LVDell

Hi all. Been checking out this forum for about the last 2 months just taking in all the info y'all have exchanged about the R230.

I am in the market for a new car to add to the stable and have been on the fence between adding another Porsche (currently own a 996) or the R230. Decided I would rather add the MB after checking one out at the local dealer a couple months ago (still keeping the Porsche since I track it quite often).

I am absolutely in no hurry, I could buy tomorrow or next year, and be happy with my decision. But, I do know that I buy one.

So.....here is where I need some input you those of you "in the know"

I have seen many posts talking about the new V8 (from the new S-Class) going into the SL500 moving it from 302 to 388hp. After reading that I am torn between paying (which I assume will be) MSRP next year when the 2007 SL is realeased with that motor .......or...... pick up a 2005 now that the 2006's are in showrooms at a smokin deal.

I tell myself it is a no-brainer, get the 05 and probably save a delta of ~$20K but the thought of a 382hp SL500 sounds entoxicating.

And thoughts? (remember I still have a car that hauls a** and track)

Many thanks in advance!

Cheers,
Dell

StephenK

You could always take an 05 or 06 and add some Renntech to it and boost the HP and Torque. They showed it can be modified up to 530 and 548 respectively. That should be quite intoxicating.

LVDell

Not going to mod the car....I leave that for my P-Car.

tiggerfink

I would wait until the new model comes out with the new engine.

lorinserbenz

Wait... you will be able to get a smoking deal on the 2007's. The changes are significant but not enough to start a demand like when the R230 first came out.
Im betting besides the motor and bumpers there will be some other improvements worth waiting for.

LVDell

Why would I get a smokin' deal on an 07 when they will have a new engine, aesthetic improvements, and of course be new? Not sure I follow.

lorinserbenz

Its not like there are redesigning the whole car.. Why wouldnt you get a good deal on the 2007? When the CLS first came out my dad got 2k off sticker, and others were paying 5k over.
I highly doubt there will be a rush for 2007 Sl's. Yes, some of the dealers will not budge but I bet you will find one that will give the car to you at invoice.
I spoke to my dealer two months ago about a 2006 and before I could even ask about price he told me I could have it at invoice.

A new motor and some different looking bumpers arent going to create a buzz in the Sl market.
You might get 5k more off say a 06 but why bother? If you are spending 90K whats 5 grand to you?

vantage78

If you want your SL fix now, perhaps you could buy a 04 model, and get the 07 when it comes out.

LVDell

Good point. I have budgeted $100K for the car but would love to get it for low 90s. I know the dealer here in Vegas won't budge on price but if I wait till next year when we move back to TX I know that the dealer there has more wiggle room (especially since my mother has a long relationship with the MB dealer).

Thanks for all the input! Looks like I will just hold out till next year....as I probably should since my wife and I already have 3 cars and the thought of having 4 just sounds wrong.

lorinserbenz

Yeah i bet it will be rough driving that 996
Unless you were going to get a Sl600 ( no motor changes), then id wait for the 2007 SL500. Hopefully they wont increase the prices again.. if they do Ill be taking a look at the 6 series.

LVDell

The SL600 is what I would prefer but I have some sentimental reasons to buy the 500 that I'd rather not get into

I was going to get a GT3 as a dedicated track car but I found out there is nothing in the way of tracks close to home when we move back to TX so there is no reason to spend that coin on something that will be useless.

That (and the sentimental reasons) is what brought me to the SL. Georgeous car and just very luxurious.

I can't imagine no motor changes on the 600 when the 500 will be near 400hp! Couldn't justify the price jump for 100hp when the 500 is a mover itself.

tiggerfink

I do not understand your comment. Please clarify.

vantage78

Sorry, that comment was for LVdell. I was suggesting that he could get a used SL now and trade it in for the 07s when they come out. That way, he could be in a SL right now while he waits...

LVDell

I thought about that, but I would rather buy my SL brand new with exactly the options I want since all the used ones I have looked at have stuff I don't want and/or don't have what I want. Just assume order it exacatly as I want it if I am going to to go spend that kinda coin. Hopefully the 07 comes out in early 06!

Overclocked412

Im just suprised how much MB is raping people. You can find a used near mint 03 SL500 in the mid 60's now a days. I mean come on, the almost same exact thing -2- years later (minus a little mileage) is forty thousand dollars more ..... $40,000.00.

crazy.

LovinMercedes

Someone correct me if I am wrong but I do remember reading something that said the V12 was going to 510 horsepower.

LVDell

An 03 is now 3 years old. I would not feel totally comfortable with only 1 year left on warranty to fully understand the car and get fixes taken care of. I do like the idea of saving 40 large, but if I went the pre-owned route I would pick up an 04 with 2 years left on warranty. Besides, I would NEVER buy a first year release of a car and I thought the 03 was a first model year.

I think I will probably hold out for the 07 now and get the bigger V8 in the current R230. Not that I would probably sell it but I think the 03-06 models will be take a huge hit with the availability of the 388hp V8. 86hp is nothing to sneeze at.

RJC

You are correct, for '06 the V12 will get a boost in power, 517 hp in euro configuration; 510 sounds about right for the US.

vraa

I think it's just a re-check of how much power it really has as per SAE.

The Vette went from 500 to 505.
LS430 went from 298 (i think) to 278.

This SL600 is probably going from 493 paper, to 510 SAE.
That's what I'm assuming.. I may be wrong, but it'd be nice to see Mercedes also following SAE standards.

RJC

There is a new form of SAE rated horsepower beyond net (SAE net is what MB has been quoting for many years in their official US literature) called Certified SAE Power...I'm not sure if this is what MB is relying on for its 06 #'s but I suspect it is a regular power increase for the new model year.

BTW, MB's #'s have always been on the conservative side with regard to engine power etc.

RadSteve

paperwork on my 2006 SL600 still says 493hp...but who cares after it's Rennteched. (See new brochures)

StephenK

When I spoke with Renntech, they said the SL600 actually has more horsepower than Mercedes advertises for the car. I don't remember for sure what Bob Brady said, but I think it was 520 or 540. There is only one way to know for sure and that is to have the car tested.

Ken Silver

What's wrong with that? My wife and I have a SL500 (his), SLK (hers), Lexus LX430 (his) and a Suzuki Vitara. So we have one for every reason and season, and sometimes find we need another as a spare!

(OK, I will definitely stop at 6! )

I have a friend, a longtime MB owner and dealer, who bought a Roller solely for driving his many overseas visitors around the city in style.

Horses for courses.

Ken Silver.

RadSteve

We have 5 between the two of us...different cars for different moods/needs

LVDell

**UPDATE....need input**

Ok, so here's were I am at regarding purchasing a new R230:

Dealership called today and asked if I was still interested in a new SL and I told them that I was probably going to wait till next spring before I buy a new one. They said that they had plenty of inventory right now that they would like to move and that I can get in the car below invoice.

I told them I would come in (I went ahead and made an appt with my sales guy) and talk and go over what they have.

So, a couple questions for those of you in the know:

1. What is invoice on this car? I have looked on MSN autos but I am looking for numbers from those in the know. Also, anyway to know what the dealer is "into" the car financialy? I mean I really want the best price possible without looking like a jackass trying to "steal" the car.

2. Before options, what would you offer to pay for a new SL and what is reasonable to ask for discounts numbers on options? Just trying to compute the cost of the car (dealer cost + options cost + small profit).

3. Any deal breakers that I should be aware of?

Thanks again all for entertaining my questions! Hope to be a part of the SL club soon.