Cars where the heart says 'yes' but the head says 'hell no'

[daveco]

For me it was the 8 series, specifically the 850i as it was a big deal when released. Massive engine in BMW's best design imo.



V12s were few and far between especially wrapped in such a striking exterior, and Mercedes were yet to release their 400hp monster in their W140 panzer vehicle.

I still want to drive one at the very least, but as an ownership prospect I'm scared of them

[daveco]

Kierkegaard said:

I would love a Mercedes SL R230, especially the SL55 AMG...

...but, the thought of the sheer expense if anything went wrong with it...which would be a leaking roof, potentially failed & pricey to replace ECUs, pricey ABC suspension failure, SBC brake failure and just the generally flakey build of an early 2000s Mercedes.

Head says no, hell no! But heart pines for one!

My father had an '03 SL500 and just about everything you mention above went wrong with it over the space of two years. He'd often come out to find the car leaning badly to one side from ABC failure, the roof leaking and the battery unable to hold charge. It also went into limp home mode at the slightest whiff of being driven properly.

When it worked it was great, but that wasn't often.