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...
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.
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 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.
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...
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...
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....
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 ...
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.
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...
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/...
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...
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...
... 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.
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...
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. ...
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?