SL/R129: 2000 SL500 for Me?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
hotel_calif
Do you still have the oportuninty to test drive a 1999 SL500?
You will likely find the price drop about $ 6,000 US per production year. Basically no diference between 1999 and 2002.
I'm guessing, please confirm:
The SL1 option was sportier rims and tires plus griund effects trim? I think that would be worth a bit of a premium cost.
The SL2 was special colors, more leather and two tone leather? From what I know of that, the colours did not apeal to me.
Do you still have the oportuninty to test drive a 1999 SL500?
You will likely find the price drop about $ 6,000 US per production year. Basically no diference between 1999 and 2002.
I'm guessing, please confirm:
The SL1 option was sportier rims and tires plus griund effects trim? I think that would be worth a bit of a premium cost.
The SL2 was special colors, more leather and two tone leather? From what I know of that, the colours did not apeal to me.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
2002 SL500
Hi Chris:
I haven't had a chance to drive the 1999 yet. It is black with black interior and 49K miles. It has the SL2 option, but I'm not sure what else. I was hoping for fewer miles.
The 1999 SL option packages are described here.
The SL1 package has the sportier trim, wheels, and high performance tires. I am wary of these tires as I read they make for a rough ride, increased road noise, and wear substantially faster. I am looking for a comfortable cruiser rather than a pure sports car, and would prefer not to buy tires every year. Any opinions on the performance tires vs all-weather?
The SL2 package had xenon lamps, heated seats, and CD changer. I've read reports that this CD changer skipped over bumps. Does yours have a CD-player and does it skip? Can you upgrade with this with something more recent?
Thanks!
I haven't had a chance to drive the 1999 yet. It is black with black interior and 49K miles. It has the SL2 option, but I'm not sure what else. I was hoping for fewer miles.
The 1999 SL option packages are described here.
The SL1 package has the sportier trim, wheels, and high performance tires. I am wary of these tires as I read they make for a rough ride, increased road noise, and wear substantially faster. I am looking for a comfortable cruiser rather than a pure sports car, and would prefer not to buy tires every year. Any opinions on the performance tires vs all-weather?
The SL2 package had xenon lamps, heated seats, and CD changer. I've read reports that this CD changer skipped over bumps. Does yours have a CD-player and does it skip? Can you upgrade with this with something more recent?
Thanks!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 75
From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
hotel_calif
On a used car, when making an offer, you probably don't need to feel pressured to pay extra for any opyions. These cars are mostly loaded with options in any survey of used car values.
If the 1999 has full service records and was driven by a middle aged owner (like most were) ... the car may have been babyed. I don't think that 49K miles is high mileage by MB standards.
The SL2 option would come in handy. We use the seat warmer lots of times in 50 to 60 degree top down driving. It makes the experience very comfortable.
The CD player will occasionally skip when hiting a bump. Not a big problem. We constantly listen to the CD player, never the radio.
My car has the original Continental 245 R17 45 wheels and W rated tires. So I'm sure the SL1 package has probably has maybe 18" wheels and lower profile tires.
When I had a sidewall puncture a while ago, I did a bunch of research on performance (soft), all season and winter tires. Concerned about cool wet weather. Till Luke the tire god of the tires & accesories forum replied that winter tire are not needed for traction in wet untill close to freezing.
I was going to buy 4 new Pilot Sports ... untill I found a used Continental.
The weight of the SL provides the comfortable cruiser ride.
On a used car, when making an offer, you probably don't need to feel pressured to pay extra for any opyions. These cars are mostly loaded with options in any survey of used car values.
If the 1999 has full service records and was driven by a middle aged owner (like most were) ... the car may have been babyed. I don't think that 49K miles is high mileage by MB standards.
The SL2 option would come in handy. We use the seat warmer lots of times in 50 to 60 degree top down driving. It makes the experience very comfortable.
The CD player will occasionally skip when hiting a bump. Not a big problem. We constantly listen to the CD player, never the radio.
My car has the original Continental 245 R17 45 wheels and W rated tires. So I'm sure the SL1 package has probably has maybe 18" wheels and lower profile tires.
When I had a sidewall puncture a while ago, I did a bunch of research on performance (soft), all season and winter tires. Concerned about cool wet weather. Till Luke the tire god of the tires & accesories forum replied that winter tire are not needed for traction in wet untill close to freezing.
I was going to buy 4 new Pilot Sports ... untill I found a used Continental.
The weight of the SL provides the comfortable cruiser ride.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
92 500SL
So did you get the SL? I too am a San Diegan who is loving my 92 500SL. Wind screen up, windows up and either A/C or heat on makes travel anytime perfect. As long as the sun is not beating down, put the windows down and go! BTW, I'm 42...I don't think the E-Class would make you look old, but the SL is absolutely the better choice.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 225
Likes: 1
From: San Diego, CA
2002 SL500
Didn't Take the Plunge ... Yet
Hi Teal:
I didn't get the SL. The 2002's had the wrong options and were more than I wanted to pay, and the 1999 had more miles than I wanted. I've been waiting for more SL500s to show up, but no new ones have appeared. The 1999 apparently was sold - it is no longer on the dealer's web site, but the two 2002s are still there.
When I was looking a new E320, the salesman said that if they didn't have the car I wanted on the lot, they would search the US inventory and find it for me. I was surprised when they said they couldn't do this for a used SL500. I would think every Starmark SL500 is in a MB database after going through the 130+ point inspection.
So, I'm sitting here biding my time until the right car comes along.
> As long as the sun is not beating down, put the windows down and go!
The sun has been brutal this week - I'm wishing for May Grey again! I hope you are closer to the coast so you don't roast during this heat wave.
I didn't get the SL. The 2002's had the wrong options and were more than I wanted to pay, and the 1999 had more miles than I wanted. I've been waiting for more SL500s to show up, but no new ones have appeared. The 1999 apparently was sold - it is no longer on the dealer's web site, but the two 2002s are still there.
When I was looking a new E320, the salesman said that if they didn't have the car I wanted on the lot, they would search the US inventory and find it for me. I was surprised when they said they couldn't do this for a used SL500. I would think every Starmark SL500 is in a MB database after going through the 130+ point inspection.
So, I'm sitting here biding my time until the right car comes along.
> As long as the sun is not beating down, put the windows down and go!
The sun has been brutal this week - I'm wishing for May Grey again! I hope you are closer to the coast so you don't roast during this heat wave.
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
92 500SL
Keep the faith...and look to an auto broker. I bought my 92 from a broker. He had an owner in Fairbanks Ranch who had bought a new car and needed to move his 500. Bottom line was that he was willing to deal since a few thousand $$ was no big deal to him. I got a great deal and a fun automobile.
I am now a devout MB owner and will be looking for a convertible 4 seater for my wife in @ 2 years (40th B-Day present). As I cruise around SD I wonder two things: Why I didn't have one sooner and how anyone can drive anything else!
Russ
I am now a devout MB owner and will be looking for a convertible 4 seater for my wife in @ 2 years (40th B-Day present). As I cruise around SD I wonder two things: Why I didn't have one sooner and how anyone can drive anything else!
Russ
