ChrisB

Being familiar with R129 SL 500, and being interested in buying R230 ... I would appreciate some feedback from others who have owned R129 SL 500 and R230 SL 500, SL 55 and SL 600.

Does any one think they should have stayed with the R129 (I'm guessing probably not)?

Now contemplating the characteristics of the R230 alone:

Are 0 to 60 mph performance and muscle car sound the main advantages of the 55 over 500?

Are highway passing (due to extra tourque), quite motor sounds and the potential for after market performance enhancments the main advantages of the 600 over the 55?

Is maintenance or reliability over the long haul on either the 55 or 600 going to be significantly different than the 500?

Will depreciation trend over say 10 years of the 500, 55 or 600 be significantly different compaired to the new price diferential for each?

SL 65 and SLR are over kill for what I want. Although I like the buzz about fast track times being reported by SL 65 owners.

Hopefully you will write down a few thoughts about the cars you have owned to help me out here.

Tony Musgrave

Drive an R230 SL500.
Drive an R230 SL55.
You will know the answers to your questions.
As for depreciation, if you can afford either you don't care.

jettie1767

I agree. Once you've driven both, you will know the difference. For me, the 55 is the way to go, if money is not an issue.

IngenereAMG

I have had alot of cars. The SL55 was my first MB and I am thouroughly impressed. Everything from the dealer experience of being treated like gold vs. Ferrari's attitude problems to the performance of the car as well as the reliability.

I have used the car as a daily driver, a track car, a trip car and everything in between and it has been fabulous. At the track I have embarrassed some pretty heavy metal on road courses. My car is derestricted (no 155 limiter) and has gone 202-203 and been uterly stable. The looks are great...It's like the Germans hired an Italian to draw it.....bella machina!!

AMG Jerry

I cannot say it better than the previous poster did. Although I have a different auto background (BMWs, not Ferraris). The 55 is not a white knuckle sports car, but it is a very capable performer. Its such a winner though. Great looks, great performance, and it can do it all!

blueSL

Actually, (he said in a rare occasion of flag waving), the SL was designed by a Briton, Steve Mattin.

AMG Jerry

And Merc had the good taste to hire him and use his design. I think this whole generation of Mercs is great looking, but the SL is the best of the bunch.