1996 SL500 Opinions...

[Marc-1]

Sorry to raise any confusion and I do write sometimes to be amusing (in an opinion section of the forum). May I suggest that you look at something for yourself. When you get to control this 300MB try pushing the pedal all the way to the floor, normal..as in not stomping but not slow. About 1/2 inch from the floor you feel a mechanical click, this will engage the 1st gear and give full torque to the transmission. It should shift up at about 6500 RPMs this isn't even the redline yet. When the car is parked (in Park motor running), turn the wheels all the way to the left and leave them there. Now get out and look at the drivers side front wheel!!! Now get in and turn the wheels all the way to the right and look at the same (front) wheel. What you see is that the wheel not only turns,...IT TILTS!!!
Try banking a turn on an Autobahn with NO speed limit and.... well German engineering. Thous the word 'Marvel'
Oh, now try that with a Chevy.

[spinedoc]

Sigh, I can just imagine what the 500 or 600 feels like.

[elau]

Spinedoc,
Don't be despaired. I own a 320 and it is plenty fast for me. The 500 and 600 definitely will take off faster, but once you reach crusing speed, you cannot tell the difference. The 320 is very responsive and fun to drive. I have at times wished for a 600, but considering the gas money I save on the 320 means I can have that more fun longer.
On the other hand, a Vette is just another Chevy. You will not get the kind of stares as you will in the SL One of the car magazines (forgot which one, I read it tonight in the Mall) said the SL is almost like a gold Rolex on wheels. A statement no other car can make.

[DALE DORIA]

That would be the November issue of Road and Track!

[Crew]

I agree with Ealu in prefering the 320 over the 500 or 600. Not that there is any thing wrong with the larger power plants! After test driving six 500sl's and two 600sl's, I prefered the 320sl as I prefer the Audi A4 1.8T over the 2.8. These two chasis with the larger engines gave me the feeling I was a passenger just going along for the ride. The 320sl and 1.8T, with less weight over the front wheels, gives the driver (me) a more agile and balanced feel. Some enjoy the comfort and serenity of this car (me). Some enjoy the muscle car-like power of the V-12. Some enjoy both.

Just my 1/2 cent,

Crew


I don't always choose the smaller engine. My 1995 S-10 4x4 Extcab ZR2 had 155,000 miles on the original 200HP 4.3L V6 when it was swapped it out for a 350HP aluminum LT1 V8... A valve guide replacement job got out of control!

[spinedoc]

Well having some sleepless nights I decided to try and get some extra money together and go for the SL500. For my price range, with a little extra, I can get a very decent 1990 to 1992 500SL, but they do vary hugely in price. Anyone care to advise me on whether my money is better spent with a newer year, or with a lower mileage older model?

Also any help with Mercedes extended warranty would be appreciated. Im waiting for a call back from the dealership so they can price me out a warranty. If I could get 4 years for 2k I would be super happy with that kind of comfort and peace of mind. What do you guys think? Any problems with these "easy care" extended warranties? What do they cover? What do they not cover?

Thanx much guys, I just cant get away from this 500SL addiction!!!!

(PS Im seeing 1990-1992 500SL in good condition for 21,500 to 25k)

[BobH]

Spinedoc
I remember going through similar pangs when I bought my 1990 300SL in March of 2000. I wasn't sure whether to go with a newer Corvette or an older Mercedes SL. I finally went with the 300SL because I found one in mint condition with only 28,000 miles. I've never regretted the decision. Don't rule out the 6 cylinder, but whether you go 6 or 8, these are great cars. They're really solid cars with very little wind noise and a great ride. In the worst rainstorms, I've never seen a drop and when the hardtop is on, the car feels like you're driving a coupe, not a roadster. I've driven several Corvettes and there's no comparison in the ride and the way people react to the car.

Bob

[elau]

Just to let you know I was out "Sunday driving" with my wifey toward the shore this weekend. As I looked at the speedo and I was doing 85 The whole time I though I was going 55. Damn that cacoon effects (no wind noise, no vibration and no body roll) on this car. Just to let you know this 6-banger can really scoot

My advice: buy the roadster, and a Valentine One. You will need it.

[spinedoc]

To make my decision harder, I found a 600SL in great condition for a great price. 1993 600SL with 91k miles for 24,500 asking, but I am paying cash so Im sure I can get them down to 22k. Im also picking up a warranty with it, should be 2k for 4 years. MBz wanted 5200 bucks for a 2 year warranty!!!!

Do you guys think owning a 600SL is that much more expensive than a 300/320 or 500? No gasoline jokes!! Im sure its a guzzler, but I dont mind. But maintenance and repair wise, do you think its that much more expensive? Am I getting in over my head here?

Thanx guys for feeding my addiction!!!

[elau]

I was bite by the 600 bug earlier in the summer and asked a few questions like you do. But at the end I think the 600 should not cost that much more to own. Granted the tune up will most likely cost more given you have 12 plugs to fool with, but fluids change will be the same as others. One thing I was told if there is any engine work, you will pay through your nose for labor since there is not much room in the engine compartment and that means pulling the engine out, but I would argue that for any major engine work you will end up having the power plant pulled anyway.

I was told to stay away from the earlier 600 becasue of reliability, but I really have nothing to back that up. And I haven't seen any issues raised in this forum about the 600. Good luck and just be sure to get the one with the most service history.

[DALE DORIA]

You may want to contact "Ashman", he's the moderator for one of the forums regarding the 600. His father owns one of them and probably can give you some info.....He's quite knowledgab;le about the car. If I coiuld have afforded the 600, it's the car I would have gotten..just something about 12 smooth cylenders!

A 600SL sounds fantastic, but I suggest that you contact someone who has experience with higher mileage Mercedes V12's and get an impression about the typical life of the timing chain, chain guides, tensioners, etc. 91k miles puts you into the lane for considering these issues. I'm sure many on these pages can indicate that these parts last 100-150-200k on other models, but I would have to believe that replacing these components in a timely manner as a preventative measure is critical on such an expensive engine.

12 cylinders x 4 valves = $$$ in the event of a chain slip or break.

Maybe a lower-mileage 500SL is the way to go.

Okay, I'll weigh in here. I've had my '97 SL600 for almost two years. I got it with 24k miles; it now has 44k. Maintenance issues have been: had to replace the battery. That's it. Never had a better car. Gets 16mpg town/22 highway. I would not trade it for any other car on the planet if I had to keep what I took. I've had 50 Corvettes, including L88, ZR-1, Fuelers, 435's, you name it, 4 Porsches, 2 Panteras, and a slew of other stuff, but I'm through now. Me 'n this SL are going to get old together.

My advice is to look at SL's on ebay a lot. You'll get a pretty good idea of what they really bring, and you might even find the one you're looking for there (I did!)

I don't know of any reason to be afraid of the '93 model. It was the first year for the 600SL, but I haven't heard of anyone having serious troubles with one. There were several changes in all of them beginning in '96 that I like---interior and transmission mostly---but there is certainly nothing wrong with the '95-back either.

Feel free to email me direct and I'll tell you what I've learned.

Best of luck!

Travis

[spinedoc]

Thanks much guys. I think Im going to bide my time and save my money and try to get into a 1996 or newer 500SL, of course if a nice deal comes along that involves a 1996or newer 600 I will jump on it.

My cousin, who is a dealer, keeps trying to get me to look at bimmers, I could get a nice M3, or a nice 540i sport, but even though they drive phenomenally, there is just something about the feel and look of them that is missing. I will hold out for the 500SL, just for a newer year so I have less worries.

One reason I am not considering this 600 anymore is that it has 91k miles and the dealer has no service records at all, so Im not sure how it has been treated. Also on the carfax it has gone thru 5 owners and been thru 2 auctions, so for some reason it was not a keeper for these owners. Im sure more will come along, I have seen some great deals on the 90, 91 and 92 500SL's, now I just have to find a great deal on a 96.

Thanx again guys....

It's too bad you haven't been watching the prices on them for the last couple of years---you'd realize just how great the deals are now. I guess it's mostly the stock market being down, though Sept 11 sure didn't help any either. It may be that they'll come back up some as the economy recovers now that the election is behind us, but I wouldn't count on it. I think there will be lots of bargains, especially as the 230 cars start to ship in quantity.

I'm embarrassed to tell you how much I've lost on mine, but it really doesn't matter because I don't have any desire at all to sell it. The really amazing part, to me at least, is how the price differential between the 500 and 600 has narrowed. I haven't tracked the 300/320's so don't have any input there, but the 600's are incredible bargains these days.

But by all means hold out for a nice one; if you intend to keep it, you want to always be proud of it.

Best of luck,

Travis