garry3555

does anyone know why you can't add the illuminated sills and soft close doors on building a sl550 on the mercedes usa website?

Daytona-flyer

It looks as if they are now standard equipment.

mikey94025

I ordered my SL with soft close doors (but not illuminated door sills) and it's arriving this week. The salesperson told me last weekend that she had not yet seen an SL with soft close. What did you see that makes you think that these options are now standard?

Daytona-flyer

On the Mercedes website, in the "build your own", http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/vehicl...#entertainment the soft close doors and the illuminated door sills are now greyed out with a check in the box.

russjr

have to disagree about your comments on the b&o system. had one in my sls and it was good but not dramatically so. the b&o in my sl is of a different quality entirely: crisper highs, tighter base and cleaner overall sound. that said, i do agree that the regular sound system is more than adequate, really comes down to what"s important to you.

doolz2000

My SL500 is due for delivery at the end of Oct/early Nov in the UAE, I ordered the Illuminated Sills but was later informed that it was no longer available.. I pushed the issue, as the one in the Gargash showroom in Dubai had this option a few weeks ago, they then checked with Germany and was informed that it was discontinued in the Batch 2 build, I can therefore only assume that they encountered some issues, otherwise why cancel a popular option?

Soly20

I didn't have this option available when i ordered mine, June 2012.

mikey94025

My SL550 arrived last week with the soft-close doors option that I originally ordered. I did not ordered the illuminated door sills and nor did my car arrive with that option.

The Mercedes website configurator behavior is unclear because those two options are greyed out and checked but they also list individual prices for them ($450 and $350). Yet the final total price on the right never includes those options and nor do they get listed in the final build summary. Also note that the other standard features appear at the top vs. under Options like these two. Very ambiguous...

BTW, the soft-close doors are very subtle on the SL550 unlike what I've seen in other cars. With my old CL600, if I slammed the door close it would always stop just short and then immediately power-close the rest of the way. But with the SL550, if you slam the door close it closes all the way and there is no soft-close action. It's only if you barely close the door that the soft-close occurs, and then only after a second or two delay.

doolz2000

When I ordered my SL500 in Aug (for Oct/Nov delivery) I chose the Illuminated Door Sills and Soft-Close options. I was later informed that Germany had discontinued the Illuminated Door Sills on the Batch 2 build (current production line), but the Soft-Close option was explained to me as more of a Soft-Open option, due to the momentum of a heavy door creating potential damage when it is opened abruptly, maybe this could be confirmed by those that have the option.

Daytona-flyer

There is plenty of resistance to keep the door from flying open even in moderate winds.

Too bad about the illuminated door sills being no longer available. Perhaps the option was a gift to early adaptors.

According to the website, burl walnut is not available with optional red seats. However, that's what Ive got. Though the black wood looks really nice against the red, I prefer the burl walnut.



I guess mine will become a collector's dream in fifty years.

BillyD

Here is the reply on the 2 options being discussed that I received from MB NJ today:

Thank you for contacting Mercedes-Benz USA LLC.
For the model year 2013 SL 550 you would have the ability to order the Soft
Close Feature (Code 883), and the Illuminated Door Sills (Code U25).
Sincerely,
Ryan
Product Advisor
Mercedes-Benz USA LLC.
[THREAD ID:1-H5WRN]

I trust that this puts the discussion on the availability of these two extra cost options to rest.

mikey94025

My soft-close doors only perform when the doors are shut. They pull the door closed all the way (if I don't close them with enough force initially). I don't think I see any different effect when the doors are opened.

BTW the SL has very nice doors that are held open at any location (i.e. don't freely move out of position). As the other reader said, there is a bit of resistance to hold the doors in place. This was demonstrated as a feature of the SL (i.e. not unique to soft-close doors) when I first took a look at one. In contrast, my old CL (like most cars) had a couple distinct "pivot points" where the doors were held open.

- M

eckerson89

I know, I know.....you can't improve on perfection. Here's one you might think about.

My R230 (2009) SL550 had a modest height rear deck spoiler. It did wonders for the looks..."eyes of the beholder" granted.

I took delivery of my R231 this month and a spoiler is a "must add". It's an add-on that does NOT require drilling (car damage) and can be removed once you ever decide to part with the car.

My MB dealer (Tampa) is searching for the best source a a R231 spoiler. Since the R231 trunk contour is slightly different than the R230, their current source cannot supply our need.

For those interesting in seeing R231 pics with a spoiler, simply tickle Ebay and search "R231 Trunk Spoiler" and two sources will pop up. One source has a hold mess of pics when you "VisitTheir Store".

And-so-it-goes.
Don

SLS

I'm just not feeling the front end of the new SL or on the previous model SL. I purchased a 2003 SL new and still think this front end looks better. Maybe in 10 years, we'll see what comes next. Seems that many have to convince themselves that the front end on the new SL looks good, on the 03 SL, it was love at first site. First and last time that has happened to me, so far.

SLS

What's your point?

Dudereeno

Hello everyone. I took delivery of my new SL550 three months ago and I'm up to nearly 4,000 miles already (Yeah... I like to drive my cars - don't understand anyone who buys a top end car then parks it in the garage and keeps the mileage low). We're headed to Europe for six weeks at the beginning of next month and in reading this forum, I'm concerned about the battery draining while I'm gone. We actually have two cars I'm concerned about, my new SL and my wife's E550. So I'm buying a trickle charger for each.

I'm confused by one of the other strings in this forum discussing the fact that my SL550 has TWO batteries. Which is the one I should connect the trickle charger to and Where is it located??

I'd be grateful for advice. the other thread went on forever with people fighting about the purpose and location of each of the batteries (the primary main battery and the secondary battery - so now I'm really confused). Len

eckerson89

Hi Dudxxxxxxxx,

Cocerning the "Second Battery"....You're right, the forum provides alot of info.

My transition from 2009 SL550 to 2013 SL550 was an "experience". First I could not find the "trunk battery" and the MB salesman said they eliminated it in 2013. So much for listening to a salesman for I finally found the battery under a low level trunk panel.

The forum chats have convinced me the "trunk battery" is the primary battery. Whatever...it still drains like crazy and the MB service tech says everything checks out okay. Here's where I'm at..........I installed a trickle charger pigtail to the battery and the connector extends just outside the trunk lid. There is enough clearance so the pinch does not cut the wire and I have easy access without having to open the trunk lid everytime.

It seems the battery is always in need of a charge. Fortunately I have garage space with an electrical source , but feel for people who don't.

...and-so-it-goes.
Don

Daytona-flyer

Mine was not used for a month and the car started up with no problem.

eckerson89

Hi Florida-East,

"Always in need of a charge" did sound a bit depressing...sorry I have never had trouble starting the car.

What puzzles me is the battery will "take" a trickle charge even following a lengthy drive. Granted it's a "trickle" (1.25 amp), but the charger light will stay on for 16-24 hours.

Don

Daytona-flyer

I use a Battery Tender on my Corvette. It takes about 12 hours for the light goes out.