500sl EURO versus 560sl USA1980's - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

txstinger · #16 04-07-2004, 08:02 PM

Sounds fun

I can't boast, mine is a little sick now

I drive it like I was on the Alpine Road from the Black Forest and now I'm paying some dues...

cbdo · #17 04-07-2004, 09:43 PM

tan man's points on the economics of gray-market importation are certainly well taken, but remember also that the only officially imported SL at that time was the 380, which has its virtues but is a bit wimpy compared to either the 500 or 560. Somebody with the bucks to buy a new 380 might easily prefer a gray 500, and in fact it was the most heavily gray-marketed model MB ever made as far as US importation goes.
The auto AC was apparently an option, as I see it on maybe half of the 500SLs I browse online with interior photos posted. I heartily agree that the dual-manual setup is much to be preferred to the quixotic auto system on my car.

ctaylor738 · #18 04-08-2004, 12:31 PM

I troll for 107 280SL's because I want one with a 5-speed. These are also gray market cars.

An interesting phenomenon is that at least half of them have had the 280SL badge removed and a spoiler added to the trunk lid. Some have 500SL badging. Herr Fuchs, mein Mechnaker, told me that this sort of fakey-doo was very popular in Germany.

Many of these cars also have an add-on AC setup.

BTW - the real 500SL's come with heavier trunk lid springs to compensate for the added weight of the spoiler (to keep it from coming down from the "up" position).

maheath · #19 04-12-2004, 02:21 AM

If you're looking to race one of these, get the 1980 500SLC. If not, then the difference in power is so small, that the other appointments outweigh the difference in power.

In the Nitske book I have, it appears that something changed in the 500 engine in 1981 that reduced it's power output. I don't see where it says what that might have been.

KirkVining · #20 04-13-2004, 12:09 PM

It's really quite simple. The Euros are driven by svelte sporty types who desire nimbleness and performance more than luxury. The American models are driven by fat-butt cigar smokers who desire luxury more. The difference in the weight of the drivers posteriors negatively affects the performance of the 560's.

Kirk
1983 280 SL

DanielG · #21 04-13-2004, 03:28 PM

Kirk --

Why would you take a perfectly nice thread and interject such ugly comments about your fellow forum members?

sublettd · #22 04-13-2004, 10:21 PM

It's nice to see so many 500SL owners on one thread. I thought there for awhile I was going to learn the actual horsepower of the 500SL. ha!

While I don't have any qualitative answers to the discussion of the 500SL vs the 560SL, I never cease to be impressed with the power of the 500SL. In fact, while passing a car on a drive over to Panama City, FL., today I was somewhat surprised to look down and see I was approaching 95MPH...so effortlessly. I suppose it's especially noticeable after just driving the 300TD to Houston and back over the weekend.

I noticed somebody earlier mentioned a top speed of 140MPH. One of my previous mechanics told me he took a new 500SL out on one of the back roads here shortly after it was imported and let up on it at 155MPH because "the road was getting kinda narrow". He was much more of an adventurer that I am.

sublettd · #23 04-13-2004, 10:46 PM

Should have said quantative instead of qualitative. I've got lots of qualitative comments about the 500SL.

cbdo · #24 04-14-2004, 11:24 PM

Kirk, I deeply resent your characterization of us 560SL owners. I am *not* a cigar smoker!

Signed,
Which Way to Weight Watchers?

KirkVining · #25 04-20-2004, 12:08 AM

I was really just poking fun at stereotypes. I apologize to those who took it personally.
Kirk

ericdee · #26 02-14-2011, 08:05 PM

Hey... I just downloaded a phone app 0-60mph and my car came at 7.0 Flat

DavidSoine · #27 02-14-2011, 08:49 PM

So we are finally going to get around to discerning the Truth!

Dave
fat-butt cigar smoker

qsprn · #28 02-15-2011, 11:30 AM

With an '85 500sl and an '86 560sl i can tell you the 500 has a little guttier response but
the 560 is more pleasing aesthetically. I'm not sure the 3 years difference has a lot to do with it. I believe it is the fact it was designed for an U.S. audience, while the 500 was not. All of the emissions control stuff decreases the performance a bit.
I can tell you my wife thinks the 560 is hers and leaves the 500 for me. Hmmmmm.

alabbasi · #29 02-15-2011, 12:44 PM

I've owned a number of 5 liter cars including an SLC 5.0, 500SL and 500SLC. None seemed to have the same get up and go as my US 560SEC.

Seat of the pants perspective, my 560's seem to have more pull. Even more so then my 6.9 from stand still.

qsprn · #30 02-15-2011, 05:49 PM

It's really quite simple. The Euros are driven by svelte sporty types who desire nimbleness and performance more than luxury. The American models are driven by fat-butt cigar smokers who desire luxury more. The difference in the weight of the drivers posteriors negatively affects the performance of the 560's.

I blew past this before I made my earlier comment. My wife is also a runner who usually get 2nd or 3rd in most races she enters. I was never that impressed until I realized she was a fat butted cigar smoker.
bill