Pagoda SL Group
W113 Pagoda SL Group => General Discussion => Topic started by: par on May 14, 2012, 14:37:07
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Time for me to stop lurking and post! I have read the long discussion on 230SL Vs 280SL and have decided on a 230/250. Can anyone point me to info on buying - what to look for, trouble areas etc
Thanks
Paul
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Welcome - if you do some searches on buying a car there is more than a weeks worth of reading on this site. Use the search box to search anything and keep searching different words.
Based on what I have seen first hand - find a car that you can physically touch and drive. Take no excuses for not being able to drive on the day you see it and look for rust in all of the locations. Go through the archives for areas of rust, there is a schematic of a car showing rust prone areas and get to know those areas first hand. I got a 1:18 sized model and put stickers all over it for things to look for when I got my car and yes - I found evidence of rust in all but one of the rust prone areas.
Take your time - these cars are not rare but they don't seem to come up too often in certain areas.
Hit the car shows and talk to the owners.
Good luck
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best place to start is here first
http://www.sl113.org/wiki/Buying/Start
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You might also want to pick up a copy of "The Essential Buyer's Guide Mercedes-Benz 'Pagoda' 230, 250 & 280SL W113 series Roadsters & Coupes 1963 to 1971"
By Chris Bass
It's pretty basic but will help you stay focused on all of the important areas.
Good Luck!
Norm
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Hold back a portion of your budget for the search itself. You can probably find a reasonably priced 230 or 250 SL on the US west coast that has not been exposed to conditions that cause rust. In the end, you could have a much more solid car with the simple added investment of a flight and shipping costs. Remember...buy the BEST car you can afford.
PS: Where are you in CT?