SL320 or SL500 as a commuter car?
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SL320 or SL500 as a commuter car? - 12/9/2005 9:42:46 AM
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Nuro
Posts: 3
Joined: 12/9/2005
Status: offline
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I've always loved the SL500 and can now purchase a used one. My daily right now is a 94 Miata, I have just switched jobs and have a 45 minute 1 way (1h30 round trip) freeway commute, and the miata will not do, it is far too loud and exhausting to drive.
at one point in my life i owned an individually imported 1978 300D and remember what a pleasure it was to drive during long trips.
this leads me to believe (havent test driven yet) that a 90s sl model will offer all this and more.
now lets get to the specifics:
-is the car dead silent with the soft top up? (compare to hardtop mercedes models)
-is the car dead silent with the hardtop on? (compare to hardtop mercedes models)
-need be, can the car be driven in the snow if equipped with winter tires
-what is the freeway mileage of the sl320 and sl500 crusing at 85mph?
what is the yearly maintenance of this car like?
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RE: SL320 or SL500 as a commuter car? - 12/9/2005 12:47:04 PM
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Lugnut
Rest In Peace 5/7/06
Posts: 3786
Joined: 12/31/2003
From: Georgia, USA
Status: offline
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From the perspective of an SL600 owner...
quote:
-is the car dead silent with the soft top up? (compare to hardtop mercedes models)
I doubt it very much. Mine has two spots of annoying wind noise with the soft top up. Not as bad as the mid-60s Corvette I used to have, but noticeable nonetheless.
quote:
-is the car dead silent with the hardtop on? (compare to hardtop mercedes models)
I doubt it. Mine has much less noise with the hard top on, but it isn't "dead silent." It's not annoyning, though.
quote:
-need be, can the car be driven in the snow if equipped with winter tires
I wouldn't have any trouble driving mine unless the snow was deep, say more than about 4". You'd start plowing snow if it got much deeper or if strong winds caused deep drifts.
quote:
-what is the freeway mileage of the sl320 and sl500 crusing at 85mph?
I don't know this one. My guess would be the low- to mid-20s for the SL500 at best. A little better for the SL320, but I doubt very much better. SLs are heavy.
quote:
what is the yearly maintenance of this car like?
Normal annual maintenance isn't any more than any other car. Oil, filters, tires, etc cost the same. Aftermarket discount parts are available for either car. I'd avoid M-B dealerships whenever possible. That'll save you a ton-o-bucks.
The SLs are driver's cars. They handle great, ride great, look great, and have power to spare.
_____________________________
'95 SL600, Black
'70 Chevelle SS454, Red, real LS5
'55 Bel Air, Black, 350, 4-spd, 9" Ford
'01 Corvette Coupe, Mag Red, 6-spd
'03 Silverado 2500HD 4x4, X-cab
'77 Jeep CJ7, Rust Bucket
'03 John Deere L-120, Green
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RE: SL320 or SL500 as a commuter car? - 12/9/2005 1:27:26 PM
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stats007
Posts: 37
Joined: 5/11/2005
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I wouldn't say 129s are drivers cars, nor handle great at all. 1900kgs of car smooths out the bumps, the auto box is nice, but it's not involving dynamically at all. It's a GT, not a sports car.
_____________________________
'01 SL500 Silver Arrow
'72 350SL
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RE: SL320 or SL500 as a commuter car? - 12/9/2005 1:49:10 PM
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Lugnut
Rest In Peace 5/7/06
Posts: 3786
Joined: 12/31/2003
From: Georgia, USA
Status: offline
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The SL500s must be much, much less than the SL600s. I assumed they were close, but not exactly the same. I didn't think they would be just a heavy hunk of metal that drives like a Buick. If you rate your SL500 so poorly, I won't argue with you since I haven't driven one.
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RE: SL320 or SL500 as a commuter car? - 12/9/2005 2:08:24 PM
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Lugnut
Rest In Peace 5/7/06
Posts: 3786
Joined: 12/31/2003
From: Georgia, USA
Status: offline
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So, are you the M-B Forum's new fart bubble?
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Printable Version
Anyone who knows anything about vehicle dynamics and performance will tell you the R129 is not a drivers car. Like the Corvette C6 it's a great GT, but that's it.
