VAamg

Hello everyone, just picked up this beauty this weekend. My parents had a 500 back when I was in middle school and it's been a life long dream since to own one of my own. Couldn't be more excited. I'm new to the sl forum, but posted here previously when I had a 98 C43 AMG. Looking forward to getting to know everyone, and getting tips on the inevitable trouble shooting that is to come, as well as some upkeep, best practices, and potentially mods to the car.

1999 SL 500, 62k miles.

Anyone care to give me a "starter" reply on what to look out for, good and bad, as I get settled into my car? I've never had a convertible either, so any tips there?

Euro Legends

if you have a hardtop id get a cart thing to put it on... thats one thing i regret most. i almost never take my top off (except when racing it) but when i do i dont have anywhere to put it so just lean it somewhere... it will be better protected and easier to lug around on a cart.

if i could start from scratch earlier id also have replaced ALL fluids and maintenance items like hoses ect at the beginning instead of just servicing it like i did... i did lots of maintenance early on but you can never do too much. i noticed a night and day difference with just that. id replace your shocks and springs also because that makes a world of difference. with that replace the strut mounts and bump stops as well. many members go with H&R a few use eibalk with either b4 or b6 shocks / struts. a dude that goes by the handle Top Hydraulics does soft top cylinder rebuilds. that is a problem ive read about and experience myself. with all the maintenance ive done the car is great with similar miles when i first bought it however mine are 1992's. any other questions just ask. oh and a word of wisdom despite what others might say always use dealership parts when you can... it will either bite your *** if you dont or be a joy if you do. mercedes is fine tuned and the cost difference often isnt much do you put german parts in a german car or chinese parts in a german car that was originally worth~. its not a toyota so dont treat it like one. treat it with compassion and it will treat you like a king

VAamg

Thanks for the advice. I had a AMG previously, so know about the "hassle" of the extra cost, but fortunately this is purely an extra car that I don't plan to drive much at all, so I can wait and save up to fix things the right way as they happen. The left front hydraulic has already been replaced before I got it. I look forward to getting help, and perhaps offering the same, and being a part of the community.

Euro Legends

good luck then. i dont drive mine much either about 10k miles in 2.5 years

esparza27

Nice SL . Looks like mine.
Replacing all fluids is a good idea: )
Do you notice anything wrong with it??

Euro Legends

hey andy what year is your new one... you still have your old 1992 listed...

VAamg

Thanks, love yours too. Glad you posted a picture, as eventually I wanted to go to the AMG wheels and wanted to see how they looked on the "smoked silver". I like it.

Noticed on the first drive with the heat on that the center and floorboard vents aren't pumping air, I hadn't really checked that specifically because I got it from a very reputable dealer in this area, and they are going to fix the problem next week. Otherwise, just a high beam indicator not working, and the gas/gel/whatever it is in the driver side mirror has failed and it has caused the mirror to look tinted. They are fixing both of these issues as well.

esparza27

1997
I gave it to my brother so yes/no

esparza27

You should get the AMG Wheels, if I ever come across some I will keep you in mind. So the color is smoked silver? I thought it was champagne gold or atleast mine is. Are the fixing everything for free?

Euro Legends

oh really did you ever sort those problems with the 1992? after i took mine to the dealer and found out the issue last summer its ran pretty good. but i disconnect my battery every time i park it (i think i screwed something up when i stripped it)

i bought another 1992 as a parts car for 1100 but when i went to pick it up (cosmetically) it is in better condition than i thought so im going to fix that up too.

how much did you pick the 97 up for?

and amg wheels are heavy....

Euro Legends

oh and are you going to socaleuro again this year? ill probably race there again...

VAamg

Once I have the funds available,amg wheels will be on my "mod" list. Our cars are the same color, the MB name for it is smoked silver.