Good points: Excellent performance, solid platform, loads of special features, exceptional transmission, sex appeal, superior hardtop to convertible conversion time, resale.
Okay, we loved the SL 500 from Mercedes and didn't want to return it. The silver car brought joy to our lives in the form of its dynamic ride, enabling acceleration, braking ability, and stunning appearance. The SL drew crowds everywhere because it is a showy vehicle. Fortunately, its has more than good looks and can back up its pretty image with a lot of grunt.
Yes, there were areas that we would like to improve after our brief stint with the SL such as the overly complicated GPS system, the seat controls on the bottom of the seat, and tires that squealed whenever a corner was challenged. Nevertheless, overall, this is the car to own if you enjoy combining the fun of driving with the art of styling. Outside of its dramatic appearance, the power- retractable top, which can be lowered in just a few seconds, is the second aspect that grabs your attention. With a tug of a handle the top retreats into the trunk leaving you free to relish fresh air motoring. The downside is that the top does take up plenty of trunk space leaving you with room for only a couple of flexible pieces of luggage.
The 500 SL is a nicely balanced sporty car with exceptional handling, acceleration, and sturdy build that comes at a price. The cost is substantial, considering that potential competitors such as the Lexus SC 430 and the supercharged Jaguar convertible cost thousands less and, in some cases, offer more. For example, the competitors have four seats compared to the SL's two, which may qualify them for reduced insurance rates. And, the supercharged Jaguar has over 70 more horsepower and still gets the same gas mileage. However, these fairly equally performing cars are distinctively different. The Lexus is more sophisticated in terms of passenger comfort and interior layout. The Jaguar is more powerful and more of a cruiser. The Mercedes is superior in its mechanical sophistication and firm sports car ride.
There is a certain satisfaction in owning a car that draws positive attention to the driver. Wherever we went people of all ages who asked about the Mercedes SL 500. There is no doubt that just the looks of the SL are enough to guarantee high resale value and a premier parking spot at the most exclusive of restaurants. The fact that this car has competent handling is almost secondary to its impact on your affective domain with its ability to put you in a good mood just by looking at it.
Although there is a much more expensive V12 SL due out later, and an outrageous AMG version that is capable of 476 horsepower, we found the standard V8 capable enough for all but the most demanding driver. We were capable of making 0 to 60 runs in the low six-second range without a fuss. Not bad for a 4000 pound plus two-seater.
Dad's view: Mercedes Benz products create havoc in The Car Family garage. Having owned their products for nearly 30 years tends to bias our reviews. However, during that time we have had the opportunity to purchase cars from many other manufactures and have stayed with the Benz as the family car. Although we admire the ride of a BMW, the room of American built cars, and the reputation of those vehicles made in Asia, our needs appear best reached with a Mercedes sedan. Of course, we have dallied with a Volvo wagon (thousands in repairs), a RX 330 Lexus (excellent, but not exciting), Saab (weak resale), Subaru (wonderful, but slow), Infiniti G 20 (wonderful, but slow) and a Ford (time has passed it by); the Mercedes' combination of luxury and fitness seems to suit our needs best. Now if more of their dealers would only adopt the Lexus-Infinity style dealer attitude.
Driving the SL, whether in traffic or on lonely roads, is a joy. The Mercedes has unique standard antilock brakes with electro-hydraulic actuation. They work through an onboard computer that adjusts brake pressure to each wheel to assure optimal stopping power. It also works with the standard ESP traction/antiskid system to maximize cornering stability.
What makes this system so dramatic is that the traditional vacuum booster has been replaced with an electrically driven pump and a high-pressure reservoir. In other words, the SL has "brake by wire" to help make sure you have brakes that are preloaded. Thus, when you lift off the accelerator the brakes are already prepared to react. This saves time and thus stopping distance. However, it brings an unnatural feel to the brake pedal and you need to get used to it, especially during low speed braking. But, when you must stop in the hurry, the SL is awesome, with stopping distances among the shortest of any car we've ever tested, let alone one that weighs two tons.
Powering this Mercedes is a five-liter, 24 valve, 302 horsepower V8 that growls when unleashed and likes it best when accelerating from 20 to whatever. Leaping standing starts are not its forte. The engine features one intake and two exhaust valves per cylinder, two staggered-firing spark plugs per cylinder, and elaborate electronics that enable the SL to break 20 mpg on the open road.
Corners are not a problem for this weighty beauty, which surprised me. It can be pushed, and with a set of after market tires, I wouldn't hesitate to say it can be downright frisky. The reason is more technological wonders from Mercedes with, electronic traction control, and electronic stability control, Automatic Body Control-- a form of active suspension that replaces the SL's stabilizer bars and provides a very steady platform for apex hunting driving.
Controlling the potent engine is a five-speed automatic with overdrive and the Touch Shift feature that makes quick shifts easy as you only need to nudge the gear shift left or right to gain a new ratio. Easy to do, but the computer has the final say and doesn't let you bend the redline by automatically upshifting. The fun of "manual" shifting, however, is somewhat nullified because it is difficult to tell what gear you are in while involved in active driving sessions. The small read out on the dash that informs you of what gear you are in is too small to read when you are in a hurry or in bright sunlight. In other words, you can play around a bit with transmission, but this SL prefers that you just lock and load and leave controlling the fluid to the electronics.
The bottom line is that this Mercedes is a great looking car, a fine handling car, a fast enough, car, but its not a sports car. Regardless, place your order for next year now, because the waiting list may be long once potential buyers find out that owning this SL makes you slimmer, younger, and better looking as well as making you a better driver.
Mom's view: I didn't like the seats, but loved the solidness of this Mercedes. It has a come hither look that appears to have genes donated from the 300 SL gull-winged versions of old. The result is going to draw in buyers in droves once this model gets more exposure.
There was plenty to like in this Mercedes. I really enjoyed the new starting card that the SL offers. You place the card in your purse and never have to worry about fumbling for your key again. The chip embedded in the card prepares the car for your arrival and all you have to do is slide in and press the start button. Of course, you can also use the more "traditional" key, which in the case of Mercedes is an infrared unit. It might not seem like much to a male, but a woman does not want to dally in a crowded mall or isolated area. The starting card alone is reason to consider buying this vehicle for someone you love, or at least want to nudge in that direction.
More good news from Mercedes comes from the simplified COMMAND centre that used to control the heat, cooling, stereo, GPS, and more. It is now much easier to use giving you the ability to adjust the heating and other functions with just a turn of a knob for setting the temperature and fan speeds. Perhaps the best news to me was that all I had to do was push the "off" button to stop the air, heat, and fans without going into the control centre screen.
In keeping with tradition, the Mercedes seats are very firm, with fairly good side support and a vast array of adjustments. There are controls for the optional seat cooling fans and heating elements, and even a button that enables you to dial-up a back massage. The downside is that the controls are located under your left thigh and must be memorized for safe use while driving.
The trunk space is disappointing considering that this is a large car. With the top down, you have 6.8 cubic feet, and 9.7 with it raised. There are two small storage areas behind the front seat, as well as a centre console, glove compartment, and hidden door storage. Sounds like adequate space, until you find that the many features of the SL requires a range of owner's manuals that take up plenty of storage room themselves.
The bottom line is that I would gladly consider the SL as a great car for anything but heavy shopping because of the small trunk. It has a fairly tight turning radius, a very full array of safety features and the kind of composure that inspires confidence in a driver.
Young business woman: Yes, by the time you read this I will be in the world of business, having finished off my parent's savings on my way to obtaining masters degrees in business and information services. Nice timing on my part, as the Mercedes SL fits into my plans quite nicely. I didn't spend eight years in university for nothing.
The SL offers the safety of a hard top with the fun of a convertible and that makes a lot of sense to me. Even in cooler temperatures, the weather is kept at bay by a nice wind blocker, quick acting windows, and seats with four levels of heating. The heat and air conditioning controls are easier to use than on previous models, making it possible to adjust your comfort zone without staring dangerously at a small, dash mounted screen. And there are loads of special features to impress your friends. The one I found especially useful was the button that enabled me to raise the already trunk stowed roof so that I could retrieve my belongings without having to blindly grope. I also liked the way the top could be lowered or raised within seconds. Pulling up to a stoplight and finding some pigs in training stopped next to me would normally raise my warning hackles. I ignored them, pulled the lifting lever, and within seconds felt secure as the top gently locked into place. A very reassuring feature and, unfortunately, perhaps necessary in these times.
The SL even has the ability to improve your reading because there are more manuals in this car than any other I have ever driven due to all the car's unique features. Apparently, the SL even has the ability to raise up and avoid trauma to the front air dam when driving over ramps and steep driveways. With so much competition for the keys to the Mercedes SL, I just didn't have time to check it all out.
Working teenage boy's view: With my sister off the family dole, it is now my turn at the trough and the SL would make a fine start. The truth is that this Mercedes just didn't appeal to me. It was so one-dimensional. I need space and am not willing to sacrifice it, even if it means giving up such a supreme babe magnet.
There were other areas that Mercedes and I didn't see eye to eye about. I could not understand why the CD wasn't better located so you could load the changer without making such a fuss, the complicated GPS needs a better memory system, and the lack of such standard features as xenon lights at such a haughty price raises my hackles.
I did enjoy exploring the science fiction like options such as a Parktronic park distance warning system, Distronic radar-based cruise control that keeps a preset distance between your SL and the vehicle ahead, the Keyless-Go starting card that my mom is crazy about, a tire pressure monitoring system, voice activated radio and telephone controls, and seats that have an active ventilation system with fans and massage elements. For me, the bottom line is that this car uses premium fuel while only gets a combined 18 mpg, which makes it a problem for my eco-friendly conscience, and is simply not youth orientated. Give me the C32 AMG any day.
Family conference: This is a special car for a special person. The sophistication it offers, its dramatic appearance, first rate handling, and superior stopping place it among the foremost fun cars to drive. However, the price does give one pause, despite the warmth of its four-year/50,000 mile limited warranty and roadside assistance.
Options such as xenon headlights, six disc compact changer, and heated front seats, a comfort accessory package with ventilated seats (well worth it), and the sports package with AMG designed alloy wheels, an aero kit, and better tires (a real bargain). On the plus side is a tremendously high resale value and with significant demand that rate is probably going to go even higher.
Written by Car Family