SL/R129: Which one of these SLs should I buy.
07-17-2023, 10:53 AM
#1
Which one of these SLs should I buy.
I'm looking into buying an SL. I have researched this car thoroughly and it's been a dream car for years and I'm finally ready to pull the trigger on it. Two options I'm looking at
2000 Sl500 white with beige interior, 97K miles. Clean serviced the MB dealer till 2020. Never had top hydraulics replaced. The guy selling is replacing the right main one only as it recently started leaking. He isn't willing to replace all of them. Selling for 9K. Has Xenon headlights and heated seats.
1997 SL500 93K miles. Silver with grey interior. Not xenons. Detailed service history. Changed top hydraulics in 2014. Asking 12K.
I'm worried about the top on the White one. I'm probably gonna have to redo the hydraulics soon. But really want the xenons and heated seats. Which one would you go for?
I
2000 Sl500 white with beige interior, 97K miles. Clean serviced the MB dealer till 2020. Never had top hydraulics replaced. The guy selling is replacing the right main one only as it recently started leaking. He isn't willing to replace all of them. Selling for 9K. Has Xenon headlights and heated seats.
1997 SL500 93K miles. Silver with grey interior. Not xenons. Detailed service history. Changed top hydraulics in 2014. Asking 12K.
I'm worried about the top on the White one. I'm probably gonna have to redo the hydraulics soon. But really want the xenons and heated seats. Which one would you go for?
I
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'93 300ce (07-18-2023)
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Ahmed (07-18-2023)
07-18-2023, 12:20 PM
#10
07-19-2023, 07:14 AM
#11
Junior Member
Manhunt. I wasn’t aware of the brake upgrade. So, if I have it right, the calipers were Brembos from 1999 on? Is there a feeling there might have been a noticeable improvement in braking performance? I’m very impressed with the brakes in my 1998 SL500.
BenzBenz1991. There is no consensus on which engine is preferred. Both are generally reliable, excellent performers. The 32 valve quad cam M119 has a certain mystique. After all, they twin-turboed it and won Lemans. Lots of torque at high revs. But it does have the plastic cam oil feed tubes and wonky chain guides, and it is sorta heavy. Some people look down their noses at the M113 as de-contented, cheaper and tinged by Chrysler. That’s probably silly. And some praise it for its reliability, somewhat lighter weight and apparently more available torque at lower revs. The reality is either is a great V8, and which engine is in the car really shouldn’t effect your choice of car at all.
BenzBenz1991. There is no consensus on which engine is preferred. Both are generally reliable, excellent performers. The 32 valve quad cam M119 has a certain mystique. After all, they twin-turboed it and won Lemans. Lots of torque at high revs. But it does have the plastic cam oil feed tubes and wonky chain guides, and it is sorta heavy. Some people look down their noses at the M113 as de-contented, cheaper and tinged by Chrysler. That’s probably silly. And some praise it for its reliability, somewhat lighter weight and apparently more available torque at lower revs. The reality is either is a great V8, and which engine is in the car really shouldn’t effect your choice of car at all.
07-19-2023, 07:41 AM
#12
Super Member
Bigger brakes are bigger brakes. Yes they stop better.
Braking was an issue on my heavy 97 SL600 until I moved up to the SA setup (front and rear). SA rotors all around, front calipers and stainless brake lines, all for about $600. Brembo used to (maybe still does) offer their big brake upgrade for much more. Both brake upgrades do necessitate a 17 inch spare though.
Braking was an issue on my heavy 97 SL600 until I moved up to the SA setup (front and rear). SA rotors all around, front calipers and stainless brake lines, all for about $600. Brembo used to (maybe still does) offer their big brake upgrade for much more. Both brake upgrades do necessitate a 17 inch spare though.
07-19-2023, 08:55 AM
#14
Super Member
Yes, your experience will be different.
This was over 10 years ago and I don't think MB even offers the SA rotors any more.
I've even seen where folks are having a hard time finding stainless flexible brake lines.
I did point Andreas in the right direction somewhat recently.
This was over 10 years ago and I don't think MB even offers the SA rotors any more.
I've even seen where folks are having a hard time finding stainless flexible brake lines.
I did point Andreas in the right direction somewhat recently.
07-19-2023, 07:02 PM
#15
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Ahmed (07-21-2023)
07-20-2023, 02:14 PM
#17
Sorry for the newbie question, but what are these "SA" rotors? Were they available through MB at one time as stock replacements or are they an aftermarket item?
Who has done this upgrade recently and where did you get the parts?
Who has done this upgrade recently and where did you get the parts?
07-22-2023, 09:17 AM
#21
I ended up going with the White 2000 SL 500. It's stunning and I thoroughly enjoyed the drive back home. But it definitely needs some work and I was hoping I would get some opinions/guidance on how to tackle them. Of course I'll be searching through the forums for answers but I figured I would mention them here in case anyone is in the mood to help me along! This is such a cool community to be a part of!
1. Radio was not powering on. I fiddled with the fuse, took it out and put it back in, and it worked!! Asked for a radio code, and I opened the owners manual and the previous owner had written it on first page!!! So that's all set now.
2. Driver side heated seats don't work. Light comes on but doesn't warm. Problem could be the elements. Not an urgent issue, but I love the heated seats for top down cruising on summer nights when it gets a little chilly.
3. The driver side seat headrest doesn't go up and down, motor sounds like it works but doesn't seem to engage the mechanism. Not urgent.
4. Has 4-5 dime sides door dings around the car. The white color hides it well, but it's bugging me, I definitely don't wanna fill and paint the car, I'm gonna have a body shop take a look and see if paint less dent removal is an option. Anyone have any experience with this?
5. The door panel cover on the top near the window is elevating up, seems like the glue has come off. Thinking of just glueing it back. If anyone has suggestions I would appreciate it. Hope I don't need to disassemble the whole door to do it.
6. Gonna need to change breaks, and front end control arms/suspension components. What brand should I use for these parts. I know MB OEM parts are gonna be tough to get. I won't be able to do this myself. Gotta have a shop do them.
7. The AC, blows cold and hot, but for the amount of noise it makes it doesn't blow enough air at all. I'll look into the cabin filter, but I think the issue might be bigger than that. I don't even know how to start diagnosing the issue.
Other than that other minor cosmetic things I can fix myself. I need to find the plastic covers for the vanity mirror on the passenger side and the cover that goes over the hing connecting it to the roof.
97K miles, 1 owner, serviced through MB dealer the whole time, (at least per Carfax). Belonged to an older gentleman who passed away and his estate was liquidated and car ended up in an auction which the dealer I bought it from got. I bet he had paperwork for all the service done but oh well. Negotiated down to $6500 for the car. Decent deal I think.
1. Radio was not powering on. I fiddled with the fuse, took it out and put it back in, and it worked!! Asked for a radio code, and I opened the owners manual and the previous owner had written it on first page!!! So that's all set now.
2. Driver side heated seats don't work. Light comes on but doesn't warm. Problem could be the elements. Not an urgent issue, but I love the heated seats for top down cruising on summer nights when it gets a little chilly.
3. The driver side seat headrest doesn't go up and down, motor sounds like it works but doesn't seem to engage the mechanism. Not urgent.
4. Has 4-5 dime sides door dings around the car. The white color hides it well, but it's bugging me, I definitely don't wanna fill and paint the car, I'm gonna have a body shop take a look and see if paint less dent removal is an option. Anyone have any experience with this?
5. The door panel cover on the top near the window is elevating up, seems like the glue has come off. Thinking of just glueing it back. If anyone has suggestions I would appreciate it. Hope I don't need to disassemble the whole door to do it.
6. Gonna need to change breaks, and front end control arms/suspension components. What brand should I use for these parts. I know MB OEM parts are gonna be tough to get. I won't be able to do this myself. Gotta have a shop do them.
7. The AC, blows cold and hot, but for the amount of noise it makes it doesn't blow enough air at all. I'll look into the cabin filter, but I think the issue might be bigger than that. I don't even know how to start diagnosing the issue.
Other than that other minor cosmetic things I can fix myself. I need to find the plastic covers for the vanity mirror on the passenger side and the cover that goes over the hing connecting it to the roof.
97K miles, 1 owner, serviced through MB dealer the whole time, (at least per Carfax). Belonged to an older gentleman who passed away and his estate was liquidated and car ended up in an auction which the dealer I bought it from got. I bet he had paperwork for all the service done but oh well. Negotiated down to $6500 for the car. Decent deal I think.
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Ahmed (07-23-2023),
Warrenclawson (07-22-2023)
