I want an SL, which one...280, 300, 320, 500? Convince an old MX5 owner.

[gladholm]

Hi there
Found a good forum here....

I am about to trade up from a heroic MX5 of 7 years standing. Mk 1 import. I have been very very content, but I need to move into another league.

Not an SLK lover, I reckon the tradition of an SL is for me. But which one?

I can manage most maintenance myself. I like reliability and easy cruising. ( Audi A6 2.5TDi 1998 is my real long distance cruiser)

Which engine should I go for, V6 320 is my 1st chioce, 500 possibly a bit overkill, 280 a bit underpowered? 300 24V traditional...

Please let me know which will last and be the most reasonable to maintain.

Keep talking, until we stop.

 

[pascal]

Mine;s a 320V6, and I find it has enough power for me.

Regarding the 500 being overkill, It may be, but only a little.

The SL is a very heavy car, nearly 1.9 ton in weight.

Best go and drive them both. SL280.... only for the more mundane drivers.

Either way, the R129 is one car that will really put a smile on your face.

There are slight changes during the changeover to VEE engines in 98. Different mirrors etc.

Leather, side bags, electric heated seats/mirrors (folding), ESP/ABS/BAS, rainsensor, Auto-5 (except 280), Speedtronic/cruise, Electric steering adjustment, heated washwipe, headlight wash, 17" alloys, 330mm fr disc, are all standard on the facelift cars

 

[peterchurch]

I am selling my 320 v6 at the moment if you are interested They are great cars, The new v6 gave better fuel economy than the previous 280 and was a lighter engine. I have used the 320 as a daily driver for a year and it regulary returns 32 MPG I have also seen some very fast speeds in it and Im not convinced that the v8 or above is worth the fuel economy hit you will take.
It seems that most 500 owners tend not to use them to commute, my take is if you have a car that is as good as the SL why drive a lesser car all week

Some things to lookout for:
leaks not alway apparent due to the quality of the carpets;
Faulty Maf sensors make a hugh difference to performance, although its hard to notice that unless you see one with a new one in;
check that the Climate control works too (I serviced mine this year and was amazed at the difference it made

Panoramic roof is a must as they transform winter driving

*Edit*
gladholm, I Just tried to send you a Private Message re my car however it is currnetly disabled drop me an email to peterpchurch@gmail.com


Regards,

Peter

 

[gfern]

The R 129 is a great car whichever engine you choose and would be a big step up from the Mx 5 in most respects. They are good to drive either fast or slow and it is always a pleasure to drive especaily in summer with the top down. As with all of these cars regular servicing and maintenance is an essential and usually if carried out properly in my experience does give good reliability. My own choice is the 500 I like the V8 performance from the lazy cruising to the relative madness that can be achieved simply using the right foot.
To answer your question, they will all last as long as you look after them properly and I would think the easiest maintenance will come from the simplest specification, on the basis the more there is the more may go wrong.

If I was looking for an easier maintenance option I would go for the Straight six and stay away from the active suspension and drop the aircon. It goes without saying that you must get a fully verified service history without this walk away save your sanity and wallet damage.

One thing though for sure if you do take the plunge and buy driving will become less of a chore and more fun.

 

[Biffo]

I just bought myself a Sl320 straight six,I was told that it would be the one to run on an "ordinary" car budget, as it has most of the useful toys( rain sensitive wipers, dipping mirror, electric seats, etc ) and none of the painfully expensive options as on the 500 and 600 ( active ride etc). Mine was also fitted with full AMG kit from new , 18" alloys and it looks fantastic in metallic blue/black. So far it has returned 27mpg and is the most comfortable car I have owned (all previous 5 were SAABs). I was also told that the exhaust/ engine sound from the straight six is more vocal and sporty than the V six , it certainly growls when you floor the pedal! Also I agree the glass hardtop is a must have , if a little awkward to lift off and manoeuver, I can understand how the soft top on my car has hardly ever seen the light of day! Anyway good luck with your quest, I am sure you will enjoy owning one!

 

[davidsl500]

SL's and MX5's are leagues apart. You do have to remember that the 500's were pushing £70,000 when new and as such the servicing and parts costs are in line with the original purchase price - and not what you paid for it!

It goes without saying that any SL you buy should have a full service history as a bad example will cost more than your MX5 in repairs.....

That said they are built like tanks and should run and run. Which should you buy? A 320 or a 500. The 600 engine is a sight to behold but doesnt really show much of a difference in performance over the 500. Someone on the Forum said that if you want a 320 then dont drive a 500 ! - and they are probably right ! The 320 seems to be a good balance between economy and performance but if you dont do alot of miles and like some real grunt then the V8 takes your breath away and sounds wonderful....

Maintenance of the 320 and the 500 is going to be pretty similar apart from the engine itself where there are obvious differences. They are both heavy cars and so you need some good equipment to lift and hold 'em up safely. How much DIY you can do depends on how skilled you are. There is an awful lot of electronics in the SL. Do remember though that whilst DIY servicing is fine, Buyers like to see Service stamps in the service book on Mercedes, no service stamps and people walk away or beat you down.....

I think everyone should own an SL in their lifetime !

 

[peterchurch]

I just bought myself a Sl320 straight six,I was told that it would be the one to run on an "ordinary" car budget, as it has most of the useful toys( rain sensitive wipers, dipping mirror, electric seats, etc ) and none of the painfully expensive options as on the 500 and 600 ( active ride etc). Mine was also fitted with full AMG kit from new , 18" alloys and it looks fantastic in metallic blue/black. So far it has returned 27mpg and is the most comfortable car I have owned (all previous 5 were SAABs). I was also told that the exhaust/ engine sound from the straight six is more vocal and sporty than the V six , it certainly growls when you floor the pedal! Also I agree the glass hardtop is a must have , if a little awkward to lift off and manoeuver, I can understand how the soft top on my car has hardly ever seen the light of day! Anyway good luck with your quest, I am sure you will enjoy owning one!

Nah you were fooled the V6 sounds awsom It makes the I6 sound like a taxi

 

[pascal]

Now I Am Going To Have My Say

I have to agree with Peter here, to a degree.

My last car was an inline 6, and sounded like ............. well sounded like ........ sounded like a quiet engine.

When you put the boot down in the V6, it's like music to the ears.

I don't actually know why people say the Inline sounds better.

Up to this point I have kept quiet about this, but its begining to sound like a quote from some slightly deaf motoring writer, that all those with inline sixes are jumping to.

I know that the V angle is not supposed to be the ideal for a six, and is compensated by a balancer. So what. Thats german engineering. I know it is a de-tuned engine (for economy, emmisions etc.). So what.

In fairness, my SL is topless and the exhaust is probably tuned to sound good, but I was driving a CLK320 V6 again last weekend, and it sounds as good as I remember back in 98.

If you have not owned and driven both for any decent period of time, you are not qualified to give a accurate opinion.

Pascal


PS: I am exercising my right of free speech on this matter here, and it is just my opinion.

 

[brayfab]

mx-5 ????????????

dude GO BACK TO THE MX-5
FAB

 

[Myros]

The force may well be strong within you,

but I was tempted by the dark side. V8 500SL R107. It's the d-b's. Possibly the most fun you can have in a car with your clothes on. If driving one doesn't put a smile on your face, I would question your humanity. Even coming out of the petrol station kiosk all glum after paying for yet another tankful, one look at that car and one turn of the key gets me beaming like a madman. Go on, you owe it to yourself. Get an old school 500 and melt another iceberg.

 

[fay]

SL280 for sale

I am lucky to own a SL280 only having done 16,000 miles registered in march 1999 red in coulour with cream leather it is emaculate and for sale if anyone is interested. Reason for sale buying a house in Antigua I also have a c270 so the sports only goes out in good weather.

 

[Ken500SL]

old school 500 SL

I sold my R107 500SL back earlier this year, as I'd moved to a position doing high miles (needed a practical diesel). Well, having just finished that job - I'm immediately buying another 107. I expect that the 129 is vastly technically superior, but to be it doesn't have anything on the style that the old school one does, and the old 500SL is no slouch, and can do mid 20s MPG. I also think the newer model is still going through massive downward price pressure, bt the older one is more price stable..... but that's just me. I'm sure if I drive a 320 129 I'd change my mind!

 

[Flying Scot]

drove a 280 and a 320 and i have to say when i got back into my Volvo 850 2.5 GLT estate i thought i must be mad even thinking of replacing this car with one of them


THEN i drove a 500SL - i have driven everything from Rollers to Freawwies and two days later i have a lovely 500SL

IF you are in doubt and thinking about a 280/320 dont drive the 500SL the car is AWESOME

regards

David

 

[markmerc]

If you really want a powerful V8, get a big block yank. They are cheaper to buy and maintain. As for V6's sounding better I dissagree. The droning noise from a straight six, what ever manufacturer, at around 2000 to 25000 rpm is worth turning the radio down. A V6 sounds like its missfiring! Albeit a matter of choice. I personnally do not need performance as I also ride a motorbike,so in my opinion the 500 is not an option. Sorry for any offence to 500 owners.

 

[peterchurch]

I swapped out my SL320 for a 2.8 V6 Saab Aero a while ago now. The one thing I will say is that its all very well having an engine that "sings" when you nail it, but if the result of the noise is a car traveling at 120mph+ then you never get to hear it and if you do then you are a danger to yourself and any other road user...