280 or not to 280

[vivian ash]

HI All , I am new to the world of Mercedes and have fallen for the late 90's SL280. In reading various articles it seems the general view of the 280 is that its under powered and you're better off going for the SL320. What do you think? I plan to start looking seriously for a 280 but thought I should ask the question first.

 

[Wighty]

Hi and welcome , I can't speak for the car , but I think whether you think it's underpowered or not depends on what you drive now and how you use the accelerator pedal .
I would guess if you think the 280 will do , DON'T test drive the 320 .
Good luck with the hunt

 

[LostKiwi]

I would guess if you think the 280 will do , DON'T test drive the 320 .

And definitely don't drive a 500!

Driver a 280 and see what you think.
At late 90s I'd guess it's the M112 V6 which if so is a very reliable engine but at only 193hp will never hustle a 129 quickly so if it's sport car performance you want it will be lacking. As a GT on the other hand it'll be fine (and to be honest no 129 is a convincing sports car but they're all superb grand tourers).
At least a 280 will be able to pass a petrol pump!

 

[vivian ash]

Hi and welcome , I can't speak for the car , but I think whether you think it's underpowered or not depends on what you drive now and how you use the accelerator pedal .
I would guess if you think the 280 will do , DON'T test drive the 320 .
Good luck with the hunt

Fair point ...just want to cruise with the roof down in the sunshine

 

[vivian ash]

And definitely don't drive a 500!

Driver a 280 and see what you think.
At late 90s I'd guess it's the M112 V6 which if so is a very reliable engine but at only 193hp will never hustle a 129 quickly so if it's sport car performance you want it will be lacking. As a GT on the other hand it'll be fine (and to be honest no 129 is a convincing sports car but they're all superb grand tourers).
At least a 280 will be able to pass a petrol pump!

 

[vivian ash]

Thanks ...too old to go fast ...so a GT sounds about right

 

[AMGeed]

I had that engine (M112 V6) in both my E280's.
A very competent engine and very reliable too.
You shouldn't be disappointed.

 

[grahamcol]

Yes, the M112 v6 280 is a great engine. Very refined and not at all bad on petrol. Propels my 202 very well and ample performance in that car as well.

 

[Blobcat]

Personally I don't think you need a huge amount of power with a convertibubble as wind noise and buffeting take over once you're north of 50 in most drop tops. I had a 799cc diesel soft top Smart and loved it and didn't need more power.

Having said the above SL's (and SLK's) are so well designed that they're good for little wind noise above 70, so perhaps sir would like to see a SL600...

 

[John Laidlaw]

Phew! Thank goodness that was an archived auction alert

 

[Blobcat]

Phew! Thank goodness that was an archived auction alert

It's not, it's 6th September (Thursday this week..) (Click the link in my post to see the full selection available)

 

[John Laidlaw]

It's not, it's 6th September (Thursday this week..) (Click the link in my post to see the full selection available)

I’m in Italy Thursday and now pretending I didn’t see it

 

[fast28]

I had a year 2000 SL280, The M112 2.8 is rated at 224 bhp and to be honest performance was all you need for busy UK roads, like driving a 2 litre family car, great for cruising and had the torque for overtaking. Sure if you need that adrenaline rush, you buy a larger engine. With the SL280 you get shorter gear ratios in the automatic than other variants which enables the car to hustle along quite nicely and there is also a manual version available but rare to find as most were spec'd with the auto transmission. Look out for the late 99-01 final production cars that were sold with a spec including panoramic glass roof, xenon headlights and heated seats etc.

 

[LostKiwi]

I’m in Italy Thursday and now pretending I didn’t see it

Go on John... You know you need to....

 

[John Laidlaw]

Go on John... You know you need to....

Not if I want to live I don’t Alastair!

 

[LostKiwi]

Not if I want to live I don’t Alastair!

It's an investment... 129s are going up in value quite quickly.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Some nice stuff in that auction for sure, including a 280 OP...Looks decent too
Also a C55 AMG which looks lush. I’m going to lie down now

 

[Blobcat]

Some nice stuff in that auction for sure, including a 280 OP...Looks decent too
Also a C55 AMG which looks lush. I’m going to lie down now

I've been to that auction centre, very quiet and very good value compared to BCA auctions. Almost no one was there bidding when I went in May.

Go on John you know you need it ;-)

 

[John Laidlaw]

I've been to that auction centre, very quiet and very good value compared to BCA auctions. Almost no one was there bidding when I went in May.

Go on John you know you need it ;-)

I’m not usually one for blind bidding but I guess I could chuck in a cheeky remote bid and see if fate takes a hand- then use Alastair’s excuse that the 129 is appreciating at the moment...and after all only 50 were made for the UK. Sure my wife will find it hard to resist all that logic.Wish me luck (I think!)

 

[Blobcat]

I’m not usually one for blind bidding but I guess I could chuck in a cheeky remote bid and see if fate takes a hand- then use Alastair’s excuse that the 129 is appreciating at the moment...and after all only 50 were made for the UK. Sure my wife will find it hard to resist all that logic.Wish me luck (I think!)

You're only this way once and for a good time not a long time (although time could be shortened once the management find out...)