Who Drives The Snot Out Of Their SL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Michael K · #1 04-21-2009, 10:51 PM

Who drives the snot out of their SL, especially the late models like the R107 and earlier? I had always wanted an SL with an inline six with a manual transmission. It took me years, but I found one that had been well cared for - a 1988 300 SL. Man that old german gentleman took good care of her. When I got her she had about 60,000 miles and was cosmetically pristine and mechanically very original (but lacking some minor upkeep). Almost three years later and she's about double that in hard lived, daily driven and wickedly fun miles. This winter here in DC I didn't drive her one day. That's it... 364 days a year grand touring around the DC region incessantly ripping up and down through the power band in each gear and regularly cruising at proper speed. I wasn't sure, when I got the SL, if I would be into preserving or driving her. I have a C230 sedan as back up, but I guess I've answered my own question. I suppose my point is I think these roadsters are meant to be driven!

Who else really drives their SL?

Strife · #2 04-22-2009, 12:20 AM

I drive my 380SL so that I don't have to drive my 560SL. The 380 was not in very good condition when I got it so it isn't like I'm putting miles on a "valuable" car.

My goal is about 8 more years and about 220K total miles on it (assuming that gasoline is still affordable and available by then, of course).

I am a believer in continuous maintenance and "not letting anything go". We will see!

350SL4spd · #3 04-22-2009, 12:24 AM

I plan on driving the heck out of my first-edition 107 as soon as I get her in reliable shape. (Would anyone care to petition my boss that I need two weeks off to do this?

). It's what they were meant for.

A late 107 w/ the M103/5spd is on the top of my list (along w/ a last edition W124 Sportline) of cars I need in my collection. Well...

let's say, of the cars I could realistically obtain on my salary.

I'd love to see your 300SL. Let me know if you're ever rolling through Old Town.

Michael K · #4 04-22-2009, 12:38 AM

I buy my kids' model rocket engines at that hobby shop on Royal street.

jjrodger · #5 04-22-2009, 07:30 AM

I use my r129 SL 500 for 20,000miles a year. It currently shows 167,140 miles. I like to make use of the engine's full range.

POS · #6 04-22-2009, 08:21 AM

When I drive it, I love to drive it with the throttle tipped in a bit - it sounds wonderful. I did a video just prior to putting on my new tires, so how's this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5u9FgDwX8w

TX76513 · #7 04-22-2009, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS

When I drive it, I love to drive it with the throttle tipped in a bit - it sounds wonderful. I did a video just prior to putting on my new tires, so how's this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5u9FgDwX8w

Very Nice

350SL4spd · #8 04-22-2009, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS

When I drive it, I love to drive it with the throttle tipped in a bit - it sounds wonderful. I did a video just prior to putting on my new tires, so how's this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5u9FgDwX8w

God I love that car, POS.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Kerley

I buy my kids' model rocket engines at that hobby shop on Royal street.

Ha! I live exactly 2 blocks from Whistle-Stop.

Richard Wooldridge · #9 04-22-2009, 09:27 AM

I drive my '82 380SL as a work car, put about 15,000 miles on it last year. I regularly drive it from Battle Ground, WA over to Bend, OR (185 miles), then on to Medford, OR (another 185 miles) in one day, then return via I-5 the next day (about 320 miles). Makes a good two day trip, which I do once a month on the job. One time I stopped for lunch at a restaurant about 40 miles south of Bend, and when I left the restaurant I thought I put it in drive, but somehow got it in second... I drove it about 75 miles that way, occasionally getting up to 85 or so when passing, until I finally noticed it was in second, put it in drive, and other than the tach, couldn't tell the difference. The car has a 560 engine in it, has about 290K on the odometer, but I'm not sure how many on the engine, bought it from a guy in LA a couple years ago. It gets around 22 mpg on the road, less in town. Very comfortable driver, loads of power.

meltedpanda · #10 04-22-2009, 10:05 AM

I NEED to drive mine more, no reason not to, why save it for the next guy. My goal is 10,000 miles this summer

79Mercy · #11 04-22-2009, 10:16 AM

calling Lexxani...

winecountryone · #12 04-22-2009, 12:43 PM

I have both a 450SL and a diesel sedan(123).When fuel prices were up to 4-5$/gal I mostly drove the diesel.Now that prices are more reasonable(2.19 for reg. unleaded)I drive the SL a lot more!

And when I say drive it...I mean DRIVE IT!.These cars cruise at 80-100mph like lesser cars do 45-50.I get stares and compliments everywhere I take it.

I just feel fortunate that there were so many people unloading these when fuel prices were so high.A lot of these were secondary vehicles with low mileage.I went with an older one to get away from the emissions crap,but there were lots of later 450/560's around for rock bottom prices.Lest we forget these were pretty expensive when new.I recently saw a 600SL that sold for about 130K new going for around 20K.Nice 560's are in the 6-10K range and these were 40-60K new.

The long term longevity of these cars IMHO make them a great investment that you can drive everyday without destroying their value.You can't really do that to a pagoda and their buy in is too steep these days for the average person to afford anyway.

winecountryone · #13 04-22-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by POS

When I drive it, I love to drive it with the throttle tipped in a bit - it sounds wonderful. I did a video just prior to putting on my new tires, so how's this?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X5u9FgDwX8w

What is that exhaust?? some kind of special AMG issue?
Sounds awesome!!....Wish my 450 sounded this mean.The mustang/Camaro guys would be running scared

Mistress · #14 04-22-2009, 01:27 PM

I don't drive the snot out of them, no but I do get them up there...

Michael K · #15 04-22-2009, 02:31 PM

That's the spirit people! I don't feel so gluttonous now. I like what someone said about "why save her (virginity) for the next guy."

Quote:

Originally Posted by 350SL4spd

Ha! I live exactly 2 blocks from Whistle-Stop.

I'm up to about a once a week habit of buying model rocket engines "for my children," so listen up for my burnout. I usually go Friday right after work.