I am trying to decide which car to purchase for about $48K. This happens to be the income tax depreciation I can take on a business vehicle over 4 years, so the government is putting in 40%. Also maintenance is detectable but it still eats into my income.I should start out by saying I am interested in the cars for driving and not into its collector value. I have enjoyed club events with the Rolls-Royce Owners Club, but the club is getting to be a somewhat geriatric group. I don't know whether my wife and I would enjoy the Mercedes Benz owners club.
Choice 1, 2005 SL-65 with <8K mi. but little service information. I know a sitting car is not good, but it has been driven 1500 miles over the last several years. From a MB dealership. Will get a thorough PPI. Wondering If over 5 years the maintenance saving for a low mileage car would justify getting this over a 45k mile car for about $33K. I probably wouldn't be putting more than 3000 miles/year on the car, so it would retain value as a a low mileage car. Disadvantage is I can't buy a warranty for the car.
Choice 2 Sl-55. I favor the SL-65 because it is unusual and from what I've read here the V12 engine isn't really a problem and most of the weakness of the SL-65 are shared with the SL-55. The SL-55 would be less expensive, there is a nice red one on BaT. My guess is that I'd enjoy driving a SL-55 as much as an SL-65.
Choice 3 2013 SL-63. Newer technology, but continued depreciation.
Im at the point now of having read through MBWorld, which leaves me at a higher level of confusion, but well informed. Im guessing that many others have faced a similar choice and somehow reached a decision.
All things considered, I thought the total cost of ownership would be about the same

 

A decent SL55 should run you about $18k - $22k for a low mileage example. Add $5k to $10k for a good example of a SL 65. The SL 65 you reference may have a lot of issues if it has been sitting a long time.

 

the 231 is way - way ahead of the 230 Whole different car.
If your into 80s and 90s technology go for the sl55 If you are comfortable with more current cars get the 13 its a great car

 

For a current data point, my recent experience is a low mileage 55 is more like $30k. The one I just purchased had 26,000 1 owner miles and all MB service records.

Could have purchased a 65 in same price range but maintenance, due to complexity, is predicted to be 2x-3x that of a 55. In either case I would count on thousands per year in maintenance costs.

Good luck.

 

Are there sl-55 owners here that wish they had spent the extra money for a sl-63, or conversely, SL-63 or SL-65 owners think they would have been just as happy with an SL-55. Does anyone here regret getting the SL-65 because its too much effort or costs? How did other reach the decision on which to buy? Thanks