SL/R129: Test drove a 2003 SL55 Yesterday
01-27-2005, 10:24 PM
#1
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Test drove a 2003 SL55 Yesterday
It was a 11 degree C (52 F) overcast but no rain day. A great opportunity to steel a few minutes of retractable hard top down minutes from winter here.
After two years of dreaming about driving a R230, this was my first chance. Out for about 20 minutes only ... I was in a hurry to get back to the office.
Have any other R129 drivers driven the R230 SL 500, 55, 600 or 65 and care to share their inpressions?
The roads were cool and damp at times, so I had lots of tire spin.
The extra power was almost surealistic to me. Hit the gas from a stop and bam I was doing 130 km/h right away with no effort. Then usually hitting the brakes cause I'd be driving over some other car in the way.
The roads did not provide much chance to test out the Active Body Control. However I was left wondering why I did not have the driving sensations I am used to. Do I need a bit of dip and roll to feel the car?
The brakes seemed fine ... but again seemed a litttle cushy or detached.
The car had 25,000 km (15,500 miles) on it. The console cover did not latch. The trim finishes seemed less intersting than the 1999 I drive. The erogronomics of cource are different.
I was happy the higher door window sills did not did not leave me with a sitting in a tub feeling. Not with the top down any way. It did not have panorama roof.
I did not care too much for the muscle car sound. Was suprised that it did not change much in tone through the RMP range.
Conclusion ... I want to drive a R230 SL 600 with panorama roof
. I'm almost positive I'm a SL 600 guy.
In the mean time the R129 is still a great car
.
After two years of dreaming about driving a R230, this was my first chance. Out for about 20 minutes only ... I was in a hurry to get back to the office.
Have any other R129 drivers driven the R230 SL 500, 55, 600 or 65 and care to share their inpressions?
The roads were cool and damp at times, so I had lots of tire spin.
The extra power was almost surealistic to me. Hit the gas from a stop and bam I was doing 130 km/h right away with no effort. Then usually hitting the brakes cause I'd be driving over some other car in the way.
The roads did not provide much chance to test out the Active Body Control. However I was left wondering why I did not have the driving sensations I am used to. Do I need a bit of dip and roll to feel the car?
The brakes seemed fine ... but again seemed a litttle cushy or detached.
The car had 25,000 km (15,500 miles) on it. The console cover did not latch. The trim finishes seemed less intersting than the 1999 I drive. The erogronomics of cource are different.
I was happy the higher door window sills did not did not leave me with a sitting in a tub feeling. Not with the top down any way. It did not have panorama roof.
I did not care too much for the muscle car sound. Was suprised that it did not change much in tone through the RMP range.
Conclusion ... I want to drive a R230 SL 600 with panorama roof
. I'm almost positive I'm a SL 600 guy.In the mean time the R129 is still a great car
.
01-28-2005, 12:50 AM
#3
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
Top down ... so lots of exhuast noise.
Wind defector up of course so no wind at all. Probably more aerodynamic even than the R129.
Even with the 19" wheels and stiffer sport suspension ... I'd say the ride was very comfortable.
The dealership had put new Michelen Pilot Sport rubber on ... so no tire noise at all.
The radio (did not have a CD) seemed poor compaired to listening to our favourite CD music in the R129. Cant' hear as well with the loud exhaust.
Wind defector up of course so no wind at all. Probably more aerodynamic even than the R129.
Even with the 19" wheels and stiffer sport suspension ... I'd say the ride was very comfortable.
The dealership had put new Michelen Pilot Sport rubber on ... so no tire noise at all.
The radio (did not have a CD) seemed poor compaired to listening to our favourite CD music in the R129. Cant' hear as well with the loud exhaust.
