1997 SL500 4-speed?

[dj7007]

Hi folks,
I am looking to purchase an SL500 registered in Aug 1997. I did an rac check on it by supplying the reg plate. The report states that its a 4 speed Auto. Shouldnt it be a 5 speed auto?
It does have the following gear selections available on the gearshift: 1>2>3>4
Thanks

 

[Doodle]

Looks like a admin error. Should definitely be a 5sp for that year.

4speed only shows D-3-2-(B)

 

[Benzowner]

Not 100% sure, but I would have thought 5 speed auto, 1,2,3,4 and D (5)

 

[BTB 500]

Should definitely be 5-speed, which became standard on the '96 facelift. It was an option before that.

 

[bolide]

The RAC & HPI reports are always incorrect for 5-speed W124s so I'd consider the same may be true for an SL

The gate of a 5-speed is different to a 4-speed so a visual check will determine which box is fitted. I wouldn't rely on the vendor knowing

Nick Froome
www.w124.co.uk

 

[Indiepath]

Should definitely be 5-speed, which became standard on the '96 facelift. It was an option before that.

This confused me when I got mine.. The shift goes 1-2-3-4 (D to the left) but it is a 5 speed gearbox.

@BTB500 - You got some new wheels?

 

[BTB 500]

@BTB500 - You got some new wheels?

Yup

 

[chriswt]

This confused me when I got mine.. The shift goes 1-2-3-4 (D to the left) but it is a 5 speed gearbox.

@BTB500 - You got some new wheels?

Because when using the gearbox manually 'D' is always representative of fifth gear.

If you wanted to drop down a gear you can go from D to 4th, D to 3rd etc etc but D to 5th would be pointless because you're already in it!!

 

[dj7007]

thanks all for the clarification. thats what i thought. hope to have the car in my hands tomorrow pending a check out from a local merc specialist.

 

[chriswt]

thanks all for the clarification. thats what i thought. hope to have the car in my hands tomorrow pending a check out from a local merc specialist.

Make sure you post some pictures and make use of this excellent forum.

You'll find plenty of people here that are more then willing to give good support and advice.


Good luck

 

[tromppost]

Photos Tomorrow afternoon then?