SL/R230: Last of the '08 purchase
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
'06 SL600
Wow, only $90k for a brand new sl550. Definitely puts a little different spin on things. It's tough, I've been looking at a few '06 SL55/600s and the price seems to be about $73-77k for a CPO car with 10-25k miles. Given the extra year and 100k miles, the warranties have been 2.5-3 years (with enough mileage to choke a horse...whatever that means...).
Overall, the '06s are still in great shape. Any thoughts (other than the obvious "new" feeling) of why I might want to consider an '08 SL550 over the cheaper (and more powerful) '06 SL55/600?
Overall, the '06s are still in great shape. Any thoughts (other than the obvious "new" feeling) of why I might want to consider an '08 SL550 over the cheaper (and more powerful) '06 SL55/600?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Wow, only $90k for a brand new sl550. Definitely puts a little different spin on things. It's tough, I've been looking at a few '06 SL55/600s and the price seems to be about $73-77k for a CPO car with 10-25k miles. Given the extra year and 100k miles, the warranties have been 2.5-3 years (with enough mileage to choke a horse...whatever that means...).
Overall, the '06s are still in great shape. Any thoughts (other than the obvious "new" feeling) of why I might want to consider an '08 SL550 over the cheaper (and more powerful) '06 SL55/600?
Overall, the '06s are still in great shape. Any thoughts (other than the obvious "new" feeling) of why I might want to consider an '08 SL550 over the cheaper (and more powerful) '06 SL55/600?
It all depends on desires and money... and everybody is different.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
'06 SL600
Yeah, I porked myself by having the e55. 
Now that I'm used to the 470hp, I think I'd have a tough time "downgrading" (as sad as that word sounds when talking about almost 400hp!!!).
There's still something to be said though for having that "new car"...
Now that I'm used to the 470hp, I think I'd have a tough time "downgrading" (as sad as that word sounds when talking about almost 400hp!!!).
There's still something to be said though for having that "new car"...
Super Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 576
Likes: 0
From: Midwest
'08 SL550 Sport, '11 BMW 550ix M sport
I'm purposly staying away from the AMG's. (Plus, the pricing discounts take a lot of the early depreciation sting out of my buying equation)
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
'06 SL600
Metalica, My perspective is much like yours having owned two AMG rides, but I look at the SL differently. I'm buying this more for luxury cruising than for straightline performance. Don't get me wrong the AMG's are amazing performers but the ride can sometimes be a little harse.
I'm purposly staying away from the AMG's. (Plus, the pricing discounts take a lot of the early depreciation sting out of my buying equation)
I'm purposly staying away from the AMG's. (Plus, the pricing discounts take a lot of the early depreciation sting out of my buying equation)
As for the depreciation, I think at this point the dealers are just making it "fair value", right? Essentially, an '08 is already a year old the second you buy it now (vs. buying last July when it still had a full model year ahead of it). So, the $20k off, is really just a realization that the car walks off the lot a year old. I bought my E55 this same time of year (bought an '06 in Apr '06) and I basically considered it buying a 1 year old used car with 0 miles.
Oh, the dilemmas we all face in deciding which bad a$$ roadster to buy.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
'06 SL600
BTW, Ex-Beemer, I love that Mars Red color. I've been trying to find an '06 SL600 in that same color to no avail. Yet, another problem with used cars! Trying to find exactly what you want (i.e. '06 SL600, mars red, stone interior, loaded options, 0 miles, all for $499 plus shipping...ha ha...)
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Update
SL550 is on a truck heading from SF to Denver via Reno. Delivery could be Saturday or at the latest Tuesday.
Saw this 2008 SL550 parked in a parking garage today as I was leaving and shot some iPhone images. Here is the SL and my GL in the background. Sorry for the quality but my camera hand is no longer what it used to be regarding steadiness.
http://members.***.net/jacks.sl550
Saw this 2008 SL550 parked in a parking garage today as I was leaving and shot some iPhone images. Here is the SL and my GL in the background. Sorry for the quality but my camera hand is no longer what it used to be regarding steadiness.
http://members.***.net/jacks.sl550
Last edited by Nevada Jack; Jul 8, 2008 at 06:21 PM. Reason: Adding URL
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
Fair enough. I've actually never considered my ride quality harsh, but maybe it is to others. My wife definitely doesn't care for the seats in the E55. The ones in the Escalade and GX470 are much more comfortable for longer trips.
As for the depreciation, I think at this point the dealers are just making it "fair value", right? Essentially, an '08 is already a year old the second you buy it now (vs. buying last July when it still had a full model year ahead of it). So, the $20k off, is really just a realization that the car walks off the lot a year old. I bought my E55 this same time of year (bought an '06 in Apr '06) and I basically considered it buying a 1 year old used car with 0 miles.
Oh, the dilemmas we all face in deciding which bad a$$ roadster to buy.
As for the depreciation, I think at this point the dealers are just making it "fair value", right? Essentially, an '08 is already a year old the second you buy it now (vs. buying last July when it still had a full model year ahead of it). So, the $20k off, is really just a realization that the car walks off the lot a year old. I bought my E55 this same time of year (bought an '06 in Apr '06) and I basically considered it buying a 1 year old used car with 0 miles.
Oh, the dilemmas we all face in deciding which bad a$$ roadster to buy.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 299
Likes: 1
From: Boston, MA
'06 SL600
Mercedes was kicking in $12K in Jan and I got another $7K off sticker so I got real close to $20K off in Jan. of this year when we did not even know what the 09's looked like or when they would be coming out. Could not pass up that deal. I saw a 2009 in person at the dealership this weekend. I know that MB was required to change the front for govt safe reg's but this change did not improve the SL. I would think MB would be discounting the 09's by $30K, since these will be the ugly children of the 2003-2011 SL preduction run.
Verts always have a nice discount in the winter to keep product moving.
As for looks, you say that you dislike it now and maybe you always will...but....a month ago I hated the look of the Ferrari California and was comparing its style to all types of $30k two seaters. Now, it's growing on me. Pretty soon I'll probably be wishing I could run out and buy one.
My guess is the new style SL will grow on people as well. It's just a natural progression. BTW, I just bought an '06 SL600, so I'm with you on liking the old style!...Even though, I'll be seen driving in the "old" model!
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 950
Likes: 3
From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
If you are concerned about how you will appear driving an old style, don't worry 99% of the citizens driving around would not have a clue. I have people at the gym mistake SLK's for SL's.
"You" didn't know what the new ones would like, but MB sure did.
Verts always have a nice discount in the winter to keep product moving.
As for looks, you say that you dislike it now and maybe you always will...but....a month ago I hated the look of the Ferrari California and was comparing its style to all types of $30k two seaters. Now, it's growing on me. Pretty soon I'll probably be wishing I could run out and buy one.
My guess is the new style SL will grow on people as well. It's just a natural progression. BTW, I just bought an '06 SL600, so I'm with you on liking the old style!...Even though, I'll be seen driving in the "old" model!
Verts always have a nice discount in the winter to keep product moving.
As for looks, you say that you dislike it now and maybe you always will...but....a month ago I hated the look of the Ferrari California and was comparing its style to all types of $30k two seaters. Now, it's growing on me. Pretty soon I'll probably be wishing I could run out and buy one.
My guess is the new style SL will grow on people as well. It's just a natural progression. BTW, I just bought an '06 SL600, so I'm with you on liking the old style!...Even though, I'll be seen driving in the "old" model!
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 5,517
Likes: 20
From: Las Vegas, NV
2011 E350 Cabriolet..White and Almond Mocha
Final Update
I will pick up the SL550 on Tuesday afternoon in Denver and drive it home to Las Vegas on Wednesday...
Pictures Tuesday PM if the WiFi is on and working in the motel...
Pictures Tuesday PM if the WiFi is on and working in the motel...
