SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: The SL cabin is quiet

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Jul 17, 2005 | 10:58 PM
  #1  
tiggerfink's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
The SL cabin is quiet

One of our friends just purchased a new Infinety M45sport. He was bragging about how quiet it was and other things. On the way home, my wife mention that our SL is whole lot quieter than his new car. I said, I thought his car was loud.

So I got home and looked in my Motor Trend, Car&Driver, and Road&Track for interior cabin noise. I was excited to find out that the SL65 was at 66 dBA and the M45 was at 67 dBA at a cruising speed of 70 MPHs. Below are some of the interior noise levels at 70mphs.

Acura RL 69 dBA
BMW 530i 64 dBA
Jaguar S-type 65 dBA
Lexus GS430 63 dBA
Mercedes E350 64 dBA
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2005 | 01:55 AM
  #2  
lorinserbenz's Avatar
Super Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 918
Likes: 1
none
Having owned an Infiniti (G35C) I can vouch for the loud cabin noise.
I test drove the new M45 and thought it was loud for a lux sedan..
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2005 | 02:05 AM
  #3  
LovinMercedes's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,604
Likes: 125
2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Thumbs up Very quiet car...

Originally Posted by tiggerfink
One of our friends just purchased a new Infinety M45sport. He was bragging about how quiet it was and other things. On the way home, my wife mention that our SL is whole lot quieter than his new car. I said, I thought his car was loud.

So I got home and looked in my Motor Trend, Car&Driver, and Road&Track for interior cabin noise. I was excited to find out that the SL65 was at 66 dBA and the M45 was at 67 dBA at a cruising speed of 70 MPHs. Below are some of the interior noise levels at 70mphs.

Acura RL 69 dBA
BMW 530i 64 dBA
Jaguar S-type 65 dBA
Lexus GS430 63 dBA
Mercedes E350 64 dBA
I have found that the SL, even given the fact that it is a hardtop convertible, is still amazingly quiet.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2005 | 03:49 AM
  #4  
tiggerfink's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
I wonder how loud is the jag convertiable? I found some more numbers.

Mercedes SLK55 72 dBA
Ford Mustang GT Convertiable 74 dBA
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2005 | 10:46 AM
  #5  
Trimmer2's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 333
Likes: 12
From: South Florida
Those numbers must be on fresh rubber! I think the noise goes up conciderably as the performance tires age...
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2005 | 10:37 PM
  #6  
tiggerfink's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
I have over 18,500 miles on my tires. The car is still quiet.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2005 | 12:06 AM
  #7  
CASL55's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 287
Likes: 0
From: Central California Coast
2004 SL55, 2005 E500 Wagon
Originally Posted by tiggerfink
I have over 18,500 miles on my tires. The car is still quiet.
I've got an SL55, so I may have different results just based on that. I have about 7000 on the original set of 18-inch P-Zero Rossos. At about 3000 miles, it got noisy, but it hasn't gotten any worse since. When I'm driving, the noise appears to come from the left rear tire.

In another couple of thousand miles, I'll be ready for new tires. If you don't mind telling me, what kind do you have that are so quiet?

Jim
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2005 | 01:37 AM
  #8  
tiggerfink's Avatar
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
I have the original 18" Michelin Pilot Sports that came on the car. I do find it odd that I have to get my tires balanced every 6 months.

The tires are a little over 18,500 miles and looks like they can go another 18,000 miles. I put in 2 to 3 PSIs over recommended and check the balance every 6 months. Tires of that size usually do not stay in balance long.

I have the same luck on tires on my SLK 320. Those Michelin Pilot Sports lasted a little over 35,000 miles. The Michelin Pilot Primacy tires that I have now on my SLK 320 are noisy. I cannot get the Michelin Pilot Sports any more on my SLK320, because Michelin lower the rated load index to 87.

Last edited by tiggerfink; Jul 19, 2005 at 01:47 AM.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:59 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE