FEMI

Does anyone know when the SL 350 will become available in U.S
I am considering the CLK cabriolet C209 and the SL 350. Which one is a better deal. I already had the G500 on order and I just wanted a convertible. Thanks

cjileong

Actually we're not sure whether the SL350 will come stateside. The previous generation SL320 was never sold in the U.S. and so we can't conjecture whether the new one will come either.

Doody

that's not entirely correct.

the low-end SL was sold in the US through the 1997 model year. first i believe as a 300 and then as a 320.

doody.

cjileong

Oh! my bad Doody!

Yes, it slipped my mind that the SL320 was sold in America up to a point. Oh my...any more goofs like that and I'm going to have to stop posting! :p

sl55guy

since you are looking for a smaller engined car, the better performer would be the clk. the better status is the sl. However, the sl is 4000+lbs. You would be like an sl george foreman to a clk mike tyson. Ps, i have a clk430, and it is a great daily commuter as well as a great racer. The sl55 i have on order will be here in 2004 (weekend car to be).

FEMI

Thank you for the advise. I am considering a CLK, maybe AMG

sl55guy

heard that mb will start rolling out 320 supercharged to the tune of 349 horsepower! Torqe around 330+. Saves weight and more HP than the 430 engine naturally aspirated. i believe these will be the amg outfit for the slk/c/clk classes. It is a fight of hp in the next 3-5 years due to pressures from the epa, cali emissions, and competition like Bmw bringing out 330 HP motors. BMW is a scoundrel. check out the torque in their 315 hp m3 z coupe....250 or so lbs. what are their horses doing...sleeping?

pdutta2000

This sounds great and could make me change my order from an SL500 to an SL320. I wonder what the pricing will be like? Thanks

sl55guy

engine steps tend to be from $7K-12K. for example, an sl 500 is aimed at $85k...an sl55 would be about $95k...i would guess a 320 be $75k....however, the sl320 will not be s/c as that is an amg doing, they only do top of the lines...thus the top of those three classes. the sl 320 would be a throw me down thing. that engine produces 220 hp in its higher form...215 in its lower. They might use the straight 6 320...but i doubt that....but hey, super charge it yourself, a kit is sure to come to market.

MB_MAC

From what I have been told from our reps from MB and from school there is going to be a 500 and the 55 version only in the us. I am curious to see what MB does to move the 129 bodies. I think our dealer has about 15 in stock and currently have 5 '03 in stock.

c2jones

So, are there any updates on whether the SL 350 will be available in the states? Wife really wants this car. SL styling with a less thirsty V6 engine. Perfect for her. Where is the best place to look (watch) for the latest news in this regard?

I understand that V6 versions of the SL have always been sold in predominantly European markets, but I'm hoping for news that it will come here, too, even if in limited supply. What's to be expected?

Thanks in advance.

derrick_lui

this thread is close to 6 years old?
still no SL350, so I highly doubt there will be one in the future...

c2jones

I had noted the date. I did a search and found this thread and felt no need to start a new one. The inquiry was still the same. I figured that those interested in this car/topic may still be subscribed and the best updates would come from them.

On the car, sure hope the news gets better on this one.

For the expense and effort of having one readied for special adaption to the states, it would be more practical to just go with the 500.

Satan

I'm sorry to be an s hole, but if you have to worry about the price of fuel after buying a $100k car you shouldn't be buying it.

amdeutsch

Pricing difference when equipped the same = ~$17.5k

HLG600

The new SL350 is making the same amount of horsepower as the outgoing SL500, albeit with a lower torque output. Also, a more "fuel conscious" car is psychological more than anything else. If the car is efficient, it's just another plus that could sway an on the fence buyer.

c2jones

I disagree entirely with your premise. The car would be a comfortable cash purchase. I never mentioned an issue with "price of fuel" as you've stated. Its just the matter of fuel consumption for other considerations. For some people, just being conscientious and considerate towards less dependency on foreign oil (getting to be a cliché now) is a more desirable way to go. Call it environmentally or fiscally responsible if you will.

My wife likes to do her part - it is her right. This is her car. Massive gas guzzlers would not appear the least bit respectable within many social circles. A V6 is more of a personal choice rather than price relevant.

c2jones

Precisely.

MB Fanatic

You can buy an SL350 when I'm dead. It will never come to the US. Buy an SL550, SL63, SL600, or Sl65.

Germancar1

No SL350 in the U.S. for the R230 series so forget about it.

M

c2jones

Was afraid of that. Any reason to be wishful in the near future? Probably not. My wife can easily live with the base SL that is available - she just felt better about a V6. Given the 350 is not in sight, we'll just order the base now then. Thanks.

boylston

I hope that Mercedes rethinks their position, now that premium is headed to $5 per gallon and people are making a greater effort to conserve.

It's not as much about the $ as it is environmental responsibility.

I'd buy an SL350.

c2jones

Precisely. Its about doing one's part, even in some small way, and/or at least, about perception from others, but especially internally. This is rather important to my wife. Where we live, there are SL's everywhere - including AMG's of all levels.

The more preferred novelty is having a lesser known model (like 350) that is regarded as more responsible in that it is a V6 (irrespective of how the math actually works with mileage). This is perceived better for and from an early 40's professional woman anyway. I'm sure the market buyer would go well beyond this, though. I would think that MB could sell lots of 350's here.

boylston

In Canada they currently sell S450, E300 and C230. No SL350 though, or CLS350.

jl88

C2Jones, You do know how much the SL weighs, correct? SL350 gets about 1mpg better than the SL550. So yea, go back to getting the last word about in the ZR1 vs SL65!!!!!! thread.