1990's Mercedes SL500. Any good?
Discussion
Perhaps the good people of PH can help me. 
Does anybody have any experience of 1990's Mercedes
SL500's? And are they any good?
I'm after a convertible that is more of a GT than an out and out sports car since I'm looking at doing a few trans european jaunts.
I have been considering a Facelift XJS 4.0 Convertible (which I like a lot) but the Merc seems to have a few advantages, Namely: Not quite as long, faster (in 500 form) and it has a hard top for winter, which is good since I intend to use it all year round.
The downsides seem to be more it's looks, image and boring interior than eanything else. But my head is telling me it's a good choice.
Oh, and my girlfriend says I will look like an accountant driving it (apols to all you accountants out there).
So come on folks give me some of that PH feedback!
Cheers!
Bob.
Does anybody have any experience of 1990's Mercedes
SL500's? And are they any good?
I'm after a convertible that is more of a GT than an out and out sports car since I'm looking at doing a few trans european jaunts.
I have been considering a Facelift XJS 4.0 Convertible (which I like a lot) but the Merc seems to have a few advantages, Namely: Not quite as long, faster (in 500 form) and it has a hard top for winter, which is good since I intend to use it all year round.
The downsides seem to be more it's looks, image and boring interior than eanything else. But my head is telling me it's a good choice.
Oh, and my girlfriend says I will look like an accountant driving it (apols to all you accountants out there).
So come on folks give me some of that PH feedback!
Cheers!
Bob.
Try here
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/
You should get some info from that lot.
Lovely cars IMO, there's a 300 on PH at the mo,
www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=7512&sc=IN17&s=251
cheers.
http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/
You should get some info from that lot.
Lovely cars IMO, there's a 300 on PH at the mo,
www.pistonheads.com/ads/detail.asp?i=7512&sc=IN17&s=251
cheers.
:cuetumbleweed:
Its a mercedes and its expensive and its got a massive v8 engine.
An educated guess would point toward them being a very fine piece of kit but will have high running costs.
Find one and invest in a professional inspection.
There's a few 1990 models on www.autotrader.co.uk.
Try www.classiccarinspections.com/ they may be able to help with an inspection.
Its a mercedes and its expensive and its got a massive v8 engine.
An educated guess would point toward them being a very fine piece of kit but will have high running costs.
Find one and invest in a professional inspection.
There's a few 1990 models on www.autotrader.co.uk.
Try www.classiccarinspections.com/ they may be able to help with an inspection.
Superb build quality, best Merc build ever IMHO. I had 1990 one for mainland European duties '91 to '94. Cripplingly costly if anything goes wrong though, I had an engine out problem (my fault) just out of full warranty that was £2k+ and far to complicated to leave to an independent.
From the point of view of ride/handling/performance, obviously the performance is very strong - with accompanying desperately poor fuel consumption - ride and handling is American cruiser like. Very stable at absurd autobahn speeds, but twisty backroads are absolutely no fun whatsoever.
To be honest I suspect that the risk/reward ratio isn't good enough to make it worth taking on. Have you considered the earlier model ? The specialist industry is up to speed on these, and they are a lot less complicated in construction. They share the advantages of excellent high speed ride and stability, are happier on the back roads and will make you look more like an enthusiast than a drug dealer/accountant (depends on colour choice and area of the country.)
All the usual caveats apply - FSH, NO accident damage (MB can check if any new panels have been ordered) however minor, non-smoking owner, check every electrical item (twice) get a professional check over, buy from a specialist (still some in the dealer network - megabucks though)
>> Edited by jondokic on Wednesday 5th March 15:20
From the point of view of ride/handling/performance, obviously the performance is very strong - with accompanying desperately poor fuel consumption - ride and handling is American cruiser like. Very stable at absurd autobahn speeds, but twisty backroads are absolutely no fun whatsoever.
To be honest I suspect that the risk/reward ratio isn't good enough to make it worth taking on. Have you considered the earlier model ? The specialist industry is up to speed on these, and they are a lot less complicated in construction. They share the advantages of excellent high speed ride and stability, are happier on the back roads and will make you look more like an enthusiast than a drug dealer/accountant (depends on colour choice and area of the country.)
All the usual caveats apply - FSH, NO accident damage (MB can check if any new panels have been ordered) however minor, non-smoking owner, check every electrical item (twice) get a professional check over, buy from a specialist (still some in the dealer network - megabucks though)
>> Edited by jondokic on Wednesday 5th March 15:20
www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php3
Read through the posts there if you want to see common problems.. it'll give you a biased view on the negative side, showing you every/any thing that goes wrong with them.
Post a message and you'll get pretty honest opinions.
Read through the posts there if you want to see common problems.. it'll give you a biased view on the negative side, showing you every/any thing that goes wrong with them.
Post a message and you'll get pretty honest opinions.
My mum's friend has a K reg 500sl. He loves the car. Drives it daily, no real problems. Had a small problem with the hood motor (wouldn't go down), but that was sorted easy enough.
Servicing is a pricey problem of the car. He goes to an ex-Mercedes engineer's independant garage. Doesn't seem to cost too much.
In terms of quality they're fantastic for their age. Fully electrical adjustable seats, the hood is a work of art. Good performance too even today (0-60 in something around 6 seconds i think).
Email me and i'll pass on his email address.
Servicing is a pricey problem of the car. He goes to an ex-Mercedes engineer's independant garage. Doesn't seem to cost too much.
In terms of quality they're fantastic for their age. Fully electrical adjustable seats, the hood is a work of art. Good performance too even today (0-60 in something around 6 seconds i think).
Email me and i'll pass on his email address.
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