SL/R230: SL600 vs SL500 or SL***
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,875
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
SL600 vs SL500 or SL***
I find it interesting that so many people make the inquiry about ownership between a 600 and 500 or any other model and always ask about maintenance issues. I find the 600 engine to be very reliable and I am not babying mine at all. If there would not be a warranty I could understand concerns, but dealership repairs on any model out of warranty is most always $$$$$$...
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Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 76
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sl600
I completely agree. I've only had my 600 for a year and a half, but I don't think I could break it if I tried. I treat the accelerator as an ON/OFF switch, always keep it in SPORT, ABC SPORT MODE and LOW. Traction stays off most of the time because I giggle everytime I step on the gas at 80mph and the rear end breaks loose. (eventually the little german guy inside the computer makes the triangle blink and keeps me from going too far sideways). The top goes up and down everywhere I go - 3-4 times a day.
I get 7 to 11mpg average and its worth every penny !
Buy a car to enjoy it. Buy something else if you want an investment.
I get 7 to 11mpg average and its worth every penny !
Buy a car to enjoy it. Buy something else if you want an investment.
I find it interesting that so many people make the inquiry about ownership between a 600 and 500 or any other model and always ask about maintenance issues. I find the 600 engine to be very reliable and I am not babying mine at all. If there would not be a warranty I could understand concerns, but dealership repairs on any model out of warranty is most always $$$$$$...
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Rook
// mentioning diesel in the same thread as a 6.0L V12 made my head hurt!
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 307
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From: Atlanta
SL600 (1000 hp), Cayenne S, 996TT EVO GT750, F430 Spyder,A real Ford GT, 08 Gallardo Spyder
Have no experience with a stock sl600 but i will tell you that a modded sl600 is a pain in the a-- and i accept that as part of the fun. M sl600 has most every mod u can think off and spends a lot of time in the shop. Got it with 7k miles and have had it for less than 1 year. Below are the countless repairs I have had:
Rack n pinion
CELs
coil packs
some type of trans sensor
spark plug problem
control arm bushings
Rack n pinion
CELs
coil packs
some type of trans sensor
spark plug problem
control arm bushings
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Have no experience with a stock sl600 but i will tell you that a modded sl600 is a pain in the a-- and i accept that as part of the fun. M sl600 has most every mod u can think off and spends a lot of time in the shop. Got it with 7k miles and have had it for less than 1 year. Below are the countless repairs I have had:
Rack n pinion
CELs
coil packs
some type of trans sensor
spark plug problem
control arm bushings
Rack n pinion
CELs
coil packs
some type of trans sensor
spark plug problem
control arm bushings
This is very different than the SL55 before which had $25k in repairs (all under warranty).
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Seems like the roll of the dice -- I doubt it has as much to do with the model as it does just the probability of thousands of parts all seamlessly working together on an extremely complex car. Any SL model is a complex machine, the fact that it might have issues is just part of the expectation in my opinion.
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Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Seems like the roll of the dice -- I doubt it has as much to do with the model as it does just the probability of thousands of parts all seamlessly working together on an extremely complex car. Any SL model is a complex machine, the fact that it might have issues is just part of the expectation in my opinion.
rook
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Grenading -- now that's a funny picture for the head... A 2001 Camry, tooling along on some little side street at like 15 mph, suddenly bursting into a ball of shrapnel... oops!
