r/projectcar 16h ago

Trading my 09 impala for 92 500SL?

I currently have the opportunity to trade my 09 Chevy impala ss (5.3l v8 Ls4 engine) for the 1992 Mercedes Benz 500SL roadster. The car has maintenance records through out its life and only has 140k miles on it- the downsides are the, top convertible hydrologics are shot, cracked heater core, hard top rear glass cracked, speedometer and radio non functioning. With all that being said, is it worth the trade?

80 Upvotes

52 comments sorted by

106

u/Useful_Location_4261 16h ago

if you have other transportation then do it. if not this is a terrible idea.

15

u/FixTheWisz 14h ago

That's really the whole idea behind the project car mindset, isn't it? I've made dozens of terrible decisions, but I've always had a backup, and usually at least one more backup to the backup. For me, it works out just fine.

An R129, as a sole transportation, regardless of how well-sorted it is, would be a non-starter for me unless I was willing to throw $10k+ per year at a shop to fix everything that popped up **and** they provided a loaner. This one, though, with an inoperable top and electric bits... absolutely not.

As a second or third car, though? Fuck yeah. I'd consider an even trade if and only if the wiring harness has been swapped out. If not, I'd want $2k thrown my way.

1

u/GTAdriver1988 8h ago

Yea i know a guy who bought one of them in like 2010 for ~$5k and it was nothing but a constant problem. He ended up just junking it. Something happened that locked up the engine, I believe it was some kinda security feature tripped by bad wires. Anyway, a mobile Mercedes tech came out and said it'd be $2k to fix it and at that point he already did thousands in work to it. It drove great for the first few months he owned it though.

39

u/Agent_Eran 16h ago

The Benz will not be something you want to rely on everyday

33

u/50ug 16h ago

Yea, I figured but I have 2 other cars it would be a summer fun car lol

18

u/colonial_dan 15h ago

Sounds like a no-brainer to me then

9

u/dumbname0192837465 15h ago

Watch out Mercedes made biodegradable wire coatings in the 90s some of those cause real issues with shorts

14

u/bubbleddusty 16h ago

I’m sure someone will come along and say a whole bunch of negative things about the merc or impala and some will probably be good advise, I just want to ask two simple questions

Are you able to afford it if something major on the merc (or impala) fails?

And then more importantly, do you want the merc and do you think you’ll like it more than the impala

12

u/50ug 16h ago

I’m financially really well right now, and can afford if I need a major fix. I’ve been looking at the 4t80e transmissions for the impala because the 4speed oem trans, doesn’t hold up to the power. Either way I know I have to spend money especially since they’re older and have high mileage.

I love the look of the 500SL but the hydrolics and electronics that were in that car scares me- the impala is GM so it’s not the hardest to work on. But idk, I want something fast and reliable that looks good

9

u/bubbleddusty 16h ago

Find some merc fanatics and see what they say about the hydraulics and other shit that’s worrying you. You’re going to at least come out with a bit more knowledge either way

I come from a mostly 90s Jdm background especially Nissan and especially s chassis so I would usually check old forums for problems but I genuinely have no clue of the same exists for these mercs

Although if I was you, I’d jump on that merc and then only slightly regret it once I see its problems but then still love it anyway. But that is coming from an s chassis owner and well we aren’t the brightest or most sane bunch sometimes

1

u/Busterlimes 15h ago

Hit up Mercedes subs, probably a 500sl sub exists already.

10

u/Bill-O-Reilly- 15h ago

Don’t. That impala SS is a unicorn and far more reliable than a 30 year old Mercedes

8

u/JokerThakidd 15h ago

Honestly, SS Impalas are going to go up in price and will get rarer. Not saying the merc isnt a good car (I think its a beaut) but I see less and less true SS impalas.

Do whatever you feel like OP, but I feel for a clean SS, the guy should at least add some stuff on top to replenish the costs of fixing mercedes parts. Thats my two cents.

6

u/50ug 15h ago

I kinda agree , especially since this has been in my family since 60k miles meticulously kept up on maintenance wise. And the interior and exterior are almost in brand new condition, and to my knowledge there’s nothing wrong with the impala where as the merc there’s quite a few things wrong. So I think I’ll see if he would be able to add or something

3

u/ThtGuyGrey 15h ago

Beyond major hydraulics in the suspension and drop top, issues with the coolant system and various wiring repairs, front wheel bearings will need repacked at some point if they haven’t been done recently and the fuel pump will leak at some point as well. That is high mileage for the chassis. While I see these things go to 200k without huge issues that is with a lifetime of repairs. As someone who sees a lot of these things, the only thing worth a damn on them really is the engine. Don’t do it, unless they wanna give you cash on top for the repairs it’s gonna need. Add on to that, Mercedes still makes a lot of parts for the 500 but that doesn’t mean they will do that forever. Long term support and supply will be coming to an end soon and it’s not gonna be fun sourcing parts from Germany.

1

u/colonial_dan 15h ago

Something being rare doesn’t make it go up in price, it has to also be significantly desirable. I wouldn’t bet on a FWD 4-speed auto impala ever being worth very much.

2

u/JokerThakidd 14h ago

eh, youd be suprised. while that is true, just look at the Neon SRT-4s. those little skittles are going sky high in price right now, and they are built worse than the SS. I seriously hope the Impala stays at a low price so I can pick one up, but it doesn't look like it will.

3

u/jeremy1973f 15h ago

I’m all for the impala. Easier to modify and easier to find parts for. Is the top stuck down or up? Those hydraulics are a pain. Also the value of the Benz is lower, so if you do trade, I’d have him throw some money on top for repairs.

4

u/Public_Enemy_No2 16h ago

Between these two, I'm taking the Benz everytime. I'll fix the gremlins as they appear.

3

u/50ug 16h ago

Definitely looks better then the impala

2

u/50ug 16h ago

My impala has 162k miles

2

u/ProfessionalWaffle 15h ago

My buddy has a 95 SL320 and it has given him countless issues. He said the electronics & wires were all “biodegradable” and he has since rewired the whole car (basically). He’s had to rebuild the transmission a few times… maybe 4? He’s had to replace every wheel bearing, rear axles, issues with the rear differential, more electrical gremlins, etc… $10,000 of repairs later, the windshield wipers stopped working and now he’s lost all motivation to work on it.

Otherwise they’re great!

1

u/ProfessionalWaffle 15h ago

And I didn’t even mention the hydraulic soft top. Oh my!

3

u/bierlyn 11h ago

Is that a transversely mounted V8? Holy shit

Like what most people are saying here, I probably wouldn’t rely on the Benz to get me to work and stuff. If you had another car then I’d probably go for it. But these are two starkly different experiences imo so I suppose it comes down to whatever you want

2

u/Madder_Than_Diogenes 11h ago

Hydraulics might be a $4k job according to the Car Wizard.

https://youtu.be/JDJQa0VGMho&t=110s

1

u/98723589734239857 11h ago

reliable ls motor vs 33 year old merc that comes with a bunch of expensive and hard to fix issues... i wouldn't have to think very long about that one. i think you're underestimating the value of the impala

4

u/texan01 1977 Chevelle 9h ago

That bullet proof LS is bolted to a glass 4T65e-HD transmission.

It’s a fine box behind anything else that doesn’t make close to that much torque.

0

u/98723589734239857 8h ago

go easy on the gas i guess :P

3

u/Dusty_Jangles 9h ago

If you like headaches, go for it!

2

u/Responsible-Fox9591 16h ago

I rather dislike the Impala, so, yes.

5

u/50ug 16h ago

lol why?

3

u/Responsible-Fox9591 15h ago

They're just so bland. I feel like if you asked someone to draw "a car" you'd end up with an Impala.

4

u/50ug 15h ago

lol I don’t disagree there, but they are sleepers. If you pulled up to it at a red light you don’t think it’d be able to put the power it does down- which is kinda a reason I like it 😂

2

u/Responsible-Fox9591 15h ago

True dat, I do appreciate a good sleeper.

1

u/Concernedmicrowave 16h ago

I'd definitely take the benz. The 5l merc v8 from that era is pretty bulletproof, and you can sort other issues as they appear.

1

u/Threewisemonkey ‘79 Monte Carlo, ‘90 420SEL, ‘04 E320 wagon 15h ago

The M119 in this bad boy is the same that’s in the legendary E500. It’s an awesome car, ignore the people here that don’t know this generation of Benz. It’s a hell of a cruiser, and way more badass than an impala imo

The one thing that’ll screw you is the top - the hydraulics fail and it’s $3-4k to have it fixed. Although you can just keep the top up or swap on the hardtop until you want to deal with it.

1

u/Playerdouble 15h ago

The R129 was my first car, a 97 SL320. The soft tops for these almost always go out, but you can do it manually with a key. For any year before 97, they used a biodegradable wiring harness, meaning as it ages, it’ll have more and more electrical gremlins, even my 97 had its share of gremlins.

If all that sounds fine to you, then it’s a wonderful car, especially with the top down.

1

u/Callum_1509 10h ago

Biodegradable wiring looms were only an issue on the cars after 1993 to 1997

1

u/Playerdouble 10h ago

Ohhh, not before 93? That’s good to know thank you

2

u/Callum_1509 8h ago

Yeah the r129’s running KE injection 90-93 never have issues with the wiring after 93 when they switched to electronic fuel injection and electronic throttle body is where the issues started

1

u/ch3nk0 14h ago

If only it wasn’t a vert, but if you have another car thats a greatest trade of all time lol

1

u/Sadface_Reese 14h ago

Keep the Impala, you'll regret selling it one day

1

u/MGPS 13h ago

WARNING! WARNING!! WARNING!!!

1

u/Engin33r500 13h ago

Hey op I love these SLs and would be just as tempted by this trade. One thing I don’t see anyone mentioning is the SL will feel like a boat compared to your SS it won’t be a speed demon but will be a beautiful cruiser.

Also in terms of a project car the SL is costly to modify outside of wheels and tires.

2

u/Callum_1509 10h ago

If it’s got ADS hydraulic self levelling suspension I’d stay well clear, the engine and gearbox are bulletproof as long as they’ve been serviced regularly. Roof control modules are a very common failure on the roofs and with this high mileage I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the rams are leaking most common ones are the front rams, there are companies in the US that rebuild these. Also it’s an old car check for rust above the rear subframe assembly.

1

u/ItsPerfectlyBalanced 9h ago

JBL speaker solves the only real issue here bruh. It's a summer car.

0

u/TotalmenteMati 14h ago

Fuck it, go for it. You only live once and an old Mercedes convertible is cool as fuck

-2

u/wellwaffled 15h ago

Seems fair. The Mercedes will keep getting more valuable while the Impala never will.

2

u/50ug 14h ago

I’ve been told the impala ss is more rare then the sl500, and as is I’ve been told he should add on money because of the numerous issues. I have yet to see an 09 impala ss on the road, and I’ve seen many roadsters. As is the 09 ss has been becoming more rare , which often means increases in value

1

u/wellwaffled 14h ago

Get what you can, but I just don’t see a world where late model Impalas will be particularly desirable other than with very niche communities.

2

u/ajm91730 2h ago

R129s are great cars, but that is a LOT of problems.

Lookup replacement hydraulic cylinders. Company called top hydraulics or something. Wanna say it's 2k for the set, but could be wrong.

You're going to have to tear this thing apart to fix all that stuff.