SpineDoc (my parents do physical therapy, btw ),

Is amazing as the SL600 would be, I would say no to it. Only because if you were worried about the 300E being a maintenance nightmare, I tend to feel that the 300E might be a dream in comparison.

Whatever you do, I wish you the best of luck.

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

Thanx again guys, David you remember me ...

Im thinking I dont even want to go see this car, once I drive it I will be seriously hooked. Im starting to think it may be over my head though, I dont feel like shelling out 2k every time the car has a squeak and a rattle.

I sure wish I could get a tech's opinion on this, someone who has worked on these before. David, do you think I would have the same headaches on a 500SL? Im almost starting to think I should just put down my 20k on a 1999 or so CLK and finance the rest, or even a SLK.

I was just pumped because this 600 was so cheap, but in such good condition.

OK my question still stands, am I better off with a 500SL, or the 600SL? Is the 600 that much more expensive than a 500 to maintain? etc etc.

But now, after looking, I realize I can get a CLK for pretty close to the same price. I see lots of 1999 clK320's for low 20k's. What do you guys think of CLK versus the SL? How about the CLK320 versus the CLK430?

Thanks again, I would have made some big mistakes if not for you guys.

CLK's are great, but now you're talking about a coupe instead of a convertible.

I like both cars, but I guess you need to decide what you'd rather be driving.

If it were me, I'd always opt for the V8. Plus, you wouldn't feel embarrassed if a Lexus SC430 pulled up next to you.

I looked at SLK's, but man are they small. Sit in one and you'll see what I mean. I'm a pretty tall guy (6'1", 180 lbs.), though.

__________________
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".

Conversing with the dealer with the 600SL he was very cool and he was very confident in his extended warranty. Ballpark I should get 4 years of warranty for about 2000 bucks, so Im not super worried about expensive parts or a bad engine/trans, Im sure expendables will be expensive, but oh well.

We are also getting a computer readout from the dealership, and the carfax checked out.

Just to be safe I am keepng my daily commuter for the time being, until this one has proven itself. I cannot wait to go test drive it Thursday. I wish some of the techs on here would have advised me on this, but Im sure they are busy doing their own thing. For those of you that did advise me, thanks much, very much appreciated. I do know it will be an expensive auto, but Im less worried with the warranty, plus its not like Im poor either, just "frugal".... lol.

If anyone has any further opinions on the 600SL please let me know before Thurs.

Also, check out alldata.com as it's an excellent site for showing what goes on with almost every make of vehicle....

__________________
...Tracy

'00 ML320 "Casper"
'92 400E "Stella"

i looked at 600s before i bought my sl500. i thought, for a few grand more you get the extra power, extra leather, and all the options...but every mechanic i talked to, dealer or private, told me to stay away...even with a warranty. leaks from gaskets are often not covered by your warranty and hoses, etc. are definitely not (remember, this isn't a manufacturer's bumper-to-bumper). access is tight, and thus fixing those things not covered by your warranty will be pricey. he told me a small oil leak could easily run $2200 to fix. just call your local mb dealer and talk to a serviceperson. i've always found them very helpful and willing to give their .02 to someone needing advice.
also the 600s don't hold their value nearly as well - consider the premium the were over a 500 when new and how close in price you find them now.

__________________
-----------------
'96 SL500 46k
Emerald/Parchment

I would personally go for the SL500 Spinedoc.

I know, I know, "an SL 600" would be wonderful! But I agree with texan's posts, and his comes from first hand research on the topic. Try a 96+ SL500... the 96's come with the slightly updated exterior as well,

Good luck!!

And, an SL500 still hawls serious @ss! And it's your dream-car/roadster... make it the best experience possible! 96 or newer SL500.......!

__________________
2006 E350 w/ 155k miles (Daily Driver)

Previous:
1993 300E 3.2L Sedan w/ close to about 300k miles
2003 E500 Brilliant Silver (Had 217k miles when totalled!)
1989 300E with 289,000 miles (had for <1 yr while in HI)
03 CLK 500 cabrio (Mom's)
2006 C230k (Dad's)
1999 S420 (Mom's/Dad's)
2000 C230k Sport sedans
2001 CLK320 Cabrio (Mom's)
1995 C280 My First Mercedes-Benz... (155k miles. EXCEPTIONAL AUTOMOBILE. Was Very hard to let go of!)

I agree with texan - I would stay away.

__________________
Jim

This forum, and many private conversations I have had, explain why the 600SL/SL600 is so cheap. Same reason the Porsche 928 is cheap. Expensive to fix and frequently the victim of deferred maintenance from second or later owners who could not pay the freight. Plus a rarefied parts market.

Maybe an SL500 with a quick badge change is called for?

BTW, the front Bilstein shocks for my 560SEL run ~$60 each and last at least 100,000 miles, the accumulatrors for the rear hydraulic suspension cost $100 each and last at least 80,000 miles. Makes you think about those $900 shocks, no? A 560SL (much the same cost to fix) may be a viable option at $20k for a mint, low mileage example. Then again, you might miss the super expensive electric/hydraulic top parts....

Can anyone confirm that the 500's are cheaper in parts and maintenance? Where are the techs? I figured they would have a field day with this subject, oh well, thanks much.

Once again Im holding off and looking for a 500SL, I think the 600 is just a bit too exotic for me and will fit better inthe future when I have the money to maintain it. For now a nice 500 like you guys say, or even an M3/M5. I might also peek at the CLK's, maybe I can find a CLK430 convertible that I can finance.

Thanks much guys.

After much soul searching and pondering I think Im going to wait a little time. The 600 I was looking at had 91k miles with no service records, plus in the carfax it had 5 owners and was in 2 auctions, didnt seem to be a keeper for some reason.

My goal is to save a bit more and get a 1996 or newer 500SL, or 600 if it pops up. I think I will be plenty happy with a newer 500 though.

Thanks much for the input guys, you possibly saved me from a bad investment.

By the way, my cousin, a dealer, keeps trying to talk me into a bimmer, ive driven a 1999 M3 and a 1998 540i sport, they are very nice and they can corner like no other auto, but something is just missing, some kind of look or feeling, make no mistake, my dream car is a MB.

Thanx again...

Good decision.

The lack of a complete maintenance history is the reason not to buy any car.

I wouldn't rule out a 600, though, if it had a complete maintenance record and could be had for the right price.

All things considered, if similarly equipped, the only difference between a 600 and a 500 would be the engine. Everything else is basically shared.

__________________
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".