500SL good years? bad years?
 

500SL good years? bad years?

Having taken MBDoc's and others advice, I am not shopping for the 90-94 300SL's, in fact I am going to try for a 500SL in those years. I see some 500SL's in my price range from 1990 to 1992 with anywhere from 45k to 90k mileage.

1) Just like pre 1994 300/320SL, are there any "bad" 500SL years? Anythng I would have to worry about on say a 1990 or 1991 500SL?

2) Am I better off spending my money on a newer year, or less mileage. Case in point: 1990 with 45k is the same price as a 1991 with 75k which is the same price as a 1992 with 97k. Where am I smartest to put my money into?

Thanks much guys, I know Im a pain, but I seriously have to have a 500SL, then I willhave to check into MBz rehab!!! Thanks for bearing with me and all the great advice. Im almost there...

500SL
 

MOST OF THE badged 500's have the same engine profiles- almost. WHEN it says 500- it usually is the same engine- I'd go for the lower miles. PLease check history. This is very important.

The only differences on these automobiles are the options ie: sport or standard SL models. 129's are awesome automobiles

Good luck

OK so they have pretty much the same engine, any other differences? Im still torn on whether to go with lower miles, or a newer year. I will prob go for lower miles.

Any other advice?

The 5.0 liter engine is the same on all of the years, I think, except the last year or two of the R129 model run, where they switched to the newer engine that the E-classes use that have three valves per cylinder and two spark plugs.

narrowing the decision
 

well, if I was going to pick between these cars. Here's what I'm goingto look for.-

1. paper work of maintenance and repair- ofcourse, less miles means less paperwork. (hopefully)
2. collision history- run a carfax on it. I know that sometimes we get minor fender benders- was the repair obvious?? matching colors?? Bondo??
3. MInor scrapes on the under pinnings/ running boards-- look under the front spoiler-- this spoiler is quite low - and look for damages caused by parking cubs, dips, etc.
4. Curb rashes on the rims and or bent rims(incl. the spare)
5 Auto top operation. ----this is a pain if this doesn't work properly!!
6. Fluid leaks and fluid conditions- fluids usually tell you the type of care a car received.
7. besides the obvious - it needs to "stand up in attention" kinda stance, interior condition will tell you the care it got.


:o sorry for the boring suggestions