JUst moved to Thailand and finally decided to get a car that Ive always liked and one that I can actually take back to australia should i go back in 5 or so years.

Its a older Mercedes 500 SL. In nice colour with V85000 cc engine.

Question or two if I may

1) Other than at the petrol pump is there any penalty or extra cost, road tax, registration/ insurance etc with bigger engines ??

2) I may want to redo the engine and clear up its breathing... does anyone know a really good engine builder or performance shop that can rework/ recondition V8's.

( engine doesnt need it at this stage but something Im thinking about)

Appreciate all and any answers... it will cost me not much more than a new Camry but always liked them and it is old enough such that If I take it back to australia it will be exempt from emissions criteria.

Thanks folks

cheers

Hi Monty, I am a Jag man but in searching found a good example of you project car. Seeking advice on the Benz 500 was told the engine is bullet proof, only likely problem is the ECU which is a bit costly but attainable.

TC

Best you have a look in to the suspension issues these cars have.  My friend in Japan owns one, according to him, the air sus they made for this model is not independant, every 5years or so they develop a leak through normal wear and the whole car hits the deck.  It cost him 5large to get it off his driveway (airbags under the chassis et al) then the repair which only Merc can do.  He's a Merc nut so he knows the risks, but if your not...There is a reason they are cheap.  Do your homework, make sure yours is not one of those models.  Oz

edit for link

http://www.mercedes-benz-usa.com/s_class.php

Hi Monty, I am a Jag man but in searching found a good example of you project car. Seeking advice on the Benz 500 was told the engine is bullet proof, only likely problem is the ECU which is a bit costly but attainable.

TC

Thanks TC, love the Jags as well expacially the V12 XJSC however havent seen them in Thaialnd. I use "onecar" and "thaicar" to search for cars, shots me that they dont include kms and prices all the time but hey same back home.

Did you say you know of a good 500SL in Thaialnd for sale??

Rgds Monty

Best you have a look in to the suspension issues these cars have. My friend in Japan owns one, according to him, the air sus they made for this model is not independant, every 5years or so they develop a leak through normal wear and the whole car hits the deck. It cost him 5large to get it off his driveway (airbags under the chassis et al) then the repair which only Merc can do. He's a Merc nut so he knows the risks, but if your not...There is a reason they are cheap. Do your homework, make sure yours is not one of those models. Oz

Thanks for advice... Ill steer airway from the airbags models if possible. Does your friend have any feedback on the 5000cc V8 engine.. do they last are they longer term reliable with high kms... very subjective question I know

Rgds Monty

Have a read through the posts I linked you to, best to get advice there on possible pitfalls. Join a Merc forum, ask questions, people love to talk about their cars.. Oz

Best you have a look in to the suspension issues these cars have. My friend in Japan owns one, according to him, the air sus they made for this model is not independant, every 5years or so they develop a leak through normal wear and the whole car hits the deck. It cost him 5large to get it off his driveway (airbags under the chassis et al) then the repair which only Merc can do. He's a Merc nut so he knows the risks, but if your not...There is a reason they are cheap. Do your homework, make sure yours is not one of those models. Oz

Thanks for advice... Ill steer airway from the airbags models if possible. Does your friend have any feedback on the 5000cc V8 engine.. do they last are they longer term reliable with high kms... very subjective question I know

Rgds Monty

they last if they get petrol

they dont last long running gasohol, actually the engine lasts but fuelsystem/injection does not. hard to say what fuel previous owners have been using since 2005. Engine can be tuned to run 91 petrol

fuel pump does not like to suck air, so tank must be 1/4 full or more. pump in tank

if engine/fuelsystem problems become a major hazzle, replace with Lexus V8, cheap, reliable, and easy finding parts

Best you have a look in to the suspension issues these cars have. My friend in Japan owns one, according to him, the air sus they made for this model is not independant, every 5years or so they develop a leak through normal wear and the whole car hits the deck. It cost him 5large to get it off his driveway (airbags under the chassis et al) then the repair which only Merc can do. He's a Merc nut so he knows the risks, but if your not...There is a reason they are cheap. Do your homework, make sure yours is not one of those models. Oz

Thanks for advice... Ill steer airway from the airbags models if possible. Does your friend have any feedback on the 5000cc V8 engine.. do they last are they longer term reliable with high kms... very subjective question I know

Rgds Monty

airbag suspension can be replaced with steel coils

And the rubber fuel parts of the fuel system can be replaced with fuel lines which are rates for gasahol.

Good luck with finding a good specimen.

There is also taladrod.com to check.

And the rubber fuel parts of the fuel system can be replaced with fuel lines which are rates for gasahol.

Good luck with finding a good specimen.

There is also taladrod.com to check.

yep, a non ethanol system can be converted to run ethanol, but it takes more than a few rubberparts. Basicly everything made from plastic and rubber, including fuel pump. This makes it able to run E10, not likely engine can handle E20 or E85

Recently a 80s SL500 in bright red with cream interior arrived Phuket. Love them

Just searched the site (Taladrod) with the Jag and this is the location of the Benz 500. Its gone so cannot help. It was a back yard type of place so I did not follow through anyway. Legality of vehicles made me think twice and the "Cannot" test drive saw me on my way.

One2car have several on their site, most coupes tho.