Ryanr317

What do you guys think about this SL? It needs some work which is why the price is what it is. I'm also looking at a '97 SL500 which is a few threads below. The 600 is newer and has slightly less miles. The 600 also does not come with a hardtop. How much more is mainenance on the 600 versus the 500 roughly? Did the 600s in '99 come with ADS standard?

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/1374504355.html

pcviewer

If I am not mistaken, all 600s come with ADS. As for maintenance, I cannot comment on that specifically but will mention that ADS is an additional expense if it malfunctions. As for the car itself, I would personally look elsewhere due to the missing hardtop and aftermarket rims (unless the price difference between other '99 and up SL600 is significant).

As for this particular SL600 vs the '97 SL500 in the other thread, it is a tough choice. The SL600 has more grunt on the freeway and the interior is nicer as well (nearly full leather interior, wood trimmed steering wheel). I guess it depends the availability of finding a matching hard top and AMG wheels (unless you are fine with the current rims, hopefully they are staggered) for the right price.

Ryanr317

This one is listed at 1k more than the SL500. I have not negotiated prices on the 600 yet. I don't mind the wheels, i believe those are from an R230 SL so they'd be staggered. I've heard bad thigns about ADS and the expenses it can bring about. What draws me to this one, besides the fact that it's newer and has a V12, is the xenon headlights. It seems that it'll be well over 1k to find a set even used. I've found a black hardtop locally but its upholstered in tan. Isn't it true that not all hardtops from the SLs are interchangeable?

Bigdot

600's are more $$$ to upkeep, that suspention is a B!TCH. if you are really worried about matinence, then get a 500.

hardtops are a lot of money.

97 was said to be a good year for SLs

Bigdot

Newer hardtops are not as square as the old ones.

newer 129s have some safety magnetic device that makes sure you have a hard top on all the way. the older 129s dont have this feature, so if you get an older hardtop i head they wont work and it will cause problems ( my guy told me that)

Ryanr317

Yea, the 500 is a '97. I think the first thing i'll do if i get it is to start seeking out some xenons.

Bigdot

those are cool, but expensive! also, if the bulbs burn out, they are like 250-700 EACH!

just get some HID and drive with your lights on.... thats what i do

Ryanr317

Yes, but the lights themselves, even when off, look so much better! Why are the bulbs so expensive? Are they different from other HID bulbs?

pcviewer

Another thing different with the hardtops is the rubber seal design over the door windows. Pre '96 model cars didn't have the window lower and raise upon opening and closing the door, so the rubber seal is "flat." '96+ model cars, on the other hand, have the window lower and raise, therefore, the rubber seal has an "outer flap," where the window resides in when the door is closed. This may be hard to understand, from my description, but you will soon see what I mean when you look at the '97 SL500.

As for the HID headlight housing, those are ridiculously pricey for used parts, even worst new. However, since they are "rare," you will have a tough time finding a complete set for less than $500 (or less than $800, I haven't check recently). When you do look at the SL500, I recommend testing out the headlights as well. If anything, just to see if you can live with the light output.

pcviewer

They are the same as any other HID bulbs and they are replaceable. $50-125 per bulb is the price range, I believe.

The HID housing also makes the car look "less old" as well. With the halogen housing, there is a plastic rim around the headlights that can age quicker than the plastic on the headlights itself. Tanning of this plastic rim really doesn't look good at all. It is replaceable though.

Jimmy Chen Shib

I second that '97 was a good year for SL600. Maybe you should consider from a different perspective, like the difference in driving pleasure between a V8 and V12. See which suits your likings. w/ smiles Jimmy

MB_Fahrer

Ever since I bought my 500, I've wished I had the v-12.... that is, until I found out Kleeman can supercharge my V-8 because its the M113 engine. Give that some thought. And even if you do get the V-8 and supercharge it, you still can't say "i have a v-12 Merc roadster"....

R.S.

I do get some pleasure seeing the V12 on the shift knob before I even grab a hold of it.

crug75hid

Thats interesting!!.....

MB_Fahrer

Altho I should add that I would assume that the V-12 is heavier than the 8. Can anyone confirm this?

Bigdot

It is, I have ran with some 129 600s, after 40ish MPH is when you can tell its the V12, also on the corners, the weight is VERY present. I test drove many 600's before getting the 500. why did I get the 500? Lighter, i like the 500's powerband more than the 600, the V8s are cheaper to work on, the early 12s 1990-1995 had *****ty V12s that were just the 300E's engine welded to another 300E engine.... 2 oil filters and all.

but thats personal choice, im not going to call one better than the other, its just comes down to "what are you looking for in your SL?"

I was looking for something to throw around in the twisties, then to drop the top and do a desert run with a straight piped V8 infront of me

but go test drive a 500 and a 600, they are a little different, but that can mean the world after you ask yourself that question " what am i looking for in my SL"

pcviewer

If you have the manual, I think it lists the weight of each model somewhere in the back. Off the top of my head, I think the SL500 is 4,100-4,200 lbs while the SL600 is 4,500-4,600 lbs.

MB_Fahrer

Wow, well I no longer lust after the V-12. 4100lbs is plenty heavy for a sports car

Jimmy Chen Shib

Simply comparing specs and numbers do not do justice. Naturally, I am biased because I own SL600. It would do you best to compare the driving and find out which would satisfy your desires. w/ smiles Jimmy

Ryanr317

I'm going to go look at the 97 500 this saturday. What are the advantages/disadvantages that the older V8 has over the newer one, besides the extra hp and torque? The older one doesn't use two plugs per cylinder does it?

MB_Fahrer

You cannot easily supercharge the older M119 V8. The M113 V8 is very easy and inexpensive to supercharge. If you'd even do that...

95Cclass

I would say go with the 500. Maintenance is much cheaper and i would imagine some parts might be hard to find for the 600.

troy1pilot

is tht a c320 or 230

troy1pilot

http://ocala.craigslist.org/cto/1374504355.html[/quote]



what size rims are they

maw1124

Guys, I find this discussion VERY helpful, particularly between Jimmy and Fahrer. Nice E60 Jimmy. We get jipped on the sweet cars here in the States.

You guys know I already have a '06 W220 S55, so I understand everything you're saying here. Also, I understand what the supercharged MB V8s are like, particularly in AMG stance.

I'm considering a E500 ('94 W124) and a SL600 V12 ('02 W129). The W124 Saloon interior build to me rivals what I see in the SClass Roadster -- lavish comes to mind. But I'm thinking I already have that covered in Saloon format with the DBLNCKL. The W129 is more advanced, technically, which of course is both blessing and curse. Also, a V12 appeals, except for the maintenance cost. My Audi demands plenty of attention here. And what I like about the AMG and the M3 is that they're simple enough to be fairly bullet-proof.

Is the SL600 gonna be my drop top M3 in this group (W220 W124 W129)? Or should I just grab another Saloon? The existence of Porsche DNA in this question changes everything. And I LOVE maintenance-free. Something tells me that 600 is gonna be a beast to live with. Both will be lightly but enthusiastically driven and fastidiously maintained.

Any further thoughts? Thanks in advance.

maw