morebhp

I'm looking to buy a SL500 93 - 96 model here in the UK.

I'm considering looking at a few this weekend - two 94 models and one 95.

Can anyone tell me if there were any significant changes to the SL500 in this time. Is it worth paying more for a 95?

The 95 has far higher miles than the two 94's I am looking at - price wise they are about the same.

Any UK owners wanting to sell a good example drop me a mail!

Delfiki

I think MB's web site has a description of the various year/models. My recollection is that there were no significant changes. Somewhere between 94-96 I believe the transmission went from a vacuum shift to an electronic shift. Cosmetically, I believe that the 94's were 500SL's and in 95 they became SL500's. Other changes may be including previously optional equipment as standard. All of them are built like tanks - you shouldn't go wrong as long as the cars were properly maintained.

ChrisB

Year over year changes noted on this web page

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

morebhp

Thanks for your help - bought a December 94 - I'm not sure if it is a 94 or 95 model. Has the climate control with single temp setting which may suggest a 95 model. Or it could have been an option on a 94 car.

Nice to be back in a solid built merc. I run a 99 S class and had an SL55 last year - I'm not saying the R129 is a better car! But certainly more solidly built.

It's good to be back in a solid built car. Far a 9 year old motor everything appears to be working well and feels like it will continue doing so!

moebisgold

12-94 build date definetly is a '95. Have fun with that new ride!

ChrisB

Have you found youself missing the raw power of the SL55?

0 to 60 of 6.1 seconds in the R129 is quite different than 4.5 in the SL55?

Or is it as most professional writer say ... the power of the SL 500 is plenty for 96% of drivers.

morebhp

I guess I'm one of the other 4%

Everything is relative - I sold my Ferrari 360 for the SL55 and found the SL55 a little dissapointing performance wise.

It was probably every bit as fast as the 360 but not as raw so felt tame. I've turned down a few 911 turbos for the same reason.

I did not buy the R129 as a true fast sports car. In its day (1990) it was.

The R129 is not a patch on the SL55 in most repects but it is now £15k as a posed to £90.

I love the solid build quality of the R129, the relaxed ride and and the torquey motor.

I have always changed cars very regulalry - every 6 months or so - but I had my previous R129 (a 1990 500SL) for over three years. I expect I will keep this one for quite a while as well.