patrick_y
[PuristSPro Moderator]
33543
Quick Summary
R129; special model like a SL70 or SL73 AMG; would be really special; but would be dated and possibly missing some modern conveniences.
R230; get a simple model like an SL350 without ABC suspension. AIRMATIC isn't too bad.
R230 AMG model; get a SL55 2006/2007; bulletproof M113K engine, great 5 speed transmission. Unfortunately has ABC suspension.
R230 AMG model; get a late year 2011/2012 SL63; the 63 engine had bad head bolts in the beginning of its production; this problem was fixed supposedly with updated parts in the 2011/2012 model years. 7 Speed automatic transmission. No traditional oil-filled torque converter! Instead a multi-clutch torque converter! Very special! Unfor tunately has ABC suspension.
CLK 55 AMG - rare two door model. Very reliable with the M113 engine. No fancy suspensions; no AIRMATIC, no ABC. Just simple metal spring suspension.
E55 AMG - Just in case you want to do 4 doors; very reliable M113K engine. AIRMATIC suspension. Very proven platform. A total beast, extremely surprising and unexpected for a four door bodied car.
Mercedes SL. A future classic?
Ok, let's put the stars of the category such as the SL 300 Gull Wings, the SL 190, and the SL Pagoda, to focus on what I think to become a future classic, the SL models from the late 80's to nowadays. The current SL is very nice looking, but too recent to...
Nice topic...
I think the SL70, yes. The others not so sure. Did u know there is also a sl73 amg?
I had the chance to drive one from a SWISSAIR pilot...
I was told there were 25 cars made... A real monster...
A definitive future classic for me: the 500e
... built in collaboration with Porsche ! Widebody, in Black! What a beast.
Try a W210 E55 or a W211 E55K
Those will become your new favorite "Panzer" vehicles! The W210 E55 is truly amazing. Last vehicle to be built at the AMG plant! And has that special solidity. Find one from a moderate climate that was often garaged. The W210 chassis can rust.
1989 was the year
For me, a very early 500SL from 1989-1990 in silver with the tartan interior. An alternative would be a very late 600SL with the full bells and whistles, including the glass roof, in all black. It looks like the value of the clean examples is raising slow...
Jacky Ickx
Jacky had one of the very first ones in Belgium in 1989 (500sl black) and he drove it to drop his daughter at my school when I was 11 years old. It made quite an impression on me.
I got in to Mercedes in the early ‘90s and the SL line was always the line I liked .
Out of the models in question , .I’ll go for the 2000’s edition.
Mmm difficult is in current times to predict what will happen, so why not the same approach as with watches?
choose what you like, enjoy and if it increases in value it is a bonus? Dirk
tough decision.....
both are great but would go with the R230 early 2000s SL gets my vote for the electric hard roof. 2 cars in 1. As a Mercedes owner I do have to say maintenance isn't cheap on these cars and shocks and suspension (ABC and the problematic Airmatic) is a pai...
Removing ABC might change the personality of the car too much.
ABC gives a Merc the fine driving experience.
I find the ABC suspension quite good
I know it might create some big repair bills, but if mantained (regular changes of the Pentosin) it should last long. ABC adds a lot to the driving sensation: no nose diving when breaking hard, cornering "hard" in my CL feels very confident and at high sp...
I think corrosion of the plastic pipes of the ABC is the issue
The oil for the ABC is delivered with 120 bar to the suspension. Combined with natural decay of plastic it puts a lot stress on the pipes. I had to change a pipe after eight years and it cost me 1.000 Eu, at Merc dealership. There are 3-4 pipes like that....
Volatile values
The SL is most definitely a future classic but not all of them. The late no ties models (with the square vertical headlights like the SL 70 AMG in the pictures) have depreciated a lot in today’s market compared to other versions of the SL. The current ver...
No bad choices here
Really, it depends upon what you are looking to achieve. As an investment, only the most limited production AMG items look like appreciating assets to me, the rest were produced in large enough quantities to make them more fun transportation than garage q...
2006 2007 SL55 AMG...
The last years of the SL55 AMG will be future collectibles. 55 Engine is a darling engine among the Mercedes Cogniscenti. It's a highly reliable engine, built from the "M113" block with a supercharger added, it's an engine that will be reliable for many y...
If you can get SL70 it is an epic handsome
SL65 AMG R203 it will be an amazing gorgeous. Tough to choose but for me SL65 R 203 will be my choice
The R230 models from 2003 to 2011 have a lot of expensive suspension issues...
The R230 chassis SL vehicles with ABC suspension are extremely expensive to maintain; as they are several years or older now. The ABC suspension is a full hydraulic set up. Not air. It has an instantaneous reacting, fully active, hydraulic oil based syste...
That's actually a little different...
Assuming you have a recent model of the ML63 AMG, that would mean you actually DON'T HAVE ABC. You do have hydraulics in your suspension, it's called ACTIVE CURVE SYSTEM, but they aren't hydraulic struts, they're actually a simpler system (good thing) tha...
Thanks Patrick....
I am a huge fan of the M156 which for me is one of the best naturally aspirated V8s ever made. My ML63 is a 2007 W164. S
The M156 engine is a very special engine...
Great engine. How many kilometers on yours? In the US Market, we have a lot of problems with Head Bolts. Don't know if they use different headbolts within your market. Headbolts leak; causing coolant and oil to mix and then hydro-locking the engine. Ask y...
I've just crossed 100k km on it....
yes I have read about it and I discussed it with my specialist. His opinion was that unless I am using my car for track days and doing drag races with it I shouldn't be worried about the head bolt issue. Anyways I have my eye on a kit to solve the issue ...
Fairly low kilometers; most users in the USA are experiencing the issue between 150,000 km to 200,000 km.
I've also heard about the Weistec kit. Heard good things. There's also an updated Mercedes-Benz part number as well that supposedly solves the problem.
Potentially; the R230 models are special that they have a lot of modern advancements.
Get the 2001 R129 model if you don't care about the technological advances of the R230. They are far simpler cars. But the electric soft-top on those may have problems too, so definitely do a thorough inspection. But the R129 AMG versions in 7.0 and 7.3 l...
Quick Summary
R129; special model like a SL70 or SL73 AMG; would be really special; but would be dated and possibly missing some modern conveniences. R230; get a simple model like an SL350 without ABC suspension. AIRMATIC isn't too bad. R230 AMG model; get a SL55 2006/...
R129 SL500 is a good choice...
Very good choice. May not have some modern amenities like Bluetooth for car phone. The soft top may need to be replaced. But overall the R129 SL500 from a later year (like 2000, 2001, 2002) would be a great choice. Reliable suspension (avoid the air suspe...
If I remember correct so
1994-98 wars there a lot of problem with the electrical harness at the engine. The Adaptive Damping System never works properly. The V12 have some problems too. The driver seat use to be worn at the side when you get in and out but that you will notice ea...
Since the SLK is out...
... it is the car I would choose. SLK55 AMG please. The SL is indeed a good car, just bigger than the SLK without adding much. What do you think? Best, É.
DROOL... AMANICO, get one of those!
I want one of those! SLS! SLS! Yours is even in the perfect color I like!
2000s
To my mind these really hit their stride, aesthetically speaking in the period from roughly 2000-2010. Definitely an 8-cylinder. Chris
Only one thing to remember
A part for a $5000 M-B costs just as much as the part for a $150,000 M-B. Always more (3x) than you expected. Be forewarned and be prepared. A couple months ago I showed my friend’s 280SE 3.5. Her mother’s car, always cared for; low miles; she had it rest...
Beautiful car.....
Mercedes Benz cars are so seductive but it comes with a price as you rightly said. S
Still not too late...
Nico, you love ‘vintage’ and you love the style of the 60’s: go with the SL to match your Volvo. It’s not too late: there is still upside in a Pagoda - Cheers, pplater. ...
Funds?...
Probably no more than a pre-loved JLC MMR Ti would command in Collectors' Market! ;-) Cheers, pplater.
Nicolas By all means go with the V8 not the 6
Cheers from Switzerland Richard P.S. I am just an old timer and addicted to the ancient one... ...
The nun made a point my friend :-)
She is 100% correct ;-) An SL55 AMG with 476 hp would be bonkers. It sounds just like a WWII Messerschmidt.
THAT would be a terrific choice. BUT...
There is a balance to find between mileage and price. And it is really tough. With a low mileage, the prices are very high. And what about the service costs? Insurance? Taxes?