Oh dear....this complicates things....
Discussion
Whilst browsing the trader in my ongoing quest for a new toy a came across a few 500SL Mercs (1990s model) within budget....
Just to see how insane the insurance would be i got a few quotes....i was shocked...for some reason they are in the silly cheap group my old 928 was...fully comp for a shade over 200 quid!!!
The more i look at them the more im liking them.....320 horse...nearly 350 torques and to 60 in 6.5....AND the roof comes off!!!
Has anybody got any experience of them? as i've said it would only be a toy and not a daily, so fuel isn't an issue.
Just to see how insane the insurance would be i got a few quotes....i was shocked...for some reason they are in the silly cheap group my old 928 was...fully comp for a shade over 200 quid!!!
The more i look at them the more im liking them.....320 horse...nearly 350 torques and to 60 in 6.5....AND the roof comes off!!!
Has anybody got any experience of them? as i've said it would only be a toy and not a daily, so fuel isn't an issue.
If you, or someone else, bends or breaks anything on them the repair bills can be frightening.
A friend's 320SL was hit pretty hard on the rear corner and the repair bill was into 5 figures, the car was easily 8 years old by then.
I'm guessing it would be easy to write off a 10-15k version with what would be no more than a bump, which would be a shame.
A friend's 320SL was hit pretty hard on the rear corner and the repair bill was into 5 figures, the car was easily 8 years old by then.
I'm guessing it would be easy to write off a 10-15k version with what would be no more than a bump, which would be a shame.
[quote=Huntsman]We've got one.
They are bloody marvellous. Built like a brick s
thouse yet drive surprisingly sportily.
Get one, you'll love it.
Note - there is 2 V8's, a 32 valve and a 24 valve.
[/quote
What are they like to drive?
Obviousley i wouldnt expect pin sharp MX5 esque handling but some "sensation" would be nice. Or are they wallowy hectors?
They are bloody marvellous. Built like a brick s
thouse yet drive surprisingly sportily.Get one, you'll love it.
Note - there is 2 V8's, a 32 valve and a 24 valve.
[/quote
What are they like to drive?
Obviousley i wouldnt expect pin sharp MX5 esque handling but some "sensation" would be nice. Or are they wallowy hectors?
theironduke said:
Whilst browsing the trader in my ongoing quest for a new toy a came across a few 500SL Mercs (1990s model) within budget....
Just to see how insane the insurance would be i got a few quotes....i was shocked...for some reason they are in the silly cheap group my old 928 was...fully comp for a shade over 200 quid!!!
The more i look at them the more im liking them.....320 horse...nearly 350 torques and to 60 in 6.5....AND the roof comes off!!!
Has anybody got any experience of them? as i've said it would only be a toy and not a daily, so fuel isn't an issue.
some friends had one. They really rated it, even kept it as a daily when they started buying things like F355's, Bentley RT's and DB7 V12's. Just to see how insane the insurance would be i got a few quotes....i was shocked...for some reason they are in the silly cheap group my old 928 was...fully comp for a shade over 200 quid!!!
The more i look at them the more im liking them.....320 horse...nearly 350 torques and to 60 in 6.5....AND the roof comes off!!!
Has anybody got any experience of them? as i've said it would only be a toy and not a daily, so fuel isn't an issue.
I drove it a few times and it was ok. Felt more frantic than my V12 XJS although not any faster. Didn't ride as well and the cabin looked humdrum by comparison. I can see the appeal of them, but for a classy open top GT I think the XJS was still the better bet.
300bhp/ton said:
theironduke said:
Whilst browsing the trader in my ongoing quest for a new toy a came across a few 500SL Mercs (1990s model) within budget....
Just to see how insane the insurance would be i got a few quotes....i was shocked...for some reason they are in the silly cheap group my old 928 was...fully comp for a shade over 200 quid!!!
The more i look at them the more im liking them.....320 horse...nearly 350 torques and to 60 in 6.5....AND the roof comes off!!!
Has anybody got any experience of them? as i've said it would only be a toy and not a daily, so fuel isn't an issue.
some friends had one. They really rated it, even kept it as a daily when they started buying things like F355's, Bentley RT's and DB7 V12's. Just to see how insane the insurance would be i got a few quotes....i was shocked...for some reason they are in the silly cheap group my old 928 was...fully comp for a shade over 200 quid!!!
The more i look at them the more im liking them.....320 horse...nearly 350 torques and to 60 in 6.5....AND the roof comes off!!!
Has anybody got any experience of them? as i've said it would only be a toy and not a daily, so fuel isn't an issue.
I drove it a few times and it was ok. Felt more frantic than my V12 XJS although not any faster. Didn't ride as well and the cabin looked humdrum by comparison. I can see the appeal of them, but for a classy open top GT I think the XJS was still the better bet.
1) 928 S2
2) Facelift XJS
3) SL (500, just, because
)A recent review by me..........
I went and had a look at a CL500 last weekend. They are just so cheap for what was a 80K car when new.
It was a disaster area. Up for 13k, 60,000 miles and FSH at main dealer.
1. The Air suspension ride was not great...very good at ironing out small bumps, but a bit wallowy and not great at the bigger bumps.
2. The steering. OK on centre feel, completely spoilt by masses of assistance the moment you turn it more than 15 degrees. No feel, no accuracy while conering at all, it felt like you could wave it about and nothing would happen.
3. The interior was fantastic in places, terrible in others. The leather dash was lovely. The electro dials were nice. The fake plasic wood effect was awful. All of it rattled and was badly made.. which was unforgiveable considering it meant to be a quiet cruiser. The satnav and screen were ok if a bit dated. I counted 3 broken bits of trim and 2 functions not working.
4. Ride noise and wind noise were terrible, lots of chatter above 80. I am guessing its the frameless doors and lack of center pillar, + the interior rattles.
5. The engine and gearbox were lovely. 300 bhp, a slick tiptronic action, silent and powerful, easily the best part of the car. Its a shame its so heavy and only gets to 60 in 7.2 or so.
5. There were signs of rust at several points under the car.
The 5 series and 7 series, Audis and Lexii I have driven knocked it into the middle of next week for driving enjoyment, interior comfort and quietness, and even ride quality. It felt 5-10 years behind everything else. I was left very disapointed again by mercedes. And its a similar story on the 2001 CLK's as well....they are so far behind its shocking.
I went and had a look at a CL500 last weekend. They are just so cheap for what was a 80K car when new.
It was a disaster area. Up for 13k, 60,000 miles and FSH at main dealer.
1. The Air suspension ride was not great...very good at ironing out small bumps, but a bit wallowy and not great at the bigger bumps.
2. The steering. OK on centre feel, completely spoilt by masses of assistance the moment you turn it more than 15 degrees. No feel, no accuracy while conering at all, it felt like you could wave it about and nothing would happen.
3. The interior was fantastic in places, terrible in others. The leather dash was lovely. The electro dials were nice. The fake plasic wood effect was awful. All of it rattled and was badly made.. which was unforgiveable considering it meant to be a quiet cruiser. The satnav and screen were ok if a bit dated. I counted 3 broken bits of trim and 2 functions not working.
4. Ride noise and wind noise were terrible, lots of chatter above 80. I am guessing its the frameless doors and lack of center pillar, + the interior rattles.
5. The engine and gearbox were lovely. 300 bhp, a slick tiptronic action, silent and powerful, easily the best part of the car. Its a shame its so heavy and only gets to 60 in 7.2 or so.
5. There were signs of rust at several points under the car.
The 5 series and 7 series, Audis and Lexii I have driven knocked it into the middle of next week for driving enjoyment, interior comfort and quietness, and even ride quality. It felt 5-10 years behind everything else. I was left very disapointed again by mercedes. And its a similar story on the 2001 CLK's as well....they are so far behind its shocking.
ExPat2B said:
A recent review by me..........
I went and had a look at a CL500 last weekend. They are just so cheap for what was a 80K car when new.
It was a disaster area. Up for 13k, 60,000 miles and FSH at main dealer.
1. The Air suspension ride was not great...very good at ironing out small bumps, but a bit wallowy and not great at the bigger bumps.
2. The steering. OK on centre feel, completely spoilt by masses of assistance the moment you turn it more than 15 degrees. No feel, no accuracy while conering at all, it felt like you could wave it about and nothing would happen.
3. The interior was fantastic in places, terrible in others. The leather dash was lovely. The electro dials were nice. The fake plasic wood effect was awful. All of it rattled and was badly made.. which was unforgiveable considering it meant to be a quiet cruiser. The satnav and screen were ok if a bit dated. I counted 3 broken bits of trim and 2 functions not working.
4. Ride noise and wind noise were terrible, lots of chatter above 80. I am guessing its the frameless doors and lack of center pillar, + the interior rattles.
5. The engine and gearbox were lovely. 300 bhp, a slick tiptronic action, silent and powerful, easily the best part of the car. Its a shame its so heavy and only gets to 60 in 7.2 or so.
5. There were signs of rust at several points under the car.
The 5 series and 7 series, Audis and Lexii I have driven knocked it into the middle of next week for driving enjoyment, interior comfort and quietness, and even ride quality. It felt 5-10 years behind everything else. I was left very disapointed again by mercedes. And its a similar story on the 2001 CLK's as well....they are so far behind its shocking.
Isn't the OP looking at an SL500 though??I went and had a look at a CL500 last weekend. They are just so cheap for what was a 80K car when new.
It was a disaster area. Up for 13k, 60,000 miles and FSH at main dealer.
1. The Air suspension ride was not great...very good at ironing out small bumps, but a bit wallowy and not great at the bigger bumps.
2. The steering. OK on centre feel, completely spoilt by masses of assistance the moment you turn it more than 15 degrees. No feel, no accuracy while conering at all, it felt like you could wave it about and nothing would happen.
3. The interior was fantastic in places, terrible in others. The leather dash was lovely. The electro dials were nice. The fake plasic wood effect was awful. All of it rattled and was badly made.. which was unforgiveable considering it meant to be a quiet cruiser. The satnav and screen were ok if a bit dated. I counted 3 broken bits of trim and 2 functions not working.
4. Ride noise and wind noise were terrible, lots of chatter above 80. I am guessing its the frameless doors and lack of center pillar, + the interior rattles.
5. The engine and gearbox were lovely. 300 bhp, a slick tiptronic action, silent and powerful, easily the best part of the car. Its a shame its so heavy and only gets to 60 in 7.2 or so.
5. There were signs of rust at several points under the car.
The 5 series and 7 series, Audis and Lexii I have driven knocked it into the middle of next week for driving enjoyment, interior comfort and quietness, and even ride quality. It felt 5-10 years behind everything else. I was left very disapointed again by mercedes. And its a similar story on the 2001 CLK's as well....they are so far behind its shocking.
ExPat2B said:
2. The steering. OK on centre feel, completely spoilt by masses of assistance the moment you turn it more than 15 degrees. No feel, no accuracy while conering at all, it felt like you could wave it about and nothing would happen.
This my overwhelming memory of driving one. It really doesn't feel like the steering wheel is connected to the front wheels.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff