Mercedes SL decision??

[robinh73]

Afternoon all. Sadly and through no fault of my own, I am going to have to sell my motorbikes. Naturally, they need to be replaced and so a car is calling, namely a Mercedes Benz SL 400 or 500. I am looking at the R231 variant as they seem to be in budget (up to £25k). Does anyone have any help, advice or feedback please? I would get an independent chap to come and give it the once over before purchasing. How would I go about finding such a person? Many thanks in advance.

[macron]

https://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...

[paddy1970]

Totally different cars. One is relatively cheap to run, while the other can get incredibly expensive. The SL400 is your cruiser: light on its feet, equipped with a simple air suspension system, and reliable. The SL500, by contrast, is a sport (ish) GT. It packs a great engine and complex hydraulic suspension that handles corners brilliantly, but it demands serious money for maintenance and fuel.

[robinh73]

Many thanks for replies chaps, much appreciated. Whilst I am probably going against all the AMG urges I feel that the 400 is the better bet. The reviews are all good for it and it is no slouch. Thanks again

[ZX10R NIN]

The 500 is the pick at this price point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608255...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607164...

They're actually pretty robust but make sure all the seals aren't leaking but your inspection will show any issues.

Have you considered an S Coupe? Once you drop away all the windows & open the roof it's like having a convertible without the potential issues.

S500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503120...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508275...

[robinh73]

ZX10R NIN said:

The 500 is the pick at this price point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606183...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202605182...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608255...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607164...

They're actually pretty robust but make sure all the seals aren't leaking but your inspection will show any issues.

Have you considered an S Coupe? Once you drop away all the windows & open the roof it's like having a convertible without the potential issues.

S500:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202503120...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202508275...

Many thanks for that. Isn't the suspension on the 500SL significantly more expensive to repair than the 400? The S500 is a good shout but I do much prefer the looks of the SL. This move off bikes is breaking my heart so I do want a car that I like the looks of too.
I did look at the Maserati Granturismo but ruled them out on running costs. A shame as I think they are stunning looking cars. The reason behind the SL is reliability or hopefully better reliability than the likes of Maserati and Aston Martin.

[maz8062]

The 2016 facelift is the one to go for. For the SL400, power is boosted to 362 bhp (up from 330), and it will be a much nicer player to be.

I looked at buying a pre-facelift 400 sometime ago and remember that the thing was rapid. Comfortable and classy as well, although given the chance, I'd probably buy a Porsche 911 (997.1) instead

[robinh73]

maz8062 said:

The 2016 facelift is the one to go for. For the SL400, power is boosted to 362 bhp (up from 330), and it will be a much nicer player to be.

I looked at buying a pre-facelift 400 sometime ago and remember that the thing was rapid. Comfortable and classy as well, although given the chance, I'd probably buy a Porsche 911 (997.1) instead

For me a 911 is the ultimate car, there are a few 997.1 available as I would want an S variant and preferably manual. Maybe I should address the thread as Merc SL or alternative.

[ZX10R NIN]

robinh73 said:

Many thanks for that. Isn't the suspension on the 500SL significantly more expensive to repair than the 400? The S500 is a good shout but I do much prefer the looks of the SL. This move off bikes is breaking my heart so I do want a car that I like the looks of too.
I did look at the Maserati Granturismo but ruled them out on running costs. A shame as I think they are stunning looking cars. The reason behind the SL is reliability or hopefully better reliability than the likes of Maserati and Aston Martin.

The suspension is a bit more if it goes wrong the system was majorly updated after the R230 so suspension issues are a much less common thing.

Have you thought about a V6 manual F Type:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607224...

Or an F Type at all? They're a very good car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506083...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

5.0:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603311...

[robinh73]

ZX10R NIN said:

The suspension is a bit more if it goes wrong the system was majorly updated after the R230 so suspension issues are a much less common thing.

Have you thought about a V6 manual F Type:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202607224...

Or an F Type at all? They're a very good car:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202506083...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

5.0:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202603311...

I had looked at the F Type and it was only the mileage within my budget that stopped me. Ideally I would like 60k miles or fewer. That aside the F Type is one of the best looking cars made.

[robinh73]

The Maserati Granturismo is right up there with the F Type. What are these like? Reviews seem to be positive overall

[plynchy]

Regularly travel many miles in a friends 500, extremely quick thing in a straight line, but does feel like it's on the verge of killing you on the twisty stuff, perhaps that's his driving style?

Great soundtrack, if a bit muted, and a very comfortable place to be for a 6 hour drive.

[PhilkSVR]

Just bought a 2019 SL 500 premium. Drove the 400 as well but the engine in the 500 is great. A little muted but tons of torque. Great cruiser but they don’t like being chucked around. Lovely interior and very comfortable. The premium has all the options you need. Watch the 400 for options, I think the grand edition has plenty though. The 231 ironed out a lot of the 230 issues.

[ZX10R NIN]

PhilkSVR said:

Just bought a 2019 SL 500 premium. Drove the 400 as well but the engine in the 500 is great. A little muted but tons of torque. Great cruiser but they don t like being chucked around. Lovely interior and very comfortable. The premium has all the options you need. Watch the 400 for options, I think the grand edition has plenty though. The 231 ironed out a lot of the 230 issues.

If you remove the secondary cats (legal) add an X Pipe/switchfire pipe it adds a nice tone to the stock system.

[PhilkSVR]

ZX10R NIN said:

If you remove the secondary cats (legal) add an X Pipe/switchfire pipe it adds a nice tone to the stock system.

Yes it needs something for sure. Plenty of power but doesn’t quite sound like it

[ZX10R NIN]

robinh73 said:

I had looked at the F Type and it was only the mileage within my budget that stopped me. Ideally I would like 60k miles or fewer. That aside the F Type is one of the best looking cars made.

GT's are great cars the front suspension components can be pricey in general they're very robust, find a good indy & costs becpme more sensible:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608295...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606042...

It'll be nigh on impossible to find a sub 60k F Type for your price point but I'd still consider one.

[interstellar]

This is close at £26795 on 47k

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608074...

[ZX10R NIN]

I was wrong you can get sub 60k V6's for your price point:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202510016...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608054...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202608155...

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202606163...

[TarquinMX5]

I think that some posters are getting confused; the R231 SL400 and SL500 both have the same steel sprung sports suspension as standard, with Active Body Control (ABC) as a £3000 option on both (price on introduction).

The ABC is not a common fitment but it is far more reliable than the similar system fitted to the previous R230 SL500.

R231 SL63 and SL65 had ABC as standard.

Many SL400 drivers think that the lighter engine makes it a better-balanced car than the SL500. Many SL500 drivers think that the bigger engine makes it an all-round better car than the SL400.

The magic windscreen wipers can seem pricey if used to buying normal wipers.

[robinh73]

I do love the looks of the F Type and shall add this to the list. I would love a 911 and shall have a good look at these but the sensible bit of me keeps saying SL400. Sure it doesn't have the V8 but the V6 is not shy on power and all the reviews I have read/watched reckon it is a corker.