Want to buy a 500SL/SL500 & SL320

[Robby Ackerman]

My brother has been looking for a good Porsche 930 and ran across several 1990 to 1995 or so SL500s in the process, which caught his eye. He is considering the SL in lieu of the Porsche and I suggested he might consider his & hers SLs -- a 500 for himself and a 320 for his wife.

What can you tell me/him about these two models? Were certain years perferred? What are the known problems to watch out for? What are maintenance costs like? Is mileage an issue as in certain expensive repairs at a given mileage?

[bill streep]

Robby,

I'm STRONGLY considering a 500 for my wife for xmas (a '93 with 60K miles). Here's what I know: HP was best earlier in the model history - but no real improvement in performance. The 1994? and earlier models have a simpler computer system. A computer failure in later models can get VERY expensive - and they apparently aren't uncommon. The 300/320s have essentially the same hp (228 vs 229). Repairs can get pricey, these cars were expensive back then: $84K for the 300/320 and nearly $100K for the 500. The good news is that the drive trains are pretty bulletproof.

If he's looking for a 300, I know of one. About 60K miles as well. You have my email address.

[John Buckingham]

:eek: I have owned both the Porsche 930 turbo and several late model Mercedes models, and, from my point of view, these are COMPLETELY different types of automobiles.

The 930 is, quite literally, a race car for the street with a stiff ride, brutal acceleration (with turbo lag), big brakes, and potentially high maintenance requirements. The Mercedes is an outstanding "touring car" that is 100% more civilized, more reliable, much more comfortable, and an excellent daily driver that can also be enjoyed at the track.

A 930 would NOT be a good daily driver in most circumstances. I found the 930 a complete blast to drive, but also somewhat tiring, like driving a race car ALL THE TIME. It takes concentration, and real patience, otherwise you loose your license going 140mph, or you drive it up a tree. The 930 takes a smooth touch, and a certain level of skill to drive safely. There a lot of stories of about driver's and their 930 turbos and some of them are true.... the 930 can be an unforgiving automobile with the tendency to bite you if you take your eye off of it for just a moment.

It really depends on what your brother is looking for... for comfort and a daily ride the Mercedes cannot be beat (you can also drive it in the winter....), but for pure exhilaration and a certain level of danger the 930 is in a league of it's own.

John Buckingham
Mansfield, Ohio

[Robby Ackerman]

John

It is good to hear from you and Thanks for your reply. This is what I like about this forum. It is great to hear about your 930 experience.

[parodecki]

Robby...

In January this year I bought my wife a '96 SL 320 with 69K miles on it.

She loves it... and so do I. In fact.. it's got over 86,000 miles on it now.. so we've driven it quite a bit.

Before I bought it I took it to an independ MB mechanic... he took a look, ran the computer print outs, and it looked like a great buy (it was!).

Two things to look for.... the emission control air pump tends to want to die around 70K or so... and if you don't replace it yourself, it's about a $700 job (I've since found rebuilt pumps on the 'net for $395!!!). And, I've been warned (but haven't had the problem....yet) that these cars (the R129's... and others, I'd suspect) run hot.. and because the main wiring harness runs on top of the engine, after a while the insulation MAY break down and short out the wiring harness. That little beauty will cost you about $800 or so, I'm told!

As to the rest of mechanical observations, I've had no real problems with the car. On my own I've replaced a 6" speaker in one door, installed an XM radio in the ashtray well, removed, repaired and repainted the front bumper (watch that lower air foil... tends to hang up on parking lot dividers, and "rip")... and, like most other guys, have "greased" the brake pads to quiet the squealing!

Right now we've got a little problem with a vibration in the front end over 70mph... but I think some of that is caused by mixed sizes of lug bolts on one front wheel, and some not so good Goodyear tires!

Gas mileage on long trips (from So. Fla to Vegas) is about 25 ~ 26 mpg (which beats the *#*#*#*# outta my Ford F-150!).

Hope this info is of some help to you!!

Paul Rodecki