2000 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review
2000 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Review





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Used SL-Class for sale
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
Pros
- People will know you're rich.
Cons
- People will think you're arrogant, people will think you're egotistical, people will think you're elitist, the car costs too damn much.
What’s new
Designo editions debut in Slate Blue and Black Diamond with special color-coordinated interior trim. Non-designo versions can be painted in Desert Silver. TeleAid is standard, as is a StarTAC digital phone with voice-recognition technology on the SL600. Free maintenance now covers you during the warranty period.
Edmunds says
The current-generation SL strikes us as dated and pricey when cars such as the gorgeous Jaguar XK8 convertible and entertaining Porsche 911 Cabriolet are less expensive.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.11 per gallon for regular unleaded in Virginia.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Virginia
$220/mo for SL-Class SL500
SL-Class SL500
vs
$168/mo
Avg. Compact Car
Vehicle overview
For years, the classic roadster to own was the Mercedes 450SL. From 1973 to 1989, Mercedes peddled so many of these convertibles to the rich and famous that they became as ubiquitous as cocaine vials at high-society social events. Besides, super-suave Lee Majors drove one as Steve Austin in "The Six Million Dollar Man," and what could be more chic? Then, to the great chagrin of SL lovers worldwide, Mercedes revamped its classic, upping the technological ante by light years over the old car but wrapping the new machine in sheetmetal as dowdy as Martha Stewart.
When the new car arrived, it could be bought in 320-, 500- and 600-Series trim. Cost-conscious poseurs bought the SL320 in droves, but removed the telltale decklid badges so that social peers wouldn't know if they had a six or an eight under the hood, and thus, how much they paid. Don't laugh. That's not a joke. This was widespread practice in La-La Land. Well, Mercedes figured out a few years ago that the price of the SL was getting ridiculous, and with the zippy, and relatively cheap, SLK on the horizon, decided to kill the popular SL320 and drop the price of the V8-powered SL500.
Today, just the underwhelming SL500 and the massively overrated SL600 are available for purchase. The SL500's all-aluminum 5.0-liter V8 makes 302 horsepower and rushes the pudgy roadster to 60 mph in just over 6 seconds. For little more than $82,000, you get everything you need to make friends and neighbors think you're an insolent snob, unless heated seats, xenon gas headlights, a CD changer, panorama see-through roof and multi-contour seats are part of the equation.
For a paltry $47,350 more, you can waste your money on the whompin' V12 SL600. You get 62 more horsepower and plenty of additional torque, but the acceleration run isn't appreciably better than what the SL500 delivers. Other standard goodies include a StarTAC cell phone with voice recognition, added burled walnut interior trim, special two-tone leather, heated seats, xenon headlights, the trunk-mounted CD changer and an adaptive damping suspension.
In addition to appealing designo editions, you can get a $4,995 sport package that includes 18-inch wheels and tires, projector beam fog lights, a body kit and special emblems. The available panorama roof will set you back $3,850. Did we mention the gas guzzler taxes? The SL500 exacts a $1,000 penalty, while the 600 suffers from a $2,600 tariff. At least Mercedes gives buyers the new TeleAid system at no additional charge. TeleAid allows you to contact emergency personnel if you suffer a medical emergency or are being assaulted by carjackers who think the SL is desirable. You can also call TeleAid operators to ask questions about your car, like "Why did I have to pay so damn much for this thing?" or "Why does my $125,000 convertible have a plastic rear window?"
Obviously, our advice is to skip the SL600. On second thought, skip them both and trot over to the Jaguar dealer where you can get the delicious XK8 for thousands less.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.
5 star(86%)
4 star(11%)
3 star(3%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
28 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
Amazing Vehicle
Linda J., 03/26/2008
2000 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
I love my Mercedes, the fact that you can go from hard top to soft top in a few easy minutes. There is room for a couple of bags in the back "seat", unlike other sports cars where you don't even have room for a purse. The ride is like sitting home in your livingroom. The gas mileage on mine is 30-32 mpg on a trip. It's an all around beautiful car. I am not an engineer, but I see no … improving on perfection here. I have driven them all, I wanted to before I made an educated purchase and this was the only one standing at the end of the tests, all things considered, gas mileage, comfort, style, class.
4.88 out of 5 stars
SO RIGHT!
ALAGWC, 03/20/2005
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
I purchased the car with under 10K miles, have only driven 4K in first year. Everything works and it is a blast to drive. Gorgeous car turns heads, great stereo, rock solid feel. Just wish the seats were more comfortable -- not terrible, just not terrific.
5 out of 5 stars
awesome, awesome car!
Brian T., 09/12/2004
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
I got mine 4 months ago. Absolutely
awesome car. Bought it with 47K miles on it.
Everything works perfectly. Timeless classic
design. I get an unbelievable 22 mpg, with
using cruise control a lot. I live in Florida,
and comute about 25 miles to work. We
also have a Mazda Protege, and the car
insurance on the SL, is only $7.50 more per
month than the Mazda. :-))
If this … is the car that you are longing for, go
for it! You will not be disappointed!
Mine is red with shell interior. An awesome
color combination. The ride is a little bit stiff
like on most of the German cars.
3.13 out of 5 stars
1999 sl 500
dissatisfied, 10/25/2005
1999 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL500 2dr Convertible
Although a fun car to drive, the quality and workmanship leaves a lot to desired. Surprisingly good gas mileage for this car. The chassis bolts had to be retightened after 45K miles. the knobs on the vents broke off. the plastic cover around the sun visors have broken and oil leaks from this area???? Trunk must be opened with key 75% of the time because the button in the car and on the … key doesn't work. speed control lever fell off. Driver door arm rest disfigured just by resting arm on it. Part of grille fell off (not caused by accident). Replaced water pump at 55K miles. glove box opening mechanism broke. Didn't have as many problems with my old Ford Pinto.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2000 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.
2000 SL-Class Highlights
SL500
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 17 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $220/month |
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place | 7.9 cu.ft. |
Drivetrain | rear wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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