Why is this SL so cheap? - MBClub UK

61824 · 13-05-2012, 07:50 PM

Greetings folks, I've always fancied an SL just never been able to afford one. This week I was trawling through the net and found this beauty:

It has pretty much all of the spec that I want and it looks the part, the only thing that put me off was the price, which at £18500 for a 2007 SL350 seemed about 3k less than what everyone else was asking.

I phoned up the vendor and asked him why it was so cheap (bear in mind it's coming from a dealer so it probably stands them at 15k) and he stated nonchalantly that "It's a great price for an immaculate car, just positioned to sell". After a bit more prodding he said that the car didn't have a main dealer history because they "Kept ripping the lady off by charging for work that hadn't been done so she got it serviced independently instead".

This seemed a bit weird to me, 1 previous owner, 80k miles, immaculate condition and fully specced coming from a company that sounded more than a tad "Boyciesque" so I thought I'd sign up here and ask your learned opinions.

Thanks

mct_cars · 13-05-2012, 08:14 PM

Price is about right for a dealer sale - with full MB history. Car probably stands the dealer 13.5 - 14k as that's trade money.

Oh, and never ask a dealer why a car is so cheap - kind of makes the negotiating bit dificult!

Nice car though. Why not get the name off the V5 and get the real story from whoever the owner was?

Peter DLM · 13-05-2012, 08:20 PM

SLs are weird. They'll either be anything between 18k and 28k depending on the vendor's idea of its worth.

JohnEBoy · 13-05-2012, 08:45 PM

Yes... as mct_cars highlights - you've shown your hand already by asking why it is so cheap...

The reasons given were read of the sales spiel they all use.

I would guess the mileage is part of the reason why it is lower than average - what are the mileages on the other ones you are comparing to?

61824 · 13-05-2012, 08:58 PM

Thanks for the input. The idea of showing my hand by asking why it was so cheap didn't even cross my mind as I just spoke without thinking. Still even at the price it's up for I feel its a bargain.

Any pointers for a first time Mercedes owner? What are the average running costs for these for services etc. and are there any things that I should look out for that could be costly to replace?

I am very tempted to buy one but keep remembering the words that were told to me a long time ago "Anyone can buy a Mercedes but few can afford to maintain one".

JohnEBoy · 13-05-2012, 09:13 PM

If you can find a good independent in your area, you can lesten some of the running costs (e.g. labour).

There is a section for recommended specialists on the main forum.

I'd suggest getting it inspected first by a specialist before you buy - in case there is another reason why it is cheap...!

moonloops · 13-05-2012, 09:28 PM

It's cheap because all the good SL's have 400+ bhp

?

BTB 500 · 13-05-2012, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 61824

at £18500 for a 2007 SL350 seemed about 3k less than what everyone else was asking.

Have you looked at M-B Approved Used? They have a couple of 350s that are 2006 cars but with lower mileage (and obviously full M-B warranty, guaranteed service history, etc.). One with 64k miles at £16,411 and the other with 34k miles at £19,845.

So £18,500 for a car with no MBSH, higher mileage, a worse warranty etc. doesn't sound like such a bargain?

MB-BTurbo · 13-05-2012, 10:01 PM

That is a lovely looking SL, thanks for the tip off, phoned them this morning and put a deposit down, hopefully pick it up later this week.

MB-BTurbo · 13-05-2012, 10:02 PM

Only joking...how did it feel? If gutted may be go and look with the intention of buying. If a bit relieved, as it didnt feel quite right anyway, then walk away.

61824 · 14-05-2012, 08:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB-BTurbo

Only joking...how did it feel? If gutted may be go and look with the intention of buying. If a bit relieved, as it didnt feel quite right anyway, then walk away.

Based on that and what BTB said I think I'm going to extend my search. It really is crazy how much variance there is in the price of SLs between dealers.

JohnEBoy · 14-05-2012, 01:10 PM

Always do a national MB search - I've put down a deposit on a car 4 hours from me before on the basis it is as described (likewise with my trade-in) and they brought the car to me and we did the deal.

s88 · 18-05-2012, 12:09 PM

Some bargains out there.

I would hope to get over 20K for my SL350. But doubt I ever would.
40, 000 miles and I am second owner, FSH.
A nice blue colour.

Looking at the ads there are a lot about and soem will be good buys.

Am almost crying over what it cost me and what I have lost in a few years!!
Bought in April 2009.

But thats what cars do I suppose.

A thread on here recencly about an SL60! Well lets be honest a specialist market, could almost have to give it away in the present market and economy.

13-05-2012, 07:50 PM	#1
61824 New Member Join Date: May 2012 Car: company van Posts: 3	Why is this SL so cheap? Greetings folks, I've always fancied an SL just never been able to afford one. This week I was trawling through the net and found this beauty: It has pretty much all of the spec that I want and it looks the part, the only thing that put me off was the price, which at £18500 for a 2007 SL350 seemed about 3k less than what everyone else was asking. I phoned up the vendor and asked him why it was so cheap (bear in mind it's coming from a dealer so it probably stands them at 15k) and he stated nonchalantly that "It's a great price for an immaculate car, just positioned to sell". After a bit more prodding he said that the car didn't have a main dealer history because they "Kept ripping the lady off by charging for work that hadn't been done so she got it serviced independently instead". This seemed a bit weird to me, 1 previous owner, 80k miles, immaculate condition and fully specced coming from a company that sounded more than a tad "Boyciesque" so I thought I'd sign up here and ask your learned opinions. Thanks

18-05-2012, 12:09 PM	#13
s88 Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: May 2009 Location: Yorkshire Car: E320CDI & SL350 Posts: 462	Some bargains out there. I would hope to get over 20K for my SL350. But doubt I ever would. 40, 000 miles and I am second owner, FSH. A nice blue colour. Looking at the ads there are a lot about and soem will be good buys. Am almost crying over what it cost me and what I have lost in a few years!! Bought in April 2009. But thats what cars do I suppose. A thread on here recencly about an SL60! Well lets be honest a specialist market, could almost have to give it away in the present market and economy. Last edited by s88; 18-05-2012 at 12:09 PM. Reason: typo

13-05-2012, 08:14 PM	#2
mct_cars Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Newcastle Car: Mercedes R107 500 SL Posts: 502	Price is about right for a dealer sale - with full MB history. Car probably stands the dealer 13.5 - 14k as that's trade money. Oh, and never ask a dealer why a car is so cheap - kind of makes the negotiating bit dificult! Nice car though. Why not get the name off the V5 and get the real story from whoever the owner was?

13-05-2012, 08:20 PM	#3
Peter DLM Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Milton Keynes Car: '13 SL350 and a 13reg Smart Passion Cab. It's free! >_< Posts: 1,157	SLs are weird. They'll either be anything between 18k and 28k depending on the vendor's idea of its worth.

13-05-2012, 08:45 PM	#4
JohnEBoy Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East UK Car: 54 55 Posts: 3,621	Yes... as mct_cars highlights - you've shown your hand already by asking why it is so cheap... The reasons given were read of the sales spiel they all use. I would guess the mileage is part of the reason why it is lower than average - what are the mileages on the other ones you are comparing to?

13-05-2012, 08:58 PM	#5
61824 New Member Threadstarter Join Date: May 2012 Car: company van Posts: 3	Thanks for the input. The idea of showing my hand by asking why it was so cheap didn't even cross my mind as I just spoke without thinking. Still even at the price it's up for I feel its a bargain. Any pointers for a first time Mercedes owner? What are the average running costs for these for services etc. and are there any things that I should look out for that could be costly to replace? I am very tempted to buy one but keep remembering the words that were told to me a long time ago "Anyone can buy a Mercedes but few can afford to maintain one".

13-05-2012, 09:13 PM	#6
JohnEBoy Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East UK Car: 54 55 Posts: 3,621	If you can find a good independent in your area, you can lesten some of the running costs (e.g. labour). There is a section for recommended specialists on the main forum. I'd suggest getting it inspected first by a specialist before you buy - in case there is another reason why it is cheap...!

13-05-2012, 09:28 PM	#7
moonloops Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Deira Car: W202 AMG :-) Posts: 2,627	It's cheap because all the good SL's have 400+ bhp ?

13-05-2012, 10:01 PM	#9
MB-BTurbo Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2011 Car: B200 Turbo Posts: 815	That is a lovely looking SL, thanks for the tip off, phoned them this morning and put a deposit down, hopefully pick it up later this week.

13-05-2012, 10:02 PM	#10
MB-BTurbo Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Nov 2011 Car: B200 Turbo Posts: 815	Only joking...how did it feel? If gutted may be go and look with the intention of buying. If a bit relieved, as it didnt feel quite right anyway, then walk away.

14-05-2012, 01:10 PM	#12
JohnEBoy Hardcore MB Enthusiast Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: South East UK Car: 54 55 Posts: 3,621	Always do a national MB search - I've put down a deposit on a car 4 hours from me before on the basis it is as described (likewise with my trade-in) and they brought the car to me and we did the deal.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)