percykwong

Well, I can only speak to having a V12 as a daily driver. It's an expensive proposition, but the grins you get doing it.. well.. It's worth every penny. The "merging" power is just always there. I loved having my 600 as a daily driver... So much that I bought a 65 to be my daily driver in Florida. I don't know if I'll ever go back to a v8, but I do know that I'll always have at least one V-12 in my stable from this day forward. As for keeping a 12-banger as a daily driver in Europe, I still haven't decided (purely because of fuel prices), but I'm seriously leaning towards that too. There's very little that compares to the unending torque curve of a V-12.

BiTurboBenz

You need to drive both cars on the same day (even if you have to travel) and go from there. SL65 would be the best of both worlds.

Benz-O-Rama

Thanks for the comments, guys. Definitely need to find at least one of each to drive, which easier said than done.

What's your opinions on 2003-2004 vs. 2005? I know the NAV is different, but is that it? A 2005 is right on the edge of what I want to spend, and I'd love to sneak into a 2003-2004, but the NAV just looks so archaic. Especially next to my 2004 E500 and 2006 R500.

So, what are the differences? Are there more reliability issues with the 2003-2004's, since it was a new chassis model? I know a lot of the 2003 W211's were nightmares.


Also, what's the deal with top? Leaks, creaks or groans? Does the Pano introduce alot of creaks and pops? It does on my R-Class.

InTheBenz0

ive got pano on an 03... pretty darn quiet, no leaks or anything, no squeaks either.. its got 30k miles on her

jmf003

On average, the older the model year the more problematic the R230. However specific cars can run counter to that trend. I have a very reliable 2003 as do a few other folks around here (e.g. https://mbworld.org/forums/2643041-post9.html) and other folks have had lots of problems with more recent cars (e.g. https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...b-friends.html)

My suggestion would be to check the maintenance history before you buy and walk away from any car that has a long history of repairs, then buy an extended warranty to cover you if something goes wrong after you buy.

The retractable hardtop does require regular maintenance to avoid creaking/popping.

Good luck with the decision! It's an awesome car!!

Sunir

I think '03/'04 is hit or miss like John says. Knowing how you keep your W211 pristine and you like your gadgets and such, I'd def suggest the newer command module in the '05 and newer R230; it's a good deal better...and you'd be disappointed with the first gen (I would be also but I could give a rats *** about things like Nav and techo wizbang stuff...and I'm weird in that I like cars with as little options as possible) I've driven pano cars with squeaks and without; that shouldn't be a deterent if you love the pano go for it; it looks great on the R230 - bottom line is that you need to drive the car (be it the V8K or the V12TT witht he options you want and really see which you like) ...personally I think ther perfect car for you in terms of price, accomodations, performance, and shared driving duty with the wife is a '05 SL600...it's the intersection of everything you seem to be looking for; and you can get pano and other options on it!

hope this helps

Benz-O-Rama

Or maybe, a 2005 SL600 with the AMG appearance package!

Wait? Does that even exist?

Sunir

I think you can get an '05 SL600 with an AMG sport package; I know the SL500 cars have AMG sport package option available.

From seeing your ride at the dyno day and meeting you I can tell you keep a meticulous and clean car; one with the right mix of techno gadgets and power and styling...I think the v12TT in the 600 gives you the updated command unit; silky smooth power, drivabilty and sharability with the wifey, and with the pano and sport package you'd have a great car, maybe in silver with a charcoal interior in fact a friend of mine had a similar car to what I described and it was superb!

Benz-O-Rama

Thanks for the compliment, and yes, I'm a bit of a freak show when it comes to my cars. My neighbors think I'm an absolute nut case when they see me hand washing my cars in the middle of February and March. They tease, but they're just jealous driving their Camry's and Passats.

Definitely leaning towards the 600. You make excellent points, and since this will be a split car between my wife and myself, it makes sense to get the more docile creature. Little does she know, at the first chance I get, I'll get a tune and exhaust, and she'll be none the wiser.

Just talked to my MB mechanic buddy, and he also recommends the 600.

The search is on.....

transferred

it does....member "thericker" has it...pm him

-Rob