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

SL/R230: sl350

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Old Feb 14, 2003 | 06:19 PM
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sl350

does anyone know when sl350 is coming out to the us market and how much it's gonna be in us dollars?
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 11:49 AM
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Good question

My guess is 2005 assuming gasoline prices get and stay over $3.00 a gallon. Availability of this model seems to follow markets where petrol is skyhigh. Price? Assume eight to ten thousand less than what the SL500 is priced at but keep in mind once you start adding back options that are otherwise deleted that differential gets down to only $5,000.00

Last edited by northbenz; Feb 15, 2003 at 11:51 AM.
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 11:57 AM
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Grey market 350SL?

Anyone consider the possiblity of buying a 350SL in Europe and importing it to the US? Has this engine been certified already for US emissions in for example the ML Class? Seems the modifications required are less onerous now than they were years ago when there was a bigger discrepancy in build standards by the manufacturer between US and European models.
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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 06:39 PM
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Re: sl350

Originally posted by clkmon
does anyone know when sl350 is coming out to the us market and how much it's gonna be in us dollars?
I don't believe that this car will ever be imported to the US.

Mercedes has pulled all small engine variants of the big bodied cars (like the S320, SL320) and reserves these engines for mid range only.

I haven't checked on the gas consumption of the new SL350, but I know that my old SL320 used as much gas as the SL500...

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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 06:44 PM
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Re: Grey market 350SL?

Originally posted by northbenz
Anyone consider the possiblity of buying a 350SL in Europe and importing it to the US? Has this engine been certified already for US emissions in for example the ML Class? Seems the modifications required are less onerous now than they were years ago when there was a bigger discrepancy in build standards by the manufacturer between US and European models.
I hope nobody plans to do that.

This car will be impossible to re-sell and service will be another question. Just because the engine size is the same doesn't mean that it is the identical engine, using the same parts. There will be many components that will not be available in the US.

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Old Feb 15, 2003 | 09:24 PM
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Here...

...its out since last month. a couple of girls at college driving it actually. Now I'm really jealous.
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Old Feb 16, 2003 | 02:02 AM
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The SL350 gas mileage is little better than the SL500, maybe 10% so the saving on fuel is small. If you figure 15k miles a year, its about the cost of 75 gallons of gas, what's that in the US, about $150 or 1 night's stay in a Marriott ? That's not going to swing your decision.

The US has lower taxes than most other countries (though you might not believe it) and the SL350 will appeal in countries where either the cost of gas is high (UK) or the cost of buying cars is high (Australia) or both (Norway). If you like to drive cars or drink alcohol, you definitely do not want to live in Norway. Both are taxed to oblivion.

When the SL350 was launched in Europe, it was said 1 car in 2 was going to be an SL350 and since 1 car in 2 goes to the US, that doesn't compute somehow...
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