SL500 vs SL600 - Benzworld.org

Guest (MBNZ) · 03-10-2002, 11:35 PM

Greetings, I am new to this site. I am interested in buying a Mercedes for the first time. Does anyone have any opinions on the best 'bang for the buck'? I would be ok with the old body style (pre 2003) but would love some input. Best, Tom

Guest (MBNZ) · 03-13-2002, 07:45 AM

Hello Tom, glad you joined us, my personnal opinion is that the sl500 is going to be the best buy. The 600 is expensive to buy, service and maintain. Not execivelly but I believe that for a first mercedes sl, a 500 will be fine. I never heard of an sl55 in the 129 body, maybe in europe has a limited edition, but I don't think so. Try to buy 1996 and up, smoother and better look, to my taste. Amg body kit his a personnal choice. Keep us updated with your purchase.

Guest (MBNZ) · 05-12-2002, 04:26 PM

get the 500. I have a friend who got a 600 and had engine problems and spent $37000 and the motor. The v12 is bad news.

MY FIRST · 09-28-2002, 12:32 PM

I HAVE A 2002 SL 500 FOR SALE WITH 2300 MILES. R129 BODY. ARE YOU INTEREST TO PURCHASE IT?? WHERE DO YOU LIVE? THIS CAR IS THE LAST BODY STYLE. ASKING 89,000 .COLOR BRILLIANT SILVER EXTERIOR AND ASH INTERIOR.DETACHABLE HARDTOP.XENON HEADLIGHTS, HEATED SEATS.

gherman · 09-29-2002, 01:28 PM

Quote:

Try to buy 1996 and up, smoother and better look, to my taste.

I've heard nothing but bad things from my dealer on the Sl600, so I'd stay clear of it. For colors other than black, I agree that 96 and later looks better. I happen to love black and came to prefer the two-tone black available before 96. (The solid black looks too black for my taste.) To help me decide, I test drove most years, and didn't notice a difference in the ride or performance. (They were all in great condition, shocks, etc.) I settled on a 94, since it was the first year that MB put a Bose system in the car.

lowanover · 10-01-2002, 09:25 PM

I notice on this forum that SL500 owners are quick to judge the SL600..I wonder if they know anything about them? I've owned both a SL500 and SL600 and notice no difference in reliability or cost of upkeep.
I also know several Sl owners,both 8 and 12 cyl versions, and have never heard of any major problems with the 12cyl. The 600 is a little heavier so rides a little smoother, it certainly goes faster, this is noticeable more at slow speed acceleration and at hwy speeds. The engine is much smoother and quieter and of course almost every option on the SL500 is standard on the SL600. Hope this helps
Dave

gherman · 10-01-2002, 11:55 PM

Quote:

I notice on this forum that SL500 owners are quick to judge the SL600..I wonder if they know anything about them?

Sorry if I made you think that what I expressed was my opinion. I don't have an opinion, and certainly haven't passed judgement about them. I live in an area (Silicon Valley) where there are alot of SLs, and just thought I'd pass on what my dealer's experience was with them. (I asked them because I had considered owning one myself.)

My apologies if I offended anyone.
[B)]

StrichAcht 240D · 10-02-2002, 02:40 PM

I have heard the same from my Mechanic (who has serviced quite a bit of them) - however, I don't think its so much that they have a lot of problems, but when they do it is definately quite expensive to fix!

danistettler · 12-01-2002, 09:37 AM

Hi Tom,
here in Switzerland the ratio is at about 40% SL320, 50% SL500, 10% SL600. There are only a few SL55 and even less (only 3 in total) SL60, both AMG V8 models. Best buy here is the SL500 (due to the number available) however you have to know what you want (6cly 320, 8cyl or 12cyl). Quality is everywhere MB at its best.
Rgds
Dani

world2er · 11-16-2003, 08:30 AM

Hello, and Good Morning ...

In short, after a bit of good fortune (and a lot of hard work), I am now in a position to seek what has always been my "dream car". I have long been a fan of the SL class Roadster Convertible, and will be looking to purchase either an SL500, or SL600 V12 within the next couple of months. But in my research, I have came across a trend that has me wondering ...

After frequently looking through bulk sources (such as eBay Motors, etc), and through other contacts, I am finding that in many cases, the cost differential between the SL500 and SL600 V12 (for the same general model years of 97-99 and comparable mileage) is very low. In several cases that I have seen, an SL600 V12 was actually cheaper ... ??????

The aforementioned really has me baffled, and I would like to ask if anybody else out there can explain this. Is it due to mechanical or electrical bugs in the particular model years for the SL600 V12, or maybe some other problem ?

Thanks to all in advance for your replies.