SL/R231: 2017 SL450 or SL550? Which one to choose???
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 660
Likes: 300
From: Franklin, TN
2019 E450 wagon: 2019 BMW 430i: 2013 Chevy Traverse: (departed)2013 SL550 & 2019 E450 cab
Bumper Sticker
It's kinda like the bumper sticker on my truck.
"Money can't buy happiness, but it can by HORSEPOWER, and that's kinda the same thing".
An SL is an SL is an SL. But introduce increases in horsepower and torque, well, the balance and results do change.
"Money can't buy happiness, but it can by HORSEPOWER, and that's kinda the same thing".
An SL is an SL is an SL. But introduce increases in horsepower and torque, well, the balance and results do change.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
From my experience with motorcycles, the proper way to run in a motor is to get it up close to redline for short bursts to seat the rings in the first 100 miles or so and then continuously vary the RPM's during the rest of the break in period. You want to avoid running at the same RPM for extended periods. I think a conservative break in as indicated in most owner's manuals is a CYA from the lawyers.
I hear what everybody says and we all have our own ideas about running in - I will follow the owners manual as per that attached
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 4
Mercedes sl400
looked around for a aston martin - jag ftype - never even had a Sl on my mind as i had a sl280sl in 1982 the r107 that i drove for 10 years with no problem so wanted someting different in fact i had bought my car plate
007 TTM ready for a Aston Martin
while looking around i was unable to find a aston martin that was newer then 9 years old for the money
I took a Jag ftype for a drive loved the looks the sound but hated the bumpy ride on london roads so i didnt consider the F type again but the salesman told if you are looking for comfort why dont you try the Sl as he had one i thought why not
i fell in love with it straight away The drive the looks the hard top folding as i remember with my Sl280 i gad to get out open the back pull the sift top etc etc to much hussle so i left the garage knowing what i wanted
i started roaming the internet autotrader and found a sl400 which was a year old with only 2000 miles on the clock for 47000 pounds this car new was bought for 71000 with all the extras so when i saw this for 47000 went to see it
absolutely stunning like new the seller was moving to dubai and wanted a quick sale
Best car i have ever bought so happy
so my choice was money driven but i can tell you that i have more then enough speed with the Sl400 that i dont think i would of needed the sl500 and from reviews i have seen a lot of people say they actually prefer the sl400
i think both are Great if the money was the same what would i pick
Answer Sl500
if money was no object AMG GT or SLS
s
My Sl400
Last edited by Turker Ozgazile; Apr 5, 2020 at 09:45 AM. Reason: Add picture
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 10
SL400 367 bhp facelift
Well, it's been a couple of years since I posted on here and today I took delivery of... An SL500 (550). I'll be honest, I wanted another SL400, but there were none left in the spec I wanted (Premium Plus with Driving Assistance Pack) so I went for the SL500. Having driven a 400 into the dealer and driven out in a 500, I feel better qualified to answer this question, so here's my honest opinion.
It's not just about size, the V8 has a very different character to the V6. The V8 engine is powerful and effortless whereas the V6 is eager and playful, especially in sport plus mode. On this car, there is very little difference between the modes, but there is a huge difference between them on the V6. This car feels like I imagine a Bentley turbo does. very refined and smooth, with a background soundtrack that is rich and pleasant but never… well never vulgar. You get huge slugs of power with no drama or fuss. Even in sport plus, it never blips the throttle, provides rapid-fire downshifts though the 9-speed box, or pops and crackles like the V6 does. It just quietly selects the appropriate gear, gently but firmly shoves sir in the back and gets him to the horizon very much faster than he was expecting. I now get why all the reviews say the SL is not a sports car, which in the past I thought was unfair. Most journos drove the SL500 and it’s very much not a sports car, but in sport plus, the V6 certainly delivers all the sound and drama of one.
Given that it can be a GT and a convincing sports car, I think the V6 offers a much wider range of dynamics and honestly, it’s the better buy. Perhaps Mercedes feel that the SL500 will be driven by an older gentleman, who’ll have a pretty young gold-digger in the passenger seat and that's quite enough vulgarity without adding pops and crackles. Shame really, sometimes I like a bit of vulgarity when it comes to engine noise.
All that said, I’m not saying I don’t like the V8 - it's just different. The power is intoxicating because the headline numbers don’t reveal the real-world experience of having huge power absolutely everywhere in the rev range, but it lacks the drama and some of the fun that the V6 has. Basically, it’s Bruce Lee versus Mike Tyson. The V6 is dramatic, showy, pulls off some exciting moves and loves playing to a crowd. The V8 just walks in the ring and knocks your #*^%ing head off. Ultimately they both get the job done 😛
It's not just about size, the V8 has a very different character to the V6. The V8 engine is powerful and effortless whereas the V6 is eager and playful, especially in sport plus mode. On this car, there is very little difference between the modes, but there is a huge difference between them on the V6. This car feels like I imagine a Bentley turbo does. very refined and smooth, with a background soundtrack that is rich and pleasant but never… well never vulgar. You get huge slugs of power with no drama or fuss. Even in sport plus, it never blips the throttle, provides rapid-fire downshifts though the 9-speed box, or pops and crackles like the V6 does. It just quietly selects the appropriate gear, gently but firmly shoves sir in the back and gets him to the horizon very much faster than he was expecting. I now get why all the reviews say the SL is not a sports car, which in the past I thought was unfair. Most journos drove the SL500 and it’s very much not a sports car, but in sport plus, the V6 certainly delivers all the sound and drama of one.
Given that it can be a GT and a convincing sports car, I think the V6 offers a much wider range of dynamics and honestly, it’s the better buy. Perhaps Mercedes feel that the SL500 will be driven by an older gentleman, who’ll have a pretty young gold-digger in the passenger seat and that's quite enough vulgarity without adding pops and crackles. Shame really, sometimes I like a bit of vulgarity when it comes to engine noise.
All that said, I’m not saying I don’t like the V8 - it's just different. The power is intoxicating because the headline numbers don’t reveal the real-world experience of having huge power absolutely everywhere in the rev range, but it lacks the drama and some of the fun that the V6 has. Basically, it’s Bruce Lee versus Mike Tyson. The V6 is dramatic, showy, pulls off some exciting moves and loves playing to a crowd. The V8 just walks in the ring and knocks your #*^%ing head off. Ultimately they both get the job done 😛
Last edited by Wiz; Sep 10, 2020 at 06:12 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 29
Likes: 10
SL400 367 bhp facelift
I drove the AMG on an extended test; it's a totally different car. The AMG is a full-on sports car, you can feel the levels of grip much more though the steering wheel, but that also means you feel all the bumps and holes. The seats are firm with thin padding, the windbreak is a bit of transparent plastic and doesn't retract electronically. The handling, however, is epic. You could really push it safely round that mountain road - the same one you'd be ambling along looking relaxed in the SL, with the seats gently blowing cool air on your butt and massaging your shoulders. If I liked doing track days and driving fast along smooth twisty roads often, I'd take the AMG. If I wanted a car that could be used every day and then take me across Europe in comfort and style, it'd be the SL every time.
