jmeyersnv

http://www.autofocus.ca/cars/mercede...-sl450/reviews

Do others agree?

TennesseeZ4

I must begin with the caveat that the SL is the premier model in the three star line up IMO. AMG's are another topic of conversation, but the SL is what other cars want to be when they grow up. You have the last of the true SL's, as the next-gen will be moving to a shared platform that will house several models. And the SL platform that you own may just be one of the most well engineered and sophisticated platforms that are on the road. I shared a ride in my car the other day, top down in January, with a friend who has a 2015 Corvette roadster. His first comment was, 'damn this car is tight'. So while there is an element of questioning disrespect in some of the journalist perspectives when it comes to the current SL platform, do not believe that this is a vehicle that is inferior in any way. It is a GT when it needs to be, it is a statement when it needs to be, it is an escape pod when it needs to be, and it is true to it's SL roots throughout. Keep in mind some of the journalist that are gauging our cars, and others of it's ilk, have grown up thinking that a **** box Honda with a megaphone exhaust is a real car. There may be other perspectives, but to me the SL is a masterpiece to be enjoyed over many miles of open road. Forgive my diatribe, but this article really brought some clarity to my thoughts regarding this vehicle. The ragtop E and S have their places, but the SL is just that. You need say no more. Just ask my friend in the Corvette, who just happened to end up in my rear view mirror.

jetjok

Jonathan,

You asked "do others agree?", so I dutifully read Dan Heyman's comments on his test drive and evaluation of the SL450. I then went to his bio, and read that, just for fun, because I had already thrown the BS flag, when he commented that most folks would opt for the 450 instead of the 550, because "Sure; most buyers will likely be selecting the 450 for its fuel-saving characteristics." I can't imagine that someone who can afford a one hundred thousand dollar car, would select a 450 over a 550, just to save, perhaps a few hundred dollars a year. Don't get me wrong, money is usually a factor, but his logic is totally flawed, at least in my mind. As well, he complained about the car not having a "scroll wheel and touchpad to navigate." I've had CLK's and E Cabs, and none of them have had a touch screen or touch pad. I was under the impression the MB didn't use touch screens because they didn't want someone to dirty up the screen, by touching it with a dirty or greasy finger. And, oh yeah, he felt the air scarf didn't work well when he was wearing a collar. Dah! I drive my E550 Cab throughout the winter, when the temperature is 40 degrees F, or above, and have never had a problem with the heating system, and Yes, when I'm wearing a high necked jacket, I too can't feel the air scarf doing it's job. Maybe I'll bring the car in for service. I can see the service writer guy, laughing his head off.

Those comments put the kabash on the rest of his write up, at least from my perspective.

Wolfy90503

WSJ's Dan Neil also prefers the 450 to the 550, and it's not all about fuel economy either. 450 is lighter and more nimble in the turns.

Wolfman

Seems like an ongoing discussion. They are both much lighter than the R230 SL but still heavy cars. We are talking about a 130lbs difference between the 450 & 550. The bigger difference is the price...

X6SL

Outside of US and some other markets, consumption is an important factor. I guess almost all SL customers can afford the price difference at acquisition and the additional fuel consumption. The dealbreaker for the SL 500/550 is often the taxation system which is based on CO2 emissions (consumption), combined with restrictive law enforcement & traffic, which no longer allows to drive at speeds where the added cost of ownership is justified for an SL 500/550.

jmeyersnv

These are interesting posts. For me, the decision of whether to lease a 450 vs. a 550 was based on cost/benefit. I live in a city where the maximum allowable (legal) speed is 45 mph. On the freeways, it is 65 mph. The zero-to-sixty mph difference between the two vehicles is 0.6 seconds. The cost difference here in the US for identically equipped cars is $18,800. I concluded that, as much as I liked the idea of more horsepower and faster acceleration, it wasn't worth $3,133 (before tax) per tenth of one second to get it.

I have found my SL450 to be just terrific. It is really fun to drive, especially with the top down, and is very luxurious, too. I am a happy customer.

Wolfy90503

Someone asked a MB salesman why the need to put AMG or biggest, baddest engine in all their models, even the CLA (laughable really). Salesman said, "Believe or not I have many buyers that tell me 'I want the biggest engine for this car!'"
Apparently it's very profitable for MB.

Personally I think the 'base' SL is the best, either 450 or 550.

tandan

I agree with your diatribe. I know I'm in the 231 forum and it's true I prefer the 230 look, but that aside, there is no other convertible I have ever owned that possesses the solid feel you get with the SL. My first test drive with an SL600 answered all my questions from the butt up. By the way, it is a hell of a nice coupe.