From a 80 280SL to a 99 SL600

[96E300D]

From a 80 280SL to a 99 600SL, how's that for some progress? Actually it's not official and I'm still doing some research on prices and practicality. After checking out on the 280, I started familiarizing myself with the SL's in general and began looking at the 86-88 560's. Problem here is that most have high mileage and the shape of all the ones I've seen in the $8000 range is not very inticing, and its purpose would be a daily driver. So then I moved on to the newer 90 - 99's and found some nice low 90's in the low to mid teens. While I had never driven one of these, I happened to remember a neighbor who has a newer SL. I called him up to get some owner information on it and lo and behold he said he was just thinking of selling it. Turns out it's a 99 SL600 he purchased at a good price, it now has 35K on it and he's thinking about the mid thirties for a price. I'm working really hard to figure out if I can make this work, or if it's the right car at this point. Initially it started out being a Christmas present for my wife but I may have to re-think this. One other thing in the mix is we have two younger kids and the other option I've just started looking at is the 2000's CLK convertables. She still gets her convertable, yet in a pinch can take the kids if necessary. Price range for these would be about the same for the SL600. I do have a question here, will the SL600 hold it's value any better than the CLK or any other older SL? I'd be interested in hearing what you think.
Matt

[jjrodger]

The SL600 is unique as far as the market is concerned. There is a perception (and it may be the reality--or it may not) that the V12 car is significantly more expensive to maintain than the other 129 SLs and yet offers little extra over and above the 500. Now there are plenty of people will post and tell you that the 600 is just as cheap to run as the 500 but offers a different level of performance. But the perception is there and that will affect future values, especially as the car moves into middle age when it will need costly work doing to it.

As to the 129 SL generally, values have plummeted across the board. My own view is that these cars cannot fall much further in price and maybe, maybe, will go up in value over the next ten years as they assume classic MB convertible status. I think these cars offer incredible value for money, but you must buy a good one. All of them are costly to fix, costly for parts and costly for labour.

My view is that the 129 SL is a far superior car to the 208 CLK convertible in alll respects, but especially in terms of the overall design. What the market will do with values of the CLK remains to be seen; I see very few for sale, certainly far fewer than I see of the old 124 E-Class convertible and that was a very rare car. For me the CLK (especially in coupe form) represented a nadir for Mercedes sporting cars. Like the 129, though, I doubt they will get much cheaper; demand for four-seat Mercedes convertibles has always been very solid indeed.

I do not know how old your children are, but in Europe the 129 is offered with rear seats which are adequate for children up to 10 or 11 years old and can even accommodate a single adult over short journeys. It is fair to say the CLK would be far more practical (although it lacks a hardtop unless you retrofit the ultra-expensive Wisemann option).

As you will see, I heartily recommend the 129 SL. My 500 is a blast.

[96E300D]

Thanks for your input JJ. I've been hearing about the rather expensive parts for these vehicles(129's) and although I'm fairly adept when it comes to mechanics, it would seem like they'd come with a sign that says "Don't even think about it". It's probably assumed that if you own one of these you can afford to have someone work on it.
There are quite a few CLK's available here, but that may have to do with the fact I live in So.Cal. Today I am planning on physicaly looking at each of these models and see if I get a better feel for what would work. I'd love to be able to get a car just for my wife to have to drive around in but that may have to wait until the kids(5&10) are a bit older(although it seems the CLK would still fit the bill).
I didn't know about the option for kid seats on the 129, but that would have been an possibility for sure.
Matt

[jjrodger]

I say this without any expertise...

I think a 208 CLK would be just as complicated and difficult to work on as a 129 SL. I don't think parts prices would be significantly cheaper, either. They have a lot on common: the m112 V6 in the CLK320 is the same as the m113 V8 in the post-'98 SL500 less two cylinders plus one balancer shaft; the CLK430 and SL500 motors are the same in all but bore and stroke. Brake components will be the same; the electical network is likely the same; suspension parts might be cheaper on the 208 being off a 202 C-Class. The hood is bound to be a nightmare if it fails!

What the SL has in its favour is quality. I reckon the 129 SL was better built and less likely to go wrong than the 208. But we're splitting hairs: both are fantastic cars. A good SL or a good CLK will give decades of use; whereas a bad CLK will be just as much a nightmare as a bad SL.

Keep us informed.

[96E300D]

Well, I had to bring my wife into the loop because of the rising price tag, under 10g's I'dve been o.k.(maybe) but beyond that.... So we went and looked at the new CLK cabriolets and now, nothing else will do, DARN! But, I swore I'd never buy another new car so I may have to wait a little and then look for a used white ext./ash interior with navigation. Kids love it too.

[mattcara]

i have an 88 560sl. and i used to have a 96 SL500.

both in my opinion are awsome cars!

i think the old 107 is the most beautiful SL that was ever made, including the newest ones out there.

but! the SL's of the 90's are the most amazing diving cars! it is the funniest quickiest and hands terrific. if you buy one for daily driving, you will be so happy you did! i loved it....

[leejxxxxx]

Originally Posted by 96E300D

Matt

As the owner of a '97 SL600 let me give you my take.
Problems covered under warranty:
1) Water pump seized.
2) Brake master cylinder internal leak on '97 its cost is appx:$1500.00 (special for '97 only I believe)
3) One of the sensors for the ADS system was bad. Only problem in summer.
4) Antenna gears broke twice in less than two years (not under warranty parts=$35.00)
5) Top end oil leak, appx: $1500.00 covered.
6) Power steering & ADS pump leak covered.
7) All engine trans mounts. Covered.
I had to pay to get the right door window adjusted and a new battery.

The plusses:
The 600 has ALL of the options stock except for the special contour seats and the Sports pack.
Torque for days.
Smooth.

Engine is a tight fit but top end is accessible.

Look at it this way, if you can get a warranty, go for it.

Keep you foot out of it and the max I've got is 22MPG (all freeways). Most of the time it's around 16-20MPG.

[jjrodger]

Old is better than new when it comes to Mercedes. That is my view, anyway. They just don't make them like they used to. And you're now comparing 50k car with 15k cars...

Have you considered a W124 cabriolet? Prices are rising and will continue doing so: this is a surefire future classic; indeed, some will tell you (with some force) that it is already a classic even though the youngest are less than a decade old. Built like the proverbial brick *****house, plenty of room for four, fast enough with the 220bhp six, hardtop available from Weismann, and generally in A1 condition.

[page62]

Originally Posted by jjrodger

Have you considered a W124 cabriolet? Prices are rising and will continue doing so: this is a surefire future classic; indeed, some will tell you (with some force) that it is already a classic even though the youngest are less than a decade old. Built like the proverbial brick *****house, plenty of room for four, fast enough with the 220bhp six, hardtop available from Weismann, and generally in A1 condition.

That's an awfully nice car...but I don't think I've ever seen a single one on this side of the pond...

[96E300D]

I have seen the 124 cabs and that was a consideration and perhaps we should revisit that option. I've seen a few advertised although I don't recall the price range(probably around the 15-20K range. Not having to worry about "fixing" anything for 50K is very appealing(as I'm at the tail end of replacing the head on the 96E300). Thanks for all the input from everyone!
Matt

[jjrodger]

Thinking on it more, it seems to me a w124 cab might meet your needs better than anything. Granted, there will be maintenance issues (i.e. costs) that a new car just won't have, but then a new car will cost $30-40k more, which buys you an awful lot of maintenance. Unlike the new car, however, the w124 cab will suffer little to no depreciation if you keep it in good shape (indeed, I reckon it might even appreciate if you keep the miles off it). I ought to say, I have a vested interest: these are my favourite MBs of all time, in fact I don't really know why I have a SL and not a 124--maybe both one day.