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Good points: Excellent performance, solid platform, loads of special
features, exceptional transmission, sex appeal, superior hardtop to convertible
conversion time, resale.
Needs improvement: Tires, complicated seat controls, complicated control centre,
numb brake feel, lack of trunk space, price.
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
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