7 speed transmission
keyless go combined with smartkey, credit card deal gone
sattelite radio integration
minor cosmetic change to side mirrors ??? (no details)
new rims with sport package (be careful, look terrible)

 

What is your source for the info? (just curious)

 

dealer booklet provided by mb, i saw it directly

 

Can you give more details?

 

will they still have the option for the 5 spoke rims like they do with the sl currently?, cuz that would suck for the people who are buying 04 sl's if they didnt

 

I thougt MB was going to start the univeral integrated phone thing starting this fall... Is this not confirmed? And also does the 7-speed auto box also apply for the SL600 as well? It didn't say in the post before where it talked about it.

 

I've heard the 7-speed will not be used with the AMG and V12 models because it cannot manage the torque as well as the current 5-speed unit.

 

What about DVD nav and bluetooth phones????? DVD NAV is a must!!!!

 

huh? what does that mean?

 

Just means the keyless go is integrated in the Key itself, you don't need a card anymore.

 

Does anyone know if you can upgrade to the chip in the key?

I have the card in the wallet but it is bulky and inconvienent.

Paul

 

well the key card is very new, so i doubt they'll do any changes on the keys for quite a bit of time


ano0oj

 

I'd love Keyless Go, Distronic, and all those other nifty features reserved for the more expensive models. Too bad they don't come on the C-Class (yet)

 

'

so if you carrying a key how is it keyless go? :o

 

Ket isn't needed for the ignition. It can be left in a briefcase or purse, which is quite conveinent in a rush.

 

im pretty sure they'll never are gonna introduce the key card to the c-class..

ano0oj

 

Give it a few years. As newer technology is implemented and current tech becomes cheaper, things trickle down to the less expensive models.

 

what do the new rims look like except terrible? pls post some pix if possible.

 

I have a key - do you find it convenient? Do you not find that if its in your pocket or a purse it often doesn't register, which for me means fishing in my pocket to drag it out to get the car to recognise it, then either dropping it on the floor for convenience and forgetting about it - or stashing the keys back into my pocket while sitting low (not easy).

A card seems a far better idea - but it needs to be less bulky. And why can't they incoporate a card slot for the few times you need it instead of the key slot ?

Makes sense, doesn't it? Perhaps MB will refine the concept which has never fully made sense to me - but it is a damn fine gimmick :p

 

Standard with sport on 2004

 

7 speed transmission will be used on the SL55 and SL600...

See CAR magazine (out of the UK) July 03, page 20... "The all new 7G-TRONIC seven-speed automatic... is tough enough to take the extra grunt planned by AMG's engine meisters. It will be a standard fitment on all new AMG cars."

They stated the current 5-speed is close to the limit of handling AMG's torque adjustments.

DVD navigation is not confirmed for the 2004, it was not mentioned in the MB dealer booklet under 2004 modifications. Nothing either about the universal phone.

Anyone have details on the side mirror cosmetic changes? Are they removing those oversized turn signal lamps, I hope.

Also, CAR magazine mentions "... the top AMG benz will be an SL fitted with a tweaked twin turbo version of the M275 V12 that is expected to pump out an astonishing 700bhp. The car will be built strictly to order, with individualized trim and even engineeering."

Looks like the SL55 is just the start of things.

The SL is also compared with the Jag XKR, Maserati coupe, and Porsche 911 targa. The SL places first, 911 second, Maserati third, Jag last (page 42 Car magazine, July 2003). They complain the MB plastics around the COMAND system and throughout are "shinier than a McDonalds happy meal toy."

 

The change from card to integrated to key does not please me. We used to just slide the card into our money clip/wallet type of device which made it soo much easier and cooler.

 

I hope not! Mercedes has offered these wheels as an accessory since the SL's introduction in 2002 and so far I have only seen one car with them.

As always of course it is a question of taste, but I think these wheels are lame looking knock-offs of the SLR.

Wolfman

 

I actually quite like the SLR style wheels. They are at least a bit progressive. An original design direction.

Whilst AMG wheels generally rule, they are starting to look a bit 1980s conventional - don't you think?

Perhaps someone should start a Poll. AMG vs "SLR" style on the SL?

Got to go

J

 

I personally haven't seen this picture but from the description they are looking a lot like the SLK wheels I saw long ago at the dealer when we were picking up our SL.