SL Class which one if any?

[rocky65]

First of all let me say hello.I have been a member of pistonHeads for a short time but have untill now been concerned with TVRs.I realise this question may be subjective to members that own each model but lets give it a go.Iam thinking of purchasing a SL Class 5th generation as late as possible depending on the budget.I was looking for any pointers as to which one to go for.Small engine ,larger engine,any faults more so with one or the other.
Also production dates and faults related to build quality later or earlier.millage is also a concern, should it be?.Also should I buy one at all? Any help would be appreciated chaps.

[r129sl]

The distinction is between the 350 and 500 on the one hand and the 600, 55 AMG, 63 AMG, 65 AMG on the other.

500 with the 5.5l 388bhp V8 always looks pretty sensible to me, although the attraction of the 350 is the conventional suspension.

[WalkingFish]

Hi, I found myself in a similar position last year and tried the SL variants and ending up choosing the 600. Great performance, the easiest to tune up and boost performance if you think you'll need to, smooth as silk, comfortable, has all the toys and it has the wow factor as being the top of the range SL

For me it boiled down to the 500 or the 600 as the smaller engine wasn't fast enough for me and I found the ride of the AMG versions too harsh.

Ultimately however it's a personal choice and the trick is to test drive all of them and weigh up the pros and cons of ownership depending on your likely usage and personal circumstances.

I took almost a year to find the right one but I'm very, very happy with my 600.

Now, Kleeman or Renntech ?

[rocky65]

As engine size is not realy a factor as this would be a second car and The mpg figures suggest that there is not a massive difference between the 350 and the 500. In your experience does the 500 have any particular merits that its little brother doesent have, or any dendencies mechanicall or otherwise to malfunction.

[rocky65]

Hello ,not realy looked at any thing above the standard 350 or 500 but I will keep my eyes open and my options,thanks.

[markbe]

WalkingFish said:

Hi, I found myself in a similar position last year and tried the SL variants and ending up choosing the 600. Great performance, the easiest to tune up and boost performance if you think you'll need to, smooth as silk, comfortable, has all the toys and it has the wow factor as being the top of the range SL

For me it boiled down to the 500 or the 600 as the smaller engine wasn't fast enough for me and I found the ride of the AMG versions too harsh.

Ultimately however it's a personal choice and the trick is to test drive all of them and weigh up the pros and cons of ownership depending on your likely usage and personal circumstances.

I took almost a year to find the right one but I'm very, very happy with my 600.

Now, Kleeman or Renntech ?

Kleemann and 200 cats with 3" exhaust, uprated cooler pumps, LSD, will give over 700 bhp and over 900 FPT!!
See you at VMax when you have done it.

Mark.

[rocky65]

[quote=markbe]

Kleemann and 200 cats with 3" exhaust, uprated cooler pumps, LSD, will give over 700 bhp and over 900 FPT!!
See you at VMax when you have done it.

Mark.[/quote
Sorry chaps its all a little over my head, the last merc I had was a 1998 c200 sport so I need easing back into the mercedes drivers seat gently.Sorry but to get back to the basic stuff if you where choosing now, using all you now know now about each car,which one ?

[Ikebaddog]

Have had both, 350 and 500, the V8 is worth having, the ABC suspension is superb, expensive if it breaks, but superb, i have had the secondary cats taken off, and now the car sounds like a proper v8, not quite as loud as an AMG, but still very nice. Last major service plus MOT plus brake pads all round cost £500 at a respected specialist

[rocky65]

Ikebaddog said:

Have had both, 350 and 500, the V8 is worth having, the ABC suspension is superb, expensive if it breaks, but superb, i have had the secondary cats taken off, and now the car sounds like a proper v8, not quite as loud as an AMG, but still very nice. Last major service plus MOT plus brake pads all round cost £500 at a respected specialist

Thanks for that. Im looking at spending around £15-£20000 and have looked at a few top end cars from different makers ie jag porsche etc.It seems that the SL has the best blend of interior and looks plus pretty good performance.

[Ikebaddog]

With that budget you will get a top class car, I gave £13k for a one owner 43000 mile car with pano roof, keyless go etc.