I am contemplating the purchase of a low mileage SL600. I am astonished at the depreciation from new ($130k) to used ($30k-$40k). I suppose I shouldn't complain as a buyer, but my questions are:

1. Is there a "favorite" year of the SL600? Or one year to avoid like a disease?
2. Although there is a $1,000 routine maint. service due every 30k miles, is there a particular repair issue w/1999-2002 SL600's that should make me wary?
3. I would be especially interested in hearing from SL600 owners how HAPPY they are w/ownership.

Thanks in advance for any and all replies!

 

I'm happy with mine. I wish it had the twin-turbo engine. It was 2000-something when they started using it. It screams pretty good as-is, though.

I'd never spend $1,000 for any kind of routine maintenance. That's certainly a dealer price and a rip off. Look for an independent shop or DIY. Hell, any shop can change the oil and check fluids for $50.

Although I haven't heard much on-line about it, a service manager at a local shop told me the transmissions tend to fail on these. Best to take a close look at it to be sure. Mine was okay but shifted "loose" and needed a modulator pump adjustment (not a big deal).

 

I'm extremely happy with my 2001 SL600. Purchased it with 38K miles. Minewas a one-owner that has never been smoked in, silver/black with the Sports package. This is a great car. I hear the next generation SLs are more high tech, but the quality and workmanship are not as good as in previous years. I am very happy with mine, and love the smooth power of the big V-12.I think you'll be happy if you buy one that has been treated nicely.
Lenny
lmanier06@earthlink.net

 

I have a black on black 2001 SL600 AMG and love that car. It is shy of 100000 miles and has been a great car. I have only had a few problems with this car like...... a faulty gas cap seal tripping the computer over and over, a faulty driver seat heating element causing several switches to short out, airbag senor tripping often, faulty gas level gauge and a bad cylinder 12 spark plug wire/plug.
I'm having a major makeover of this car soon. New paint, refinishing and polishing of the 2 piece AMG rims, new German canvas convertible top, new windshield, new audio system and navigation unit, and 100000 maintenance.
Love this car and will never get rid of it as, you can't buy a car like this with the porformance that it offers for the money regardless of the horrible depreciation .

 

I have a black on black with 54K miles after 14 years I haven't found anything I'd like better.I often complain about the high maint costs (I use a dealer for all my MBs) but everytime I think about selling it I can't think of any carthat would be a better replacement. It has power to do anything I ask of it, sticks to the road like it's on rails and I get stopped by people every week asking about it. Even my doctor bugs me about selling it to him every week when I go in for my visit. Even the top gear show guys love the v12 sls.

 

I had a 1996 SL600.I know its not the year your looking forbut it hasnt changed to much.I was very happy with that car. I had very very little issues with it. In fact I have more issues with a stripped down C280 then with my SL600. Find a good one and you should be fine if its all well taken care of.