SL/R230: NZ$269,000 SL600 sitting on an open lot
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Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 103
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From: On a hill
2004 SL350
NZ$269,000 SL600 sitting on an open lot
Our city's MB dealer has a showroom for their new cars, and an open lot branch across the road. Sitting over there are some pretty nice vehicles, including a triple black 2004 SL600 equivalently priced at US$179,000.
What bugs me is that these are expensive cars in anyone's language - and the dealers are devaluing the brand by putting them in an open yard like Discount Joe down the road.
It's no different in our largest city either... there they have 1 and 2 year-old SL500's sitting out in the rain, just like any other Ma & Pa vehicle.
In my travels I've been to many cities round the world and never seen this before. Is it unique?
What bugs me is that these are expensive cars in anyone's language - and the dealers are devaluing the brand by putting them in an open yard like Discount Joe down the road.
It's no different in our largest city either... there they have 1 and 2 year-old SL500's sitting out in the rain, just like any other Ma & Pa vehicle.
In my travels I've been to many cities round the world and never seen this before. Is it unique?
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by Ken Silver
Our city's MB dealer has a showroom for their new cars, and an open lot branch across the road. Sitting over there are some pretty nice vehicles, including a triple black 2004 SL600 equivalently priced at US$179,000.
What bugs me is that these are expensive cars in anyone's language - and the dealers are devaluing the brand by putting them in an open yard like Discount Joe down the road.
It's no different in our largest city either... there they have 1 and 2 year-old SL500's sitting out in the rain, just like any other Ma & Pa vehicle.
In my travels I've been to many cities round the world and never seen this before. Is it unique?
What bugs me is that these are expensive cars in anyone's language - and the dealers are devaluing the brand by putting them in an open yard like Discount Joe down the road.
It's no different in our largest city either... there they have 1 and 2 year-old SL500's sitting out in the rain, just like any other Ma & Pa vehicle.
In my travels I've been to many cities round the world and never seen this before. Is it unique?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: On a hill
2004 SL350
Originally Posted by LovinSL600
I am not aware of any SL600's costing anywhere near US$179,000 in the United States.
The sad part is that we have tariffs and greedy dealers that bump the retail price of these cars up to extraordinary levels, much like the price of MBs in some other countries like Lebanon. Believe me, I drool when I look through eBay and see US$100k SLs, and know that nothing short of a miracle will make the franchised dealers here sell at that price.
Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
Last edited by Ken Silver; Mar 5, 2006 at 11:15 PM.
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I don't think anyone in europe is in the market for an SL that isn't a millionaire.. one thing about americans, we always complain about car prices, gas, etc.. but the cost of living in europe (especially norway and denmark) along with buying a car like an SL.. you won't find anyone wearing a blue collar having them.. having a 2 door impractical car like an SL55.. .. not cheap... unlike us gluttoned americans that buy 3-4 or four cars on credit that we can't afford 
I always found it funny how in europe they idolize mustangs, corvettes and the such over any AMG or M series.. i know, because they are "american", but still..
I always found it funny how in europe they idolize mustangs, corvettes and the such over any AMG or M series.. i know, because they are "american", but still..
Originally Posted by blueSL
Norway and Denmark are bad as well, something like 80% tax on cars.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by seattlecarfreak
I don't think anyone in europe is in the market for an SL that isn't a millionaire.. one thing about americans, we always complain about car prices, gas, etc.. but the cost of living in europe (especially norway and denmark) along with buying a car like an SL.
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Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 103
Likes: 1
From: On a hill
2004 SL350
Originally Posted by mick1
I sure hope the maintenance/repair costs for Mercedes-Benz automobiles are more reasonable for New Zealanders than what you guys have to pay for the cars.
Mind you, since my wife and I divide our time up between all the 4 of them, it takes a while before each one has to go to the shop.
Ken Silver
--------------
~1993 SL500, glistening triple black, xenons, AMG facelift to 2002 style.
~1999 SLK 230 Kompressor, silver/black leather, CD, immaculate
~1999 Lexus LX470 SUV, sand/ivory leather.
~1999 Suzuki Grand Vitara. black & silver.
~ex 350SL, 230E, 280E, MX5, Jaguar Daimler and a lot of other makes not nearly as nice.
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Treasure Coast
2018 Mclaren 720s, 2021 Aston Martin DBX
We have a dealer with a relatively new facility. He had plenty of land so there was no need for a multiple story garage. He has SL65s sitting in the open lot. They don't even have the plastic wrap.
The sun here is pretty brutal and when I went with a friend of mine to see a new E-class diesel I noticed that the car had been built 14 months earlier...probably spending most of that time in the open. I told him to pass on the car.
The sun here is pretty brutal and when I went with a friend of mine to see a new E-class diesel I noticed that the car had been built 14 months earlier...probably spending most of that time in the open. I told him to pass on the car.
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Joined: Jul 2003
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From: Poland
Originally Posted by seattlecarfreak
I don't think anyone in europe is in the market for an SL that isn't a millionaire.. one thing about americans, we always complain about car prices, gas, etc.. but the cost of living in europe (especially norway and denmark) along with buying a car like an SL.. you won't find anyone wearing a blue collar having them.. having a 2 door impractical car like an SL55.. .. not cheap... unlike us gluttoned americans that buy 3-4 or four cars on credit that we can't afford
I always found it funny how in europe they idolize mustangs, corvettes and the such over any AMG or M series.. i know, because they are "american", but still..
I always found it funny how in europe they idolize mustangs, corvettes and the such over any AMG or M series.. i know, because they are "american", but still..
Complaining about:
Gas prices in US - LMAO
Car prices and financing - LOL
Virtually, there is no comparison between these two markets :/
SL in Europe is a lot bigger wow...
