RE: Mercedes-Benz 500 SL: Spotted

RE: Mercedes-Benz 500 SL: Spotted

Author
Discussion

Prinny

1,669 posts

98 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
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That’s one of mine yesterday at work in NL. With comedy US truck for scale.

These are to me, £10k cars now. Buying cheaper is very possible, I paid £4.5k last year for this one, £5k for the other in February. However, if you want to make them good, then you’ll need to spend money. I’ve sorted the rust, sorted the suspension, sorted the seat bolster wear & then additionally spent for modern speakers/ bluetooth, and then the wheels which I personally love. I still need a new soft-top, I’ll be over £12k when done, but that’s to my wants, the wheels & sounds were entirely optional.

Spending more than £10k doesn’t necessarily bring better quality or refreshed consumables, but is increasing someones profit margin, no doubt. There are enough out there that are competent & honest at £6-7k that I couldn’t justify double that, no matter on the condition.

I think (hope!) they’ll appreciate gradually over time, but that’s not why I bought two. As an open top tourer, they’re a wonderful way to get around. If it’s only me in the car & it’s not going to be driving for driving’s sake, I invariably take the SL over the 7series or M6.

Hereward

4,136 posts

229 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
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I appreciate that beauty is in the eye of the beholder but these wonderful cars are VERY sensitive to the style of alloy wheel fitted, in my opinion.

nerf

991 posts

230 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
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Trusty Steed said:
Mine out of its winter slumber!

mine too!


sidewinder500

1,096 posts

93 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
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needs some work, this time next year maybe...

Edited by sidewinder500 on Friday 3rd May 19:18

oceanview

1,511 posts

130 months

Friday 3rd May 2019
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I had a 1995 SL500 in 2009-12.

They're beautiful cars with a fabulous engine. I test drove an SL320 first but, that felt flat and not that special- the 500 was just sooo much better! The fuel economy was near as damn-it the same, so a no brainer, really.

I paid just under 7k for a 95000 miler in good condition. I spent £££ making it great- new rear screen and hood material, and a £600 air con compressor, some of the more expensive bits.

It was very relaxing to drive- effortless power, super refined and the old girl could really shift if needed (50-70mph in 2.8 secs).

Happy days.


RSchneider

215 posts

163 months

Saturday 4th May 2019
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SLs are still the best car for a certain lifestyle. Over its life time the R129 received many upgrades (not all really "up"), and its engines went from Euro 1 to 3. I think the sweet spot is the mid-90's M119 with 5-speed gearbox.

jimdollar

51 posts

87 months

Tuesday 7th May 2019
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I have had one of these,a 1993 model for nearly 5 years, use it every day to commute a short distance to work, the M119 engine is just superb, I once got 24 MPG on a weeks holiday in the Lake District,fantastic cars.