SL/R230: What's the value of an excellent SL500
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3
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From: Carrollton, TX
2002 SL500 Silver Arrow, 2003 Hummer H2, 1986 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade, 2003 Honda VTX1800C
I just bought one as an every day driver for $17,999 w/ 68k miles, soft top looks showroom new, interior perfect, mechanically outstanding. Brembos and nitto tires are >75%. Put a crankshaft position sensor in it and gas. Made a 1,000 mi. road trip last week. It runs STRONG, got 22+mpg averaging 70+mph! Might have to start looking for an SL600 SA just for fun!
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3
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From: Carrollton, TX
2002 SL500 Silver Arrow, 2003 Hummer H2, 1986 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade, 2003 Honda VTX1800C
Considering there were only 1400 2002 SL500 Silver Arrows (and 100 SL600 SAs) ever built, as the commemorative model for the 12 years of the R129 platform, and the fact that they represent the LAST SL essentially hand built and with BOTH tops (as well as the optional panoramic glass top), good luck finding one for under $17,000. If history repeats itself, at the age of 9, depreciation has bottomed and with shrinking numbers available, the collection value of these cars will hold and eventually go up. The new platform is really kind of ho hum unless you pay the bucks for an AMG or the SLS. The interiors are lack luster and don't hold a candle to my SAs machine turned aluminum instrument cluster and console insert, dark burled walnut wood door, dash, console, and shifter trim and two tone leather skinned seats, doors, and steering wheel. The oversized Brembo brakes alone add several thousand to the package, as do the special reversed 6 spoke 18" wheels, AMG ground effects, and zenon driving lights. If you find one that cheap you better buy it or let me know...I'll buy it for a everyday driver and garage my 100 point car and show it!
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
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From: Greenwich, CT
2014 E350 4Matic; 2016 GL350 Bluetec; 2005 F430 Spider
I don't care how much you or I may like the car, the market considers it dated. The R129 is a great car and one of the best cars of the 90's. If I was to buy a R129, it'd be an 2002 as it is the newest. They did the silver arrow addition to move cars right before the new body style. Many car companies do this to move old models deep into a model run. Remember the 2005 S65 was like super fancy and like $200k. They did it to blow out the remaining carcasses before the new S came in. Ferrari did it with the 16M before the 458 hit.
In fact, the 2003 came out so early I once saw a "factory demo" at a dealer in 2004 that was a 2003 built in 11/01. Same will happen with the R230, once they new 2013 SL hits the 2012 will be difficult to move anywhere near its msrp. This is why these cars are great to buy used if several years old or to lease a new one. Buying a new SL is like burning your money.
In fact, the 2003 came out so early I once saw a "factory demo" at a dealer in 2004 that was a 2003 built in 11/01. Same will happen with the R230, once they new 2013 SL hits the 2012 will be difficult to move anywhere near its msrp. This is why these cars are great to buy used if several years old or to lease a new one. Buying a new SL is like burning your money.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 113
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From: Raleigh, NC
2001 E55 AMG - 2001 E320 - 1990 300CE
Thanks
Thanks for all the input. I am looking as a collector of cars, so I am torn between the 1998 SL500 and of course the Silver Arrow. I think the Silver Arrow is the better collector item while the 1998 is the better car. Anyone care to comment?
I just recently picked up a 2001 E55 AMG with 29K on the clock and I believe it too will become one of the better MB collector items as there were only 659 of them built that year, it was the 100th year of MB and it was the last of the W210s, the last normally aspirated 5.4L and the last AMG to be mostly hand-built and BTW, one great driving automobile.
I just recently picked up a 2001 E55 AMG with 29K on the clock and I believe it too will become one of the better MB collector items as there were only 659 of them built that year, it was the 100th year of MB and it was the last of the W210s, the last normally aspirated 5.4L and the last AMG to be mostly hand-built and BTW, one great driving automobile.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 40
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From: Greenwich, CT
2014 E350 4Matic; 2016 GL350 Bluetec; 2005 F430 Spider
Well the 1998 is the last year of the dohc 32 valve engine. The 1998 has a tad bit more power than the 2002. The 2002 has painted door handles and more modern side mirrors. The 1998 does have the 5 speed auto and newer style side fascia and bumpers compared to 1990-2005. The 1998 has the newer interior too. However, if you want red the 2002 has the nicer magma red versus the darker imperial red on the 1998.
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Newbie
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 3
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From: Carrollton, TX
2002 SL500 Silver Arrow, 2003 Hummer H2, 1986 Jeep CJ-7 Renegade, 2003 Honda VTX1800C
Would never buy any of them new...hell, mine is hardly broken in and I bought it for less than a new Kia Rio...LMAO
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