Ok...heres the skinny. I'm about to buy a 1994 320sl with 83,000 miles... here is what i know:

1 owner
carfax- is completely clean - Looks as thought it was serviced every year.
owned by a 65 year old lady ... bought from dealership by her.
california car.has all records since she bought the car.

what i need to know...... Please tell me the plus and minus of the 320sl... also what will i be gaining or losing by buying a 320sl compared to a 300sl or 500sl

1) what should i be looking out for?

2) what is coming up service wise?

3) how much money am i looking at as far as the next servicing?

4) will this be a good daily driver?

5) mpg?

6) anything you pro's what to tell me about that i have overlooked?

thank you,

Scotty C

 

Scotty,
I will try to give you as much info as I can in a short frame. Background-I bought my 94 320 6/2005, it had 48k on it and cost me 19500 also verifiable carfax etc. color counts black on black with gray lower cladding, black is generally good resale. 1st make sure absolutely everything works the way it should top windows locks stereo wipers and washers with lights on and off. If there is a service history check it out any engine/transmission seals replaced, these sometimes get stiff in low mile cars and can go expect ($1100/ rear main seal not dealer)as far as service to expect check manuals for details. If you have a qualified foreign car mechanic who will work with you these are great cars, but keep in mind even a good guy wants to be paid expect $65/hr minimum. My mech is very good went thru the car and came back with 3 things to address rear brakes and rear main seal. All together I did brakes at all 4 wheels, rear main seal, full oil change to synthetic within 1month total $1850. I did not expect to pay this price to have some things set straight but since then this car has not put a step wrong I now have 59k miles on it and would drive it more if the streets were not salted here. I always average better than 22mpg and have gotten as high as 29/at 85mph on a 200 mile highway run. My insurance here in MA is equal to my '02 Volvo XC. This engine as with all MB products is pretty bulletproof and I think that you would find most of the problems with this vintage of SL is generally with the other systems ie:electrical stuff, the top it is very complicated but a lot of the systems can be diy(do it yourself) fixed.

Buying advice if you can get it checked out by an independent (not dealer) source do it, if the repairs look to daunting and you like the car, keep looking there are many available at all price ranges. When I got bitten by the bug I searched for low mile right color cars with history, so far you have described two good attributes 83k one owner that is less than 7k per year, all records is great too. What color? I bought Black but would also have gone for red or white. How much? These cars go from a low of about 12 to as much as 22. I am able to use this car as a second vehicle but as stated earlier I have no problem with driving it everyday and I will from May 1st thru November. Feel free to contact me with any questions you may find.
Regards, Keith

 

check the engine wiring harness for cracks in the insulation- known problem on that year. it will be due for the 90 ez- oil and filter, spark plugs, trans service, and some smaller things . don't know the price but about 4-4.5 hrs labor. also check the soft top for wear- make sure the plastic window in the soft top is not cracked. shine a light in the engine compartment and see if there is oil all of the belly pan- could be an upper front cover or a headgasket. should be a good daily driver.