1966 MERCEDES BENZ 230 SL- $34600

[ericlee]

I am thinking of buying a W113.  What do you think of this car?  I do not know much about W113, I appreciate any opinions on this deal!
thanks

http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/2075004773.html

[thelews]

I think it's very red

[rmmchl]

i don't think they made that color combo-check to see if the color is correct-also. that carpet doesn't look 40 years old. It looks like the newer wool type aftermarket. The binded seams give reason to question. I'd check this out further. If the seller is fibbing about the carpet and color, what else could be a fib-It looks like a great car, but maybe just another restored one, instead of " This is all orignal deal" like a lot of people say about these cars.

[badali]

Here is the listing on eBay at $29000 with no reserve.  Check the car in person if you can.  He claims it has the original carpets but it should have rubber mats in the foot wells. It may have been restored and not original.  t looks good in the pictures but a personal inspection for rust and mechanically is always important.  The craigs list add had a video of it running down the hi way.  If it is very well sorted out the price is ok but that is up to you.
Brad


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290504447822&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fmotors.shop.ebay.com%3A80%2F__%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3984.m39.l1313%26_nkw%3D290504447822%26_sacat%3D%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

[rmmchl]

i checked out the e-bay pictures----------------inside engine compartment has overspray. The hood rod has paint on it. This is not original-I don't even thing signal red was color in that year. Nice car, but the seller is lying-I would stay clear of the deal on principal alone!------------I get tired of these jerks lying. They don't have to. Any seller should understand that a true pagoda owner knows these cars better than the guy selling them.

[Witt]

 .........North American Spec headlights, but no side marker lights. What gives? To be honest I did not read all the tripe describing the car....Still trying to sell my Pagoda.....

CHEERS !
WITT !   

[badali]

My 66 doesn't have marker lights.  I'm not sure what vin number they start this.  That vin number is about 3000 earlier than mine.
Brad

[Ulf]

Can't read the description (a Mac-related issue I think), but the car looks pretty sound although red on red is a matter of taste - personally I think it's a little over the top. And were the US bumper overriders ever on 230's?

[tel76]

One small question,if the interior is red should the ash tray cover also be red?

[badali]

I think ashtrays match the seats but I'm not 100% sure.

[MichaelB.]

My 1966 ashtray vinyl lid is black. I have Bronze Brown MB Tex seats. It is original to the car.

[badali]

Do they match the dash?

[lurtch]

I believe that the 230SL's did not have carpets as standard equiptment. My data card from the factory specifies rubber mats for the floor coverings. Can anyone else verify this for Eric?

Larry in CA.  1966 230SL   16443

[lurtch]

- - - a couple more small(?) issues:  the hood badge is not installed in the correct position, it is too close to the gap. Also there seems to be the same type of problem on the trunk star location - - -

[Ulf]

As far as I know rubber mats were only used for the earliest cars

[badali]

My car has rubber mats Vin# 13302

[tel76]

My 1968 restoration project has a dark brown interior,seats,dash,etc,the ashtray insert is also dark brown.

[gugel]

My 1965 230SL (VIN  ...9575) originally came with rubber mats on the floor, and carpets over the transmission tunnel and everywhere else inside.  The interior is cognac leather, as it was originally, but the ashtray cover is black.  I asked Gernold if that was correct, but after consulting his lliterature he could't pin down whether the change to interior color was made before or after my car was manufactured.  I continue to believe mine is correct.

Chris

[gnj588d]

My 66 230 as delivered from the factory has cream int  black ashtray cover brown rubber mats,also the vinyl door threshhold covers should match the interior I think ?

[49er]

How about the inverted star on the steering wheel hub? I would have a heck of time keeping that car straight while driving down the road:-)

john

[ericlee]

I want to thank you all for providing valuable info.  This is a great place to get help.  I will find time to take look of the car and let you know the outcome.
thanks again. 

[dseretakis]

I'm not a big fan of red but I don't think that the red interior is all that bad.  Actually, I feel it is a bit more sedate than red with tan interior.

[peterm]

This group can be tough on cars.  Its 40 years old and had a respray which is expected.  It is not a concours car and frankly arent most drivers pushing 30k now?   Its a respectable car with a lot of expensive things taken care of..  There is no substitute to having a professional take a look and letting you know there arent secret expensive mechanicals out of sorts.  When I first bought my car Im sure it would have been panned in here but Ive had seven yeras of enjoyment with no regrets.

[Larry & Norma]

I'm with Peterm on this one. If your not worried about winning prizes and want to enjoy a magnificent car
then buy the one that grabs you-just do the usual checks for body rot and good mechanicals and go for it.
I think if I had tried to find a concours model I would have talked myself out of buying by now. Instead
I have had great enjoyment for 18 months and hopefully many more years, but no prizes

[Bernd]

I agree with the last two posts. The forum is VERY tough on cars. The owner does admit to a respray, but what the heck is wrong with that if it is done well?  Most of the really nice cars on the forum are actually repaints already. It looks nice to me, but the devil may be in the details. Get it checked out professionally. If it is straight and doesn't have rust issues it does seem like a decent buy. I personally am not that fond of the color combo, but that can be changed anyday. It's not that hard.