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RE: I looked at some Mercedes.

Posted by Bambi B (A) on April 16, 2010 at 15:01:55

In Reply to: I looked at some Mercedes. posted by Todd A. on April 16, 2010 at 14:09:36:

Todd A.,

I always liked the 80's Mercedes SL's and ther are just piles of these in Los Angeles. However, I could never drive them as the roof line is much too low- and this was true of all the 70's to 90's models after the 450 too. With the hardtop on I can hardly ride as a passenger, my head is pressed up against the top so I had to tilt it, my ear almost up against the headliner.

As far as I know there was never a 450, 380, or 560SL with a manual in the U.S. probably because of the cost of required separate emission and economy certifications. If you sneaked in a gray-market 80's 280SL, the 450 body with a 2.8L straight 6- I think those could have a manual.

The SL has never been even close to a sports car- they're as a heavy as a modern S Class saloon is now, sluggish, heavy steering, and are not that powerful- the 380SL was only 177HP, the 450 had 190 and so the 560 is the only one that can get out it's way- still a 4,000 lb car with only 230HP. A new Honda Accord V6 is 268HP in 3,200 lbs and makes about 3000 rpm more as well. No, the SL was and is still not a driver's car- it's an elderly person's convertible touring car for when the investments come in and after the kids have left home. My attorney's partner has a 2006 SL and it amazes me that it seems hard, austere, not that well made, and I'm still pressed against the roof.

We never mentioned Mercedes SLK's which might have fit your checklist but it's as well- they're terrible in about all the ways I can name- there's no excuse for that build quality in such an expensive car, vague steering, touchy brakes, and the engines sound like they're under such stress all the time I could never enjoy it fearing a piston out the crankcase side. If I bought a Mercedes now, I'd buy the previous series CL coupe by AMG.

Mini dropped the variable automatic I think a couple of years ago- and as far as I know after 2008 you get either a 6-speed manual or a 6- speed conventional automatic. My brother's has the CVT and yes- they're $5,000 plus to rebuild and $7,000 to replace. He likes driving the Cooper very much but doesn't like the CVT feel- it's difficult to predict what it'll do and he say the feel is disconcerting- it kind of "squirts" ahead. He's planning to sell it before there's trouble with the CVT- and they appear to fail at about 100,000 miles. This is however in perspective not so bad as those very complex electronic Mercedes 7-SP automatics which are sealed and when they fail at 100,000. The bill if out of warranty can be $15,000 as they can't be rebuilt locally- you have to buy the whole unit from Mercedes.

Yes, I think the Honda sounds like just the ticket and in fact it gives me an idea for my next car,..

Cheers,

Bambi B

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