Potential SL owner

As for the engine size, don't be fooled by the V8 in SL 500 vs I6 in SL 320. There are plenty of articles out there supporting my argument. The best money for the car is still the SL 320. The V8 is rather heavy. With the weight of the car, the SL 500 is not necessarily that much faster SL 320. Bear in mind that the SL is more of a Grand Tourer than a pure breed sport car (that's a different story for the 2003 model), so even the SL 500 is not going to perform like a P-car without modifications. The SL 600 is even heavier and since only a small number is produced, it makes the SL 600 a collector's item. Consider the price of gas where you live as well. The big V8 is going to drink more, and the price of gas is not coming back down.

Of course I'm biased as I have a '96 SL 500, but before buying it I didn't find one review that didn't say the V8 is the best engine. It's also the most economical according to my owners manual...

The way I see it, anyone with the money to buy a used SL will probably a) not care about perceived thirst and b) want the top of the range model.

just my 2 cents.

James

[akry]

Ok, here's my 2 cents worth...

SL320 would be easier to keep in the long run.... but the I-6 would have the same weak spots as W124/W140... e.g. worn gasket...

V8 would definitely be faster than SL320, no doubt about that, but if you just want a nice car to cruise in, SL320 is more than enough....

P.S. 5-speed auto came in late 1995 for 1996 models....

P.S.S. W140 S-Class never got newer, 3-valves engines.... it's W220 S-Class that gets new engines....

Andy Kuo