I'd like a 1997 SL320 but it's hard to find the color and mileage I want. SL500s are easier to find and I'd go 1997-1999. How hard are these to sell and is the 500 harder to sell than the 320 if I ever needed to sell? I'm looking at this for a fun weekend car and the cost ($15K-20K) as an investment :o)

PG

 

Both are good cars, though the 5.0 liter engine is definitely the faster machine. Not sure what you mean by “investment”, as the R129 model (the two you are considering) probably aren’t old enough yet to begin appreciating in value – there simply are too many of them out there… in various degrees of desirability. So I wouldn’t expect it to go up in value any time soon.

Selling a car, especially a convertible, has a lot to do with location. California… prices are higher (convertible country), while New England is tougher – especially in winter. In your area, just watch to see how long it takes for an SL of reasonable quality to sell.

Regardless of all that, for a solid weekend touring machine, it’s hard to beat a great SL. Both vehicles you describe, from a weekender standpoint, are the same. It’s really going to come down to how much power you want. If time is on your side, keep looking for the color combination you want. They’re out there, just be patient.

Cheers,
Jeff

 

The 320 is rarer, a bit more fuel efficient, and less of a hassle to maintain. So, if it the car is only for soft, relaxing drives, then go for it. But, the 500 packs quite a punch for some highway fun. Test drive them both, and see which one you prefer.

 

I would buy a SL500 because it has lot more power and about the same gas mileage(16 city-23 highway). SL320 engine is just too weak for the heavy body of SL. This 129 body needs about 350HP to really show high performance. As far as investment the best you can do is to buy it at a good price, drive it for 2 years and sell it for about the same price. Since they've already dropped $70,000 they won't drop much more as long as you maintain it and not add more than 5000 miles/yr.

 

500 no less.

 

500

 

This past summer I faced the same question. MB-DUDE is giving you good sound advice. You can use that info to make your own decision and not be swayed by folks who have made theirs. My wife works in Napa Valley and rather than taking the conjested freeway, she takes the back roads throughh the hills. My 83 turbo wasn't working for her. Constant power and decell is not what a diesel is all about. I put her in a 420SEL and again that is a highway cruiser which can handle a windy road but doesn't like to. Next I put her in a 91 300E. The car is nimble and the M103 engine can handle the power decell situation with proper trans shifting. Then I bought a beautiful black with cognac 89 300CE. It had polished wheels and Alpine 6 CD sound system. My plan was to repair the engine and turn it for a profit until my wife saw it. She's enjoyed it for a couple of years, but she works hard and I thought she should be enjoying those drives in the warm California sun in a convertable. I toyed with putting either my 67 230SL or 71 280SL back on the road but decided she should have power windows, etc. I decided to get a 129. I didn't want a fixer upper even though I have a full blown shop, and the early 129s are only a few grand less than a newer one. After some searching, I found a Ruby Red 97 SL320. I'm at the age I don't need power. We both love the car, and it scoots as well as we need. The beauty is I can tell folks it's a 2002 and nobody can tell the difference. Sellers taut their SL500 and the price is about 4 grand more. 97 129s are hovering at around $15,000 asking price. This guy was asking $11,500. I offered him $10,500 cash, and he took it. Anyway that's my experience. Whether you buy a 320 or 500, I'd suggest staying in the 97, 98 year range, because they have several upgrades from early years and are $10,000 cheaper than a 2000 or so. The only drawback is the new 722.6 five speed tranny that came out in 96. It's going to blow up, and it's not a matter of if but when. Stand by for that repair ticket.

 

I am selling my 1996 SL320 because I need the space in my garage for my new vehicle. It has 74,400 original miles. My mom bought it and it just sat in her garage mostly - then she gave it to me when she got a new Mercedez - Asking $15,000 (lora.renee01@yahoo.com) Black convertible with hard top also & I have the stand for the hard top when not in use.

 

I picked up a Black on Black 2002 500 with 55,000 miles for $6500 The car is a beast 👍

 

Go with the 500. The 320's are underpowered. Also, if you're looking for an "investment" car...look elsewhere? Unless it's something special (AMG, super low mileage 600), these are not going to appreciate any time soon. However, they will not depreciate more either. They've pretty much bottomed out as far as values go. Great cars. I've had four of them and I keep coming back. Lost out on the SL74 off BAT yesterday.

 

I have owned 5 different SL’s R129’s. Without a doubt the 500 is by far the choice I would go with. My son’s parts and restoration business specializes in R129’s. When you decide take a look at his ebay store for many parts and he will grip you get it looking and running like new
ebay “thebenzgarage”