What 1990's SL would you buy, and Why?

[glojo]

I looked at the pictures of a very nice 1980's SL being sold by one of our members and was very tempted to consider buying it for 'She that must be obeyed' I merely showed her pictures of the vehicle and she had the nerve to call it "An old banger!!"

Back to the drawing board......

What 1990's SL would you recommend?

Looks, reliabilty, creature comforts far outweigh engine size or economy. It would only cover 2 - 3000 miles per annum maximum.

'She that must be obeyed' still might poo hoo the idea but, 'He who dares' sometimes wins.

Regards,
John

 

[BTB 500]

The obvious question - how much money would you want to spend?

 

[imadoofus]

I'd strongly recommend the 'old banger' route. But, as you probably know, I am biased

Go for a 1988 or 89 R107 300SL in a dark colour. Leather + aircon are desirable (and rare) options.

It'll keep its value far better than an early '90s R129. Best for future values will be the 300 and the 560 (one for economic reasons the other becasue its top of the range).

As for R129's, they're a bit young for me to know much about...

PJ

 

[nickg]

SL320 1997 model yr - post-facelift interior and exterior - 40kish miles.
Lovely cruiser, 5l V8 not necessary for the missus!.

Don't get too hung up about getting a pano roof. You won't be using it that much in the winter, and its much heavier to schlap around than the metal roof.
16" wheels for comfort.

Even consider an SL280 if you can live with the (relative) lack of grunt. Still a lovely car for summertime roof down country lane wafting........

Budget?

'97 SL320 in vgc with good history shouldn't cost much more than £16K max.

 

[BTB 500]

I agree with a post-facelift (5-speed gearbox) R129, if you can afford it. The 5 litre has the advantage that the engine will have been very unstressed, unless owned by a total lunatic!

 

[stats007]

'99 R129 SL320 with the panoramic roof - you can get a good one for £15k.

Alternatively an '86 onwards R107 420SL - the V8 really is worth having in the older car even if the I6 is the more sensible route.

Having owned both, it's fair to say they need using once a week for a reasonable run - 3k miles minimum a year as they don't like sitting idle for weeks on end.

Whatever you decide - look at a minimum 5 cars of each type first - impulse buying an SL is never a good idea!

 

[glojo]

SL320 1997 model yr - post-facelift interior and exterior - 40kish miles.
Lovely cruiser, 5l V8 not necessary for the missus!.

A couple of members have pointed out my mistake!! Budget!! This will be a third car so the £20,000 mark, but that is very flexible. It has to be what I call the new shape, but SL experts will jump on me like a ton of bricks, so it must be at least the 129 series.

I much prefer older variants but I will never have the pleasure of sitting in it so my choice is out of the window. Nice pagoda variant might not suffer any depreciation? (I do like this model)

Imadoofus,
What can I say, your car looks very nice indeed.

Regards,
John

 

[nickg]

Spend £16-17K max on a really nice 320 and leave yourself a few quid for a good service and rectifying any problems.

 

[stats007]

A W113 Pagoda 280SL would be very nice but I suspect that's on the limit of your budget. As Nick said, the V8 may not be needed in which case you have plenty of SL320s to choose from. The '99 came with the V6 which is a fair bit more economical, though the reliability of the M104 is very good.

1996 - 1998 SL320 (M104 I6)

0-62.5mph 8.4s
0-100mph 19.3s
Fuel economy 15.4 / 30.7 / 22.6 (mpg- city- extra urban - overall)
CO2 emissions N/A


1998 - 2001 SL320 (M112 V6) ('99 model year)

0-62.5mph 8.4s
0-100mph 19.3s
Fuel economy 19.3 / 33.4 / 26.6 (mpg- city- extra urban - overall)
CO2 emissions 274g / km

There are a couple of late model SL320s on eBay at the moment as an example.

Silver SL320

Blue SL320

 

[glojo]

There are a couple of late model SL320s on eBay at the moment as an example.

Silver SL320

Blue SL320

Thanks Stats,
I respect your knowledge. There will be no wheel spinning smoke burning tyre acceleration. The silver example is perfect, but.... It is silver!!!!

Don't like silver, black, or blackish green.

The blue version you have kindly posted has wheels that do not push the right buttons, (trying to avoid saying they look butt ugly ) plus it is not as nice as the silver one??

John

 

[stats007]

Silver grows on you Obsidian black is the nicest colour for an SL I think. With there being so many around I suggest you pick an exterior and interior colour combo you like then find one with the right mileage and spec.

The blue one has a blue soft top which would put me off.

 

[BTB 500]

I'm not keen on coloured hoods either. I like black for the car, but it does show every tiny scratch/chip. Silver is more practical in that respect.

 

[glojo]

Silver grows on you

Just like a wart

Seriously though, silver or black will always be a non starter. We have never been worried about what other folks like, we respect their choice but I never worry about resale value when choosing a colour that I\we like. (Not into yellow, orange or any other outlandish colour)

John

 

[GregE240]

John, if you want running costs on a 1990 SL, do PM me and I'll be as honest and detailed as you wish.

Last service cost me just shy of £450. Car looks and runs like new.

No idea why, but most of the protagonists on here prefer the face lift. Each to their own I suppose, but don't discount the pre-facelift cars.

Good luck, and a lovely dilemma to have....
Greg

 

[basmar]

John, if you want running costs on a 1990 SL, do PM me and I'll be as honest and detailed as you wish.

Last service cost me just shy of £450. Car looks and runs like new.

No idea why, but most of the protagonists on here prefer the face lift. Each to their own I suppose, but don't discount the pre-facelift cars.

Good luck, and a lovely dilemma to have....
Greg

I agree Greg... I have a 94/95 SL 320 and I actually prefer it to the facelift models. It does have the 5sp gearbox tho... which I would recommend.

 

[stats007]

Generally the earlier cars are more problematic, 4-speed gearbox, lower fuel economy, electrical issues and look dated. The standard equipment and available features went up as you move through the years - also the engine changes to think of.

 

[glojo]

No idea why, but most of the protagonists on here prefer the face lift. Each to their own I suppose, but don't discount the pre-facelift cars.

Hi Greg,
I suppose it is each to their own and we all give the best advice.

Sounds like 5 speed might be a major consideration.

pm on way.

Regards,
John

 

[IanA2]

For what it's worth I think they threw away a classic when they ended Bruno Sacco's design. I too am not so keen on the "facelift" models. And call me a philistine, but I don't really like the "Pagoda" models either. What I really like is my 92'er in all it's almondine splendour. Ah, and yes, the V8 is fun & funky...

 

[l5foye]

'Each to their own' seems to be the order of the day! I have recently bought a 95 SL 320 with 5sp auto box and find it great. The vendor covered only 10k miles in it and suffered depreciation of £30000 ! Interestingly, he had bought a new SL 350 and was more keen to sell it to me than the old SL. He along with many others reckon the R129 to be a better car.

 

[graeme73s]

**********.com has a few, maybe worth a look