JohanvdWalt

I'm considering replacing my baby with a 500SL, I had a 928 S4 previously and sold it because I missed the Cab too much. I had a BMW 325iC before that.
I replaced the 928 with a 330iC A/T but found it boring so I bought the 944 Cab which I realy enjoy.

Now I miss the V8 so why not a V8 Cab?
Anyone own or owned both with a comment?

knfeparty

My dad has one and came to an autox once. It's an early 90's model, with a hardtop. It had a few problems, but it is auto (boring) and rolls like a BOAT. I really doubt it is any quicker than a 330, either, if as fast.

MM951

ls1 into s2 cab?

Luis de Prat

Aren't you a bit young to be driving a Benz?

I don't know, but Mercedes Benz are "blue hair" cars, for me.

nh7cy

I've been told by various people to keep away, keep very far away. Not to mention it's an auto, and I also agree, you'll look like you recently retired.

V2Rocket

what year SL is it? i love them from the late 90's on. suspension rolling problems can be fixed easily enough. i think theyre great looking cars, maybe a little uneventful because of the slushbox but they can still be fun.

jcb928

I have one so here are my thoughts,

Nice Power but not a 928
Great around town but not enough feel in the steering at high speed
The build quality is better than a Porsche

Here are some of pics of my SL,

JohanvdWalt

Thanks for all rhe replies. I'm thinking R129 thats 1990 till 2002.
My main consern is savety - ABS, airbags and rollbar.
Negative is A/T and not as sharp as the 944.

I'm planing to take one or two for testdrives today.

JohanvdWalt

Thanks for sharing, very nice SL.
Which 928 are you comparing with (S4?) and how does maintenance cost and fuel consumption compare?

FRporscheman

I haven't had an SL but I have ridden in one (r129) and I've owned several 80s Benzes. My experience is that older MB v8s typically have a dissappointing specific power compared with, say, Porsche, and the chassis and suspension leave a LOT to be desired. The car is absolutely not meant to be considered a sports car, not even a "sporty" car. It's really just for cruising, travelling, touring, commuting, etc. IIRC the steering uses the old-school pitman arm setup, not a rack and pinion like Porsche.

Build quality... I'd say the old Benzes might have an edge on Porsche but a 928 has very good build quality, better than a 944. The quality is put into comfort, luxury, and robustness, while Porsche's quality is focused on engineering.

The SL will be fun to mash the throttle, but not much better than your current S2. I just looked up the 500SL 0-60 and it's in the low 6s while the S2 is in the mid 6s. Essentially the only big benefit would be the added torque and throttle response of the larger motor. If that's all you're after anyway, you can get that with a supercharger kit for your S2.

Good luck with the decision.

jcb928

The handling of a 928s and S4 are very similar but I am comparing a it with a S4. The 928s4 has bit better fuel economy but the 944 beats them both.

I was very lucky buying my SL because the P.O just took it down to the dealer and gave them a blank check. He even bought the tires at the dealer

The only problem I have had is the plastic male connector for the radiator hose broke (top drivers side). The original design was just made of plastic but the updated side tank has a metal band to strengthen the piece. If you do get serious about buying one you might want to pull the hose and check it because some owners have just reglued the piece back on.

S2cab

Having driven the 500 SL & having owned a 944 cabby, the 2 are completely different experiences. The 944 seemed to be a decade behind in body stiffness, & the engine was nowhere as smooth as the big Benz. I got tired of the creaking of the 944 cabby, but I understood the coupe would be much stiffer. The Benz has more mass, & you will feel that, but it's not meant to be driven at 10/10ths. It can be driven deceptively quick for its size.

FRporscheman

Strangely I had that exact same problem with an '81 300D. I repaired it with JB weld and that held for a few months but inevitably failed again. Luckily used radiators are easy to find cheaply for that car. Glue/epoxy repairs might work if some type of fiberglass mesh is used but I don't think just plain epoxy will hold for very long. Luckily my 300TD has had no radiator issues.

I just met someone who is also into MB and Porsche - he owns a 300E and a 951. He said something like "After owning Benzes everything on the Porsche seemed so flimsy and chintzy. But the Benz is just designed with everything as hefty as possible, while everything on the Porsche is designed to be as light as possible." Then I added that both cars are pinnacles of engineering, but from two totally different perspectives.

Luis de Prat

MB build quality is beyond any shadow of a doubt. Everything in those cars was built to last, and last, and last.

The S2 Porsche, however, even in cabrio form, is more of a sports car than the SL. Plus, at 39 I don't quite feel I fit into the MB demographic -yet.

JohanvdWalt

I took a 500SL for a test drive on Saterday and boy was I impressed, its been a few years but it was the 928 S4 all over again. I just love the sound of that V8 not to mention the torque. I just drove it in town, the handling is not the S2 but its not bad either.

I love the fact that all the little compartments in the car locks with the central locking - it always frustrates me to put everyting in the boot when I leave the roof open in my S2.