New member = potential new purchase !

[sng45]

Good Evening

I've joined the group this evening ( only just found it on the internet ) as I'm keen to buy myself a 113.

I'm new to 113's ( mainly been into classic Porches for a long time and owned a lot of them )  I've bought some books and done some reading and would welcome opinions on this car which I'm presently considering

http://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/mercedes-benz/pagoda/mercedes-230-sl/6860003

Additionally I'm unsure as to whether a 230 is the best car to buy - would I be better to stretch the budget and go for a 280 ?

I have a number of other cars ( faster and sportier - 911/Elise/240Z ) so my SL, when I buy it, will be a Sunday afternoon "cruiser".

Any advice would be very welcome

Thank you

Steve

[CCollum]

Hi Steve. Welcome to the group.

Pre-purchase inspections are critical. If at all possible, it should be done by someone who knows the Pagoda well. Also, keep an eye out for rust, and learn where to look for it. Unfortunately these cars can rust from the inside out, and trouble might not be readily apparent.

Additionally, I think you wouldn't regret taking the necessary up front time to get to know the vehicle as an observer first before taking the plunge. That way you can spot irregularities quickly and know when to walk away and when to pounce.

On the particular car you noted by link, it appears to have non-spec interior and carpet pieces  as well as exterior rear view mirrors for instance. That might not jump out to someone who is new to the series, but might pop right out to someone who has looked at them more.

The one I own is a 230SL and there are many things about it that I wished I would have known before buying. Thankfully, many such things can be learned by scouring the sl113.org website. The latter is a much less expensive proposition than the former. This site is a goldmine of information about these cars, and even more, is a community of people who enjoy taking care of them. These guys are great and are willing to help.

Glad you're here and asking for advice as you have is a great place to start.

Clay

[CCollum]

One more thing, Steve. I didn't mean that I learned things about the 230 that would have made my decision different -- e.g., would have bought a 280 instead. I mean there are things I wish I would have known about my particular car before I bought it.

If I had to do it all over again, I would have first learned more about the series first, and been more patient before buying.

[Paul & Dolly]

Hi Steve,

Have a good search here on site, there is loads of information,

You could atart by haveing  a look at this posting, below,  but please try the SEARCH function and you will find many others.
Also look in the Tech Manual here on site, loads of information there too...

https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=24144.0

 titled Advice on purchase of a Pagoda from April 2016

Mailnly do lots of research, and view as many cars as possible, talk to people on site here, to get a good feel for the Cars

Good Luck,

Paul

[JamesL]

Hi Steve, and welcome to the other side of Stuttgart
Same username as on DDK?
(I'm Tosh over there, as I was here)

Someone's had the engine out for a bit of spit and polish but for some reason, someone (our friends in Wandsworth?) has painted the bay black. Should be blue... Which would be an alert to me as to what might have happened to the front end in the past. I'm not a 230 owner but do know my battery is in the front nearside corner of the engine bay. Not seeing the fender notches on the front wings...
Horn pad looks like I re-covered it... But some cleaning may help. It may be the pics but the interior looks white. Think the nearest should be a parchment colour (have a search on here, it's creamier...). Ciggie lighter knob is wrong. Looks like some trim is missing from behind the rear arches to bumpers. I think that the door mirrors are wrong. That's all relatively minor/cosmetic/picky but the engine bay/front end is more worrying. If you go see it, put your hand up above the front wheel and feel for the shelf inboard (so under the top of the front wings). There's a "shelf" that is a handy tell on rust... And have a look at the front subframe, behind the bumper etc.
That said, it's 60k, which in todays market is not horrendous...

[waltklatt]

Best to invite another fellow pagoda owner with you to look over the items that are not correct and at the same time, you can compare both cars after driving them.
Leery of the interior, looks flashy, but lots of inconsistencies.
Seat back release lever is missing on drivers seat, hose clamps doubled up on heater core hose, cam cover painted silver??
Many others.
Do your research first before settling on this one.
Is this your first pagoda you are looking at?
If so, then it's best to look at at least a dozen of them and talk to the owners of them at car shows/gatherings.

Walter

[stickandrudderman]

Steve, come and see me in Richmond and I'll give you a guided tour of pagodas. Sadly the only ones I have for sale are in need of full restoration but you will learn a lot.

[Rolf-Dieter ✝︎]

Hi Steve,

See my reply here ----> https://www.sl113.org/forums/index.php?topic=529.975

Reply #986

Dieter