Researching SL500, SL55, SL400

[6cyl]

I'm contemplating going for a SL. Heart wants a V8, head tells me to avoid the older cars as they have the fragile SBC system, (that would be the R230?)
A proper AMG would be nice, but the later ones have eye watering road tax. The SL400 seems to hit the sweet spot, at least on paper. The SL350 with the NA engine may be a bit lacking.

It'll be replacing a supercharged Lotus Elise 111R with all the trimmings. It's surprisingly supple, though the road noise and engine noise get to me after 3-4 hrs driving.

Welcome your experiences, thoughts and advice.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Budget?

What have you driven so far?

For others to maintain, or do you use spanners?

I've had the R230 SL500 and SL350. Loved the V8 for the engine and ride quality of the suspension system.
Drove the SL350 just as fast, and possibly more satisfying because of going through the gears, but ride quality isn't as good, and the "extras" were definitely missing.

Can't begin to imagine why you'd choose these after that Elise, it would be like switching from a white Astra Van (fastest car on the road) to a Luton. What appeals?

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Ps. To be more explicit my comment about the SL350 is relevant to the SL400, of course.
A lot of Sl500's and SL400's have led "gentle lives:" garages, main dealer maintenance, even just "Church on Sunday."
SL55's, by definition, not so much. Some have sat quietly in garages, but others will have led fuller lives.
Bear in mind that the facelift in 2006 addressed many of the issues found on the early R230's, so the later car, while looking similar, is well worth the money.

 

[6cyl]

Up to £20k. I could spend a little more or I could spend a lot less. High mileage doesn't bother me too much, as long as it's looked after.
I can do basic stuff. I can change brake pads, replaced and rebuilt the airmaitc compressor on the CLS. I can do basic electronics like wire in a resistor to bypass the stepper motor for the inlet manifold error, CLS again. I've taken the throttle body assembly of my M3 and reassembled it as it was sticky at high revs. Having said all that, I'd rather the car be reliable, as my back hurts doing stuff on the car now, so the mind is willing and body a bit creaky.

MBwise I've had a 2009 CLS, 2011 C350CDI, 2002 E230, other cars BMW 440i, M3, E30 M3, E30 325i, E60 535d, various Audis.

Would like to try a V8 but not enamoured with paying £1k pa road tax.
It'll be a 2nd car and replace my Elise. So want something that isn't too slow, but it won't need to do the Nurburgring in under 8 minutes.

 

[6cyl]

I like trying and experiencing different cars.
I haven't driven any SL at all, been in a few, from the 1970s vintage to 2010.
Mrs V6 can't drive the Elise, but she managed fine with my other cars.

 

[ToeKnee]

Just taxed my V8 SL500, R231 at £415 for the year, no where near £1000.

 

[6cyl]

Just taxed my V8 SL500, R231 at £415 for the year, no where near £1000.

What year is your SL500?

 

[ToeKnee]

What year is your SL500?

2012

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

A facelift 517bhp SL55 is a mere £715 to tax for a year, rather than a grand.

If you've had a CLS, you'll be aware of how much bigger the SL is compared to the smaller, more nimble Elise.

With that budget, if a smooth suspension and a luxury interior aren't high priorities, the obvious start point for a test drive sounds like the SL400.

If that doesn't float your boat, try the SL500, but if you want to see the kind of vehicle that Steve Jobs loved, check out the SL55.

(And, yes, Steve always parked in the disabled slot closest to the front door of Apple HQ)

 

[6cyl]

Thanks Mike, that confirms my thoughts.
I had it in my head that post 2006 V8 are going to be 4 figure tax.
The other contender is the Jaguar F Type convertible V6 supercharged.

 

[jotter22]

I have just looked at an F-Type, if you are planning weekends away you may need a trailer! There isn't a lot of boot space.

Thanks Tony.

 

[ToeKnee]

Thanks Mike, that confirms my thoughts.
I had it in my head that post 2006 V8 are going to be 4 figure tax.
The other contender is the Jaguar F Type convertible V6 supercharged.

My old, post 2006, V8 R230 is £735 rfl.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Just taxed my V8 SL500, R231 at £415 for the year, no where near £1000.

Mines £710

 

[pioneercollector]

Just taxed my SL500 and that was also £415 for the year, The ABC suspension was replaced by me ( Well i paid the independent expert to do it! ) for the first time in 19 years, so it does last well, and will hopefully last another 20 years. Mine is a 2003 model which is Band K* which is £415

 

[ToeKnee]

Mines £710

Soon to be £735!!!

 

[Mark9999]

Last year my 2018 SL400 was old enough to be rid of the Luxury car tax. So it’s currently £190 pa to tax.
I’ve been delighted with the SL, it’s a fantastic tourer with a surprising luggage capacity (roof up). On a long run I’ve managed over 35mpg and overall around 26mpg.
Rear tyres in the 285/30 r19 are a tad expensive but the fronts are very reasonably priced.
Choose well and you won’t go wrong.
Mark

 

[6cyl]

The SL400s I'm looking at are registered between 2014-2016. Also looking at similar age SLK55, but they're maybe a bit too small.

 

[Smart320]

My SLK was a brilliant weekend ( or longer ) car. Was really surprised how much can be put into the boot , even with the top down . My wife amazingly loved it and never hankered after our previous ML even though she had to become a bit more restrained when deciding what to pack. Seats very supportive and the V8 moved it along very smartly, even used the 4 cylinder cut off mode on occasion on the motorway which gave me 33 mpg . Just no good if you want a dog in the back

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The SL400s I'm looking at are registered between 2014-2016. Also looking at similar age SLK55, but they're maybe a bit too small.

The SLK 55 is worth considering. Like the SL of the period, it has a folding hard top but it has quite a different character. It’s closer to being a sports car than an SL, which is closer than being a GT car. To be clear though the SLK isn’t really a sports car, but with the 55 engine it is great fun to drive.

The SLK is much less refined than the SL. It’s noisier inside and the ride isn’t anywhere even close to being as smooth as the SL. The SLK handles better than I thought it might though, and is great fun to hustle along a B Road but will feel like a very blunt instrument compared to an Elise!

The SLK is smaller than the SL but unless you use the tiny rear seats in the SL for tiny people or luggage, then I don’t believe that the interior space and luggage space would feel too small. The benefit of being smaller on the outside means that it’s much easier to drive quickly in the country.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

I can’t believe there is so much misinformation floating around regarding road tax at the moment. Every week there seems to be a post or thread suggesting that the VED is - or will be - significantly higher than reality.