Both old and new SL's are nice as Craig says.. I had a 560SL just like his, and now have a 300SL.

Here's why we like the 300SL better:
-Power roof - MUCH easier for my wife to open & close. She can't actually shut the 107 roof (I had to do it every evening)
-More luxury items (power seats, etc.)
-Much quieter, less wind noise, newer/better engineered car

What we don't like:
-As Craig mentions, there are tons of power toys on these cars that break. So far we've been lucky and nothing major has gone wrong. But don't kid yourself -- these cars are definately more complex than a 560SL!

What about a '90 300SL or 500SL? Same car as later on (basically), most of the issues are well known by now, there are lots of good ones around, and to the unknowing eye, they are ALL "Mercedes SL's" whether they are a 1990 or 1999. I've driven the 1999, one that was around 1996 or 1995, and then bought the 1990. The newer cars are nicer, but too expensive for me.

Hope I didn't tick off anyone with a newer SL, but it all came down to value for the $ for me (Yes, I realize the irony of that statement considering I drive an R129 and not a Camry.....)

Neal

__________________
'83 300SD 335,000km (207k) mi SOLD
'87 560SL 163,000km (101k mi) SOLD
'86 300SDL 356,000km (220k mi) SOLD
'92 500SEL 250,000km (155k mi) SOLD
'90 300SL 140,000km (87k mi) SOLD
'01 S430 260,000km (161k mi) SOLD
'03 SL500 167,000km (104k mi) SOLD
'07 S550 4MATIC 235,000km (146k mi) SOLD
'07 GL320 CDI 4MATIC 348,000km (215k mi)
'13 GL350 BlueTec 4MATIC 170,000km (105k mi)
'14 SL550 72,000km (43k mi)