Greetings
I am in the market for a 98-02 sl 500 or 600. A local dealer has a red 600 sport and is asking 42K certified for a year. I think it's a bit high considering there is a 02 sl500 with 16k on it for only 50k (not to mention it's red).
Are there any major changes during the 98 -02 years?
All feed back is welcome.

Any owners who have had m3s as well? I am trying to decide between the two on a tight budget.

thanks
Adam

 

If your on a tight budget keep in mind that the SL600 V12 maintenance costs are going to be higher than the SL500 V8.

I would say it depends on why are you buying it. Is it for a collection, weekend toy or Daily driver.

 

If your looking at Fletcher Jones then you will always pay more $$ there. Also I have had bad experiences at Fletcher Jones so I would never do business with them again. Anyway if you want to have the big dog on the block then the 600 is the way to go. I have driven a 600 but I bought a 500 because I felt the 500 was a better feeling car. Your not going to find much room on the kennedy or the Dan Ryan to stretch that V12 and you won't be able to merge onto the highways any faster with the 600

 

The R129 year to year changes referenced on this web page:

http://www.mbfans.net/models/sl-class/sl_history.html

I found it usefull when I was getting into my first SL 500 a year ago.

I was also able to do Google searches on words like SL 500 road test, etc. to get Car & Driver articles, Edmonds.com reviews from prior years. To get a sence for year to year changes

 

Fletcher Jones is where one of those cars were.
Funny I kinda got that feeling when I was there. I was quite impressed with all the amg products on the new sales floor. S55, cl55, e55, sl55 all spankin new. If I only would have bought microsoft in 1980!
The cars I was interested in were already sold but they just took in a black 98 sl 600 sport with 16k miles. The guy traded in on a 04 sl600 (that was a nice ride!). The car looks pretty mint and sounded great when i fired her up. But then I asked how much $?
49K!! I definately think that is a bit high for a 6 year old sl600.
What do you think?

 

Trade-In Value $33,075
Trade-in value represents what you might expect to receive from a dealer for this consumer owned vehicle. Keep in mind that the dealer must then absorb the cost of making the vehicle ready for sale, advertising, sales commissions, arranging financing and insurance and standing behind the vehicle for any mechanical or safety problems.
Private Party Value $37,120
Private Party value represents what you might expect to pay for a used car when purchasing from a private party. It may also represent the value you might expect to receive when selling your own used car to another private party

 

Mercedes Benz Canada has a Pre Owned vehicle search website:

http://www.mercedes-benz.ca/Index2.c...fm%3FPID%3D143

Select "any City", "Any Price" and "SL" and you will get a list of all MB certified used SL cars of all ages for sale accross Canada.

Canadian dollars and mileage in Kilometers (1.6 Km per mile) remember.

Does MB USA have a similar site?