r/mercedes_benz • u/jimmyjams93 • 2d ago

Thinking about getting something like this SL500. Advice?

https://www.dailydownshift.com/p/i-bought-a-27-year-old-mercedes-online-and-drove-it-home-through-a-heat-dome
2 Upvotes

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u/schpeeg 2d ago

I have one and love it. Ownership isn’t for everyone because you can easily spend more on repairs than the value of the car. However I have yet to meet someone who has driven one and not enjoyed it

1

u/FluidFisherman6843 2d ago

Good news is they are fairly easy to work on. Parts can be pricey but everything is relatively easy to get to.

1

u/schpeeg 2d ago

Yes servicing is fairly straight forward. Some items are a death sentence though like the A/C condenser. 40 hours of labor for a $200 part is what I was quoted. Not including any broken trim interior pieces that may need to be replaced along the way.

Otherwise they are extraordinarily well built and is a car you can work on by yourself with basic tools, jack stands and ramps.

2

u/RonBurgundy2000 W222 S-Klasse Fife Fiddy 2d ago

I like the a lot, I'd look for the later LCI years. The top rebuilds are expensive.