Which SL? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

E5004ME · #1 06-01-2005, 01:00 PM

Come March I'm out of the lease on my VR6 Jetta and am thinking about getting into a used SL, question is, which one and what year?

It has to be a daily driver and must be reliable. I only put about 20,000 kilometers per year on my cars but must be able to jump in any time and blast to a customer's site.

I prefer something with more room than the newer SLK320, there isn't enough room for my wife's overnight bag and we do go away for the odd vacation.

Opinions?

Thanks,
Geno.

#2 06-01-2005, 04:40 PM

Depends on a number of factors. But speaking from one who owns a 107 model, they were produced from 1972 to 1989. A late eighties 560SL, such as an 89, with low miles, will run I have read, from $14K to $19K. They have lots of room, all the bells and whistles, fast, but heavy, and are very safe, they are the best of the 107 models. I don't know anything about the 129 models but others will post.........Good luck.

bwheitman · #3 06-01-2005, 05:07 PM

I love my 96 SL320. 25 mpg on the highway, low maintenance on the 104 inline motor, but very peppy with 225hp. A very nice solid car that I feel safe in. All Mercedes require dedicated maintenance and strict attention. Stay away from 93-95 models unless the Harness has been replaced. If you get a 104 engine car watch for oil leaks. It is a funny thing how everyone on this forum has experienced pretty much the same failures with their cars, I remember someone telling me that the water pump will fail at 100k, well at 100,954 miles, my water pump went out. I had oil leaks, I had some check engine light problems, but now all the kinks are worked out, or should I say, now I know how to fix it if it breaks! ha ha. Overall the 129 is a great car, you can get an SL320 in the states for about 15 to 18k. Just make sure it is a happy car and it will make you happy. Honestly i have never really truly loved a car, but since I got the 129, I really do love it. I actually miss the car when I am on vacation. Driving it is therapy. Have fun looking and take your time. There are a lot of cars out there, get the one you want.
Happy Benzing!
Brian

cbdo · #4 06-01-2005, 10:27 PM

My 560SL is pretty much my daily driver six or seven months of the year; I have no hesitation taking it anywhere, and I just really enjoy driving it. Ditto the previous remarks about service--regular systematic attention is a prerequisite for any Benz, as is the willingness to invest what's needed at the start to get it caught up and sorted out. I like the simplicity of the 107 with its manual top and seats and an overall non-electronic feel. But then the 129's top going up and down with a pushbutton is a definite convenience (unless something breaks). They're both superbly competent vehicles; it's a matter of taste and features.
The Pagoda (R113) is a beautiful car, but not one I'd pick as a daily driver; for that purpose, one wants nothing older than the 107 IMHO.

E5004ME · #5 06-02-2005, 11:20 AM

Are the later models (97-2002) not advisable? Should I stay away from V12's and stick to the V8 or V6?

LeaUK · #6 06-02-2005, 02:08 PM

V8 >= '93 R129 SL500

Has minimum of LH fuel system and bullet proof engine. No problems with wiring loom on my UK '93 however these are very well documented on this forum. All models < around '98 (correct me if I'm a little out here) have issues with ASR systems - most attributed to wiring loom!

Annual spend around 650GBP (parts only).

FANTASTIC cars... go purchase...

Lea

Carlos Serrano · #7 06-02-2005, 02:14 PM

It depends on how much money you want to spend. The more money the more sensitive about small things one will become, maintenance on 99 to 2002 SL 500 is expensive if you go for a bargaing and buy one without warranty. This models were priced from USD $76,000 to USD $100,000 ,very sophisticated electronics, good looks and high performance engines, very quick, very fast, very responsive sport cars that handle like race cars not a luxury car feel. I drive a 99 SL 500 everyday with the certainty that all I have to do is turn the key in the ignition and off we go, minor maintenance issues, nothing that stops the car from working , but can become big by the prices at the dealers. Get one with warranty. Don't know much about the 12 cyl. SL's except the maintenance is higher than the V8's and so is the price of the cars.

jjrodger · #8 06-13-2005, 03:47 AM

I've used my 99 SL500 as a daily driver, putting 20k miles a year under the wheels. It is OK on fuel (20-25 imperial mpg) and not too expensive to maintain (I am fastiduous and spend about GBP1,000 a year). Tyres last about 15-20k miles depending on driving style. I worry in case anything major goes wrong, because parts for this car are expensive, but so far it has been a dream.

These 129 cars are very cheap now, cheaper than good condition 107s. If you can stomach the risk of something expensive going wrong (and, touch wood, that risk is small), then I recommend a 129 SL500. I love mine.

Pete Geither · #9 06-13-2005, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jjrodger

I've used my 99 SL500 as a daily driver, putting 20k miles a year under the wheels. It is OK on fuel (20-25 imperial mpg) and not too expensive to maintain (I am fastiduous and spend about GBP1,000 a year). Tyres last about 15-20k miles depending on driving style. I worry in case anything major goes wrong, because parts for this car are expensive, but so far it has been a dream.

These 129 cars are very cheap now, cheaper than good condition 107s. If you can stomach the risk of something expensive going wrong (and, touch wood, that risk is small), then I recommend a 129 SL500. I love mine.

I couldn't have said it better.

kip Foss · #10 06-13-2005, 09:02 PM

Go to www.collectorcartraderonline.com and you can find a huge range of all types of sls and slcs.

E5004ME · #11 06-16-2005, 12:50 PM

Now you guys have me all excited! As March approaches, I'll see what I can come up with.

I've been watching EBay and comparing prices to local cars. Importing a US model into Canada requires bumper mods, babyseat anchors and daytime running lights. MB Canada tells me between $2000 to $5000. Otherwise, anything over 15 years there's no requirement. That would put me into '91 or older and I think I'd prefer something a little newer.

rickjordan · #12 06-16-2005, 08:41 PM

Just out of curiosity, what bumpers mods would you have to do.

lconn · #13 06-17-2005, 07:51 PM

I own a 95 SL600 I've used for a daily driver for several years. The V12 itself has cost me nothing extra in maintenance, but the car has been something of a hangar queen. It has had several electrical problems which required replacing harnesses (I'm rebuilding the throttles now) and I had to replace the A/C evaporator. None of the failures were things that aren't on the 500 as well. It has probably been to the dealer 10 times in the first 3 years I owned it. The V12 is a wonderful car and can be bought used for $20-25k USD with 60k or less miles in many cases. The cost of owning this car is not the price to buy it, it's the price to buy insurance and gas for a car that gets 12mpg US and maintenance if it's something you can't fix. Also, tires don't last very long on mine, it eats the rear 295/35/18's every 9000 miles. Harder passenger car rubber would probably last a lot longer.

That said, the V12 is a very low volume car, special where ever it goes, and the fastest and smoothest car you are ever likely to drive.

The fools who sold it to me also sold me an 5yr extended warranty for $1600, broke even when the AC broke and was ahead on the other 9 visits. Get one if you can.

Leonard

E5004ME · #14 06-17-2005, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rickjordan

Just out of curiosity, what bumpers mods would you have to do.

Pretty much every US Mercedes needs to have the bumpers upgraded from 5 MPH to 7 MPH (or something like that).

E5004ME · #15 06-17-2005, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lconn

The fools who sold it to me also sold me an 5yr extended warranty for $1600, broke even when the AC broke and was ahead on the other 9 visits. Get one if you can.

I think I learned a lesson with the 420 I got for the kid. It would have been a good idea to buy the extended warranty at the time, I'll definately keep it in mind no matter which way I go.

I'm starting to get confused now though, it seems every MB I look at appeals to me. I like the SL's, the S's, the E's and today I checked out a 500E that's piqued my interest. Not keen on this one as it's a little beat but they look pretty darned good!

Geno.