R129 SL500 or SL600???

[iluvmercs]

My Dad's thinking about buying either a SL500 or a SL600. Either one we'll be looking for the facelift model, and I know the basic tech specs of each. What I don't know and would like to find out, hopefully from one of you guys, is running costs, servicing and reliablity of the 500 vs 600, and other issues to be aware of regarding both models. Also I've seen various performance figures for the 500 and 600. Does anyone know the exact times for the 0-60mph sprint? The particular 500 my Dad was talking about was the Silver Arrows Final Edition.
Your thoughts and opinions would be greatfully received.

Many thanks,

Darren

[pentoman]

I don't think the 600 is that much faster than the 500 really according to the figures (also it's only 386? bhp compared to 400+ for the pre-facelift model), but I have heard one and it sounded lovely. Plus you can boast about all that bhp and 12-cylinders.

They can be a weeny bit expensive if things go badly wrong (particularly if you take it to a dealer!!), it's essentially 2 M104 straight-sixes joined together. This means you get 2 of lots of things, for example 2 ECUs one for each side. Whilst it's cool because if you're driving through the desert of iraq and one gets shot the car will still run on 6 cylinders, it does mean there's twice as much chance of many things going wrong.

The 500 has to be the sensible choice but who wants to be sensible.. an SL600 is still probably the most sensible way of running a V12. I don't think a 600 is any more expensive, and they are likely to be in very pristine condition.

[Andrew Noakes]

If anything an SL600 might be a fraction cheaper, because most people will be put off by the thought of higher running costs and will opt for the SL500.

SL600 has hydropneumatic suspension, SL500 has steel springs, so the SL600 probably rides a bit better.

Mercedes figures say 0-62mph in 6.2sec for SL500 (6.5 sec post-Sept 1992), 6.1 sec for SL600. Both limited to 155mph.

[Merlot]

I've had that generation SLs with both steel springs and air suspension. You would struggle to tell which one you were driving. Both roll a lot but are still good cars. The new shape drives so much better but is still c£40k 2nd hand.