Hello Everybody. I'm new to this forum, and ALMOST an SL owner.

While SL hunting for SL's in my area (south of France) I was
just hoping that this group could clear up the
following "tendencies" that I am encountering...

** 1ST 500SL (1990/157k KM) Very low to ground, suspension tampered
with/lowered. Also not cared for, so I wasn't interested.

** 2ND 500SL (1990/114k KM) Almost bought it, but while looking @
engine, noticed Hydraulic Suspension leak. (ASR light also comes on
from time to time (Limp Home problem)). 2.5K Euro to fix according
to MB (this is 12% of car value!)

** 3RD 500SL (1993/89k KM) More expensive, but I like this one as it
has a 1yr. drivetrain guarantee etal.

** 4TH 300SL (1993/197k KM!) Tired roof, but also with guarantee and
seller/garage will replace rear roof section. (this one sold just
after I got there).

AND NOW FOR THE QUESTION: the Garage of contentestant number 4
indicated to me that the 300SL's though with obviously smaller
engines, also don't have the Hydraulic suspension system (and
therefore the headaches). Is it better to look for such a car
(300SL)? or should I just cough up the 5K more Euros for contestant
number 3?

Thanks for any hints.

Regards,

 

I currently own a 1991 500sl with 100k miles. I have had the problems you mentioned, surprisingly at not very high mileage. On front right there is a very expensive distribution valve that had to be replace at around 1k US with parts and labor.

When car sits low, could be the nitro ***** that connect to the shocks as gas reserve. I have replaced all four. Two I paid out right. The other two for the rear, I found a little cheaper on the internet. Only had to pay for labor.

I also have seen the limp home problem. believe it or not , I traced it to a slack in the throttle cable. A plastic end had broken. replaced it and no more limp home. Something about the computer being confused.

The hydrulic suspension can get into money. Be sure and check the air conditioner. I put 3k into replacing the evaporator core. I still would choose a 500 over 300 or 320 any day.

 

Thanks for that fwillie! I DID end up buying the 500SL! More importantly, I found a REALLY great MB garage (The guy actually does commercial vehicles normally). When he fixed the car, I got the impression that he was earnestly fixing it @ minimal price (like it was his own). A quality difficult to find these days for any mark!

Anyway, he communicated with Germany directly & found that the hydraulic block in the front right is actually composed of a metal pump block & a metal valve block that are bolted together (hydraulic fluid flows between them) by 5 bolts and hermetically sealing gaskets. He replaced the gaskets and the rest of the system worked!

I tried a 300SL before buying this one, and your right... no comparison! :-))

 

Glad you could saved money. That could have been my problem as well. Sometimes you win! Check my heads up on " the central locking system pump"