SL or SLC?

[dakers]

Hello everybody

I'm currently a jag owner and am thinking of buying an 80's (maybe late 70's) SL.

My question is this: I'm still unsure whether there's a difference between an SL and an SLC. I was following a de-badged model in blue down the M6 the other week and it seemed longer than other ones I've seen...

Additionally, does anyone have any particular recommendations / things to look out for? for example, what engine size would you all go for?

Many thanks in advance...

 

[steveperry]

...I'm still unsure whether there's a difference between an SL and an SLC...

The SL of the era had a removable hard top and a cloth top too where as the SLC was a coupe and not a convertible. I'm pretty sure that the SLC models are more rare and will be harder to find than the drop top SL's

S.

 

[neileg]

The SL is a convertible supplied with a steel hard top that makes it a closed coupe when in place. The rear seats were optional, but pretty useless anyway.

The SLC is a proper four seater coupe with more legroom in the back as a result of a longer wheelbase.

Most people prefer the SL both for looks and its a convertible. In its day, the SLC was highly regarded as a drivers car and a long distance tourer. The market value of an SL is much higher than a similar SLC, which makes an SLC great value if that's what you want. Because maintenance costs are similar, you may find that an SLC is more likely to have been neglected as the running costs are higher as a proportion of purchase price.

Whichever you decide on, rust is the killer of these cars. A body restoration will cost a fortune, whereas a good s/h engine from an old saloon will rejuvenate a clapped out SL/SLC for a few hundreds.

I ran a 380SL as a daily driver. I only sold it when I disovered how skilfiully the rust had been disguised!

 

[lindowkid]

I think the SLC is about 14 inches longer than the SL. Chap above is right rust is the thing to watch for. Seems the guys on this site are keen in the 6 cyl 300's but I have the V8 and the perfomance is excellent. Some great specialists around as well who seem to me to do a better job than the dealers. Check out the Sept 2002 Issue 11 of Mercedes Enthusiast Magazine > http://www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk/cgi-bin/get_issue.cgi?i=0211Sep there is a great buyers guide.

 

[guydewdney]

one of the better engines for frugality (is that a word? cheap-ness) and power is the 300-24 - three litre straight 6 24 valve. good compromise between power and cost.

2.3 a bit small, 5.5 amg expensive to run.


give us an idea on your budget, and the style of driving (posing, hammering down country lanes, motorway cruising etc) and im sure we can suggest somthing..

 

[107SL300]

AS THE CHAPS WROTE ABOVE...............


YOU WILL GENERALY FIND THE SLC IS HALF THE PRICE OF A SL,BUT AGAIN IT DEPENDS ON YOUR NEEDS:AILY DRIVER? KIDS ETC? BIGGEST THING IS BUDGET,IF YOU ONLY WANT TO SPEND AROUND £5K AND YOU WANT A NICE CAR GO FOR AN SLC,AGAIN THESE ARE RARER,T I'VE SEEN MINT ONES FOR £5K.....SL'S AT £5K ARE NORMALY HORROR STORIES!!!!!!!!!!!! LOOK IN AUTOTRADER,ON A NATIONAL SEARCH @ WWW.AUTOTRADER.CO.UK


I LOOKED AT AROUND 15 SL'S BEFORE I BOUGHT ONE, TRY NOT TO SET YOUR MIND ON SPECS/COLOURS/ENGINES ETC. BE QUITE OPEN MINDED IT HELPS,AS THERE ARE SOME PROPER DOG PILES OUT THERE

I WANTED A RED OR WHITE V8 380SL.........................

ENDED UP WITH A 6 CYL 300SL IN SILVER, 87 MODEL ALLOY ENGINE..

ITS WAS TWICE THE CAR OF ANYTHING ELSE I'D SEEN....ANDY BOOTH..

 

[Phynyxun]

I owned an SL 500, I went through Europe with it, never broke down. And it attracted all the attention.

Then I sold it.

Basically the cars good for a bit of fun but I wouldnt do the work run in it.

Now I own an SL 55 AMG. And I am planning the Europe tour next summer.