Which SL would you buy now???

[Ron Johnstone]

Posting this in the SL forum, I'm assuming that the readers already have experience with at least one version of the SL line. Knowing what you do about them, and assuming that yours was stolen or something and you are now starting off with replacement $ and a clean garage, which model would you buy to replace it? Please limit the choice to the "older" SL's from the 380 to the 560 models.

I've had 6 of the diesel and gas sedans, and still have the 356 Porsche, but I'm kind of looking for an SL to round out the collection. Many thanks in advance for your sage advice.

[95benzman]

HI Ron
I haved owned an 85-380SL since new. So I am partial to the 380
Must people like the 560 because of the bigger and faster engine.
But you can find some real nice 380's for less then 50% of the cost of the 560. Either car is super. Good luck finding the one you like. Happy driving.

Joe Moon
85-380SL-88k
94-E320Sedan-63k
95-E320Cabriolet-62k

[jjrodger]

I think a post-1985 Euro 500SL would best fit my needs; failing that a post-1985 300SL. The latter may not have the performance, but the engine is (I am told) a delight. Post-1985 because these cars for me have the best looks and also all the mod-cons as well as good rust proofing.

[ericdee]

If I had to do it over again, I would go with a 560SL. More power and firmer ride.

I currently have a 380SL but I would choose either a 560SL or a 500SL any day. They are more powerful and tighter.

[cbdo]

I love my 560SL, and I'd do another one in a heartbeat--if it weren't that the 500SL can give you the non-automatic non-quixotic dual-temp AC system, the Euro look the car was originally intended to have, and equal or better performance. If I sell the 560SL before I'm dribbling food down my front and have to have my keys taken away, the 500SL will be the reason.

[deanyel]

This is obviously a matter of personal preference but I would not consider a U.S. market car with a V-8 and big bumpers - the front ends are too heavy and the bumpers too strange. This leaves only the euro cars - preferably the 280, preferably, for me, with a stick, 4 or 5 speed. A 300SL would be great but the 103 motor came out just as the gray market was dying - there's a grand total of about three 300SL 107 bodies in the U.S. Next choice would be a 500.

[E320Coup]

I have a 1987 560SL w/145k miles. It is POWERFUL, smooth and if the hardtop is tightly installed, somewhat quiet. Just took it on a 3600 mile cruise to Fla w/ my son and it was fun and most importantly, not a hickup, the whole trip. Others have complained about unreliablility and expensive to maintain, and I am sure that it is true, but so is my E320 and all the others that I have ever owned. As far as I am concerned, I will gladly spend whatever it takes to keep this car running great and looking sharp. Go with the 560SL and have a lot of fun!

[Bill460]

I bought a 1972 350SL (4.5). with 70,000 orig miles. A little old fashioned with roll up windows. Strong motor with no polution controls & small bumbers.

[GermanStar]

I really don't think it makes a world of difference. All W107s are great cars. Just find the cleanest car you can for the best value and don't sweat the small stuff!

[G-Benz]

Originally posted by GermanStar
I really don't think it makes a world of difference. All W107s are great cars. Just find the cleanest car you can for the best value and don't sweat the small stuff!

Agreed! Although, considering pump gas prices nowadays, that might persuade you to opt for the smaller displacement models...

...these cars don't sip gas sparingly ya know...

[E320Coup]

Is there a huge difference between the 380 and 560 in gas consumption?

I just completed a LONG trip, and tried various modes of driving and monitored the results;

1. Sport driving, not conserned at all with economy, resulted in about 14mpg.

2. Normal driving, not too conserned with slow accel from stop signs but not gunning it either- just moderate, normal stuff about 17mpg

3. Economic driving, really taking care to slowly take off from stop signs, pop it in nuetral and coasting for considerable distances when a stop sign/light is ahead. AND having the climate control in the ECONOMY position yeilded almost 20mpg.

This was almost all highway miles, a little around town. Big variables with this experiment were; the cloth top/not hard top, some of the driving was with the top down, southern gas vs. new england gas, temperature and may be more stops and starts in NE because of tolls- vitually none down south.

Anyway, my 560 is a weekend driver so I tend to drive it sporty and have fun. If this were my sole transport, I would be a lot more frugal with the gas pedal...

[Jonathan Zitt]

I love my 1973 450 sl ( small bumpers , powerful engine). I've got 185,000 miles on it and I drive it between Miami and New Orleans on a regular basis. Purrs like a fat cat all day long at 85mph. Fairly atrocious on the mileage though. I get about 16 if I 'm on my best behavior and not running the A/C. ( by the way, the very simple, old fashioned slide and knob controls are almost fool proof and keep my sl very comfortable and , thankfully, trouble free) I just put Amsoil synthetic motor oil in and have noticed that the car consistently runs about 10 degrees cooler so i expect to see some ( slightly) better mileage. Bottom line : You can't go wrong with a well cared for, older ( early 70s ) 350 or 450 sl. hey are as close to bullet proof as sls can be.

[E320Coup]

I have also heard the 450SL was a good car. I love the slide controls for the heater and a/c, just straight-forward valving, no fancy automatic stuff that plagued all the 1980 model MBs I have owned. Even my 87' 560SL has had atleast two control modules, right now it is either giving hot air or vent, or a/c if the wheel is turned all the way to the coldest setting on the rotating wheel.

There is a good website that details the lineage of the SL which is OurSL.com. It was helpful for me when, last Fall, I was looking to purchase either a 380 or 560SL. Talks about horsepower, timing chain issues, improvements in braking, suspension etc. between the models. Great resource for someone looking to buy (not to mention the plethora of info found right here).

[RickM]

I would get a 230 or 280 SL...of the 113 variety. I LOVE that design.

Trades anyone?