The Mercedes SL provides a fast and very stylish mode of transportation. The car’s level of comfort is so high that it is rarely matched by competitors. The SL comes with a variety of engine choices.
No matter which engine is selected the SL boasts an electronically governed top speed of 155mph. Even so, this is not a slow car by any means. The SL is a beautiful two-seater and probably one of the best cars in the world.
The car’s cabin is very comfortable and luxurious. Passengers are well cared for by the way of large leather seats. Engine noise isn’t totally stifled due to the amount of power that’s on hand.
The car’s seats are multi-adjustable and very comfortable. As a cost option you can select massaging seats. The SL’s hard-top fold’s silently and easily.
The car comes standard with high levels of equipment. The SL 500 includes automatic climate control, bi-xenon headlights, a CD autochanger, Mercedes’ COMAND navigation and audio system, heated leather seats and metallic paint. The SL 55 AMG adds a full AMG body kit, aluminium cabin trim in place of wood, sports seats, an AMG steering wheel, two twin-exhaust pipes, steering wheel paddle shift control for automatic transmission, and a Bose audio system. No matter what level of trim is selected buyers will receive many luxuries. Even the SL 350 model receives the basic luxuries including comprehensive safety equipment and the superb folding roof.
SL350 delivers a smooth and refined ride without as much power. The SL500 is a little more spirited and matches the car’s sporty exterior, while the SL55 AMG has nearly 480bhp and a supercharged V8. The car delivers supercar performance. The SL600 offers similar performance but with a more refined ride. The car boasts a twin-turbo V12. The SL65 is the fastest providing 612bhp, but due to an electronic engine limiter all levels of trim boast a top speed of 155mph.
Practicality
The SL Class will be an expensive purchase. The better equipped models of course will cost more, but resale values should be good due to demand. Fuel costs will vary depending on performance, and insurance rates are likely to be high.
The SL provides excellent passenger space. All passengers should enjoy plenty of head and legroom. Boot space is a little more limited with the top down.
The car’s instrumentation is beautifully designed. Everything is well placed and functional. The controls are of a good quality and have a nice feel. Displays are large and easy to read. All of the technology is user-friendly and shouldn’t take long to master.
The SL is only a two-seater but it offers exceptional levels of comfort. The seats are lurge and luxurious while the rest of the cabin follows suit. Space is excellent for a two-seater and the ride is smooth and refined.
The SL provides excellent accessibility. The car’s doors are large and open widely providing a large aperture. The car doesn’t sit too low to the ground and passengers are able to gain access to the car’s seats with little difficulty.
Parking the SL is fairly easy. The car provides good visibility and handles well at low speeds. The car can easily be maneuvered into even smaller parking spaces.
Life Style
There are enough trim levels available that the car delivers just the right amount of power. The car’s maximum speed is limited to 155mph, but that should be plenty of speed for most. The car provides excellent handling and braking and delivers an all-round comfortable and enjoyable ride.
The SL is only a two-seater with limited cabin and boot space. It is an unlikely candidate as a primary family vehicle. The SL would make a fun and stylish second car.
This is not a first car. It is too expensive for most first time buyers and insurance rates would be expensive as well. The car also has too much power on hand for a novice driver. It is easy enough to drive, just not practical.
Regardless of the trim that is chosen the SL boasts very high quality materials with an exceptional feel. The car can easily stand on its own merit, however; the Mercedes-Benz badge certainly won’t hurt anything either.
Security and Safety
The car’s standard security features includea valet lock-out system, a tracking device, programmable remote door locks, an alrm and engine immobiliser and an anti-lift sensor.
The car’s safety features include head/thorax and driver and passenger airbags, pop-up roll-over protection, electronic driver aids, and an optional system to alert police and ambulance services in the event of an accident and guide them to the car using satellite navigation.
The Finishing Touches
The car’s standard audio system includes a trip computer, steering-wheel mounted controls, a Bose AM/FM radio with speed sensitive volume control. The unit comes with eight speakers and an in-dash CD player, a six disc CD changer and an MP3 player.
The car’s interior design is very luxurious and comfortable. The car’s exterior looks good in metallic colours and should bring a high resale value. The car also comes with many optional extras that quickly raise the price of the car.
Summary
The SL Class is a comfortable and sporty convertible. The little two-seater offers a lot of passenger space considering the type of car that it is. The top-speed is capped at 155mph but the car still delivers a fast and refined ride.
