Thinking of buying a SL600???

[JohnMeasham]

I am thinking of buying a 1996 SL600 with 51000 on the clock. Full service history etc. What are the pitfalls on this model and what should I be looking for??
Any help gratefully received

Thanks

 

[BTB 500]

For a '96 car the key question is whether it's pre- or post-facelift. Given the choice, with any R129 you want the latter ... mostly for the 5-speed gearbox (rather than 4-speed).

All the usual caveats apply ... make sure the hood is in good condition and operates perfectly - likely to be big money to fix, will be very big money to replace. Check all the electrics e.g. seat motors, windows, roll bar, etc.

Be aware that the V12 is a complex engine and will be expensive to fix if there are any problems!

 

[stats007]

Try a search for 'SL500' or 'buying advice' as R129s have been discussed quite a bit. There are a few common things to look for with these era SLs - the 722.6 transmission can leak ATF into the ECU loom etc. With regard to the SL600 - it's very heavy, very thirsty and very expensive if anything in the M140 engine goes wrong. That said they are generally fully optioned and if you want to waft about in one then great. Personally I'd buy an SL500 - cheaper to run whilst usually spec'd as high as an SL600 and only losing out slightly in straight line speed. They are some 150kgs lighter up front which makes a huge difference.