Back on topic, I actually like both cars, the one caveat is the 6'er must be modded properly, no 22" wheels and lame lowering springs with a bigger front gap allowed!!

The r230 MB is simply a timeless design IMO you honestly cant go wrong with it, the sexy overall design and the impression of massive width when viewed from the rear take the cake.

BRABUS kit, 20" staggered wheels with 4 or 5" rear lip, aggressive lowering and exhaust.....case closed!

 

the amount of time it's going to stay in the shop?

so far i know one guy with his sl55 and no problems. the 3 other with sl500/55, you know the stories

 

I would not ever touch an M3. They are dated and are certainly dime a dozen as some of you said.
I'm still very undecided as to what to do....lease 1 car, buy 1 car, buy 2 cars, lease 2 cars. If I did not drive so many miles my decision would be alot easier.

 

SL500.

I had one. Not hardcore enough to fit my preferences, but a gorgeous car and surprisingly lively to drive for a slushbox GT cruiser. Decent power, nothing special.

You can pick up a slightly used 05-06 SL500 for a good price these days, because the SL550 has done some damage to resale values.

I should also mention that the R230 (03-current SL) is the only Benz I'd buy. There's a better alternative to every other model they build.

 

I'd personally go with the Jag before either the BMW or M-B. Jags are not the world standard for reliability, but neither are the other two, and Jag interiors, with their nice wood and leather and freedom from I-Drive-like joysticks, have always been nice....and the XK8 body is stunning, as XK's always have been.
That said, Jag reliability is on the wane again after some fairly good years in the mid-late 90's. The old joke you quoted about the 2-in-1 Jags was primarily aimed at the pre-1990 cars. Ford ownership after 1989 markedly improved Jaguar build quality, which reached its peak between about 1996-2000, but it's been downhill since then, particularly with the X-Class. Still, today's Jags, even with the quality slide of the last 5-6 years, are not quite the same catch-fire-every time-you-start-them Jags of many years ago.

 

Bit the bullet and got a SL500 sport today (of course, from a Lexus dealer lol). It is black with gray interior....panoramic roof....etc. etc. Beautiful car. Will post pics soon. I got bit in the *** pricewise with selling my CL (sold for 27,500....which was a deal and a half, even with 79k miles). Bought the SL for 61,900....down from 63,000 (had really wanted to get it to 60k). It has 33k miles. I might have a paid a little high for the mileage....as I could have had another SL500 sport, same colors....for 57,500 and same mileage. That one had no pano. roof though...which is a little rare it seems from what I found...and the SL is really small inside without it IMHO.

 

yeah i think the extra money for the roof is a big plus, that's so cool

but damn, now it reminds me why i dropped the sl500 choice back then when i got the sc430

post pics for sure! congrats on the car!

 

Henry,

I have now owned the car for 18 months and still no problems. I just had the Renntech headers installed along with the other Renntech mods and the car is "scary fast."

Lou

 

i know, you are the guy with the sl55 that i know with no problem!

 

ls460
but speakin of loaners, what kind of loaners does lexus give you?

 

Congratulations, please post pics!

 

es or rx most of the time

 

I say go for CLS55... BEAUTIFUL car and a BEAST

 

Oh ok, now that SL wheel size PM makes alot more sense!! Congrats bro, as soon as your ready let me know!!