Howdy all,

I'm a previous owner of many collectible cars, in all cases American luxury or muscle cars. I just got out of a 67 Cadillac Deville and a 71 Mustang Fastback. I've decided for my next garage toy to get myself a SL 500, preferably 2006-2010. Something thats been well cared with less than 50,000 miles and is a southern car.

I'm making the switch because it was time for a new toy and I like the idea that while I can do the work if I want to, for things that might require a lift I can take it to a dealer and let it be their problem. Or at least my bank accounts problem. In my mind I'm giving up expensive parts, that are difficult to acquire and can require knowledge and/or experience that is hard to locate for expensive parts that are readily available as is the experience or knowledge to install them. Especially since I live a manageable distance from two different Mercedes dealers.

I recognize and accept that this won't be "cheap' to maintain, but it also doesn't have to break the bank. And there are currently 11 cars that appear to fit my standards within 200 miles of me.

I'm aware to look for ABC issues, and trunk leaks as well as a couple of other gremlins. I also have a buddy who is a MB aficionado and will help me manage the purchase and any efforts required to get the car up to snuff. I'm definitely planning on getting a car that has functioning ABC and then refreshing/reinvigorating that system immediately given the cars advanced age.

I'll drive the car maybe 6000 miles a year, probably not more than that. Thats about once or twice a week for me and a couple of longer trips a year (each 1000 miles total). I feel like thats enough to keep it running right without having the extra battery die.

I'm hoping it's not required but I'm planning to throw about $10k at reconditioning. Mostly aimed at making sure the ABC is together and preemptively refreshing the top hydraulics if they haven't been done. After that not counting oil changes and tires I'm hoping I can keep this thing in tip top shape for another 75k miles (up to a total of 125k miles at the end of it) for a cost of 5k a year or less. I am pretty mechanical and I if I NEEDED to pull the ABC and do coilover with sway bars I could, tho I'd probably hire that out. And I can pull the hydraulics for the roof and replace them myself. So up to those kind of jobs I'm comfortable with.

My question for you guys is are my expectations reasonable.

Also if it matters I could completely live without ABC. The experience I want is a grand touring coupe, not a twisty road machine. While every once in a while I will stand on the pedal those instances are few and far between for me.