| Author | Message | ||
| Lung (Lung7707)
Junior Member Username: Lung7707 Post Number: 98 Registered: 1-2002 |
Omar Thanks for the compliment. Most people who look at my car say its less aggressive, perhaps the mods have taken the edge off the original lines and rounded it off a little. The car looks a little more "current" too. I don't think the value of the car actually depreciates as other would have it. I belive at most you lose what you put into it i.e. its not going to sell at a premium. (and that means losing about $15K) The SL500 is a great cruiser on long distance drives. Its comfy, handles well, elegant, and smooth. Check for oil leaks though. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 638 Registered: 1-2002 |
500E/E 500 was built by guess who? PORSCHE! At the Porsche factory!! | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 434 Registered: 12-2001 |
Yes, the A/C evaporator is expensive to fix. My experiences have been that the S-class sedan has this problem more than the SL. I good PPI at a Benz dealer should ony run you $100-$150. Guys I agree that build quality in the newer Mercedes has gone downhill. I wouldn't take a new S-class, give me an early body S600 anyday. \ I think the best built Benz in the last 10 years is the 500E/E500. Lawrence, I like the E55 but they have a more mass produced feeling to me than the E500. Besides, E55s are getting to be like C5 vettes, you see several a day. | ||
| VS (Vs1)
Junior Member Username: Vs1 Post Number: 86 Registered: 10-2002 |
We have a 1994 SL500 and it's a great car. Have had no major trouble with it in 8 years. Had to change the battery a couple of times and tires due to flatspotting - but most of our issues arise from non-use [it has a 22,000 miles on it]. You'll love the way it drives - good, smooth powerband. It corners like the big heavy car it is - but still a great cruiser. Assuming everything else checks out - will make a great driver. They come standard with a hardtop - which makes it a very nice 2 seat coupe in the winters. We have friends with a 1987 560SL they have had since new - 225,000 miles and still going....... | ||
| William Huber (Solipsist)
Member Username: Solipsist Post Number: 559 Registered: 9-2001 |
I only problems I noticed that the lifters tend to stick on the 129 Benz models. The result is a car that sounds like a diesel, The worst thing you ever want to hear. They still drive nice, a fun car but I can relate with Tom, I work on a lot of these cars. (Paint & body) The newer models 202's, 210's, 129's, etc. are built very poorly from cars like the old 107's & 126's. Build quality & reliability are becoming a thing of the past with newer MB. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Junior Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 156 Registered: 9-2002 |
Lung, Everytime I see your TR I think wow....so pretty  Anyway, I asked others and they say to stay away...heh. I was thinking of getting a 2 yr aftermarket warrenty to cover all the other little things...I would assume the AC thing would be under warrenty. IYO, would you prefer the SL500 or a 95-96 BMW E31 840Ci? I love E31s more than the SL anyday (bmw nut here) what do you all think? | ||
| Lung (Lung7707)
Junior Member Username: Lung7707 Post Number: 97 Registered: 1-2002 |
The SL500 was one of their top of the line car back in 96. I am thinking of getting one myself. I use to own a 1985 500SEC, an excellent car that never gave me any problems. MBs are great daily drivers. Then again my TR is also a great daily driver. | ||
| Francisco J. Quinones (Frankie)
Junior Member Username: Frankie Post Number: 161 Registered: 8-2002 |
Is it true that if the ac evaporator fails in the SL's it's a $4500.00 job? I read that somewhere,seems a bit pricey for ac work,but overall you guys give them good marks? I always liked those and the prices are getting better every day,i guess the new ones are taking care of that. TIA Frankie | ||
| TomD (Tifosi)
Intermediate Member Username: Tifosi Post Number: 2146 Registered: 9-2001 |
I have been very disappointed in the quality of my MB - its no secrect that MB has struggled in this area recently. Its too bad because I prefer the drive of a german lux car to that of the Japanese. I thinking BMW next time | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 446 Registered: 4-2002 |
I'm thinking about selling the 400E and replacing it with an E55 with the supercharger. We shall see how the old stock market goes this year. My salivary glands are already working overtime. | ||
| Lawrence Coppari (Lawrence)
Member Username: Lawrence Post Number: 444 Registered: 4-2002 |
I've owned a number of MBs. Currently I have a 1980 450SL. It is a dog but very dependable although it leaks a little oil. It has 142K on it and is my daily drive unless it rains. I have a 1993 400E. This is probably the best car I have ever owned. It has 108K on it now. It is what I would call a sleeper above 30 mph. Doesn't have M5 speed but gets very good mileage and maintenance is zilch. Also have a SLK32 AMG. It is a C5 eater. It only has 10K on it so I cannot comment on maintenance costs. Others owned 1986 300E for 120K - no problems out of warranty. As I recall the steering wheel used to change its position when car was off. Warranty issue. 1982 300TD - what can I say, it was a diesel. In general, all you have to do is change the oil and coolant. Timing chain should be changed at 100K. Cars are not slow, but they are heavy. It would make a very good daily driver. But it will not get your blood flowing like an F car does. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Junior Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 154 Registered: 9-2002 |
stu cordova, thanks for the offer, but I need to trade in my current daily for it (99 prelude) and dont see how easy that would be living quite far from the dealer... BTW what is your opinion of the car in general? is it a good daily? How much does service cost? Was it reliable for you? thanks for your help...as I am still debating whether it is a good daily or not | ||
| stu cordova (Balataboy)
Member Username: Balataboy Post Number: 345 Registered: 4-2001 |
Omar, This is my car. Beautiful white with navy. Dealer serviced, no paint work, extremely clean. Excellent car, very well built, will blow the doors off of my '85 QV!! http://www.autotrader.com/findacar/vdetail.jtmpl?car_id=115858917&dealer_id=569432&make=MB&distance=25&max_price=&model=500SL&advcd_on=n&end_year=1992&min_price=&certified=n&address=98033&search_type=used&advanced=n&start_year=1991&color=&car_year=1992 | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Junior Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 153 Registered: 9-2002 |
hmmm, how exactly does one do such on a cedes? how much would it cost?(I assume less than the 500 for a f-car...but then again... | ||
| Tyler (Bahiaau)
Member Username: Bahiaau Post Number: 433 Registered: 12-2001 |
500SL's are great! It appears by the side badging on the car in your link that it is a sport model. However the wheels on that car are not the correct wheels for the 96 model "sport" SL. They look more like CLK430 wheels. As far as the 500SL goes, they are good cars. I don't see a problem using one as a daily driver. You will want to do a PPI and be extremely picky, they produced a ton of these so accept nothing less than perfect. | ||
| Omar (Auraraptor)
Junior Member Username: Auraraptor Post Number: 152 Registered: 9-2002 |
http://www.getauto.com/autolinks_cardetail.html?x_dealer_id=AAD%400&vinNum=WDBFA67F1TF129692 It has 81k miles...carfax clean save one failed emission test in NY (is that a bad thing? what does it mean?) I am thinking of trading my 99 prelude auto before its trany fails on a new daily car... I want a car that will not give me a headache too much as I already worry about my other cars too much  (NEVER have all of them been perfect ) A fun comfortable driver for my 200 mile weekly drives between MD and PA... How do I tell if it had paint work? It looks straight from panels and such, wheel wells appear good and everything seems well nuf...the price cant be beat! help appreciated! |