Someday I would love to own an SL600. As far as daily driven cars go, its one of the best grand tourers ever. My question concerns the reliability of the V12 engine and the cost to maintain it. I LOVE this car.:d I've never owned a convertable and I'm growing tired of commuting in small sedans (read: C43 and Saab 900). Thanks in advance!

Jesse
98 C43

JesseC43,

Cost wise, think V12 as 2 L-6 combined. In other word, you are maintening 2 inline-six at the same time. However, the reliability problem is almost none-exist if properly maintened.

Andy Kuo

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<UL TYPE=SQUARE>
<LI>1992 Mercedes-Benz 400SE
<LI>Pearl Grey/Black Leather
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http://akry.web.com

Jesse,
This is my humble opinion on the SL600. I love it as much as you do, since I own a SL. I think the SL600 is just an overkill for anybody. It costs so damn much that you will be better off to get a CL500 (at least you can bring all three of your favorite people to have some serious fun). The car is not all that quick given it has a V12 (with all the extra weight). Plus just imagine driving down the road with white nuckles afraid some junker is going to bump into you (I actually saw a lady driving a SL600 in the rain, she looked absolutely horrible -- you know what I mean, with all the blood drained from her face look) The SL500, however, gives you plenty to power to play with. But a 911 C4 will give you twice as much fun with about the same $$. SL320 is just right (I am bias, what can I say?)It has just enough power to push you back into the seat, and that exhaust note. You have to love that deep howl when you press on the pedal. Well, they do not sell the SL280 here in the States (you won't want it anyhow). You will not go wrong with any of the SL decision. I have been toying the idea to trade the SL in for a Porsche, but I just cannot part with my SL. Just too much fun !! My $0.02

95 R129
98 ML320

My local dealer has a 92 500SL with 38000 miles on it for $43,000. My problem is I'm hypnotized by a beautiful car but often change my mind. If (read when) I get an SL it won't be a car I drive a lot. I'll probably try to find a very low mileage SL500 just to take out on the weekends. But if there's an SL600 out there at a reasonable price I probably won't be able to resist it.

elau:

I agree and disagree. Although I don't have the SL, I've got a 600 SEL, and if you computed the power to weight ratios with the information provided at the old MBUSA web site, the only thing that topped it--and only fractionally--was a 500E. (I haven't researched it, but I suppose an E55 would be better in this regard, too.)

The 12-cylinder is a beast, and when you squeeze the accelerator, at about 3700 RPM the accelerator "pushes" back at you as if to say, "Do you really want to go faster?" and when you tell it "yes" by continuing to put your foot into it, it winds all the way to 6000 RPM as though you are being launched by a catapault (sp?). I have "caught rubber" in the 1st to 2nd gear shift on three occasions--I wasn't trying to, I just stayed in it pulling out in traffic on hot days when, I suppose, the oil was bubbling up on the asphalt. The car accelerates the 20 mph from 80-100 faster than the 20 from 0-20, is rock steady and vault quiet.

I have had the car for 7,000 miles now (95,000 total). Originally, I was super concerned that because it was a "600" and there were so few of them around, I had an obligation to the marque not to run up the miles. However, I do a lot of highway driving and after using my other cars (a 1998 Accord and a 1998 Malibu V-6), I have found that I can't go back to them and so I'm going to put the miles on and enjoy the travel rather than get beat up by it. Maybe I'll get a notation from MB for having the highest mileage 600 someday. I figure I'll maintain the car and if it someday needs a new motor, I will get it rebuilt by a tuner.

The downside is gas mileage: 10 around town; best is about 19 all highway.

[This message has been edited by dfndr (edited 08-16-2000).]

[This message has been edited by dfndr (edited 08-16-2000).]

Couldn't agree more. The M120 V12 is an absolute beauty of an engine. A six-cylinder SL?!! At 4180 lbs? NEVER. The best bang for the buck is the SL500 no doubt. Actually, the M119 engine is more reliable than that six banger with its head gasket and front timing cover headaches.

If it were me personally, it would have to be the V12. There's absolutely NOTHING like 420 lb/ft of torque. This IS after all, a sports car. Not a commuter bus.

Most importantly, when you climb into a 600, insert the key and twist the ignition to start it, you hear that beautiful:

burrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr............VROOOOOMMMMMMMMMM!


Nothing like a V12. Buy one.

A good rule of thumb: If you EVER have to ask about the reliability and the affordability of an S600/SL600, then you should definitely NOT buy one!

The V12 was created for people who is the least concern about repair bills in the four to five figure digits range.

If you do however, like most of us, value reliability and down-to-earth maintenance costs, then the SL500 is a much better option, and stills packs almost the power and finesse of the V12.

Most magazines in Europe praise the V8 500 over the V12 600 mentioning that the power and torque advantages gained by the V12 is highly offset by the heavier weight of the engine, making the car extremely nose heavy and less manageable than the V8 500.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

At these levels, the V-12 is the only way to go. That's my 0.02. I have a 1993 600 SEL. It's like the right mistress. High maintenance and awesome.

I'd have to agree with A Rosich. the V-12 is a VERY thirsty engine. there's no question that the silky smoothness of the engine and the bottomless pit of torque is to be envied, but I can't really justify the cost of fuel, much less the cost of maintenance.

Furthermore the SL600 is known to need rewiring under the hood from time to time. the engine is so pack in there that there isn't enough airflow to keep things cool. several SL600s have had to get new wiring harnesses because the original one got cooked.

a 500E is actually faster than an SL600 because the SL has to overcome a weight difference in excess of 400lbs. the 500E is 400 lbs lighter than an SL500 to begin with, it's bound to be at least a good 500lbs lighter than an SL600. besides, you get 2x the seats in a 500E

__________________
'94 W124.036 249/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'93 W124.036 199/040 leder; 8.25x17 EvoIIs, up in flames...LITERALLY!
'93 W124.036 481/040 leder; euro delivery; 8.25x17 EvoIIs
'88 R107.048 441/409 leder; Euro lights
'87 W201.034 199/040 leder; Euro lights; EvoII brakes; 8x16 EvoIs - soon: 500E rear brakes
'70 R113.044 050/526; factory alloys; Euro lights

That's true. The 119 engine in my 1989 560SEC is pretty fast as well. The SEC weighs 3980 lbs. vs. nearly 4300 lbs. The 119 is fuel efficient and powerful, reliable.

As nice as a V12 Mercedes may be, aside from the snob appeal, most non Mercedes owners (and even some Mercedes owners) are oblivious that the "600" on the deck lid means the car is a V12. The are no V12 badges on these cars anywhere. There may be a certain novelty to owning a V12 powered automobile. The thing that troubles me is that some of these once $100K+ plus autos are now selling at a mere fraction of their original MSRP.

Actually, that is incorrect. On W140 sedans and coupes, there is a "V12" badge on the C pillar behind the rear side windows. SLs get V12 badging on the front fenders near the vent openings W215 CL600s and W220 S600s get "V12" badging on the fender panels as well.

Kinda hard to miss....

I believe what lietuviai's post was referring to was the actual S 600 (W220), which really omits all V12 bagdes.

As it is stated, people now assume that the 600 bagde equals a V-12 at the engine bay.

In my opinion the side V-12 bages on the W140 sedans and the the SL's are kind of tasteless (not to say tacky).

Early production run Euro 600 SELs (W140) even had a chromed "600 SEL" badge stamped over the wood detailing on the passenger side. You had to specify a code when ordering the car to delete it.

__________________
A. Rosich
CL 500, 1998
S 500 L, 1998
E 320 T, 1995 [Sadly sold ]

No, that's wrong. The W220 S600 DOES have the "V12" badge on the front fender cladding roughly 12" about the rocker on both sides of the car. It's easy to see.

ALL Mercedes V12 cars produced ALL had V12 badges from the factory.

I stand corrected. I do recall now that there are badges on the V12's. It's been a while since I have seen one from the side. The last few that I have seen were only from the back. When you drive a diesel, you are most often behind someone.