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...

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

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a2


1978 280 CE silver
1986 560 SL black
1987 300 SDL cream
1994 SL 500 brilliant green
1997 E 300d dessert silver
2005 FORD F250 Superduty Crew cab 4x4

____ADMU____

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.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

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.


sorry for the boring suggestions

__________________
a2


1978 280 CE silver
1986 560 SL black
1987 300 SDL cream
1994 SL 500 brilliant green
1997 E 300d dessert silver
2005 FORD F250 Superduty Crew cab 4x4

____ADMU____