What's the view on an SL500

[AFCNEAL]

Thinking about trading my CL600 for an SL500 (I'll get an SL55 or SL600 if I can afford one, but am not optimistic). What's the views please on the 03/04 models in terms of 'are they any good?', known problems etc etc. I'm sick to death of silver so will have to hunt around to find a different colour though!!
They don't seem to have a lot of power for a 5ltr V8?...........

 

[television]

Well the 5 liter does have to shift 2 tons of motor car and it is 308 bhp up to 2006 -06 where it gained another 65bhp.

As cars in general they are very good, late 04 cars went to wide screen Sat Nav , other than that they are all the same.

The 55-65 is much more expensive to maintain on the brakes, other than that, you takes your pick


I am always happy to ring you

 

[BTB 500]

308 bhp up to 2006 -06

320 bhp for old R129s like mine

SL55 would be my R230 choice, if I could afford one.

 

[television]

320 bhp for old R129s like mine

Another post that should be banned

 

[BTB 500]

I think the R230 SL500 has a bit more torque though!

 

[IanA2]

When Bruno Sacco was asked what his favourites were he mentioned the 129, not the 230. I could buy a 230 if I wanted to (subject to the usual SWMBO obstacles!) but I would not, just doesn't do it for me. Signor S drives an SEC 560 btw. Class.

 

[IanA2]

They don't seem to have a lot of power for a 5ltr V8?...........

Have you tried it...?

 

[MBManInKen]

I could buy a 230 if I wanted to (subject to the usual SWMBO obstacles!)

I'll take that to mean that you have no chance in hell of buying one .

 

[television]

Have you tried it...?

This was my first impression when I drove one, you do have to push the pedal a long way to get a response, but within hours of owning one I soon found out the contrary, I can spin the wheels at take off if I wished to.

The sprint booster could change ones view of the throttle

 

[IanA2]

I'll take that to mean that you have no chance in hell of buying one .

No...... just the usual taxes...lotsa Veuve and weekends away.....

 

[BTB 500]

I'm depressed. Just looked on the M-B approved used website, and they have thirteen R230 SL500s priced at less than I paid for my Vito

The Vito has a bit more room in the back for kids and dogs though.

 

[television]

I'm depressed. Just looked on the M-B approved used website, and they have thirteen R230 SL500s priced at less than I paid for my Vito

The Vito has a bit more room in the back for kids and dogs though.

Yes I have taken a tumble on mine, the only thing is it is not far sale, and it will not be for quite some time, and in the 15 months that I have owned it I would not have missed for the world

 

[glojo]

Thinking about trading my CL600 for an SL500 (I'll get an SL55 or SL600 if I can afford one, but am not optimistic). What's the views please on the 03/04 models in terms of 'are they any good?', known problems etc etc. I'm sick to death of silver so will have to hunt around to find a different colour though!!
They don't seem to have a lot of power for a 5ltr V8?...........

My view is to wait until you can afford the AMG. I would very much suspect that if you buy the 500, then in a few months time you will be saying "If only..."

Toatlly agree about silver..... or indeed black.

Good luck with the decision
Regards
John

 

[Dieselman]

The Vito has a bit more room in the back for kids and dogs though.

Just stuff them in the boot and slam it....

 

[television]

My view is to wait until you can afford the AMG. I would very much suspect that if you buy the 500, then in a few months time you will be saying "If only..."

Toatlly agree about silver..... or indeed black.

Good luck with the decision
Regards
John

I often wondered John if I would ever have thought this, but so far no I have never needed more power, the 0-60 is quite OK at 6.1 sec just a tad faster than the best MB diesel

 

[Dieselman]

Looking at the specs, I'm surprised by the weight and drag coefficient of the R230 SL, it's neither light nor aerodynamic.

The W210 beats it by some margin on both counts

- Coefficient of drag: 0.34

- Weights: curb weight (kg) 1,871

 

[television]

Looking at the specs, I'm surprised by the weight and drag coefficient of the R230 SL, it's neither light nor aerodynamic.

The W210 beats it by some margin on both counts

- Coefficient of drag: 0.34

- Weights: curb weight (kg) 1,871

well it is a roadster offering extreme comfort, it is not a sports car by any means, and I do not drive it like one

 

[glojo]

I often wondered John if I would ever have thought this, but so far no I have never needed more power, the 0-60 is quite OK at 6.1 sec just a tad faster than the best MB diesel

The SL500 is an excellent vehicle but if the author of this thread prefers the AMG and it is only just out of their price range then will they be happy with second best, or.... should they attempt to fulfil the dream?

Thinking about trading my CL600 for an SL500 (I'll get an SL55 or SL600 if I can afford one, but am not optimistic). What's the views please on the 03/04 models in terms of 'are they any good?', known problems etc etc. I'm sick to death of silver so will have to hunt around to find a different colour though!!
They don't seem to have a lot of power for a 5ltr V8?...........

AMG for me, nice light metallic blue with a light interior

John

 

[peppernick]

Wait for an SL55, the noise alone is worth it!

 

[television]

The SL500 is an excellent vehicle but if the author of this thread prefers the AMG and it is only just out of their price range then will they be happy with second best, or.... should they attempt to fulfil the dream?

Thinking about trading my CL600 for an SL500 (I'll get an SL55 or SL600 if I can afford one, but am not optimistic). What's the views please on the 03/04 models in terms of 'are they any good?', known problems etc etc. I'm sick to death of silver so will have to hunt around to find a different colour though!!
They don't seem to have a lot of power for a 5ltr V8?...........

AMG for me, nice light metallic blue with a light interior

John

They hold the Topaz blue well and very nice in certain lights