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You name it, I have owned it, and driven it. And I'll say - this is one fine automobile. Great balance, power, and looks. Personally, I love the matte paint - it is hard to capture on film, but looks amazing in person.
Great contrast with the Bengal burgundy premium leather, and the Black Ash wood. It came with nearly every option, and is very close to how I would've ordered it from the factory. I feel fortunate I found it, and local to boot!
I have really been enjoying this car - thought I'd share a few pics with you, for those who were curious on the factory matte finish, like I was
Very nice! I almost bought a Magno Cashmere White '13 with the Designo Titanium Grey interior but was leery of the matte finish having never seen one in person and this one was on the East Coast so I ended up with the Diamond White Metalic from a local dealer. Hind sight I should have bought a plane ticket to go look at it as the color looks awesome in photos.
Hope you like yours as much as I love mine. 1st SL and I'm now hooked. Not that it needs any but do you have plans for mods or upgrades? This winter I plan on changing to ceramic brake pads, powder coating the brakes in red and a rear spoiler. Waiting to see the '17 SL63 version in person before pulling the trigger on that.
I had a CLS550, which was my first Benz. This is my first SL, and I love it! Man, does it ever drive well! Very impressed.
A lot of the fear around the matte finishes is internet manufactured, IMHO. I washed her this morning, and applied a finishing sealer. Both products were made for matte finishes (Dr. Beasley's and Chemical Guys) and it was very easy to work with. The paint seems very tough, honestly ... time will tell, if that changes.
The only mod I am thinking about is a throatier cat-back exhaust (Meistershaft?) - but I haven't decided. Also, maybe some tinted windows, but I like this car as it is.
Love to see some pics of yours, Steve! Thanks for the welcome.
Congrats! I have these same configs+magic sky, but everything in black color. I'd recommend smartTop. It's a must IMHO. I also installed front camera to avoid driving over parking humps.
Congrats on car.
I had my cls63 with matte silver paint and it was the easiest paint to maintain. Just wash and apply sealer (also used chemical guys stuff but McGuire works as well)
The only issue with the matte paint is that it cannot be touched. I had a couple songs after 3 years and could not do anything about them. My incoming gt is matte grey and I believe the way to avoid small dings is to install expel or 3m in front and on sills.
Hmm ... maybe the matte white is more forgiving, but I can touch it without any issues. The biggest thing is to seal it with a matte sealer, and it seems to be tough as nails.
Thanks for the kind words everyone. 80 degrees here in Seattle today, and I had a blast driving around twisty farm roads. Again, GREAT car. The wife loves it too. My daughter (14 yo) told me that she likes it better than our Ferrari!
This SL has been my screen saver for almost a year and I'm pretty sure it's the Chasmere Matte White. Once I saw this car I started the search for one and want mine to look the same when I'm done. Do the tinted windows! I did mine and it makes a huge difference in the way it looks.
Greatkoei: can u expand on in which camera you used and if you got to interface with OEM system.
I went to Rocco's Auto Tech in Newport Beach, CA to install the front camera. The owner, Joe, used to be the chief mechanics in Newport Beach MB dealer. The kit he installed for me defaults that long hold (about 2 secs) of back button on the wheel would show the front camera. You might get more info from him. His phone number is 949-722-0707. Another use case is when going down hill or underground parking garage, I'd turn on the front camera to see things in front. It works great!
I agree, mellow! My first "matte finish" car, and likely not my last. Just striking in the sun.
Jmeyers - I didn't know it wasn't available in 2017! I heard you could custom order it for a $3950 up-charge (Designo) - same as in my year (2013). You might want to check with a dealer.
I just admired one of these at a dealer with a black roof and the girl told me they had lots of complaints about this paint , apparently it is prone to shiny patches any rubbing, polishing ( unless recommended product ) using chamois leather , touching points resulted in the paint getting shiny Does look great mind you but just requires a bit more care
I'm in the process of deciding on color, options, etc, on a 2017 SL450. Initially I had decided on the matte gray finish, which is available as a normal option. However, after talking with my sales guy, who I've used for my past 4 Benz's, decided against that finish. He said that customers have been having lots of issues with the finish, not the least is not being able to repair scratches, or other issues, caused by car washing, birds and insects, etc. He said you should never use a car wash, but to only wash this finish by hand. That's what turned me off, because here in the North East, in the winter, you'd need a heated space/garage in order to clean your car. My current E550 Cabriolet does just great at the local touchless car wash. I'm leaning toward a gray exterior and a red interior.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
