SL350/SL500 - 2006 0nwards model SL Mercedes

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Thu 12 Dec 2013 13:55
SL350/SL500 - 2006 0nwards model SL Mercedes - Bigelk

Decision time. Any views on whether for similar money I should go for the SL350 or the SL500? Is the SL350 that much more reliable? Will I regret not having a V8 to listen to?

Thanks

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Thu 12 Dec 2013 16:42
SL350/SL500 - 2006 0nwards model SL Mercedes - elekie&a/c doctor

Nothing wrong with either engine,but the 500 is the one to go for.There is little difference in fuel consumption.I would not be worried about what engine to have,I would be more concerned about everthing else that gives trouble on these.If it has the sports hydraulic suspension,you are looking at £1k per corner for each damper unit plus loads of electrical gremlins caused by water entry into the boot area.hth

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Thu 12 Dec 2013 16:57
SL350/SL500 - 2006 0nwards model SL Mercedes - gordonbennet

ISTR that the 350 doesn't have the air suspension that E&AC Doc refers to.

Another problem i've heard about is that baffles in the fuel tank can come loose, its a major dismantling operation to remove and replace the tank, circa £3k were the figures bandied about.

You need to do lots of research, could start with the 2 specialist MB forums not associated with the maker.

£60k cars unfortunately have repair costs to match, and i wouldn't entertain a car of this type unless i had the reasonably local services of one of the excellent make specific indies dotted about the country...main dealer bills are staggering.

If its pretty enough, might a Lexus SC430 be a consideration, going to infinitely less trouble.

Edited by gordonbennet on 12/12/2013 at 17:00

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Fri 13 Dec 2013 12:38
SL350/SL500 - 2006 0nwards model SL Mercedes - madf

"£60k cars unfortunately have repair costs to match, and i wouldn't entertain a car of this type unless i had the reasonably local services of one of the excellent make specific indies dotted about the country...main dealer bills are staggering."

GB is correct.

I worked for a man who owned a Mercedes 600 saloon and a 600SL. Annual maintenance bills were £2,000 plus - that is STANDARD maintenance with nothing extra. By the time he had finished - the cars were owned from new and now 3-5 years old - he was spending £5-£6k in mainatenance and consumables - a year . Each.

You have to have a sizeable post tax income to afford that. (He was a multi millionaire)

PS No doubt teh dealer saw him coming - he had a fleet of cars incl a restored 1960s 280SL...


Edited by madf on 13/12/2013 at 12:41

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