SL/R231: New to the club with SL400
#1
Junior Member
Thread Starter
New to the club with SL400
I'm new here. Picked up a new SL400 last weekend. Mars Red, Designo titanium leather interior and the skyview top options. I wasn't even looking for a car for myself, just out with my girlfriend who was shopping SLK and Boxsters. Made the mistake of sitting in this one, thought it over for a week and went back and got it. Have to admit the interior and the color got me. ![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
So far, I've driven home from the dealer and then to the airport the next morning for a business flight to Europe. Can't wait to get home and drive it.
She got to drive it home from the airport after dropping me off. Maybe now she'll stop talking herself out of getting herself a new car!
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
So far, I've driven home from the dealer and then to the airport the next morning for a business flight to Europe. Can't wait to get home and drive it.
She got to drive it home from the airport after dropping me off. Maybe now she'll stop talking herself out of getting herself a new car!
#3
Senior Member
Congratulations and welcome. I would be interested to hear your opinion of that new V6 once you have a chance to put some miles on it.
#4
Junior Member
Thread Starter
I flew home on Friday from Europe. Got a chance to do some riding around on Saturday, including some time in the Santa Cruz mountains.
The V6 - it is completely satisfactory. It has enough power and torque to make the car a pleasure to drive. I was a bit concerned about roughness, as V6 are not intrinsically balanced. However they've done a good job isolating the engine.
So far, I'm finding the car is really relaxing and a pleasure to drive. Pretty much everything is exactly in reach. It handles confidently on twisty roads and the power is completely adequate.
What is confusing though, is sorting out all the options and how to use them, or in some cases, whether I have them or not.
The options on the sticker:
X26 Designo Titanium grey nappa leather
Y73 Designo Leather Headliner
289 Wood-leather steering wheel
412 Magic sky control
883 Soft close doors
P01 Premium package
321 Sport wheel package
The paper manual is of little help. I haven't been able to get Active Park Assist to engage, though Parktronic is working.
MB-USA website seems to indicate that "Driver Assistance Package" is standard (Distronic, Pre-SAFE and blind spot) but it definitely isn't on my car.
I haven't even started on mbrace yet.
The V6 - it is completely satisfactory. It has enough power and torque to make the car a pleasure to drive. I was a bit concerned about roughness, as V6 are not intrinsically balanced. However they've done a good job isolating the engine.
So far, I'm finding the car is really relaxing and a pleasure to drive. Pretty much everything is exactly in reach. It handles confidently on twisty roads and the power is completely adequate.
What is confusing though, is sorting out all the options and how to use them, or in some cases, whether I have them or not.
The options on the sticker:
X26 Designo Titanium grey nappa leather
Y73 Designo Leather Headliner
289 Wood-leather steering wheel
412 Magic sky control
883 Soft close doors
P01 Premium package
321 Sport wheel package
The paper manual is of little help. I haven't been able to get Active Park Assist to engage, though Parktronic is working.
MB-USA website seems to indicate that "Driver Assistance Package" is standard (Distronic, Pre-SAFE and blind spot) but it definitely isn't on my car.
I haven't even started on mbrace yet.
#6
Junior Member
Thread Starter
So far, I'm taking it pretty easy with the accelerator during break-in, but I'm happy to report little turbo lag. There's some, but most people would never even know there were turbos at all.
#7
I flew home on Friday from Europe. Got a chance to do some riding around on Saturday, including some time in the Santa Cruz mountains.
The V6 - it is completely satisfactory. It has enough power and torque to make the car a pleasure to drive. I was a bit concerned about roughness, as V6 are not intrinsically balanced. However they've done a good job isolating the engine.
So far, I'm finding the car is really relaxing and a pleasure to drive. Pretty much everything is exactly in reach. It handles confidently on twisty roads and the power is completely adequate.
What is confusing though, is sorting out all the options and how to use them, or in some cases, whether I have them or not.
The options on the sticker:
X26 Designo Titanium grey nappa leather
Y73 Designo Leather Headliner
289 Wood-leather steering wheel
412 Magic sky control
883 Soft close doors
P01 Premium package
321 Sport wheel package
The paper manual is of little help. I haven't been able to get Active Park Assist to engage, though Parktronic is working.
MB-USA website seems to indicate that "Driver Assistance Package" is standard (Distronic, Pre-SAFE and blind spot) but it definitely isn't on my car.
I haven't even started on mbrace yet.
The V6 - it is completely satisfactory. It has enough power and torque to make the car a pleasure to drive. I was a bit concerned about roughness, as V6 are not intrinsically balanced. However they've done a good job isolating the engine.
So far, I'm finding the car is really relaxing and a pleasure to drive. Pretty much everything is exactly in reach. It handles confidently on twisty roads and the power is completely adequate.
What is confusing though, is sorting out all the options and how to use them, or in some cases, whether I have them or not.
The options on the sticker:
X26 Designo Titanium grey nappa leather
Y73 Designo Leather Headliner
289 Wood-leather steering wheel
412 Magic sky control
883 Soft close doors
P01 Premium package
321 Sport wheel package
The paper manual is of little help. I haven't been able to get Active Park Assist to engage, though Parktronic is working.
MB-USA website seems to indicate that "Driver Assistance Package" is standard (Distronic, Pre-SAFE and blind spot) but it definitely isn't on my car.
I haven't even started on mbrace yet.
Trending Topics
#8
Junior Member
Thread Starter
Definitely no distronic, or blind spot assist.
I did finally get ParkTronic + Active Parking Assist to engage today. Eery how the steering wheel spins.
I'm still not 100% sure what the triggers are, but it seems you have to pull farther past the forward car to get it to register a parking space.
I did finally get ParkTronic + Active Parking Assist to engage today. Eery how the steering wheel spins.
I'm still not 100% sure what the triggers are, but it seems you have to pull farther past the forward car to get it to register a parking space.
#9
Senior Member
If it's like my Lexus you have to drive past the space so the sensors can determine if the car will fit or not first.
#10
Member
Welcome to the party! I see you're in California. Did you pick this up from Laguna Niguel Mercedes, by chance? They had this same color combo on the floor for a little bit but it's gone now. I ask because I'm in south OC and I think I'm the only car guy with an SL400 around... maybe!
#11
Junior Member
Thread Starter
No, I'm in Silicon Valley and got it at Fletcher Jones.
I hadn't quite thought about the attention level it gets. I get a lot of comments and compliments. Also, went to a few upscale bars/eateries last week and the valet put it right in front every time. Hadn't really thought about that either when I bought it, but it is kind of fun to see your car in front with all the exotics.
Not too many people with the SL400 though it seems. I think most are still lusting the AMG SL63, settling for the 550 if the money doesn't stretch right. I could have driven anything, even the 65. But for whatever reason, the SL400 just feels right to me. Fun, spirited, not brutal, a bit lighter to handle too, which is exactly what makes it such a pleasure to drive.
My only problem so far is trying to figure out how to keep from blowing through my lease mileage!
I hadn't quite thought about the attention level it gets. I get a lot of comments and compliments. Also, went to a few upscale bars/eateries last week and the valet put it right in front every time. Hadn't really thought about that either when I bought it, but it is kind of fun to see your car in front with all the exotics.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Not too many people with the SL400 though it seems. I think most are still lusting the AMG SL63, settling for the 550 if the money doesn't stretch right. I could have driven anything, even the 65. But for whatever reason, the SL400 just feels right to me. Fun, spirited, not brutal, a bit lighter to handle too, which is exactly what makes it such a pleasure to drive.
My only problem so far is trying to figure out how to keep from blowing through my lease mileage!
Last edited by nuketopia; 04-05-2015 at 08:26 PM.
The following users liked this post:
qwkphkr (08-15-2016)
#13
Not too many people with the SL400 though it seems. I think most are still lusting the AMG SL63, settling for the 550 if the money doesn't stretch right. I could have driven anything, even the 65. But for whatever reason, the SL400 just feels right to me. Fun, spirited, not brutal, a bit lighter to handle too, which is exactly what makes it such a pleasure to drive.
![Smilie](https://mbworld.org/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)