Used 1996 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews

Die hard 4

This is my 3rd MBZ, one of the best, I love it and I intend to keep it as long as I live. Has 210,000 miles now. Engine runs very quiet and smooth. The soft top just gave up. At the same time some electronic parts and sensers are started giving up. All the aging problems surfaced when we had 110 F temperature days this year. I know what the problem was and need to be fixed but the MBZ test unit never found the problem, the tester always reports as no issue, it is like taking the car in and getting back unfixed. Anyway I told the mechanic just change the part I pointed out and that was it. Runs like a champ, no more heat related malfanction. I want to get at least 300,000 miles life.

AS GOOD AS IT GETS!

Had this for a year. After investing for minor items [about $3,000] it is a new car. The lines are timeless. Great performance at any speed. Rides like a magic carpet. This is one great vehicle. No regrets.

6 month toy

The looks this car gets are off the charts, but they come at a hefty price. I only drive my SL500 6 months a year. Therein lies the problem; already expensive cost of ownership, exacerbated by spreading the costs over only six months. That said, I still keep it, and wait for the spring to bring nice weather. The thrill of hitting the accelerator on this 300+ HP beast is beyond compare. Driving with the top down on a nice day is one of the finest auto experiences around. Then, pulling into valet parking of a crowded cafe or club is bound to stroke the ego of any redblooded American male.

Best Mercedes I have owned

Since 1976 I have owned 8 Mercedes. The first was a 1976 450 SL and the latest being a 2005 E320. I currently own a 1994 SL500 as well and really love it. It is the best car I have had to date. It current has a bit over 125,000 miles on it and the only thing I have had to do to it was rebuild the transmission and replace the soft top. The engine still has a lot of get up and go. It is not as strong as the new SL's (2004 as an example). It probably needs some tender loving care. Of the 70's 90's and newest body styles I really like this body style (129) the best. It has class and character. I would really would recommend this car to anyone.

My SL320

This is my 5th Mercedes. Have had an older 230SL, 2 diesels and my most recent large sedan 300SE. Have sold my 300SE and Miata convertible and combined the features of both in SL320. This car is fun to drive, very comfortable and quick (even though it is only a large 6 cylinder). I got the SL320 because it had the same engine as my 300SE.

1994 500SL Hard and Convert

Bought the car 6 years old. Upgraded to AMG 15" wheels and $800/rim alloy 3 piece. Low profile tires. This car is a dream. Very quiet with hard top off and can hear all Bose system. Corners like my Porsche did. Great service when needed.(not one major part in 5 yrs). Have spinal problems and yet can drive all day. Lot of punch. Best of 5 Mercedes I have owned. Others were sedans. Love the lines of this vintage. It is why I looked 3 years till the right one appeared. Take care of it and it takes care of you. 6 miles of gravel road/day and not one squeak yet. Can't say that for other brands I own for seconds. Stored in winter so no comment on winter handling.

jjeworley33

A delight to drive. Power plus with plenty to spare. Smooth shifting auto transmission. Superb sound system with cd pack etc. A sports car with out the outlandish looks of other sports cars. Has more than enough excelleration at any speed. Holds the road with trenesous control at all speeds. Even the wife loves to drive it over her Town Car.

The Best

I totally enjoy driving this car. It handles like a dream. Any questions the dealer has taken care of promptly. A better "fun" car you will not find.

1st Mercedes SL

This car is fun to drive. Lately it is winning out over the Harley. The looks that you get, and the enjoyment of driving it makes it one of the best cars I've owned.

Beautiful Car, Ugly Payment

I've loved this car; it's my sixth pre- owned Mercedes. It's red and gets a lot of attention; it has been reliable and fun. I bought a 1991 Mercedes station wagon for the dogs to ride in; I'm picky about my baby! It flies and is beautiful inside and out. I'm cautious about parking it -- it gets door dings and scratches and white paint, so it's touched up once or twice a year. People apparently are jealous and vandalize it.

Suprised by Reliability

I have owned 3 other MB's, 2 New and 1 used. This 500 SL was puchased from a reliable dealer. (non-factory) I have always had good success with MB but this older, two owner SL has surprised me with its reliability. All systems have performed flawlessly. Many reviews have spoken disparagingly about this series of SL so I had some concerns about its longevity. So far it has been perfect after 18 months of ownership. The performance is exhiliarating but my best surprise is my fuel mileage. In the city I get a consistent 22MPG while on the road it is 26MPG or better. This model year (1996) or perhaps the care given by its previous owners had provided me a car that's a joy to drive.

1994 Mercedes-Benz SL - The Greatest

I have owned my 1994 Mercedes-Benz SL for three years. If you do the maintenance required every 15,000 miles and change the oil every 3,000 miles all you need to do is put tires and brakes on it. It is the most reliable car that I have ever had. I can't get over the fact that it is ten years old and still turns heads.

over achiever, what's missing ? Love it

Well i guess ive owned every brand . I bought it for my wife but i cannot get out of it . I was stunned how a 1996 could have things new cars don't. How solid how it eats up the miles . And the attemtion it gets . Think back what was on the road in 1996 ! A chevy or ford or you pick . Nothing comes close in looks. I tead spec, on it no.huge hp numbers . But it pulls and pulls always has power available , a quiet smooth car or push it ot becomes an angry car like an animal kept caged and let free . It never gives you the feeling your over your head driving it . Why did i wait so long ,driving pony domestic cars ?? Now since review added 6000 miles . Replaced the oridginal top window was shot . Took it on day trips we both enjoyed it . It continues to get attention and comments . I have done any work on it myself . It truly is hard to find anyone to work on even simple things ? They German cars have such a reputation for being hard to work on . I think it's because there way ahead of other cars. Think about it 23 years ago rolling into a local garage in need of some kind of work . They open the hood and see a car with fuel injection varible cam timing , covers over everything. Back than. Fuel injection was just starting to come in . That continued the to complicated legend

Great Sports Convertible

This is my 8th Mercedes, including 3 turbo-diesels, and 4 gas-sedans. The build quality is excellent. The ride is somewhat firm but it sticks to the ground and handles turns easily. It quietly reaches 100+mph and there's no wind-noise. The top and rollbar operates with 1 button. The auto-pullup windows are kind of awkward. The break- pedal travels toofar before stopping making easy stops difficult until you get used to the car. It can use a backseat and a larger trunk. The gas mileage is around 16 in city and 22 on freeway, as high as 26 on straight freeway. Car is a bit too heavy at 4170 pounds which affects it's acceleration. 6.3Sec 0-60 is a bit slow for a 315HP $90,000car. Parts overpriced

Roadster Rules!

I've owned my '95 sl 600 roadster now for a couple of years. The performance of the 12-cylindar engine is beyond compare! With the computer chip the previous owner had installed, the horsepower rating goes from 389 to 432! Things to watch out for... seems like these cars are prone to need new catalytic converters at around 40k miles. Mine did..and fortunately it was covered by mercedes 8-year, 80k mile e/c warranty--thereby saving me $4k! ! low mileage '97 or '98 will give you a $130k car experience for half the price!

Love Her

This is our 3rd Merc. All have been trouble free. We bought this SL from the orignal owner with 89,000 miles. She has gone 5,000 trouble free miles.The performace is surprising for an inline 6 cylnder. She is 10 years old and still receives admiring glances. She is a beauty!

Buy One

This is a great car to buy pre-owned. New ones are $85,000 or more, save $60,000 and buy a '95.

Affordable Luxury

beautiful car

beautiful car, very expensive to repair, rattles alot,dr iver side door window has scratches from rollers in door, has miss in motor,for a car that was driven only 7500 miles a year its not in very good condition

Terrific

I have owned my 1996 320 SL for for 4 years and 20,000 miles. I have never been more pleased with a car. Performance, reliability, etc. are superior. It gets 24 mpg. and is serviced by an after market shop. If I ever sell it, I will buy another.

Love Her

This is our 3rd Mercedes. All have been trouble free. We bought this SL from the orignal owner with 89,000 miles. She has gone 5,000 trouble free miles.The performace is surprising for an inline 6 cylnder. She is 10 years old and still receives admiring glances. She is a beauty!

Unusable

1995 sl600 entire wiring is disintegrating the car has been in 4 different mecedes shops . The wiring harness is not avaible. Every time the car it touched or moved or driven something else wiring related goes wrong. It is sitting in a shop with check engine light on saying it is the mass air flow sensor , but replacing it did not help. Now the SRS light came on again. Last time that happened it went into limp mode and cost $5,000 to fix. Some throttle control which had to be removed sent out and hand rewired because even wiring inside the units were disintegrated. Stay away the reason a $125,000 car is $5,000 is because it will cost so much to own in maintenance and repairs. The only miles I get to drive this car are to and from the shop. Mercedes does not I repeat DOES NOT stand behind their cars or their mistakes. If you want to know the quality or lack there of , just get on the US gov. Recall list. Mercedes junk is recalled all the time on a very regular basis. I am on the list for Nisson, Chrysler , Ford , and Mercedes. Yes from time to time they all have recalls but mercedes is at least 10 times the others. Your money but much more valuable your time wasted. UPDATE Still in shop, still unusable, Don't buy Mercedes, they back their mistakes by thumbing their nose at you. They got your money, so screw you. Up date Still in shop, can't get parts, wires are shorting out everywhere, worst investment in my life.

'94 SL5Hundo

Nicest car I've ever driven. Handles pretty well, and feels like a fast tank. The car I will sonn purchase is gonna have to compare well to the SL.

leave em in the dust

I have been in the car biz for twenty years, i have driven all of them,but this one takes the cake.it just wants to run. I love it!!

Nice 1994 sl

One of a kind

What else can go wrong?

After replacing almost all sensors, catalytic converter, conv.top oil cylinders, and $4,000 in charges, it looks like it will make beautiful planter!

Maplewood Import

Bought a Starmark 500SL 1994. After sale there was a defective AMG wheel. Service Dept. agreed it was defective prior to sale but management REFUSED to give any parts refund or shared compensation. Matter of fact wanted to replace the wheel at a 200% premium to where I bought it from Tires plus over the net. great service from this company. Delivery in 3 days. Electrical problems showed up 2 months later and again Maplwood refused to honor any discount on servicing. I would NEVER purchase another auto from this firm.

owner 94 sl500 just 3 month

I own 4 used Mercedes before 190E, 300E,sl560 and 560sec about 3 month ago I just bought 94 sl500 with 125k miles this is my 5th used bezn I really enjoy driving this one its fun and fast I just add a couple hundred dollar to the sound system ready for summer Well I still need to fix my convertible won't do with the automatic button its embarrassing me to do with manually.

excellent

this is it!!!it is the best on a planet! euroquality & comfort - what else? it is a fun to drive!

Bittersweet

Although I loved this car, we have since parted ways. I could not have been more dissapponted with my SL experience. For the 3 years I owned the car I found that there is a huge cost of ownership that comes with maintaining this car. Service costs were more than the payments. I was always told that these cars would run very high mileage, but that mileage comes at a heafty cost. I would not buy another unless it was under the Starmark warrantee.

supercar

very nice car with one of the best classic luck, very good engine it was better with 5 speed gearbox and ESP

Pretty money pit

Have deep pockets. Almost every sensor failed,convertible top motors failed twice in 10 yrs. Paid 14k to purchase,have spent 11k to repair. This beaSuty is now valued at 2k! Sold in 2017 for $3000. Still beautiful to look at!

MB sl600

excellent car.always maintain or expensive to repair

SL in Germany

The last MB ever built with the old wellknown quality of mercedes !!! A good cruising car also a good sportcar.

Sporty travel

You'll love driving this great sports car!

Little Al’s Ride

I am still really liking my 1995 sl500 Mercedes. The quality of the ride and construction are amazing