300sl vs 500sl

[joebnz]

I'm currently looking at SL's. I've located a 91' 300sl with a 5-speed manual. Sounds like a kick. Am I on the right track or should I go towards the V-8? I'm currently driving a 300CE-24V.
Thanks

[jjrodger]

It really depends on how much you value outright performance on the one hand and the feel of a manual transmission on the other. The 300SL will be significantly slower than your 300CE-24 and much, much slower than a 500SL. On the other hand, the manual transmission may enhance your driving pleasure much more than simple point and squirt acceleration.

The 12valve 3litre motor is extremely robust, too and cheaper to service, fuel and insure than the 5litre. The other thing you must remember is that condition is everything: a 3litre in good order is a better car than a 5litre in poor shape, no matter what you want to get out of it. At this age, condition should probably be the number one consideration.

[deanyel]

We got only 24 valve 3.0 liters in the 129 in the U.S. - which is too bad. Take the stick on a nice long drive in all kinds of driving conditions - I think it's a disappointment - long throw, dogleg shift pattern, heavy clutch, geared way too short, about 3,000 rpms at 60 mph. I had one back when they were valuable - sold it and bought an 86 300E 5 speed for exactly one-fourth the price, and it was immediately obvious that the 300E was much more fun and much more drivable.

[joebnz]

Thanks for the replys. I talked to a mechanic at a shop that deals almost exclusively in Mercedes. He asked me why a 300 vs. a 500. His claim is that the V-8 is more bullet proof and strongly suggested driving a V-8 before making a decision. I'm going to approach this a little more slowly and drive a 500. Anyone know of any years to stay away from?

[tecqboy]

I own a 1991 300SL 24V with the 5 speed automatic transmission. I have also driven regularly a friend's 1994 500SL with the 4 speed auto. Well, of course the 500SL is much more robust at low RPM's, ( loads of torque ) so pulling away from a stop light is really a kick. But, the 300SL will really move too, once you get it up above 2500 RPM's. The 300SL really comes into it's own on the open highway above 60 mph; effortless cruising and ample power to accelerate or pass. Keep in mind that both the 5 speed and 4 speed auto's start in 2nd gear unless over-ridden. And, you can shift the automatic "manually" within a broad rpm range, so it's easy to hold it in 3rd gear when you want to accelerate quickly. I rather enjoy being more involved in the actual "driving" of the 300SL. The 300SL will give you about 4 mpg average better fuel use than a 500SL. I think everyone here agrees that the manual transmission is rather clunky and heavy; not at all like BMW. But, drive as many examples of the car ( 300SL, 320SL , 500SL, auto and manuals ) as you can. Then make your own decision. I also have a friend with a 1995 600SL. It's not as fast as you might imagine, and it's engine has been very problematic, especially oil leaks.