spnslc

When do the new-model SLs arrive at the dealerships? I thought it was around springtime. My 2006 SL euro delivery arrived at my dealership in March 2006 and a month later the 2007s were hitting the showrooms. I was disappointed to get my car home and the next year's models followed just behind. I didn't know the new models came out so early.

I am planning on buying the newly-facelifted 2009 SL and I am wondering if it will arrive in the showrooms in April, too. Anyone out there buy their 2008 this past April?

________________________
Sue’s 2006 SL500
European Delivery February 2006
US Delivery April 2006

lontong

2010 mayb

CY

April is possible for the 3rd facelited R230..

JackStraw

While beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I believe that the facelifted version will not be as eye-catching as the current look. New rules in Europe to protect pedestrians have resulted in hoodlines that are higher. This is so in order that there is more airspace between the hood and the engine to soften the impact in the event of a collision. Compare the new C and CL to the previous models and you will see what I mean.

I read an article recently about the SLR that said that the '08 will be the last year of the design because of these new regulations. The spy shots of the new SL suggest a redo of the front end (lights and hood) which results in a higher hoodline. I am skeptical that it will look as good as the current one.

Once MB makes the SL a mid-engine car, they will have the ability to design it for asthetics. I think the illustrations of the SLC look pretty good.

Oh, to answer your original question, a face-lifted version can come out at anytime, probably depends most on the level of unsold inventory of the previous year's edition. The facelifted E came out in February a couple of years ago.

Guido1986

I think that the new SL wont come out until 2010-2012......isnt it every like 10 years they change the design???

spnslc

A major design overhaul is due 2011-2012, but a facelift (a change to the CLS front end) is due to come out next year:

http://www.edmunds.com/mercedesbenz/...09/review.html

http://www.leftlanenews.com/mercedes...ss-future.html

http://www.worldcarfans.com/6070725....ng-now-removed

http://www.worldcarfans.com/6070725....acelift-sl-amg

http://www.popularmechanics.com/blog...html?nav=RSS20

http://www.thecarconnection.com/Enth...78.A12374.html

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2795

http://blogs.edmunds.com/Straightline/2309

spnslc

Here is a photo and video of the "2011 Mercedes-Benz SLC AMG"
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=122340

Road and Track Magazine:
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=5629

I think the photo illustration of the 2011 SLC looks really good and I am going to keep an eye on that one! I also think the facelifted 2009 SL looks really great, too. I know there are reviews all over the place about the new CLS front end on the 2009 SL, some people like it and some people don't, but I think it gives the car an updated look and I am really looking forward to this update.

From the previous posts above, I am understanding that there are no set months that these cars are released. The 2009 SL could come out anytime next year. In the meantime, I will continue to enjoy the one that I have. It is an awesome car!

LovinMercedes

The new re-designed next generation SL is now scheduled for 2013.

Guido1986

yeah i just came back from mercedes because im getting my sister a SLK and i asked my salesman about the new SL replacement and he said it is getting a major facelift for 09'. He said its a shame because the new one is going to be ugly and it sucks that there getting rid of that beautiful design.

Sunny55

Sigh....I just got my 05 sl55 last month.....I hope the facelifted 09 won't be that appealing to me, because I wanna keep my 05 for at least 2 yrs.....But I must admit, the CLS type headlights make teh SL more updated, although I do not like the higher front end.

SL2003driver

The new frontend changes the whole look of the car. I would have to see one in person before I would be able to comment but it is really hard to improve on the existing design IMHO

LovinMercedes

History tells us that it really doesn't matter what the design is other than the fact that it is new. Everyone will want it and those that can't get it will convince themselves it is ugly regardless of whether it really is or not.

They want it because it is new regardless of whether it really is better or worse. Somehow they will justify it. It happens all the time with Mercedes and every other car manufacturer in the world.

You can't get around this. The ego always wants the latest and greatest.

Oh...you don't have an ego...yeah...right.
Better yet...maybe you are Adyashanti.

History won't be any different this time around.

spnslc

If you look at the photos of the mules, the sides and back are pretty much the same. It is the front CLS headlights that are so different, and from what I can tell from the photo illustration, I do like the newly "updated" front end a lot. What is disappointing to me is how often they change the look of this car. It is constantly changing. By the time I ordered my 2006 SL and got it home from a Euro Delivery, six months had passed and the 2007s were coming out and the 2007s had changed with new lights/lenses and I think front grille.

I agree with you that it is hard to improve on the existing design. Every time I walk into my garage, that same thought goes through my head. How could they possibly do an overhaul on this car in 2012-13? It is really a nicely-designed car and my favorite car design out there, by far.

I do look forward to some of the new features in the 2009, though. I don't know if this feature is on any of the newer model SLs, but I am really looking forward to the automatic trunk closer. I don't have that feature and I could use that just about everyday. And, of course, I am ready to give up the dings (that my husband put in the front bumper) and the crease that I put in the front area under the bumper from hitting one of those cement parking blocks (when my car was only weeks old!) That was a hard lesson learned, especially for me because my SL is, by far, my most favorite possession. I don't think "fanatical" is descriptive enough, not only for how much I like the car's design, but how much I like to drive this car.

SL2003driver

What I find interesting about the new car designs is that when I see the first pictures I normally hate them but after I see them in the real world for awhile they start looking good. But I think the current SL design is a classic. Enjoy your new SL55 when it arrives.

lontong

Very good comment ...

Agree

Murtaza

I agree it is true in most cases, however, not this one; at least not for me. I've never liked the CLS headlights so if the new SL is going to have them, i'm not going to like it. I do like the CL headlights so if it goes in that direction, I would dig it

Guido1986

I agree with murtaza.....I think the CLS headlamps look too lexus-ish they should have did the new CL front or the S-Class headlamps are nice. The thing I dont like about it is that from the pics i saw it looks like it has only one bar in the grille.

SL2003driver

The problem I see is that they are changing it for safety purposes not for the beauty of the design of the SL. This means it won't be as pleasing from a design stand point but it will fit some new government requirement. As stated some will buy it because it is the latest design and people will buy it so they have the latest model. It will not be the best looking but it will be the newest. I would reather have the best design not the latest. JMHO

Television

Thanks to every one on this thread for interesting reading. I too am very happy with my 03 car both for driving an looking at it, sometimes like the updated grill and lights, then I look at mine and think, no mine is nicer. it is often said that the first cars always look the best, when they get changed for safety reasons, then often not as nice

You could always buy this one and play around

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/BADLY-SMASHED-...QQcmdZViewItem

By the way do wear a seat belt, that guy did not

SL2003driver

I remember when the 240Z came out it still is the best looking design of the Z.

LovinMercedes

I certainly agree with you personally but with respect to the overall percentage of SL buyers or would be buyers I do believe history will repeat itself yet again.

It almost always does because people let their ego's get the best of them. The automobile industry counts on it.

LovinMercedes

Hey, what about that 300Z? I had one in Pearlglow white with a saddle interior and I thought at the time it was the most beautiful car I had ever seen.

Remember, the one with the "T" top?

SL2003driver

I also like the new 350Z but that was a complete redesign like the 300Z which I also had one. What I'm talkin about is what they started to do with the 240Z. Tried to make it look the same but changed the initial design and turned it into a different vehicle. Don't think that is a good idea with the SL. If they want to do a complete redesign like they did in 2003 then that is a new vehicle. I hate the mid model ugly changes.

CY

I just cant imagine them having a toatally new front end while keeping the sides etc. the same.....it will be strange to see them on the roads with the current SL's...hopefully there is more to this facelift.

Guido1986

thats what i was thinking too...If benz did something maybe to the back end and the side panels to make it blend in with the new front maybe it wont be that bad but with a new front end with the existing body will look weird....But lets see what happens when the final photos come out...maybe it will be nice.