Keng1

Hi Guys

So are there any differences in the body style of the SL500 (non-sport) 2003 to the 2006 model?

Overclocked412

None that I know of unless you count the optional sirius satellite receiver. Now the 07's are different tho, new updated panels. though Im sure you know about that?

giffSCPA

WHEN did the Nav-Tek Navigation system change over to DVD rather than a lot of Discs for USA coverage??

GIFF ALBRIGHT, State College, PA

Keng1

No change in the rear bumper? I read in the past threads somewhere that the bumbers were more round in the 03's?

LovinMercedes

There has not been any change in the body of the SL since 2003. Rumors have it that 2007 will bring about a very slight change in the front lower part of the bumper and the rear tail light but nobody knows that for sure until the car arrives this coming July/August.

The DVD Navigation change occured in the 2005 model year and is the only significant change since 2003. There have been other little changes but most of them are deletions of things like A/C air burst buttons, memory rear view mirrors and a few others.

Keng1

very cool. thanks for responding.

vantage78

I would also add the following:

- Non sport package SLs came with 18 inchers as standard equipment starting in MY '04; the 03 SL had only 17 inchers as standard equipment

Also, although not a body style change, the 06 has the 7 speed auto that was introduced in MY '04; vastly improved compared to the 5 speed.

giffSCPA

Thanks Lovin--the 2003 system is a pain here in Central PA -- right "on the line" --a three disc exercise to go West and South!

GIFF ALBRIGHT State College, PA

Chris 45971

Exterior ~ with the 2003, it is very likely that you will see more chips in the paint compared to the 2006.

Interior ~ I believe the COMMAND face and the shift knob changed with the 2005 model.

Richard

The door mirrors are different between my 1st SL55 (which was one of the first right-hand-steering ones) and my MY2004 one. The MY2004 one uses parts from the R171 SLK I think (well the indicator bit is a W171 xxx xx xx part nr)

I dont think there were any other exterior changes.

In terms of electronics/features, using European model years (which are different to US ones sometimes), I can think of these

- It was a while before Glass roof was available in Europe (so the early SL500/SL55's didn't have it as an option)
- Early ones didnt have SBS Stop and SBS Hold braking functions
- By MY2004 folding mirrors can be auto-folded when ignition switched off
- MY2004 and before has memory interior mirror, it got deleted around MY2005
- I think latest ones no longer have SBS Stop, Just SBS Hold
- New COMAND introduced for MY2005
- The layout of the info in the cluster displays has changed (the left hand display top line now shows temperature, on MY2004 it showed trip-counter/speed only, and temp was on the right)
- There seems to be some sort of boost mode on the A/C in latest cars (looking at the online SL manual)

- I still can't beleive that US cars have an illuminated release button inside the trunk ... which legislator thought that enough people would get stuck in the trunk that everyone has to pay for a never used button

Cheers

Richard

zimmersci

What are air burst buttons?

Auraraptor

Haha I saw that and was like, what on earth?

seattlecarfreak

i guess that explains why nobody in the mafia seems to have an SL...
:v

ClayJ

I'm guessing the on/off fan controls for the air conditioning.....

giffSCPA

[QUOTE=Richard]The door mirrors are different between my 1st SL55 (which was one of the first right-hand-steering ones) and my MY2004 one. The MY2004 one uses parts from the R171 SLK I think (well the indicator bit is a W171 xxx xx xx part nr)



- I still can't beleive that US cars have an illuminated release button inside the trunk ... which legislator thought that enough people would get stuck in the trunk that everyone has to pay for a never used button

Cheers
**********************
RICHARD - Here is an excerpt from the www regarding the trunk release situation:
People are locked in car trunks more often than you might imagine. Knowledge about this issue is further complicated by the fact that no statistics were previously available for how frequently this happens.

We have accumulated over 1600+ cases where people were confined in a car trunk. Once the victims are forced inside the trunk of a car, they are entombed without a means of escape. In 20-25% of these incidents people have died as a result of being locked inside the trunk of a car (300+ deaths). Some trunk entrapments are accidental; as when children are playing and lock themselves inside, or when teenagers are playing a prank. In most of these situations, a trunk release could have helped or even saved their lives.

Automobile manufacturers know about this issue but refuse to place a trunk release device in the trunks of their vehicles. They sympathize with the victims; but give mainly two reasons why they will not consider an inside trunk release.

When criminals realize the trunk has a release device, they will dismantle it before placing a victim inside.
When criminals realize all trunks have inside trunk releases, they may harm the victim before locking them in the trunk.
Response: Our research indicates that criminals are not thinking of what is inside the trunk of a car at the time of the abduction. The abductor uses the trunk as a "prison" to quickly move the victim to a more secluded location where the crime is committed; or abandons the car leaving the victim locked inside the trunk. We recommend that auto manufacturers design the trunk release so that if tampered with, the trunk would not lock at all, or the car would not start. An inside trunk release enables the victim to escape anytime the car is stopped, (i.e., at a red light, stop sign, etc.) or somehow bring attention to themselves.

Also, automobile manufacturers have never addressed the fact that innocent children have died after accidentally locking themselves inside a car trunk. After 1 death and 11 "close calls" of children locking themselves inside the wheel wells (rear side storage compartment) of station wagons; auto manufacturers immediately recalled all station wagons. Why is the trunk of an automobile any different from the wheel well of a station wagon?

REFERENCE http://www.kidsandcars.org/trunc/mission.htm

GIFF ALBRIGHT, State College, Pennsylvania, USA

LovinMercedes

The air burst button was located in the center of the console where the center vents were. When you pushed the button it gave a stronger burst of air.

I found it very usefull as it gave you added A/C or heat in situations where the system was functioning with very little air flow.

ClayJ

The forums -- you learn something new every week!
Thanks LovinSL600

Vik888

I've disabled the trunk release in my trunk before putting any bodies in there.

LovinMercedes

Here it is in the pictures. The blue button gave you additional cold air flow and the red, heat of course.

I loved the feature. This was in my 2003 SL500. I don't remember about my 2004 SL55 but the other picture was my 2005 SL600.
.

ClayJ

Very cool. Great pics.
Hey- Why'd you go with the Vanquish S instead of the DB9?

LovinMercedes

Faster, sexier and much greater technology. The DB9 is a great car but the Vanquish S is a far superior machine and should be for another $125,000.

I once asked an Aston Martin engineer the difference between a Vanquish S and a DB9. He said the only thing that could be compared are the engines which have some similarities althought the Vanquish is 520 HP while the DB9 is 460 HP. He said after that, nothing is similar. Personally, I think the biggest difference is the Carbon fiber tub on the Vanquish S compared to the DB9 VH platform.

Nothing to take from the DB9 but you are talking about a totally different car. It is a daily driver while the Vanquish S is a thrill machine.

ClayJ

That's what I was guessing you chose the Vanquish S for. Mine's a 'daily driver'. Guess I'll just have to head over to Gaydon and check out the S now....

MD750

There's not a way to update the 03-04's to the 05+ nav? I ask cause I actually did that to my car.

LovinMercedes

I would say that would be impossible because the new DVD Navigation system works on the MHOST system and the older cars do not have MHOST.