MD750

Hi All,

I am currently looking for an SL500 (already have my V12 fix with my bimmer) I've always wanted one since the new body style, but with 2 young kids not the practical choice. I drove my friend's SL500 last week and fell in love with it. I know I would like the added torque of the 600/55 (and actually would consider buying one if I could find one within the price range I want to spend), but I'm purchasing simply because I LOVE the look of the car and the way it drives. I've been doing some searching here and have read some good info. I think I have narrowed down my search to this:

-03-05 SL500 Sport pkg (03-04 if the navigation system can be upgraded)
-absolutely must have keyless go, the wood grain steering, and heated/ventilated seats
-would like parktronic and the sunroof, but I could live without them

I would like to either buy certified pre-owned or from a private seller looking to upgrade...like many of you here have done. Look forward to browsing and adding helpful info to the board!

Thanks in advance!

vraa

Please please please don't get a 500.
If you can, TRY TRY TRRRRY to get the 55, 600 or 65! The torque difference is just out of this world!

MD750

LOL! well, maybe I need to drive one to see for myself cause my friend's 500 had pretty decent torque to me. I would love a 55 or 600, but if I can't find one in the price range I will HAPPILY settle for a 500. But I feel you on the torque tho. I'm actually looking on E-Bay right now, there's A LOT of SL's in TX!

Keep the advice coming!

SLcharger

It will proberbly come as no surprise to you, that i recomend the 55, when you see what car i drive. BUT seriously, Ricky is right, when you first have experienced the torque of those high end car´s, you CAN tell the difference, belive me. There is no comparasing, although the 500 is a nice car, the AMG´s and 600, kicks bud. If you can get by one, try hear the sound from the 55,( best sound ever from an MB) it is awesome.

Good luck, keep chasing your dream.

ClayJ

Have to agree with Ricky and SLcharger....
But if the SL500 is the only one of the three in your realistic purchasing budget? Go for it. You may not find an SL55 or 600 that you can afford to purchase....

MD750

Well, actually I HAVEN'T experience the extra torque yet So pretty much if I get the 500, I can NEVER drive a 55 or 600. I would love to be able to experience both cause I do plan on keeping the car for a while whatever one I get. Anyone in the MD area willing to have a small meet-n-greet?

Well to me it's pretty much a price that I'm willing to pay for a car...after all it's STILL a depreciating asset. Honestly, I would like to keep it under $70k, but from what I've seen so far is that I may have to raise that to $75k. The problem is that I want the latest navigation. If I could upgrade that myself, like I did in my current car, I could get a 03/04 SL55/600.

ClayJ

You could force yourself to wait a few more months and try to pick up one off of a lease termination or something like that. Problem is that a loaded SL55 goes new for over $120K, to more than $130K now....
I'd say look for a 2003, still the same car (maybe in every single respect) as an '04 or '05, and definately a huge cut-above an SL500; but I think that they went for $10K to $20K less new than now -- so with a couple years and a few miles on it you may find one close enough to what you're willing to spend.....
Happy Hunting! And I do hope that you find one to make your own. They are really something special, even amongst the other AMG MBZ's.

MD750

That's EXACTLY what I'm looking for...03-04. From what I'm reading on the other thread, they're essentially the same car. I guess are there any MAJOR bugs that are worked out in the 05+ SL's I should know about?

I'm actually looking to purchase around last quarter this year or first quarter next year...if I can wait that long. I'm just starting the research, getting serious about purchasing, and shhhh...getting my wife used to the idea.

Thanks for the guidance...keep it coming!

vraa

Get the SL55 actually. The extra interior appointments it comes with standard make the interior of the 500 / 600 look like crap.

LovinMercedes

Ricky, what the heck are you talking about. I understand the difference between the 500 interior and the 55 but to suggest the 500 and 600 are in the same class is ridiculous.

The 600 interior is the nicest and certainly the most plush. The 55 is on the same level only a sportier look. Both are in the same class just different.

The 500 does not have the alcantara and other appointments that the 55/600 have.

Think before engaging keys!

vraa

Thinking isn't a requirement at my age

What I meant is that the extra stuff the 55 has outshines either the 500 or the 600.

I think many folks will agree that it's 55 - 600 - 500.
Whatever you do.. please avoid the 500! It's too sparsely appointed!

Tony DeLuce

I should have read this forum before I bought my SL 500 :-(

Maybe I can trade it in on a 55 or 600...

vraa

Don't feel bad man.
We got our SL500 with a premium
The price you pay to be stupid.. and to have the first one on the block

LovinMercedes

Ricky is just a little bit out of control.

I got a 2003 SL500 and at that time it was the greatest car I had ever owened and I could have afforded anything. Never had I owned a car so gorgeous and so plush.

Do not for one second feel you made the wrong choice. I cherrished my SL500 as should you.

Yes, it's true that a 55 or 600 has a few upgraded appointments but the fact is that the SL500 is 95% the same as the 55 or 600.

Enjoy your 500, marvel in its achievements and ignore Ricky. He is only being a foolish little boy who has more character than he is presently showing.
.

Tony DeLuce

Thanks LovinSL600, I was being sarcastic :-)

I racked up a few tickets :-) with my C32 AMG so I am enjoying the
"liesurely" pace of the SL500.

vraa

I'll admit, I am a little out of control with this.

There's just so much more power and what not with the forced induction engines!

ClayJ

So Ricky has a boogie-man thing about SL500's...and JakPro is scared to death of large fender flares....I'm startin' to learn the playerz....

The SL500 isn't a bad car -- it's been a stalwart holder of the MBZ roadster niche for a long time. The SL55 is a more performance-engineered car, period; and does have a much better powerplant, to say the least.

I think that MD750 can possibly pick up a 2003 or even a 2004 SL55 for a price that he is willing to part with.

You know what? You need to go and see, and drive both -- that will help you to further define and narrow the parameters of your quest. I will venture to say that you'll find both of them on the ground at various dealers around the country.

That's my recommendation at this point.

MD750

I am loving all the advice! I think I ultimately would be happier with the 55 (already looking for 03's now) because I WANT a sports car and IMO it's NOTHING on the road sexier than the SL! All I really have to do is be patient and try to wait until the end of the year.

Clay I will most definitely take your advice and go drive both to see the difference for myself.

Does anyone know of any major bugs that were found in the earlier SL? I want to make sure I steer clear of these as well

TIA

tiggerfink

I see nothing wrong with a SL500. It is a great cruiser. You can get the Alcantara in the SL500 by purchasing the desino edition. If you want to be the fastest to the next red light, get a SL55, SL600, or a SL65.

vraa

- slaps the dashboard -
Exactly!
If you're going to get a SL500, spec it high and make sure you get what you want. I think that might have been the bullet I was trying to load.

MD750 : Check for air leaks in the cabin, those are easy fixes and well documented on the forum. That should stop whistling noises and what not.

ClayJ

HAHAHAHAHAHA! Gee, can you tell that we all love our SL's? LOL

I think that you're on it, MD750. Go forth, and conquer!

MD750

I think one of the problems I would have with the 500 is that my sportscar would have less hp than my family car...I can't have that!

air leaks huh...all around the cabin or in a particular area? So no bugs in the hardtop? I expected that to be one for sure.

EXACTLY...that means that I'm in the right place for advice!

vraa

I remember there was a big deal about a seal on the rear glass. Also on our car the windows didn't have proper seals so that created a lot of air noise.

ClayJ: I love the SL!! It's just sometimes when you think what 339lb-ft torque is enough it isn't compared to the 516lb-ft the 55 comes with.. and the OMGLOLWTF lb-ft torque the 600 and the 65 have

ClayJ

Yeah replace window (and widnshield?) seals with new one if you've got the wind-whistle thing going on.

Ricky- I hear ya brother - but a guy can only afford or is only willing to pay what he can. Heck yeah there's one heck of a difference, But there is also one heck of a difference in the performance of an SL in any trim and that of a Koenigsegg CCR.... As well as one heck of a difference in the price you pay for that performance..... It's the old Price:Performance matrix