Digital odometer? 1993 SL 600???

[97E300D]

Did the 1993 SL 600 have a digital odometer or was it analoge?

This one on ebay shows a digital
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4628578498&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

This one on Autotrader shows an analoge,
http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=191542843&dealer_id=57112304&car_year=1993&search_type=both&make=MB&distance=0&model=600SL&address=10973&certified=&advanced=&max_price=&bkms=1144503894730&min_price=&end_year=1993&start_year=1993&isp=y&lang=en&cardist=963

[rellik]

i think it can be changed to digital if the old cluster goes bad or if one prefers digital

if done at a dealership the digital odometer should be set to read the actual milage, if done by someone else it could be left at zero and let run from there

im pretty sure this is true, hopefully someone else can chime in with more details

[iwrock]

I am pretty sure that it can have either. When we were shopping for our 600, I saw both styles of instrument clusters. I like the digital one, as it just looks cleaner. Although, I saw a 1993 with an analog odo, and I saw a 1992 with a digital. Wierd. I guess it just depends on the car. I like the 1998+ clusters, as they have the solid black style indicators at the bottom, that are lit differently than the ones on my 1996. Its cleaner, and alot less confusing.

[97E300D]

How reliable are these v12's. Can they go 100K or are they in need of a lot of replacement parts as they age and acumualte higher milege. Are there a list of things to look for?

Also what other engine(s) share the same parts, do the 12's run the same pistons rings, head and vlaves as a 6? I gues that would make it a 6.4L unless they shorted the stroke. I'm just wondering if parts are very unique...

[iwrock]

Maintainence wise, they are actually a "cheap" V12 to run. In just about a year of ownership, the most expensive replacement item was the steering angle position sensor. That was a whopping whole 250 bucks.

The general consensus is that it is just 2 Straight 6's fused together at the crank. This can make things relatively expensive there is a problem involving both banks of cylinders. Generally, most items are unique, and are found on other V12 models... But some of the other items are shared through the SL line, so there should be a good source of parts out there.

The big thing to look out for is the ADS suspension. Make sure that the little light comes on when you start, but remains off. We have that problem, and the hydropneumatic shocks are about 900 each, so that is a lookout item.

Also, look for the dreaded wiring harness degredation on the throttle actuator. You will know if it needs to be replaced, as it will run like crap after startup. And make sure the trannie is nice and smooth, you dont want a harshly shifting car. And I think thats it.

If you look out for those, you should be OK. I would just check the service records to make sure that everything has been fixed on time. Other than that, just be prepared for the amount of torque with the ESP off. I can light up the tires from a dead stop with the ESP off. And in W mode too.

[iwrock]

Also, I would try to find one with the Xenon Lamps... It is a HUGE improvement over the halogen system/setup.

[leejxxxxx]

Originally Posted by 97E300D

How reliable are these v12's. Can they go 100K or are they in need of a lot of replacement parts as they age and acumualte higher milege. Are there a list of things to look for?

Also what other engine(s) share the same parts, do the 12's run the same pistons rings, head and vlaves as a 6? I gues that would make it a 6.4L unless they shorted the stroke. I'm just wondering if parts are very unique...

Greetings, keep in mind I'm paraphrasing what some knowledgeable mechanics have said to me in the past.
The v-12 is identical to two 3.0 liter 6s. That means it has two separate engine management systems so there's two of everything. I don't know if they changed the bore or stroke. It is one block though.
Mine has been very reliable. I had a water pump seize up and an incredibly expensive cam cover oil leak that could be the result of me having a warranty so they maxed it out.
All the other problems I've had are brake master cylinder, ADS-Power steering pump, bad steering damper and an ADS sensor.

Unfortunately, my warranty ran out and now I'm stuck with a miss but I asked for help and got a good recommendation of a shop to do the troubleshooting but I think I should just buy an OBDII scanner so I have it for the future.
Keep in mind I've driven over 30k miles with good reliability (it's my daily driver). You absolutely have to use good oil and change it regularly; I also had them flush my transmission and replace its filter last year. The tranny is supposed to be lifetime filled but it doesn't hurt to do maintenance on it.
I've got to make a choice soon to either trade it in on another one or keep it and budget for some big ticket items that will come up sooner or later. Such as:
Transmission
Electronic throttles (2)
Timing chain.
Oil tubes in heads.

All in all though, it has been a reliable car that I have been very happy with and has gobs of silky smooth torque. If you buy the 600 model you also get a lot of items standard such as:
Napa leather.
CD changer.
ADS.
Useless built in cell phone (its analog).
Xenon headlights

[speace]

I will agree with/confirm what rellik said above.

The early 129's had analog odometers. I THINK 94 started the digital type.

The early analog style clusters have a tendency to periodically do a "reset" when an electrical "spike" happens from using the turn signal, or tapping the brakes. The reset causes no harm other than to cause all instruments to go to zero and then recover. The fasten seatbelt light blinks for a while as if one had just started the car. The cruise conrol self-cancels as well... All VERY annoying.

Somewhere on this board is a post describing exactly how to repair an older cluster by replacing a specific capacitor. I fixed mine using the process and am very happy. I am handy with electronics and I don't recommend that anyone inexperienced in soldering on a circuit board attempt this.

If a replacement cluster is needed I am told that the only available spares are of the digital type. I think you will find that many of these cars have been "upgraded." HOPEFULLY, they were done by dealers who would preserve the actual mileage on the vehicle...