2000 SL500 Sport or a spotless 560SL – Which would you prefer?

Black on Black
R107 or R129?
Photography from Roy Spencer

January 2007

One of the most oft asked questions by ourSL.com visitors is whether one should buy a R107 chassis 560SL or a R129 chassis 500SL/SL500 . That’s a very good question due to the fact there is a serious value overlap between good 1986- 1989 560SL s and the 1990 and later 500SL/SL500s. A mint low mileage 1988/ 1989 560SL can sell for about the same as a very nice 1999/2000 SL500. We see this regularly with our own inventory. What gives?

You've got 30 grand to spend and two flawless SLs to choose from. What a dilemma!

Well, we just happen to have in our current inventory a perfect example of this situation, a mint 1988 560SL and a mint 2000 SL500 Sport edition. Interestingly, both have about the same mileage, 55k to 58k, and are priced essentially the same, around $30k. And both are the same color/trim combination, Black(040) exterior with Black(271) leather. There they were sitting side by side in the warehouse just begging to be compared! Let’s grab some information from the ourSL database and have a look at the cold hard facts.

Scanning the data, you get the impression these cars are on different planets from a performance standpoint! Aside from some heaven sent notion that every SL should sit on a 99″ wheelbase, these cars couldn’t be further apart. In today’s power crazed high end European automobile world, the 560SL’s statistics look fairly pathetic. Geez, the thing only makes 227 hp. Your neighbor’s clapped out 1994 E320 wagon makes about the same power. Ok, I’ll admit the V-8 generates 50 more ft/lbs of torque. And 15″ wheels, that’s downright prehistoric! Your 22″ “DUB” wheel-crazed kid would be embarrassed to ride in the thing!

2000 SL500 shorter than 5 mph bumpered 560SL.

Grille star only common nose styling cue between cars.

The differences don’t stop there. While a 560SL owner will fairly wrestle the hardtop off using an array of tools, handles and pawls, our SL500 owner merely extends one well groomed finger to gently press one button to release the hard top, which by the way, weighs 20 odd pounds less than the 560′s. That same well groomed finger will press the red button in the opposite direction to set in motion the silent ballet that is the erection of the newer car’s finely engineered soft top.

Risking a dislocated shoulder, the 560SL owner must cajole, tweak and swear the soft top into its erect position.

Unknown to most of humanity, the 560SL just might owe its very existence to the unforeseen development time needed to perfect the vastly complicated technology for the power hard and soft top mechanisms featured in the 129 models. Remember, a Mercedes model’s usual lifespan had been historically about 8 years. The 107 was constructed from 1971 (very early European 450/350SLs) to 1989, an unprecedented 18+ year model run!

Inside, the 560SL is a model of simplicity with manual seats, fixed steering column, manual passenger outside mirror, fussy seatbelts, and a massive steering wheel. ABS and a single airbag are the only links to today’s safety technology. It really is a step into the past, back to about 1973 actually.

The SL500 is jammed with cool stuff. We see dual airbags, nicely integrated seatbelts (anchored directly to the magnesium seat frames!), tilt and telescoping steering wheel and, get this; power seats! Wow! And there are acronyms galore to keep this SL poised at speed: ADS (adaptive damping control), ASR (Automatic Slip Control) and my favorite, ESP (Electronic Stability Control). I have a few lady friends that would benefit from that last bit of technology.

560SL dash design dates from 1971!

Eyeballing the two cars brings their different characters to the fore. The bulgy fat tired SL500 seems to discreetly tell you, “yeah, I can be a bit of a bully so don’t #*&% with me”. The 560SL, however, oozes an urbane sophistication pretending to be nothing more than its understated styling suggests; a superbly constructed, handsome icon of the ‘80s that is once again becoming a “cool” car to own. Just today, a 20 something year old fellow stopped by the ourSL.com headquarters to ogle the black 560 featured here. He was just a toddler when the 560SL was the big daddy of the European boulevard top down cruisers and now he wants to own one!

SL500 dash layout cleaned up considerably since 1990 US introduction.

To understand the appeal of the 560SL, we must look beyond the bald performance facts and technical gizmos this car lacks when measured against the over-the-top 129 cars. There is the intangible factor of a generational identity with these cars that has raised values and demand. The 560SL was THE automotive statement in the late ‘80s that shouted, “I’ve made it.” Many of the buyers who are paying attention to the 560SL today remember the lust they felt for that car when it was new. Today they have a few extra bucks and will buy a nice example.

I should mention the #1 reason clients give for preferring the 560SL over the vastly superior SL500…chrome! Do you remember that stuff? It was pretty common from about 1929 until 1990 and then, poof, it just about disappeared. Look at the 560 and you’ll see plenty of it. Actually, much of the brightwork is polished stainless steel that gleams just like chrome. People love the face and tail of the 560 because of those jutting rubber encased polished SS bumper structures initiated during the Nixon era and the traditional gleaming grille surround. It’s a look that was burned into their brains during the overlong production period of the 107 series.

While these 107 enthusiasts may not realize it, they also subconsciously appreciate the fabulous build quality of the 560SL . Every item you touch has a robust, finely engineered quality. And the sound of the 560s door closure brings to mind the image of an automobile chiseled form a block of granite. Not so with the SL500 or even a sparkling new SL550. And all the performance gains of the SL500 are largely a moot point. Where can you use that car’s extra power and massive tire grip? You’d have to be damn obnoxious to begin powersliding the 129 around the neighborhood.

Well balanced, crisp (and rather upright) styling of iconic 560SL.

After all my ranting, you’re probably wondering which car I really prefer? Contrary to market trends, I’ll take a Sport edition SL500 over any 560SL. You see, I have to admit to a trace of bully lurking under my placid Yogi-like exterior.

AMG styling/wheel/tire upgrades comprise "Sport" package on SL500.

Roy Spencer, editor www.ourSL.com