on it and he wanted to trade for a new one and the dealer offered him $30K for it as a trade-in. No cars are special and it is all about what you like. I like Landcruisers and LX470's better then any other SUV made. It is all about what you want and like.
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Southern CA
08 CLS63, Honda Accord, 04 911
Anyone have any insight why the 04-05 SL's are within the same price range?
I have seen an average of the 04's even priced higher? I always thought and read the 05's are much better with also better options available...
I have seen an average of the 04's even priced higher? I always thought and read the 05's are much better with also better options available...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: Austin, TX
2005 Silver SL 500
My lease is up on my Infiniti. As much as I love the car, I've recently moved to California and want a convertible. I've always loved the SL's...
There are a glut of these things for sale in Silicon Valley for $30-$45K, depending on the year.
I'm currently looking at a 2005 for $38,995. It has 47K miles. All the options appear to match what I am used to in my Infiniti with the exception of the rear backup camera.
Carfax is clean and it's from a reputable dealer.
What should I look out for with one of these rigs? Any problems with the 2005s that I should know about?
There are a glut of these things for sale in Silicon Valley for $30-$45K, depending on the year.
I'm currently looking at a 2005 for $38,995. It has 47K miles. All the options appear to match what I am used to in my Infiniti with the exception of the rear backup camera.
Carfax is clean and it's from a reputable dealer.
What should I look out for with one of these rigs? Any problems with the 2005s that I should know about?
