Buying advice

[batman]

Hi all, I looking to buy a pagoda for the very first time and would really appreciate some initial guidance.

I would like a good/excellent RHD version and so i am looking at the UK market. I may not drive it every day but certainly more than just twice per month!

Like most markets i guess there seems to be 3 broad categories of cars on the UK market: poor less than 20k, average versions seem to be 25-35k, very good 40-50k and excellent above 50k.

Is this a reasonable summary of the UK market?

Does anyone know how long this car has been on the market?
http://www.hofmanns.co.uk/car-sales/mercedes-benz-280-sl-pagoda

This one seems much more expensive than anything else available on the UK market and I was wondering whether the group thinks it represents fair value. Has anyone actually seen/driven it?

Would buying this car not make sense if i wanted a daily/weekly driver? would it make better sense to buy a cheaper version for daily/weekly driving?

Any advice greatly welcome...

[jameshoward]

Welcome.

You should start by trying to learn as much about the cars as possible, or if you're in a hurry, find someone who knows lots about these cars to hold your hand. There have been many posts like yours, so judicious use of the search engine will pay dividends.

The car you posted is pretty. But it seems expensive. For that kind of money, though, I'd want a correct fuel cap and a correct engine bay (hoses, clips, etc). Other than skin deep beauty, though, (and she's a looker) these photos show very little. You'd need to see the underside, sills, etc, although I imagine that if she's been restored as is stated, it should be fine. But I think it's over-priced and that the engine bay restoration is a bit sloppy. (Take a look at the brake reservoir, for example). It almost looks as though it's had the Silchester treatment...

Good luck with your search.

JH

[batman]

Many thanks James. I will dive into the forum sites. I am not in any particular hurry.

I am based on the continent so getting around the UK will not be as easy as if I lived there. I will need to come over and see as many as I can in a weekend.

The website of the 280 in question mentions a "history file" and prospective buyer should be able to examine this thoroughly. They mention the names of various restorers. I. Don't know their quality but, Silchester garage is not one of them. I recall that this garage/dealer also has a number of Pagoda's for sale. I take it that they may not always be the most fastidous of restorers !

I will ask for additional photos, including of the underside and all other restoration information they are prepared to email to me. Is 50k considered a lot for a full restoration of a 280 SL? I guess it depends on the starting condition of the car.

Are there professional "hand-holders" in the UK when it comes to advising on the purchase of older/classic cars?

What I need to do is look at/drive several Pagoda's with different levels of quality to try and determine what extra you get on a version that is, for example priced 20k more than another.

Thanks for your tips. It seems that at 78k pounds, the car should be perfect condition concours.

I just read a post by another member that you should look to buy a car that is as good as condition as possible within your budget but if this means a car maybe near concours, then is that really compatible with wanting a "daily driver" car. In other words, should a daily or every second day driver car be more of a "solid" mid priced car?

Many thanks
Markb

[Bonnyboy]

Mark - interesting questions.  Should a daily driver be concours condition to start?   

That is entirely up to you and your ability to handle the odd bump and scrape along the way.  Most definately buy a concours car if you can but realize if it is to be your daily drive it will not be concours for long.   We all have different interests as well as financial and tolerance thresholds so much of this is up to you.   

I am fixing up a car several people told me to part out before I became attached - am I attached - absolutely - it was my Dad's - is my car concours - absolutley not and it never will be ..I promise.
 
It sounds like you are just getting into collector cars and those decisions are the ones you will have to make on your own.  starting with a car that is concours is the way to go - then drive it until it needs another restoration and start the process again.  The problem that many get into with collector cars is what to do with them - I am in a few clubs and in one specifically, whole contingents will boycot events if there is a chance of gravel  -  There isn't much better feeling than sliding an old sports car around a gravel hairpin at speed....(I guess that is why I am stockpiling the headlight lenses for my euro)

I know other guys who won't go shopping in their car because they are afraid of door dings and other that if they do go out in public they can't leave their car worried that some punk will steal their $200 ashtray.      So the question comes down to - is it worth spending an extra $20-30-40k to get concours if you can get a totally sorted and rust free vehicle for less.  The enjoyment factor will most likely be the same for a very nice driver but just realize that when you get to the car shows you will be competing with trailer queens and you will lose. 

In another club I belong to the cars with the most zing are those that also compete in the slaloms and rallys - totally sorted and beautiful machines that go as well as they look but not one will ever be concours - close but not close enough. 

Get the best you can afford (not just most expensive) and you shouldn't go wrong. 

And welcome to the site and the addictive world of pagodas. 

Ian

[gerster]

Hello Mark, why do you want a RHD car if you live on the continent?

Greets: Ger.

[batman]

Hello Gerster,

The reason is that I plan to move permanantly to Australia in a few years and whilst LHD's are far more plentiful and probable cheaper, especially from the US, I would always be driving on the "wrong" side down under.

I guess it's not possible or practicable to convert a LHD to a RHD. Have you seen this done ?

Thanks
Mark

[JamesL]

Mark

You might do worse than have a chat with Colin Ferns (Stickandrudderman on here)

I'm sure he'd be happy to hold your hand and keep an eye out for a carfor you.

IIRC, Aus won't allow LHD cars (Garry to thread...)

[Garry]

Yes they will, provided they are older than 1989. They changed a few years ago.  I just didn't want a left hooker.

I am interested in knowing how he gets to immigrate to Australia, that is harder than importing a car.

Garry

[batman]

Hi Gary - kangaroo on the passport !
Cheers

[Benz Dr.]

Can't keep a citizen out of their own country I suppose.......

   My advice for buying a car? Buy the best one you can't afford.

[Garry]

Dan,

They Let in anyone nowadays   if Mark is back by March next year he can join our procession of Pagodas to Canberra!

I agree that you go for the best one that you carnt afford,the better starting point the easier and cheaper in the long run it is to get it right up to top level.