RE: Mercedes SL400: Review

[vinnie83]

martindesu said:

I quite like the new ones, but I still prefer the looks of my SL55...

I love that colour, what is it? It doesn't look like one I've seen before...

I definitely agree that the pre-facelift R230 is (IMO) the best looking of the modern SLs - certainly a much slicker looking car than the current.

Exhaust too loud going back to have resonators fitted!

[nickwilcock]

M-B ruined the SL with the hideously ugly current model.

To which the 400 adds an engine which is less powerful than the one in my 2003 SLK32 AMG....

[E65Ross]

nickwilcock said:

M-B ruined the SL with the hideously ugly current model.

To which the 400 adds an engine which is less powerful than the one in my 2003 SLK32 AMG....

Non AMG engine isn't as powerful as older AMG engine shocker. If you want more power they'll happily offer you the SL65 AMG which has a fair chunk more power than your SLK32. Did you say that about the old SL350 engine when that was put in 272bhp version with the old SL?

Bet the new engine is more efficient despite being in a heavier car with a larger drag coefficient.

[Buster73]

martindesu said:

I quite like the new ones, but I still prefer the looks of my SL55...

Great car , spoilt by crap wheels .

[E65Ross]

Buster73 said:

martindesu said:

I quite like the new ones, but I still prefer the looks of my SL55...

Great car , spoilt by crap wheels .

They're the standard wheels, I like them, but the other ones (twin 5 spoke??) are nicer imo.

Either way, an early R230 is my favourite looking SL ever, dare I say. That beautiful body, with the 6.2, current cars interior and 7 speed box would be spot on.

[vinnie83]

E65Ross said:

Buster73 said:

martindesu said:

I quite like the new ones, but I still prefer the looks of my SL55...

Great car , spoilt by crap wheels .

They're the standard wheels, I like them, but the other ones (twin 5 spoke??) are nicer imo.

Either way, an early R230 is my favourite looking SL ever, dare I say. That beautiful body, with the 6.2, current cars interior and 7 speed box would be spot on.

It's a shame the SL65 AMG Black had the facelift front otherwise that would be even more awesome than it already is! Updated interior would be great though.

Personally never got on with the 6.2 V8, far prefer the power delivery of the 5.4 supercharged.

[E65Ross]

vinnie83 said:

E65Ross said:

Buster73 said:

martindesu said:

I quite like the new ones, but I still prefer the looks of my SL55...

Great car , spoilt by crap wheels .

They're the standard wheels, I like them, but the other ones (twin 5 spoke??) are nicer imo.

Either way, an early R230 is my favourite looking SL ever, dare I say. That beautiful body, with the 6.2, current cars interior and 7 speed box would be spot on.

It's a shame the SL65 AMG Black had the facelift front otherwise that would be even more awesome than it already is! Updated interior would be great though.

Personally never got on with the 6.2 V8, far prefer the power delivery of the 5.4 supercharged.

Do you mean SL65 or SL63? They did do a pre-facelift SL65

[Palmball]

Lagerlout said:

Theres a lot of negative comments about how the current car looks, and I have to admit I struggle with it. However, I think it looks fantastic in this picture!

[ManiacGT]

I think it's mainly the front end, it's just not special enough for the car. Side view is good and rear ok, better with a mini boot lip .

[Prawnboy]

Buster73 said:

martindesu said:

I quite like the new ones, but I still prefer the looks of my SL55...

Great car , spoilt by crap wheels .

i love those wheels.

[RDMcG]

Prawnboy said:

i love those wheels.

I do too…although I bought the SL500 at the time, I always fancied the SL55 wheels As I recall it was a bit of a chore to keep them clean,though.

[ZesPak]

I've always been a fan of the SL and the road presence it has (never thought any picture did it justice).
But, for the people ogling over the R230, wasn't that shape very poorly received at first?

Imho this SL looks great like an SL should do. Not too over the top, not dainty. It'll age incredibly well I guess.

As for the person posting this is a car made to go through Europe, I can agree.

I have the much smaller and nimbler SLK, and it was all that, great on the autobahn, very fun in the Alps and on the Stelvio, when it started raining the roof went up and it's nice and comfortable with comforts like a very decent heating/airco, heated seats,...

I'm very aware that it isn't a real "sports" car, but it IS a great car and me and the misses love it, wouldn't want to part with it.

[Schermerhorn]

Baryonyx said:

iloveboost said:

The SL is an average looking car with an interior that's nice but still has some cheapness to bits of it. It's meant to be sporty but it still weighs a tonne and three quarters-ish. It's got powerful, thirsty engines but it's a convertible and a road car so it's never going to go above motorway speeds.
Why do people buy an SL?! What is the appeal?! Is it a status thing?! I mean do people buy them because they just want the 'best' and most expensive Mercedes?!

I think the 'SL' is an American and middle eastern biased car. Wealthy people buy them to get looks and an ego boost. It's a big, shiny, loud car and has a big three pointed star on the bonnet. For value for money, driving, looks, etc surely there are better cars than an SL though?
I obviously wouldn't say no if somebody gave me one or lent me one, but would I buy one if I was a millionaire?! Never.

It's a sporty GT, that's the point of it. These long dream trips people talk of, where they procrastinate about driving all over Europe, seeing the sights and wanting one car that will do it all. It's a tough bid, especially for the sorts who can afford the time and money to take a trip like that (older couple, kids grown up, sound like an SL buyer to you?). A young feisty lad would probably be happy in a knackered old M3 or a boomy old TVR, but if you want to do it in a little more luxury and enjoy some roof down motoring, who really does the 'full size two seater' thing better than Mercedes? Lexus with the SC430? Not sure about that.

The SL is a car that will happily crawl through the congested south of England, cruise through France, thhunder across Germany and still feel taut and rewarding on the Alpine roads, whilst being comfortable enough to drive all day and looking stylish and inspiring at whatever hotel you live at. It's just a materialisation of 'the good life' in car form, and their owners and former owners are forever singing their praises about how they have a huge feelgood factor as a car.

They are popular in America where longer travel over variable road surfaces, combined with stunning views and scenery make comfortable convertibles make a lot of sense. They do have a trophy wife/golf course club house image, but that's because they have also long been a status symbol, like most expensive products from coveted brands are. I defy any petrolhead to spend time with one and not come away loving them.

Good post and sums up the SL series Mercs.

My favourite is the 1990s version. Utter class even now.

[Ed Straker]

Daniel1 said:

......
My kindly mercedes dealership that I bought the SL55 from has promised me a weekend test drive of an R231 SL63 if and when they get a demonstrator, in a blatant attempt to try and get me to buy one. To be honest, it's the only car I'd consider swapping the current SL for, especially considering the discounts on new, pre-registered and ex-demo cars.

Try the 500 and save some coin.
Just ordered mine and the Demo felt every bit as quick as my 55.
Same power to weight so it should do really....

[E65Ross]

Ed Straker said:

Try the 500 and save some coin.
Just ordered mine and the Demo felt every bit as quick as my 55.
Same power to weight so it should do really....

But.... You could have MORE

[garypotter]

cannot believe people are comparing the Z4 with a SL!! I suppose they have 2 seats a convertible roof and 4 wheels on the road. As for the ugly 6 series never comes close in the looks dept .

[Kawasicki]

Schermerhorn said:

Baryonyx said:

iloveboost said:

The SL is an average looking car with an interior that's nice but still has some cheapness to bits of it. It's meant to be sporty but it still weighs a tonne and three quarters-ish. It's got powerful, thirsty engines but it's a convertible and a road car so it's never going to go above motorway speeds.
Why do people buy an SL?! What is the appeal?! Is it a status thing?! I mean do people buy them because they just want the 'best' and most expensive Mercedes?!

I think the 'SL' is an American and middle eastern biased car. Wealthy people buy them to get looks and an ego boost. It's a big, shiny, loud car and has a big three pointed star on the bonnet. For value for money, driving, looks, etc surely there are better cars than an SL though?
I obviously wouldn't say no if somebody gave me one or lent me one, but would I buy one if I was a millionaire?! Never.

It's a sporty GT, that's the point of it. These long dream trips people talk of, where they procrastinate about driving all over Europe, seeing the sights and wanting one car that will do it all. It's a tough bid, especially for the sorts who can afford the time and money to take a trip like that (older couple, kids grown up, sound like an SL buyer to you?). A young feisty lad would probably be happy in a knackered old M3 or a boomy old TVR, but if you want to do it in a little more luxury and enjoy some roof down motoring, who really does the 'full size two seater' thing better than Mercedes? Lexus with the SC430? Not sure about that.

The SL is a car that will happily crawl through the congested south of England, cruise through France, thhunder across Germany and still feel taut and rewarding on the Alpine roads, whilst being comfortable enough to drive all day and looking stylish and inspiring at whatever hotel you live at. It's just a materialisation of 'the good life' in car form, and their owners and former owners are forever singing their praises about how they have a huge feelgood factor as a car.

They are popular in America where longer travel over variable road surfaces, combined with stunning views and scenery make comfortable convertibles make a lot of sense. They do have a trophy wife/golf course club house image, but that's because they have also long been a status symbol, like most expensive products from coveted brands are. I defy any petrolhead to spend time with one and not come away loving them.

Good post and sums up the SL series Mercs.

My favourite is the 1990s version. Utter class even now.

The one and only SL I had the chance to drive hard really surprised me. It was a late 90's SL500. I wasn't expecting much, but it really surprised me by being unbelievably well balanced. It felt like it just wanted to scythe through every corner in slight four wheel drifts, I weighed the car after my first drive, with me sat in it, front axle 940kg, rear axle 960kg. Surprising car.

[daveco]

For people saying they are cruisers I would argue they are equally as competent in the corners as much lighter metal.

I drove my father's R230 SL500 a few times and thought it was a great car.

Granted the ABC suspension and leaky roof were less inspiring.