1990's SL500 ownership.

[Bobfrance]

Hi, I'm thinking of moving from a TVR 400SE to a (mid nineties) Mercedes SL500.

I'm looking at the SL because I want a car that is more of a tourer and suitable for doing the odd long journey all year round.

I'd be really interested to hear from people who've owned one about their usability/drivability etc.

Thanks in advance!
Bob.

 

[MarkSL]

Hi Bob

I've got a 300SL - and I love it

I looked at a lot of cars before buying mine - and the only problem to date has been a slight coolant loss that required a new water pump.
They are incredibly well built - so this will come as a pleasant surprise after TVR ownership - though mine isnt as quick as a TVR!

My wife uses our SL as a daily driver - even in the recent snow - and with the hard top on was quite happy with it. Traction in icy weather seems to be the only real problem

Comparing a 500SL to a Chimera 4.0 (the only one I have experience with), I would say that they both turn heads - the SL looks the part, the TVR sounds the part - they both "go" very well though the TVR definately has the edge due to its lighter weight.
For me the deciding factor would be that the SL will outlast the TVR by a couple of decades if well looked after - and in that time, whilst being relatively expensive to service and run, will probably be cheaper than the TVR overall as well as not caring how many miles it does!

When I was looking for my SL - there were literally dozens and dozens of higher mileage SL's for sale with mileages ranging from 120k-237k miles.

plus points
1. its an MB
2. bullet proof build quality and reliabilty if well maintained
3. Hard top for the winter months
4. It will handle high mileages very well
5. Nice trick elecric soft top
6. Most 500's came "fully loaded" - remember that A/C, leather, and rear seats were all factory options ! - beware of "poverty spec" SL's

Spend time looking for the right car - I spent weeks and did a lot of miles looking at different cars before I found mine 1 mile from where I work !


As a final note - the 300 is a lot slower than the 500 - but plus points are much better fuel consumption, cheaper/easier servicing, and the preformance isnt bad if you hammer it! - If you want speed - stick to the 500 but if you can sacrifice the speed - the 300 makes a great tourer and still looks/drives out of this world!

Mark

Ex 1998 4.0 Chimera - new gearbox at first service - lost £13k in less than 18 months