So I wasn't not looking for a project car and the algorithm on FB Marketplace dropped this right in my lap. When I scrolled through cars for sale I saw a picture of an SL55 on a uhaul trailer looking unloved. Seller was asking $5000, I messaged him and he balked at actually selling it.
A week later he updates the post dropping the price and he agrees that he's ready to sell it, new asking price $4500. He explains the story behind the fire sale. He bought the car for a girl he was seeing with the plan that she would put it on her insurance. Well the car got stolen out of her driveway and vandalized and dumped. They slashed the seats and dash and flattened the tires. At some point they drive into or over something taking out the left corner of the front bumper.
The car was located and towed home but with no insurance on it he didn't file a claim so the title remained clear. He decided to cut his losses and put it up for sale since he wasn't handy with cars and the Benz tax to put it all back together was too much for him.
I was buying the car, even knowing that there was no way it wasn't going to be a basket case I was bringing this thing home. I didn't even try and talk him down on price it's a running driving SL55 which is a car I had on my wall when I was a kid, I had to have it.
I met up with him after work to have a look at the car. The amount of things not wrong with it was shocking. It runs and drives, no check engine lights and even the AC works. I carfaxed the VIN and the previous owner had the ABC system replaced last year and the car was dealer maintained most of its life. Even the vandalism is minor in the grand scheme of things.
I paid him and brought it home and started "the list". My plan is to do all the maintenance and replace whatever wear items needs being sorted then we'll turn it up to 11. I built an E55 for my buddy years back and i'm familiar with how spicy the M113K can be with a little bit of sauce.
Mercedes is one of those brands that to me personally I have yet to see aftermarket wheels that I like over factory. The wheels on it are beat up and the tires are trash so back to FB for the only solution for an SL.
Found real SL65 19s with Pilot Sports
Did I mention it's loud? Like straight pipe with cats loud, it's a horrible job that has been added to "the list".
I jumped on FCP and filled my cart to the brim. I'm sticking to my plan of maintenance first but we know how that goes.
And so we begin...
It has the typical M113 valvecover and rear main leaks. So while everything comes apart everything that comes off is going back on new.
Seal was dry as a martini and leaked umm aggressively. First batch of parts showed up with more adding the "the list" as I go through the car but i'm very happy with it.
Should be a good time hoping to have it rockin and rollin by next month since it's starting to get warm.
