YIKES! Considering a used SL500 VS SL600 ???
#11
03-27-2009, 08:38 PM
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Manatee County, Florida- Sarasota mailing address
Posts: 175
I have a 96 SL500. It does not lack power and has been bulletproof. I have had it 2 years. My understanding is that 96 was the first year of the 5 speed automatic. It also has 4 valves per cyl and that was discontinued shortly after 96 and then brought back. I have a little over 67,000 miles and drive just 5,000 per yr. I have replaced the front pads and rotors. My local shop said the rotors had been turned too far so I replaced them. I did the work myself. The Mercedes was a little more difficult that other cars but I have replaced lots of pads. The SL500 uses 8 1/2 qts of oil. My understanding is that 97 and newer asks for all synthetic. I use a synthetic blend and an oil and filter change is about $35. I may begin buying my own filters although at 69, I don't feel like changing my own oil anymore.
#12
04-12-2009, 12:53 PM
The best SL500 for the money and the only one to really consider is the 1997 model if you want the W129, it has the new electronic transmission and all the good things Dialmer built into the car before the Chrysler take-over and the the cars got cheaper and less refined after the Chrysler infulence. I have a 1993 and love it and as I got to know the cars and read more wished I had the 97' model, you can learn from me, they are all good years but the 97' was a great year. Dave
Last edited by 1970ls5; 04-12-2009 at 02:18 PM.
#13
04-12-2009, 01:01 PM
Mr. Porter is correct, all the new high performance Mercs use Mobil 1 Synthetic 15W50 and that is what I put in my 1993 SL500, and it has raised the oil pressure at idle quite a bit and comes with a lot of peace of mind. I am a pilot and a licensed aircraft mechanic and Mobil 1 was the first Synthetic that was approved for aircraft use so if it can go through that tough process and Mercedes approves it also you know it has to be good, I hate that cansister oil filter though, they should have gone to a spin-on years ago, GM did it in the 60's! Dave
#14
03-27-2017, 06:11 AM
I own 94 SL500
Morning. I have owned a Mercedes Benz for over thirty years. The first being a 1976450 SL. It was a great car... Other Benz's that I have owned include a 1980300TD, 1983 300SDL, 1986 560 SEL, 1994 SL500,2006 C280 and a 2005 E320. The SL's are my favorite. I currently have my 1994 SL and my 2005 E320. The SL has ben a great running car in general considering it has over 130,000 miles on it. UnlikeOther SLowners, mine is a daily driver. Why pay all that money if you cannot enjoy it.There have been some repair problems including rebuilding my transmission and replacing the Throttle BodyAccuator. All totaled I think that in the 12 years that I have had my SL I have spent approximate $ 3,000.00 plus putting a new top on the car which cost around $ 1,800.00. It may look expensive to own this car but IT IS WORTH IT!!! I really love my SL's.
#17
02-03-2024, 04:30 PM
If you're considering a '97 be aware that properly functioning
replacement keys, regardless of the source, are virtually non existent.
replacement keys, regardless of the source, are virtually non existent.
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