SL/R231: 2013-17 Ambient lighting ,ABC and options
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 36
Likes: 4
2003 SL55 / 2013 SL550
2013-17 Ambient lighting ,ABC and options
Hi,
I used to own a 2003 SL55. I am now looking to buy a used (2013-2016) R231 and there are not many around me so it looks like I will be ordering over the net.
I saw a new S550 (not SL) with ambient lighting and it looked amazing. I was told by the sales man that it was available on the SL but he did not know which ones. A used car dealer online shows ambient lighting as a standard feature on a 2014.... is it? What years is it standard, which are optional, and any pics to show what it looks like in the SL?
Also, what options are most desired that I should look for. I saw ABC is one that many people want, how is that listed on the options page, is it listed as ABC or ? Active something or another?
What options do you feel are best, which ones should I steer away from?
Also, any warnings, red flags or things to look for in a used SL?
Thanks in advance!
I used to own a 2003 SL55. I am now looking to buy a used (2013-2016) R231 and there are not many around me so it looks like I will be ordering over the net.
I saw a new S550 (not SL) with ambient lighting and it looked amazing. I was told by the sales man that it was available on the SL but he did not know which ones. A used car dealer online shows ambient lighting as a standard feature on a 2014.... is it? What years is it standard, which are optional, and any pics to show what it looks like in the SL?
Also, what options are most desired that I should look for. I saw ABC is one that many people want, how is that listed on the options page, is it listed as ABC or ? Active something or another?
What options do you feel are best, which ones should I steer away from?
Also, any warnings, red flags or things to look for in a used SL?
Thanks in advance!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
ABC - active body control...some love it others hate it. I have it and think it is amazing but, I'm still in the honeymoon period with my car....I believe that it is a lot more reliable than older models (MB have had enough time to perfect it).
Options...horses for courses
A fancy sound system was at the bottom of my list and not ordered ----65 year old ears with the roof down will not appreciate it's quality and I mostly listen to talk radio
I took all the driver aid systems available, i.e. I chose the top item which includes everything (lighting, distronic, lane assist, etc etc )
Ambient lighting is an option I took - it is dark a lot here and it makes the car look nice inside...
Electric wind deflector is a must
Dash clock......the electronic one is crap and I like mine
Active seats - I have them and like them
Magic roof---- waste of money in the UK it never gets that hot and mine has a manual screen that I can slide into place..
Heated seats-- yes
Airscarf - yes
Keyless Go----makes the car easier to steal...I don't have it
Auto trunk lid...waste of money - I hardly ever open it so didn't order it
Mine is the AMG line so came with wheels I lik, bigger brake discs and a (apparently) better exhaust system and a couple of floor mats - I can't tell what else it added ...
bigger fuel tank - I do touring in Europe and appreciate teh extra range
reversing camera - must have - the correct seating position is very low and the camera really helps.....
Options...horses for courses
A fancy sound system was at the bottom of my list and not ordered ----65 year old ears with the roof down will not appreciate it's quality and I mostly listen to talk radio
I took all the driver aid systems available, i.e. I chose the top item which includes everything (lighting, distronic, lane assist, etc etc )
Ambient lighting is an option I took - it is dark a lot here and it makes the car look nice inside...
Electric wind deflector is a must
Dash clock......the electronic one is crap and I like mine
Active seats - I have them and like them
Magic roof---- waste of money in the UK it never gets that hot and mine has a manual screen that I can slide into place..
Heated seats-- yes
Airscarf - yes
Keyless Go----makes the car easier to steal...I don't have it
Auto trunk lid...waste of money - I hardly ever open it so didn't order it
Mine is the AMG line so came with wheels I lik, bigger brake discs and a (apparently) better exhaust system and a couple of floor mats - I can't tell what else it added ...
bigger fuel tank - I do touring in Europe and appreciate teh extra range
reversing camera - must have - the correct seating position is very low and the camera really helps.....
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Simple colors with low brightness. If I recall, the colors were a bit different in the 2013 model vs. 2017. The colors maybe ok with some interiors but we had the R231 in red and porcelain white interiors. I am using the blue and the leather changes the color.
The S-Class has more colors and much higher light intensity. I think it was 7, now 64. We have 64 in the AMG. Right now we are sporting purple since we are near Paisley Park
Last edited by Wolfman; Dec 25, 2017 at 07:56 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
Great picture Wolfman. The ambient lights on the SL are not across the dash and in direct contact with your eyes as in the picture above. They are hidden under ledges at the sides of the center console and the doors and only provide a glow, not a intense bright color like Wolfman's picture.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
I am happy with mine and the option was pretty cheap .....it looks better than nothing - I was not looking for pimpmobile lighting and have only ever had them on red which matches my upholstery.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,534
Likes: 3,669
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Seriously though, since having had the W222 S-class I really like ambient lighting. The SL lighting is more like in the W221. Of course all is a question of taste as car interiors have changes quite a bit over the last decades but I feel that it enhances the interior. In the old days lighting really came from ultra bright buttons and knobs; typically the worst offenders were Audi and BMW with their bright yellow/orange.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
