SL/R231: 2017 SL450- Very Impressed Today
11-20-2016, 07:10 PM
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2017 SL450- Very Impressed Today
Traded the 2008 SL550 6 weeks ago for a 2017 SL450. Have around 1400 miles on the car and have taken some spirited rides locally on some twisty roads. One in particular has a curve posted with a 45mph sign and "brave" me has taken the curve at 60 mph with a bit of trepidation.
This morning my 50 Y.O. son came out so we could change out the horns on his WRX for newer units and afterwards asked if we could go for a spin in the SL since he had never driven it. He does have high speed driving experience and took the 45mph curve at 78 mph. I literally had to be peeled off the door afterwards and would never have the ***** to take this curve at that speed due to no training. My son said he was very impressed with the SL and said it was a huge improvement over the 2008 model I traded in.
This morning my 50 Y.O. son came out so we could change out the horns on his WRX for newer units and afterwards asked if we could go for a spin in the SL since he had never driven it. He does have high speed driving experience and took the 45mph curve at 78 mph. I literally had to be peeled off the door afterwards and would never have the ***** to take this curve at that speed due to no training. My son said he was very impressed with the SL and said it was a huge improvement over the 2008 model I traded in.
11-26-2016, 10:49 AM
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2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
Driving the SL, not riding!
Ex-SCCA racer here, did it for years. Love to drive the vehicle, not content to simply cruise. In choosing the SL we drove some other sports cars, ultimately deciding that the SL was more to our life style, providing a GT platform that incorporated features and creature comforts the others did not.
That being said, our non-ABC car on the Conti run flats is very competent in trail braking, transition and corner exit. Are there faster sports cars, yes, but they cannot duplicate the comprehensive package of the SL. This car can haul ***, and keep up with machinery that does not compare in the features category. I cannot wait to get the RFT off, put on some proper Michelin Pilot S/S, and do some track time with this car.
So far our time in the mountains of East Tennessee, North Georgia and Western North Carolina provide very high levels of driving enjoyment. As a friend of mine noted, the SL is 'what every car wants to be when it grows up'.
(Professional driver on closed course)
That being said, our non-ABC car on the Conti run flats is very competent in trail braking, transition and corner exit. Are there faster sports cars, yes, but they cannot duplicate the comprehensive package of the SL. This car can haul ***, and keep up with machinery that does not compare in the features category. I cannot wait to get the RFT off, put on some proper Michelin Pilot S/S, and do some track time with this car.
So far our time in the mountains of East Tennessee, North Georgia and Western North Carolina provide very high levels of driving enjoyment. As a friend of mine noted, the SL is 'what every car wants to be when it grows up'.
(Professional driver on closed course)
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ibanezking (11-26-2016)
11-26-2016, 03:58 PM
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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
11-29-2016, 01:22 PM
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The 9 speed transmission in the SL450 was a wise choice by MB. It really makes the 6 cylinders sing under foot to the floor acceleration! 
12-05-2016, 09:48 PM
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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Question: does the 2017 SL have the magnetic door holds? My 2015 S550 has them and so does my 2013 SL550, but I know they dropped them on the S Class, I believe in 2016, so I am curious as to whether they are on the refreshed SL.
03-09-2017, 10:47 PM
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2015 - S550(traded in), 2017 - GLE350, 2017 - SL550
No the 2017 sl doesn't have magnetic door holds. I just test drove a 550 today. BY the way, the 2016 S class does have them. I own one and that is what it has. I'm not particularly fond of them. It tends to not hold the door in place on my gently sloped driveway. Hope this helps.
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03-09-2017, 11:42 PM
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2015 - S550(traded in), 2017 - GLE350, 2017 - SL550
No the 2017 sl doesn't have magnetic door holds. I just test drove a 550 today. BY the way, the 2016 S class does have them. I own one and that is what it has. I'm not particularly fond of them. It tends to not hold the door in place on my gently sloped driveway. Hope this helps.
