ChrisB

I love the power and sporty handeling of my R129 SL500.

The 1999 R129 motor evolved without much change into the R230 SL500. I am proud of that fact.

With the SL55. SL600, SL65 and the Vison SLR coming on stream ... while acknowledging the rarity and extra cost of these latter greater classes ... has the SL"500" become passe or redundant?

That would be a sad event.

The SL500 has gobs of power and delivers a great driving experience.

I hope MB and the market place does not loose sight of that.

vraa

It won't, never will. There are some of us here that want the drop top and all the features, but don't want to be bothered by the power (READ: MY DAD!)

ChrisB

Ya ... who needs the bother of managing all that extra HP and Torque?

vraa

LOL! I wouldn't mind managing (Okay okay, ESP) all of it, but following my dad, I wouldn't be able to justify the extra ten or so for so much more power

internet_mafia

I know exactly where you are coming from. Back in the day with the R129, owning a 500 was "saying something". The 500 has lost some of its appeal now that the 320 is deleted and its up against the 600, 55, and upcomming 65. The 500 is at the bottom of the barrel, and because so, it is considered the "poor man's" SL, if there is such a thing. On top of that, each SL generation seems to get heavier and heavier, eventually the 500 is not going to be adequate.

ChrisB

I think your dad is right.

I personally find it dificult to justify the extra cost for the extra power. Although I am very interested!

I do definitly aspire to one day to own the best of MB. Do not get me wrong.

However the SL 500 is still a very proud example of the excellence that MB produces.

Let us not over look that fact!

SLfanDC

I don't think the SL500 has lost any of its appeal. For the most part, it's not very common to see them on the road, and when you do, it's still as much of a head-turner as it ever was.

While I agree that the SL55, SL600, SL65 have their advantages in power, torque, etc, I don't think those cars do anything to minimize the appleal of the SL500.

internet_mafia

Visiting cities where a dozen or so 500's pass you at any given moment puts things in perspective. I don't intend on classifying the SL500 as a bad car, its just that the 500 "engine" has become too common. Heck even E & CLK classes have the 500 engine.

NastyAluQuadra

For what its worth IMO,

The SL500 is the most sensible SL purchase as it offers the best combination of price/pace/etc.

The SL55 is the best choice if you're really not worried about cash & are after something more powerful; its a great AMG model (reliability aside).

The SL600 and SL65 are irrelevant extravagances IMO; pointless to my mind and I'd never consider one.

I'd love a SL55 if I could justify the expense to myself, which I can't, and I traded my SL500 for a SL350 to protect my investment basically.

The SL500 is far from obsolete and IMO is still be "best" model in most respects.

Trimmer2

While I own a SL600, it's only because the wait list for the 500 was over 3 years and I wasn't able to get on a single digit list for a 55 for sticker last spring. I happened to know the 600 was due out in the fall so I placed an order (2nd at my dealer) with hopes of getting one in the spring of '04. Much to my surprise and my dealer's surprise my build date came within a week of the 1st order in Sept. '03. Currently, my dealer is running 3 to 1 55's to 600's on order (build dates)

I have to admit, I'm very, very happy with my 600. It's much, much more car than I expected. Here in So. Florida, the water seems to breed 500's and 55's and now I've seen over six 600's in various colors...and two on my block alone!

I also still beleive the SL is one of the best looking cars on the road, top up or top down. Not everyone can afford a 600 or a 500 for that matter but everyone can still appreciate the styling and it's still amazing how many eyes follow the car and arms point to it as it moves down the streed or highway.

It was only a few years ago that 300hp was considered a lot of hp...and now it seems to be "just enough". Times change and the world keeps moving forward. One can get on the escalator or watch the world go by...

The SL has one major problem in my opinion...which SUV I need to carry more passengers!

sillydriver

Interesting your order was accelerated. When I ordered my 600 last August I was told April, but it was later moved up to February. Sounds like all the people willing to buy SLs in that price range already bought 55s leaving a dearth of demand for the 600. I nevertheless feel good about having the 600: it’s different, it stands out and the combination of performance and quiet luxury is more to my taste. My hope is that the car will be close to perfection after the ECU is changed.

SLfanDC

Great post. I guess it really depends on where you live - I typically see one SL a day (my own), but I guess if I lived in Bevery Hills or Miami Beach, I would probably see a lot more.

Regardless, I have to agree the the SL (whether a 320, 500, 55, 600 or 65) is the best looking cars on the road. And you're right Trimmer, most people in the US (I'd venture to get 95% of people) would never spend $100K on a car, so there's no doubt that eyes follow the car when it rolls by and fingers are constantly pointing at it.

Anyway, it seems the point of this thread was to ask if the SL500 is obsolete, and I for one have to say NO WAY. IMO there isn't another car on the road that gives you the combination of sport, luxury, styling and power that the SL500 delivers (even if 300hp isn't enough for some of the people on these boards :-)).

Drop that top and keep driving!

Dean

stonechip

After being a “SL groupie” since my late teens (I am now in my forties), I have lost the drive, lust and motivation to purchase the new model - What in the hell they did with the back end of the new model; it looks like an Acura.

The costs of these cars do no longer justify the status or the engineering marvel once a paramount inducement to purchase the Mercedes Benz brand, not to mention depreciation. I paid $ 90,000 for my car, and after four years I would be lucky if I get a 45% return.

The current SL500 I have will be my last for a while; I love the car but not the reliability.

I’ve averaged over $ 4,000 a year in repairs bills. Even the authorized dealers are trying to push expensive repairs that are not required or necessary; I trust the independent repair shop that now services my car.

I’ve placed an order for the new Lamborghini Gallardo (Yellow) - to be delivered in 2006 (two years waiting list, if you want MSRP $ 170,000. The design of the car is phenomenal and engineering is light year from the new SL- At $ 170,000 is a bargain compared to a regualr SL600 with options.

I hope Mercedes incorporates the engineering from the SLR in future models of the SL class and not charge $ 500,000 for the privilege. For that type of cash I would rather dip into my trust fund and come up with the difference to purchase Enzo Ferrari.

ChrisB

Your a couple of years younger than me. I've gottem into MB and SLs ony in the last 1 1/2 years. I'm a newbe.

You have owned many models for many years? Which ones? Starting with R107? More heritage than that?

I can imagine why today's variety of excellent cars would make you want to branch out.

To me R129 SL500 is the best I've experienced. The best fit of modern luxury yet sporty car at a moderate price.

As a relatively new MB / SL owner, I get confused as to why SL500 generates little buzz on these forums ... while it is still in my opinion a great car.

That is the source of my original question regarding obsolecence. Isn't the SL500 powerfull enought any more? Does everyone now want SL55, SL600 biturbo, SL65 or nothing?

flkp

I love my SL 500. Just sold my Lexus 430 (read: piece of junk). The power is fine, but MB does need to catch up on the other technology. It is sad when an Acura TL has nicer, better electronics than the flagship MB.

ChrisB

I'll state what I think is more along the line of the truth.

The rear end of cars like Hoanda Accord are designed to emmulate (copy) the R230 SL styling.

SL stying may be driven by funcionality. But it is the original!

vraa

I hope you mean the SC430 right? Bubble car?

Trimmer2

The SC430 looks like a used bar of soap to me

vraa

Aye! So true, I wish they would make their electronics open source / something along those lines so us techie enthusiasts have something to do at some 9:00PM at night when there is no school, no homework, and not of legal age to drink

I would love to try to reverse engineer the electronics of the Mercedes COMAND if someone were alongside with me, I've always wanted to try to attempt something like this, I guess now with the BMW X5 (Read: BUS system) in the garage also I'll have an easier time finding something to mess up.. err experiment with!

MB AMG

Hey ChrisB, whay kind of wheels do you have on the SL500? MY uncle got these AMG SL 2 piece and they look great!

ChrisB

MB AMG

The wheels I have are 17" and were stock for 1999. I do not know what thwy are called. Here is the link to pictures I posted last fall:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...+us+those+R129

The picture of a show room car is not mine. THe outdoor pictures near the bottom of the thread is mine.

I hope that lets you see the wheels and thus answer your question.

Does any one know what those wheels are called? Mono block? Five spoke?