Tempted by an R129 SL, what are the typical running costs?

[d215yq]

After a year's relatively fault free motoring from my e220 coupe, my first mercedes, I've definitely got hooked on the quality and design of these cars and am now, for my sins, considering a second car.

I've really fallen for the SL pre facelift (just love the two tone paint!) which I understand ran to '95.

Therefore the choices of engine I have are the I6 320, 300-24v or the 500.

A quick look on this forum has shown me that the 320 seems to have many ecu/wiring loom issues and the 300-24v has head gasket issues.

Am I being overly wishful in thinking that repairs and mainenance on a 500 could actually be less than of the smaller engines? The insurance seems reasonable and, as a second car the fuel economy isn't a worry, but hearing about £2.5k catalytic converters certainly is!

Are there any major issues with the sl500 that are expensive to repair and that regularly give trouble?

Also should a sl generally be a lot more costly to run than a w124 with the same engine as it is more complex or, roof issues aside, should it be similarly reliable/economic to maintain/repair?


Any thoughts appreciated,

Ben

 

[Mr Teddy Bear]

Two plugs per cylinder,two heads, two exhaust system's?
Expensive to service and maintain, but if all your doing is 5000 miles a year I suppose its not too important:-D

 

[Seeker_UK]

If you're doing 5K a year, go for the SL500.
Fuel consumption is not much worse than a 320.

300s & 300-24s all have head gasket problems sometime in their life. Rocker covers leak too IIRC. I would leave well alone - if cost is an issue go for a 280.

320 I6s have problems with the wiring looms due to degradation through high temperatures.

320 V6s are the best of the bunc IMHO modern but as has been said elsewhere has 12 spark plugs - expensive come major service time.

500s are very simple engines but can suffer from worn engine mounts (engine wobbles too much) and can have problems with the dizzys.

For all SLs, Roofs can fail and can be very expensive to replace. Make sure nothing's worn, the hood isn't mouldy, the rear window isn't split, it goes up and down and the hard top is easy to remove.