560SL Impressions?

[1982911sc]

Hey all,
As many of you are "Enthusiasts" to say the least, especially of the German variety. What are you thoughts on the MB 560SL? Especially if you have owned or have driven one. I have often toyed with the idea of buying one if I ever sell the 911. They are so pretty, but are they fun? The look like tanks!
Check out this one...I came across while surfing tonight.....tempting!

[SRISER]

Official Pace Car of the AARP. Enjoy.

[1982911sc]

Really? That boring huh?, I guess maybe I will wait 20 more years until I am least in my 50's (probably will be tough to find one by that time!).

[SRISER]

Well, don't get me wrong. I had a '92 300E with larger wheels and the SportLine suspension that really was a fantastic car. A newer 300SL or better yet a 500 or 600SL may be better. It is a nice car just not a SPORTS car. I guess if it had better seats and a six-speed then it would be money. For the coin I would look for a nice M6 or M5.

[RickM]

Totally different experience. Perfect for a relaxed cruise through the country. The 560 has a nice powerplant and IS a very heavy car. It was lovingly called the Panzer Wagon by the folks in the assembly plant. I believe they come in at around 4200 lbs...not too shabby for a small car. As a result of the weight many of the suspension bits need close attention and replacement. The ride is solid and comfortable when the car is sorted properly.

I can supply a list of things to look out for if interested.

I'd say keep the 911 and add this puppy to your stable.

BTW, Sam is absolutely correct. The 560 (or any 107) is not a sports car but a Roadster with an old world feel.

[jyl]

OT?

[Jdub]

Get on the Mercedes list @

The 560 features the alloy engine, so all caveats about proper antifreeze, warped head apply.

You will not find a manual shift, so be prepared for an automatic that doesn't provide the feedback you have come to know in the 911 or even a VW Cab for that matter (a great car by the way).

MPG will be around 17. These engines use a lot of gas.

Best of luck,
John

[nostatic]

heavy, lousy mileage, a step down in styling from the earlier iteration. Instead, look for a nice 230 or 280SL:

[RickM]

My favorite of all SLs.....the 113.

[SRISER]

I votte for the 230 or 280. Gorgeous cars! Classic.

[JEB]

Ditto to nostatic.

I love the 230/280 iterations and I like the newer 300/500 SL - but I was never fond of this series.

Just my .02.

I will say that my parent's neighbors had one and the guy was drunk and drove it through his wooden garage door. The garage door and opener then collapsed on the car. The guy passed out with his foot on the accelerator pushing against the wreckage and the tires were spinning.

His wife was in another part of the house and smelled rubber burning. She got him out and called my father and I to clean it up and pull the car out. There was not a mark on the car and it ran great - I was really impressed

[Don Plumley]

My father-in-law had a 380 - all the weight and none of the power. It would get passed by cement trucks going uphill. It drove remarkably like a sled. Big truck steering week, awkward (for me) driving position, poor visibility, did I mention it drove like a sled?

They are neat looking roadsters though. I think the new SL is really interesting looking.

[Jdub]

If you go with the early SLs, buy the 230. It is revvier and very nice to drive. The 250 is the rarest, and the 280? Plenty around.

Look for the rare 5-speed as well. Watch for rust just behind the front wheels. Drag a finger in the hollows formed by the lips around the wheels and especially at the rear end, just above the tailpipe. Look for ripples from accidents both on the floor of the trunk and behind the seats.

Very neat cars. Well worth looking for one.

John

John

EDIT: Did I mention Bosch MFI?

[RickM]

Don,

In owning a 380 for close to a year I can say that these were my initial observations as well. The sled effect is due to worn rear subframe bushings. The Springs and shocks go quickly as well....these worn parts result in a very sloppy ride.

Steering is affected by easily worn steering dampers, steering box coupler and/or steering box gears.

When tuned the all aluminum engine isn't half bad. One has to understand that getting the trans to kick down for passing takes a lead foot.

All in all it's an interesting car that one gets used to. As mentioned it's not a sports car.

The 113 is a classic beauty, perhaps one of a few European styling icons. And they still command a decent buck.

[RickM]

To add to the 113 check list:

Fenders are WELDED to the frame, not bolted.
Rust loves to develop under the trunk carpet

230 is a very desirable car. Lighter than the 280 and less in the way of amenities. This sound familiar to the early 911 buyers?

[Mike Feinstein]

Fat, dumb, and happy.


Not that that's a bad thing.

[RickM]

As might be obvious I have both an '85 911 and ' 85 380sl. My impression is that the 380 feels at least 10 years behind the times as compared to the 911.

However, the purpose of the two is different from the start.

[racemor]

My Father has both a 560 and a 380. All of the comments so far have been right on. It would be a big change for you to go from the direct feel of the 911 to an SL of this era. Everything on these cars feels HEAVY, doors, hood, etc. And don't even think that you could remove the hard top by yourself, without a hoist anyway. Soft tops can be a pain too if not used regularly.

Having said that, the cars are enjoyable in the right situation. Beach cruiser vs. canyon carver. They look great and that 560 has good power whenever you want it. Apples and oranges.

[RickM]

Yup, apples and oraanges. I find the soft top refreshingly well engineered and realtively easy to use for a manual top. Compare it to an '80s Ferrari Mondial top and it's a walk in the park.

Wouldn't you think a hard top is heavy for any car? I can't recall any that wouldn't require a hoist.

[cegerer]

A few days ago - on the History Channel - there was a documentary on the M-B SL sports cars, beginning with the 300 series (gullwings, etc.) of the 50's and going up through the 70/80's. Very good show and maybe they are still repeating it???? They sell a tape of the same show:

http://store.aetv.com/html/product/index.jhtml?id=40139


Anyway, they made a big deal of how the 230SL of the early 60's was a radical departure from the sports-nature of the 300 series. Too soft, too heavy, too underpowered, etc. By the time they got to the REALLY big/soft cars in 1971 and later, it was all over as far as anything remotely related to 'sports' was concerned. Personally, I love the looks of the 230/280SL and hope to have one in my meager collection some day. Anything later than that though, forget it!! -- Curt