Daily Grind

[n/a]

Hi

I am a new member and I am considering purchasing a pagoda (any configuration that meets the budget!) for my everyday car. I am not quite sure what I am getting into though in terms of problems, maintainance etc. I live in Cyprus, so the weather is quite hot all year round.  Any one that could share their experience on the subject would be gratly appreciated.

Many thanks
Alex

[rwmastel]

Alex,
First, you need to determine what you want from your car and if your budget will allow that.  What I mean by that is, do you want;
 - a rusty old project
 - a car that can be driven after doing major work
 - a car that can be driven after minor work
 - a car that can be driven and possibly used in a car show
 - a car that will not be driven, exclusively for car shows

Each catagory will carry a particular price range to buy the car, and each catagory will carry a particluar price range to repair or maintain the car.  Do you have an idea of what you want from your car?

See our web site page at:
http://www.sl113.org/articles/engine/buying_a_car.asp

and this other site:
http://www.xk-sl.com/evaluating-230-250-280sl.htm

After reading these web pages and deciding what you want from a W113 car, then you can ask us more specific questions.

Cyprus sounds nice!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[Ben]

Rodd is right. You need to decide what suits and stick to it !

I use my '64 230SL as a daily driver pretty much all year 'round. I have done probably 18,000 miles in it in 2 years. It has never let me down ever. I have had to learn a lot about it especially from a tuning point of view, and I'm still learning/asking !

From my point, and you may be the same in Cyprus, there arent too many knowledgeable people over here on this model and not too many owners either so you are kninda on your own. Parts can be expensive as can the freight just getting them.

Decide what you want, if you need an auto then get a 280 not doubt about it,  but if you like the manual then the 230SL is a touch more sporting !

Buy the best you can but preferably on that has had its mechanicals renewed/replaced and has receipts to prove it, that way you can keep driving while you tidy up the rest of the car !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[kns]

Hi Alex.

Consider this as a possibility: maybe you can let the budget dictate the spec (assuming you have some choice available to you on Cyprus!). If a car seems to be in good order for its age (to you or your mechanic, as the case may be), then allow perhaps three quarters of your budget for the purchase and the remaining quarter as a fund to be used for contingencies (repairs and/or restoration) over, say, the next year or two. If you spend the fund you will still have a good couple of years driving within your original budget, and whatever you spend from that point on will likely be what you would have had to spend, on any car, in the ordinary course. If you don't spend all of the fund, you've had a double win!

There is no doubt that the model is very suitable as a daily driver, particularly in a place like Cyprus where you can have your choice of top (none, soft, hard or then again none!) nearly all year round. Good luck with your dilemma!

Cheers,

kns.
1965 230SL, Manual
[1965 220SEb Coupe, Man.]

[n/a]

Hi

Many thanks for the great advice so far.  I am getting hotter and hotter on the idea so I will have to start shopping around. I think that I the most important thing for me is to find the maximum amount of "available" money minus a small amount for possible initial contingencies and buy the best example from a reputable dealer! Two problems I face is that being here means that I will have to probably go to the U.K. to look around and two something that maybe you all can shed some light on is that I want an auto for sure but I also (dread to say it) want one with an A/C installed -weather here in summer is HOT!!!


Alex

[Cees Klumper]

You could be better off buying from an enthusiast and cutting out the middle man who has to add his (20-30%) costs and mark-up but not necessarily very much added value ...

The a/c systems are not known for their effectiveness, so definitely try it out before you buy. Some have had their compressors updated / the entire system converted over to modern refrigerants.

Good luck on locating the right car. Like someone said, once the virus catches you it is incurable - but it is not a serious affliction!

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[rwmastel]

If you want A/C and Automatic transmission, then you will probably end up with a 280SL.  I don't know about European versions, but in the USA the eariler cars (1969) did not have as much pollution control which means simpler engine systems and more power.  Cyprus is near Greece, right?  Why would you have to go to the UK to find a car?  Is Cyprus a right-hand-drive country?

Thanks,

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[n/a]

Yes Cyprus is right hand drive-Greece is left...

Anyway I will start the search and keep you posted..

thanks