Thinking of getting an SL-Advice needed

[reflexboy]

My wish is to own an SL (R230) before my 40th birthday. I have been doing a bit of research, initially wanting an SL500 but looking in depth at the SL350 it may be a wiser buy. It seems the original SL350 was a 3.7 which was almost on par with the 500 mpg wise. MB then facelifted the 350, replacing the 3.7 engine with a 3.5 in May 2006. The smaller, 3.5 had considerably more BHP (272), was quicker 0-60 and was a fair bit better on fuel. This newer engine has a pretty respectable 0-60 of 6.6 seconds compared to 7.2 seconds with the older 3.7 engine. I also understand the SL350 was facelifted again in 2008, bringing the BHP upto 306, although that model would be out of my budget range. I more or less definately want a late 2004 as that's when the command was changed to the widescreen version which I think looks far more modern. I would prefer to buy one from MB due to the complexity of the car, as I think an AA 5 star warranty or similar may not cut the mustard should a fault occur. My thinking is if I buy a 500 will it sit in the garage doing nothing as I will scared to take it out as much as I'd like and be broke within the year. On the other hand if I buy an SL, there is no point leaving in the garage, as there's no point having an expensive car sitting doing nothing-it needs to be driven. It's too much money tied up in a car not to be used. My budget will buy a 500 or 350 from MB upto about 2004/5, but not a facelift 350. I have however seen a couple of 2006, 350s from independant dealers, but am worried about the warranty. No doubt a few of you have been through the same dilema. What did you deciede or what would you do in my situation? Any advice would be welcomed

 

[Tan]

Regards the Warranty, you can buy a Mercedes warranty from the below:

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There is no check, but you can't claim in the first month.

 

[BTB 500]

My thinking is if I buy a 500 will it sit in the garage doing nothing as I will scared to take it out as much as I'd like

Scared of what?

 

[BobbyHowie]

I've a 2004 (2005 spec) SL500 with 31,000 miles. My warranty has just expired and still deciding whether it's worth getting another. Best quote I've had was £600 from Warranty Direct :: The UK's leading car warranty & household warranty supplier. Providing used car warranties, new car warranties, and household protection for your TV, washing machine and other products. which gives good cover.
Been problem-free since new so in a dilemma whether to pay for one or not.
The 350 won't have the 7-speed box by the way. I'd a shot in one, and the 3.7 V6 performed very well. The 2005 onward COMAND is much better as it's DVD-based and has a bigger screen. If I were you, I'd get a 2005 500 as you might regret getting a 350. Fuel economy for the 500 is excellent - only does 2000rpm at 80mph and I've had 35mpg averaging 75mph over a couple of hundred miles.

 

[tpwuk]

SL's have to be at least 5 litres....it's the law!

 

[Alfie]

The SL350 doesnt have the much nicer suspension system that is found on the SL500 and above.

Get an SL55. You will love it!

 

[reflexboy]

The SL350 doesnt have the much nicer suspension system that is found on the SL500 and above.

Get an SL55. You will love it!

Is that the air suspension? If so, is scares the hell out of me if it goes wrong

 

[reflexboy]

.
The 350 won't have the 7-speed box by the way. I'd a shot in one, and the 3.7 V6 performed very well. QUOTE]

I was under the impression (and advertised by sellers) that the new SL350 have the 7G box??

 

[reflexboy]

Scared of what?

The fuel consumption. Whilst I understand on teh motorway it will be fine, but those twisty, fun,sunday drive type country roads may cripple my pocket?

 

[reflexboy]

Regards the Warranty, you can buy a Mercedes warranty from the below:

</title> <link href="../App_Themes/Mercedes/Style/mercedes.css" type="text/css" rel="stylesheet" /><title> Home

There is no check, but you can't claim in the first month.

Can I buy a warranty from MB on a car not purchased from MB, but from an independant, non MB dealer?

 

[BobbyHowie]

.
The 350 won't have the 7-speed box by the way. I'd a shot in one, and the 3.7 V6 performed very well. QUOTE]

I was under the impression (and advertised by sellers) that the new SL350 have the 7G box??

Sorry, your right. Meant the older models.

 

[BTB 500]

The fuel consumption. Whilst I understand on teh motorway it will be fine, but those twisty, fun,sunday drive type country roads may cripple my pocket?

I doubt there would be a huge difference. Certainly with the R129 the 6 cyl ones use only marginally less fuel than the 5 litre V8, if you drive both sensibly.

 

[st4]

The 350 goes without the complex air suspension. These struts can go and its about a grand a corner. The 350 will go more than well enough for the size of the car and maintanence wise will be a bit cheaper. Less weight up front, I'd expect it to be tad more agile.

 

[carnut]

I have a 350 and i bought it for the very reasons that *** has stated above. I have driven Porshe, TVR, Astons before, and the 350 doesnt fail to impress...quite fast enough!

 

[reflexboy]

Thanks guys-Do ALL the R230 SL500s have the air suspension or was it an option?

 

[LTD]

The pleasure of the 5 litre V8 outweighs any suspension worries. I wouldn't think of an S350 saloon and it's the same weight as the SL variants.

SL55 is the mutt's nuts but big bills for brakes and almost double servicing costs.

No matter which version you opt for there is the risk of a big bill anywhere on the car.

Mainly the roof.

 

[carnut]

Thanks guys-Do ALL the R230 SL500s have the air suspension or was it an option?

Yes they all have it as standard. It was an option on the 350 but by the time youve added that, the autobox, and a few other ticks in the options list it was cheaper to buy a 500, so very few 350 would have ABC, all 500 have

 

[reflexboy]

Yes they all have it as standard. It was an option on the 350 but by the time youve added that, the autobox, and a few other ticks in the options list it was cheaper to buy a 500, so very few 350 would have ABC, all 500 have

Ooooooh-That sort of changes my way of thinking somewhat. I've heard that it's a £1000 a corner if the air strut goes. Maybe a facelift 350 is in order

 

[C43AMG]

Yes £1000 a corner, when it works it's a great system.

 

[reflexboy]

Off to view another SL350 tomorrow. I'm about 65/35 towards the 350 as opposed to the 500. I'm very worried if I test drive a 500 I will be forced into a decision.