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  #1  
Old 08-01-2003, 10:31 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Philippines
Posts: 111
Thinking of buying a 94 SL500...

It only has 27,000 kms (18,800 miles), Color is Red and it looks well maintained. Gents, what are the things I have to look out for in this model? Any sure-to-fail items like the infamous wiring harness and head gasket in my C36?

Thanks

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  #2  
Old 08-01-2003, 11:35 AM
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Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Texas
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SL 500

I have an 1994 sl500 with 40k miles. The only thing that actually I have a gripe with is the A/c not cooling enough.. I think that most SL's regardless of what series it is has some A/c issues.
nonetheless, it has been a wonderful head turning car. excellent performance. With 302 hp, you'll NEVER run out of power. Might need to make sure that the top operates well with no hydraulic leaks on them. BTW,My folks live in Quezon city. What city are you from??
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1978 280 CE silver
1986 560 SL black
1987 300 SDL cream
1994 SL 500 brilliant green
1997 E 300d dessert silver
2005 FORD F250 Superduty Crew cab 4x4

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  #3  
Old 08-01-2003, 01:01 PM
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Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Orange County, CA
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I have a 380SL. When I had my system recharged, the mechanic said how bad the air was in SL’s. Mine is ice cold. No gripes. And in Southern California, it does get hot.

In Newport Beach, where I hang, this SL turns more heads than the newer ones. Enjoy yours.
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1983 380 SL
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  #4  
Old 08-01-2003, 01:16 PM
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Location: UK - South East Coast
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Hi

Well I've just spent around 6 months trying to find a SL and have posted many a time here, so why not have a search on posts made by me... here's one with some info - Lea_roy


Feel free to ask anything about mine!
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'93 R129 500SL-32
'89 190E 2.6 - sold in 2002

http://antron.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk/i...nature/Sig.jpg
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  #5  
Old 08-01-2003, 03:56 PM
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Location: Western Pa.
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Picked up a one owner 95 with 31K on it at the dealers. Got it starmarked and so far it has been fantastic. Can't believe I'm driving a $92,000 car for less than a third of that. If it feels good,,, do it.
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95 SL500 Smoke Silver, Parchment 64K
07 E350 4matic Station Wagon White 34K
02 E320 4Matic Silver/grey 80K
05 F150 Silver 44K
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  #6  
Old 08-02-2003, 11:53 AM
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Thanks for the replies, gents. I had been coveting the V8 R129 for a long time but couldn't really afford one until this car came along. If the paperwork is in order then this will be my new baby. Wonder if it will be quicker than my C36?

a2aa, I live in Subic Bay.
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  #7  
Old 08-02-2003, 08:34 PM
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I did the research on my 2-day SL500...

I've had my 1993 SL500 for 2 days now (ecstatic!), but I also took a while to find out what to look for.

The result was disappointing :-) There are no known problems. The only opinions I got said make sure the soft-top rams and electric motors are OK - as this gets quite expensive. They unanimously agreed I won't have any problems to worry about. Well made car, bulletproof engine and tranny.

Mind you, I made sure I only talked to experts... current and past owners of this model, my MB shop who had serviced my recently-sold 350SL the last 5 years, a local SL dealer for 30 yrs, and several others with a good SL background.

When I got my hands on my SL500 for a day before making a decision, I had a thorough pre-purchase check done by a pedantic MB mechanic at my shop (90 minutes), and a body check by the owner of a top-quality paint shop who regularly does Bentleys and other high end autos (1 hour).

Result? Extreme happiness!

You'll enjoy this car when you buy it... it is the only car I've driven that has the same acceleration as the several motorbikes I used to own. I'm not a speedster - my other car is a Daimler - but having the potential there for everyday use is very satisfying.

And what a looker! Only my wife looks better than this sleek beauty.

Ken Silver
--------------
1993 SL500, blue-black/black, soon to be best in country!
1991 Daimler, grey/grey, best in country!
1991 Miata MX5, BRG/leather, wife's
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E
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  #8  
Old 08-03-2003, 04:48 AM
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I've had my 1999 SL500 since March and until recently have loved every single day. These cars are fantastic. They are extremely well-built. I took the time to look for the right car: I looked at a total of 5 cars at every corner of the country and made enquiries about a dozen more. Mine I found at my local dealer!

I have done 14,000 trouble-free miles in four months, including several 1,000 mile drives. I have every confidence in these cars. It will be faster than your C36, especially above 80mph. My car is very fast. 0-60mph in about 5.5, and 0-100mph in 14.0. This is 911 Carrera fast. It is a different drive, though, because it is very high-geared (1st: 50mph, 2nd: 75mph, 3rd: 125mph, 4th: 155mph, 5th: 200mph--not that it would get there, deristricted top speed is estimated at 167mph).

Only the a/c has given trouble. After twenty minutes of operation, it stops blowing air, although the fan still works. This is cured by switching the a/c off for a couple of minutes.

The only problem is, somebody drove into it, so it has been at the bodyshop for the last three weeks. Getting it back any day now, though!
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  #9  
Old 08-03-2003, 06:51 AM
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I have an appointment to check out the car on Tuesday, 2 days from now. Are these cars equipped with an electronic odometer back in 94? The mileage seems low for a 9-year old car, although that is not unheard of in garage queens.

I imagine the SL's acceleration will be exhilarating no less, and in the looks department it is peerless in my eyes. I see that all SL500 owners are very satisfied with their beauties, and I hope to be too, soon.

JJ, its terrible that your beautiful ride was rammed. Hopefully nobody was hurt.

Thanks

Last edited by BongC36; 08-03-2003 at 06:57 AM.
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  #10  
Old 08-03-2003, 07:16 AM
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I think the 94 car will have an analogue odometer, not the newer digital version. It is not at all unusual for these cars to have a low mileage, in fact it is very much the norm. Very few owners seem to use them as a daily driver. (I guess if you can afford the new price, you can probably afford a nice E-Class for daily use!)

Thanks for you concern about my accident. It was very minor, just need a new wing but the bodyshop is taking the time to get it right.
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  #11  
Old 08-03-2003, 09:02 AM
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Just to chime in, I originally bought a 91 500SL with 120k on it, it did have several things that needed dealer attention, but the engine and tranny were rock solid. I then upgraded to a 1996 SL500 with 50k on it and couldn not be happier. 6k miles later I am still living in this dream. What I love is having an exotic car without the temperment of an exotic car. You will be amazed at the lack of repairs, as long as you keep up with the oil changes and service intervals.
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  #12  
Old 08-03-2003, 11:31 AM
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Had my 500 since Feb, love it, no questions there.

No mechanical problems what so ever on 8,000 km. I have damaged the lower skirt (truck blew a tire in front of me) and ripped the heat shield under the car in half (while driving through a monsoon I hit a two foot deep "puddle").

Trust me, a faster ride than the C36 but it might not feel it due to the higher torque of the 500, a smoother, less abrupt acceleration than the 36.

On a handling basis, my C36 handled better but I suspect that my opinion would change if I upgraded to 18" tires on my 500.

Personally I love the red color but I'll add this and hope I don't offend anyone. I have a good friend who has sold used MB's for years. When I was shopping, he strongly advised me to avoid red or white 500's as he always found them very, very hard colors to sell. One dealer near me had a fairly priced red 500 for over a year when most sell within a week.
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  #13  
Old 08-03-2003, 08:57 PM
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Spinedoc,

I see you've got what appears to be 16" rims on your silver 500, and 18" on your new one.

Have you noticed a big difference in the ride and handling?

Reason I ask, is because I think the 18" make the R129 look very sharp, but my MB shop (no vested interest) warned me off them, saying I'll get a harsh ride. They recommend 17" max.

What's your take on this?

Ken Silver
--------------
1993 SL500, blue-black/black, soon to be best in country!
1991 Daimler, grey/grey, best in country!
1991 Miata MX5, BRG/leather, wife's
1992 Honda US wagon, black/grey
ex 350SL, 230E, 280E (and a lot of other makes not that important)
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  #14  
Old 08-04-2003, 07:59 AM
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I have a 1994 500SL with 163,000 miles and it runs and looks like a new car. You might want to check the VIN# on CARFAX as well as a pre-purchase check by a mechanic.
Good luck with your purchase.
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  #15  
Old 08-11-2003, 12:51 AM
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a/c cuts out after 20 mins

jjrodger posted: Only the a/c has given trouble. After twenty minutes of operation, it stops blowing air, although the fan still works. This is cured by switching the a/c off for a couple of minutes.

jj - That sounds like the a/c antifreeze switch is not adjusted properly (or not working) - don't let a shop talk you into very expensive and complex repairs until you have this setting checked out and adjusted.

The anti-freeze switch is designed to prevent the compressor from getting too cold and freezing up with ice... if the switch isn't monitoring the temp properly it won't prevent ice from forming and shutting down the compressor clutch. When that happens, you have to wait for the ice to melt before the clutch can once again engage. This is often the cause of the "now it works - now it doesn't - now it does again" symptom you describe.

Let us know how the fender bender repairs come out - and good luck!

- michael
'98 SL500
and loving it

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