viperjesse

I'm looking at buying an SL. I was originally looking at the 560sl's, now I'm looking at the newer sl500's but have been reading about alot of dependability issues with them.
I am a very accomplished mechanic (mostly GM and some BMW) and would not shy away from Mercedes repairs. Which models would be easier for a DIY mechanic to diagnose, maintain and fix problems as they came up?
Thanks in advance
JZ

deanyel

A 1994 or 95 SL320 is going to be the easiest to take care of - very good engine, still a hydraulic transmission, no standard ASR, excellent DIY diagnostics, OBDI and II (only the 95 is fully ODBII compliant). A 96 320 isn't terrible but it's loses flash code reading on the 38 pin connector and gets $200 keys instead of $20. Quite a few bad things happened in the 1996 model year. The 500s all have at least one and usually two major congenital flaws. The 90-91 500SLs aren't terrible but the fuel and diagnostics systems are primitive. When it comes to practicality the 600s are a flat out joke - among the worst cars ever made by Mercedes.

SRHsl600

Talent with tools! Can you buy parts a wholesale? basement prices and many owners just unloading the headache. not much buy in cost!
Cool is yours alone. I like unique, function and fun. and have had 190SL thru SL600. Does the car have a history or story? Enjoy and get a multi car stall storage building. resale has come up for me on all the cars except the SL600, but it is NOW a top notch fast vehicle.

luckyshot

I have a 95 sl320 and twist a few wrenches myself it is great on gas and easy to maintain. Put a set of 5 spoke amgs and it is a great car! Just looking for a pano now.

MB_Fahrer

A non-MB built SL should be the easiest!

MB_Fahrer

Good luck with that. I spent about 3 months searching before giving up. I'd suggest searching for cars for sale with the pano in your colour and interior and simply offering to buy it from them and send them your roof.

Iowa boy

We're thinking about buying an Sl, probably 03 or newer. I never owned one and am a little nervous about the maintenance costs. What do you think?

MB_Fahrer

I would advise looking in the R230 section. The R230 was built 03+. Also check out the AMG sections. As well as the W220. Their suspension is a nightmare. To put it mildly. Many, many people on here are having tons of issues with them. The R129 has a traditional suspension (shocks and springs), rather than the R230 (air/hydraulic/ABC/etc).

allimport

i'll chime in here, 94 and 95 sl320(six cylinder) are still around for parts access and have enough history thanx to google to pretty much be able to diagnos any problem, find the part and take to a good mechanic. Stay away from w230 chassis cars if your any kind of budget, they are like race cars, always needing something....AND their not cheap to work on.