SL/R230: Do you use your SL500 as a daily commuter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
There's no problem using the SL as a daily driver, plus you get the bonus of being able to lower the roof on those perfect glad-to-be-alive mornings. The car is docile in traffic plus there are lots of toys to play with while you're waiting for the stop light to change. Keep in mind though that you are more conspicuous stuck in traffic with the roof down, you might like the extra attention you get (especially if she's blonde), on the other hand you might not.
The issue is where you can leave the car during the day. The SL is vulnerable to side damage from the doors of other cars, there are no side rubbing strips to protect your car from other people's carelessness. The problem is, they really do not give a damn...
If you can leave your car somewhere where it's not going to be damaged, it's not a problem, but you do not want to be looking out of the window every five minutes to see if anyone is denting your pride and joy.
I don't commute any more but still use my SL600 in preference to my SL55 if I do not know whare I am going to be leaving it.
The issue is where you can leave the car during the day. The SL is vulnerable to side damage from the doors of other cars, there are no side rubbing strips to protect your car from other people's carelessness. The problem is, they really do not give a damn...
If you can leave your car somewhere where it's not going to be damaged, it's not a problem, but you do not want to be looking out of the window every five minutes to see if anyone is denting your pride and joy.
I don't commute any more but still use my SL600 in preference to my SL55 if I do not know whare I am going to be leaving it.
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Fairhope, Alabama
2005 E55 Wagon
Bought my SL55 to use it. I take it to work 4 of the 7 days of the week. I do have controlled parking with other drivers with high line vehicles. I do occasionally like to live vicariously as I stop at the grocery store on the way home for a few minutes. Although I am very careful where I park, it is just sitting in the parking lot (THE HORROR). It is amazing how little attention it gets as it's the only one for now in the Mobile, AL, area. Anyway, I've had no problems thusfar and plan to continue enjoying my commute. I would agree with BlueSL that you should not take the car and leave it in an unprotected environment all day.
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2003 SL55
2002 S430
2003 Odyssey (for the other 3 days of the week)
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2003 SL55
2002 S430
2003 Odyssey (for the other 3 days of the week)
Last edited by Fast_Bubba; Apr 28, 2003 at 02:30 PM.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 28,933
Likes: 12
Not me, but my dad uses it everyday, but recently he's been taking the lexus. Thats good and bad for me. The lexus i know will die soon and then i won't have a car, I either get stuck with the SL or the Odyssey. The Odyssey we're selling in a year and the SL, I just don't want it this early at an age. If i hide the key so the lexus though i'm pretty sure he'll take the SL. He takes it all the time.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
2003 SL 500
naw - not everyday. The mileage will depreciate that baby. Plus you have lots of jerks that will put dings in your doors. I always double park mine 
I drive it about twice a week, but not to work. I use my BMW to work.
I drive it about twice a week, but not to work. I use my BMW to work.
Member
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 89
Likes: 0
2003 SL 500
naw - not everyday. The mileage will depreciate that baby. Plus you have lots of jerks that will put dings in your doors. I always double park mine I drive it about twice a week, but not to work. I use my BMW to work.
I drive it about twice a week, but not to work. I use my BMW to work.
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Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: Fairhope, Alabama
2005 E55 Wagon
Sadly, I've found that you get keyed more often and intentionally dinged if you take two spaces or park far out. That's been my experience anyway. I've found it useful to find a parking spot with just one other next to it and park as far to the other side as possible. I appreciate the need to not put miles on the car for many, but this is one of the few times of the day outside of home where I get a chance to relax and have some fun. That's the reason I leased the car; I'll never exceed the lease limits, and if I decide to keep it (if it proves reliable) then who cares about the milage. Everyone has different agendas when purchasing cars, but few will ever reach the collectible status of an original 300SL
in the numbers they are producing now. Maybe those purchasers like me will increase the value of others' cars by decreasing the supply of gently used cars down the road. This is the reason I chose not to collect cars; I wouldn't be able to stop driving the ones that I shouldn't. For what ever reason you bought your cars, enjoy them (even if you just look at them); life's too short.
in the numbers they are producing now. Maybe those purchasers like me will increase the value of others' cars by decreasing the supply of gently used cars down the road. This is the reason I chose not to collect cars; I wouldn't be able to stop driving the ones that I shouldn't. For what ever reason you bought your cars, enjoy them (even if you just look at them); life's too short.
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