SL for my daughter....which one is MOST reliable??
I am looking for purchase my daughter her first car an SL. I am looking years 1987 - 1994. Can you guys tell me what years and engines I should stay away from? Which one would YOU buy for your kid and be comfortable with?
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The safest thing for your child is to buy it for ME instead;). I'm available for adoption.
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Look at www.collectorcartraderonline.com. It won't tell you which engien is best but it certainly will give you a selection.
Watch out for the 380sl. They have a weak timing chain that when it breaks can cost you BIG bucks. Make sure, if you look at a 380, that it has had the double timing chain conversion. If you like the sl style you might look at the slc. They are 2/3s the price, a much safer car and by far better looking. I have had two of them and they are great care. Both the 280 and the 450 engines are good, but, as with all MBs you better get your checkbook ready for some shock treatment. The part you will pay $50 for on a Chevy or Ford you will pay $300 for aon a MB. Also there are more mechanics that can repair Fords and Chevys than MBs and therefore the labor rate and overall cost can be less. |
Personally?
94 to 99 sl320 or sl500. Just make sure to get a through pre-purchase. 107 cars are cool but, all of 'em are getting old now which means they are getting a bit twitchy in more ways than one. The 129 cars overall have been pretty solid and reliable from what I've seen. Occassional top latches and the normal oil leaks on the the 104 but overall pretty damn solid. (not to mention safer cars than a 107.) Joe |
And if it has a 120 engine it RUN LIKE HELL! :D
Cool mill but, unless you have buckets of money for when it breaks you really dont want a sl600. Joe |
If I were you I would give her the 88 300E and buy another car (SL ?) for you or your wife. Or, if you really want to sleep better, buy her a tank, I mean a 300SD, for her.:)
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While if I was her, I'd want an SL. But i'm a student and I feel so increadibly safe in my 300E. As richunters said, there just like a tank. If you decide to buy a 300E, make sure you get one that has been maintained well, in there later years they tend to get a bit expensive in repairs, altho they'll last forever.
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The 89 560SL is a great car in the chassis' 17th and last year of production. Take that for what it's worth.
Consider also a 300CE or 560SEC. Both big strong coupes. There's also a 300CE cabrio if top down driving is a must. Sixto 91 300SE 87 300SDL 83 300SD ... any takers at $1100? |
'94 SL/ 4dr E320/ E320 Coupe/ e320 Cab- / e diesel too
can't go wrong once the wiring harnesses have been replaced and 6cyl headgaskets>>> all are quite affordable vehicles as well best regards -fad |
I believe the 380sl single row timing chain was addressed by the factory in 1984. A dual row replacement was adopted.
Regarding which car: Get the newest example you can afford. |
For the years you're specifying ('87-'94) there are two body styles. The 107 body was sold in the US only as the 560SL '87-'89 (its last year). Unlike earlier 107s, it's got a driver-side airbag and particularly for '89 a few suspension tweaks. It's built like a tank ( it was known to DB engineers as der Panzerwagen--the armored car), and if well maintained the 5.6-liter V8 is pretty bulletproof. Downside-Be careful of the specific car and get it well inspected by a knowledgeable MB mechanic, though that actually applies to all MB. Fairly thirsty-14mpg or so in town, up to 20 highway, on premium (required). The basic design was done in the late 60's.
1990 saw the 129 body. For your daughter, stick to the 300/320; less expensive to buy, probably a bit less to run, and still enough power to get into trouble! The 500 is overkill. The basic design is about 20 years newer than the 107, mileage should be definitely better, and although the 107 is quite sturdy the 129 is inevitably a safer car due to much more recent design. Unlike the 107, it does have an electric top--something more to go wrong but nice to have. A really well kept late 560SL probably won't cost much less than a good early SL300. I'm not aware of any particular problems with any of these engines. |
Like cbdo, I'd buy a '90-'91 300SL. A great looking car and a proven reliable motor. Wish I was your kid!
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No offense, I am sure your daughter is a very responsible and nice girl but an SL may not be the best choice for a first car. I'm 17 and I would like to say that evan though I want a fast car I know I would probably hurt myself. Or get a lot of expensive tickets. Teenagers me and most of my friends included speed! Regardles of what they tell there parents. I know of a lot off people me included who go for top speed runs and do some crazy things. Fast cars are just trouble, if you get her an SL500 I would be willing to bet she would run it up to 155mph. Every one wants a fast cool sporty car but that is not always the best choice. (I can't believe I'm saying this!) Maybe an older diesel like a 300D or SD would be better. Or if she wants something smaller a 190E is a great car. I am not trying to preach but I don't think an SL would be right for a first car.
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