johnroden

I'm looking for a new vehicle to replace my 16 year old 2004 SL500 which my wife and I both love. Does anyone have any current pricing experience on these vehicles. I'm in Southern California.

Thanks for your thoughts

Streamliner

I just took delivery of a new, 2019 SL450 last week from a dealer in Orange County, CA. You can get 10% or so off. You might get a bit more if you find a car languishing in a dealer inventory. I ordered my car and it took about 90 days to get it. I, too, had a 2004 SL500 that I just loved. The new car is WAY better, in all respects, with the exception of the following:

1. The 2003 to 2012 (R230) SL's all came with Active Body Control (ABC) as standard equipment and ride like a dream, as I am sure you will agree. Starting in 2013, ABC became a $4K+ option, so you will find very few used R231 SL's with the option and almost NO new ones sitting on a dealer's lot. The cars without ABC will ride dramatically different than your current car. Some folks don't care, but others, like me, feel that ABC is a "must have." So, I special ordered my car with ABC.

2. The Bose sound system in the earlier cars was wonderful. The sound systems in the newer cars does not compare at all. If you enjoy good sound quality, you will need to upgrade the system.

There are several threads on both of the above topics here, should you wish to research them.

I highly recommend my dealer/salesperson. f you would like a referral, please PM me. Good luck!

Streamliner

I'd like to add, that as a military veteran, I am a member of USAA and you can currently get an additional $2,000.00 off on a 2019 SL with the USAA certificate. All you need to join USAA, is a copy of your DD-214 discharge form. I have used this to buy or lease several of my last new MB's and it is pretty much a GIFT! If anyone was EVER in the U.S. military and honorably discharged, this offer is available to you at NO CHARGE! The discount is higher on some models, lower on others.

Streamliner

And one more HUGE thing: Unless you are a torque addict or a speed demon, the SL450 is the way to go. I have always been a V8 guy and never thought I would order an SL with a V6. However, when I drove the two cars, back to back, the 450 drives SO much nicer than the 550, IMO. It is lighter and feels more nimble. With over 360HP, it is way more powerful than your SL500. And, unlike with many cars, where many features and options are not available on the smaller engine models, the SL's are EXACTLY the same. And, the best part, is that an SL450 with similar options to an SL550, is $20K LESS! Really, unless you just have to have that huge V8 power and torque, the SL450 is a true bargain comparatively so.

eddieo45

I may have misread that, as I thought I wanted to correct it, but upon closer reading I guess you are not saying the 450 and 550 are equipped similarly standard. One must still add the Premium Package to the 450 to even them up, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one in dealer inventory without it.

My brief review of the 2019 brochure to confirm the above also informed me as to the current wheel options. @Streamliner, are these the forged wheels you're contemplating, 19"/20"?

Streamliner

Right, the Premium Pkg. adds everything missing from the 450, to make it like a 550.

No, I am not considering those wheels. I was considering the SL65 wheels from 2017, but I am now reconsidering everything. You see, I was planning on installing the SL63/65 Ceramic Composite Brakes on my car. I just love the look of those brakes with those wheels, as pictured below and with almost zero brake dust, hallelujah! However—and I guess I should have known this, but didn’t think about it—even though everything would be MB, they will not warranty such an upgrade unless a dealer does the install and then, ONLY if the brakes were optional on the SL450, which they are not. So, not wishing to mess up my warranty, no CCB brakes, at least for now.

Taking my thinking a bit further, I was only considering the 2017 SL65 wheels, IF I had the CCB brakes. I don’t know that I want to try and keep those gorgeous, all silver, clear coated wheels clean, with loads of brake dust. So, I may keep the wheels I have, or I may go back to my original idea of the factory 18” 5-spoke wheels—also shown below—which would give me a better ride and be very simple to clean. I’m also looking to see what other alternatives I might find. This is how my crazy car freak mind works.

bob55

Stream....

The wheels on your new car now are quite nice, IMO, but I can also understand why you are still considering going to 18-inch wheels and non-run flat tires in hopes of achieving a more comfortable ride.

Of the (3) genuine MB wheels available, I must say, the 'twisted' 5-spoke 18" wheel you are considering would be my very last choice. While style is always subjective, I just gotta say FWIW, that either the 15-spoke Wheel or the (5) Twin Spoke Wheel sure look much nicer on the 231, (to my old eyes), than that 'twisty style' 5-spoke wheel you're considering.

Of course, another option is to simply make the change to 19" non-run flat tires, while keeping the lovely 19" wheels currently on the car. Because your new car has ABC to enhance ride comfort, that sure looks like the best (first) option to me!

The Key Question: With ABC, do you still think it's necessary to change to a smaller diameter wheel/tire in order to achieve the level of ride comfort you desire?.

Note: For reference purposes, all (3) of the 18-inch MB wheels are shown in the link below.

http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer.../all/price_asc
.

Streamliner

I agree and visually, I prefer the more intricate designs and/or multi-spoked wheels. However, I am a “glass half empty” kind of guy and it drives me nuts to have dirty wheels. Keeping those intricate, multi-spoke wheels spotless is a real pain. The 5-spokes are infinitely easier to keep clean, which is a big deal to me. I’m actually giving some thought to the very common AMG 19” wheels that are standard on the SL550, as shown below.

allfortheunion

If you have ABC, can you still tell the difference in ride between run-flat and regular tires? I have assumed the hydraulic suspension would absorb the harshness from run-flats.

Streamliner

You definitely feel the run flats, even with ABC. I feel that the current RFT are much easier to live with than those of just a few years back. However, when you hit a sharp bump, you can still feel that stiff sidewall being unforgiving. IMO, worst case: 20” wheels, run flats, no ABC. Best case: 18” wheels, cushy conventional tires with ABC. Every little bit helps.

allfortheunion

I have the 14-spoke wheels and I really wish I had 5-spoke, for exactly the reasons Streamliner just posted.

bob55

The 18-inch Twin Spoke Wheels are easy to clean too, but you probably already knew that from your former (2013) 231.

Streamliner

Yes, had them on my 2013. Kind of tired of them and the narrow spaces that split the spokes are a pain to keep clean.

Wolfman

Retrofitting CCB's, along with forged wheels on a SL450 or 550 is not for the faint of heart. One forum member actually did this but didn't disclose the price. But the price will be roughly $20-25k or about half the price of a used R231 SL.
When it comes to brake dust, just swap the brake pads (Racingbrake makes them for the SL) and you can get ride of the majority of the dust.

For Streamliner, I would recommend just swapping tires. ABC already takes care of a majority of the harshness...

Streamliner

Well, Wolf, we must be on the same wavelength, as I just sent you a PM asking about our favorite wheels and ride quality. I’m not in love with my stock wheels and really don’t care for the black painted interior areas. I actually received a PM from another member, telling me about another racing brake company that is located right next door to me in Costa Mesa. The company is called Porterfield Racing Brakes. The other member put their pads on his S63 Cabriolet and he says the reduction in brake dust is dramatic, with no squeal. I believe that putting those pads on will be my first step. If I like them, then that opens doors to more complicated wheel designs. However, when all is said and done, I’m still in love with those clear coated SL65 wheels and just may go that way.

Wolfman

I love those wheels as well. They are just timeless. We have had them on our SL's for 6 years and still looking fantastic!
The SL also looks better. Just for comparison. Updated to my liking (lowered via lowering module - actively below 35mph only, spacers for a wider stance and 19"/20" forged wheels) vs. stock car from MB. Interesting of how small the rear wheel now looks to my eye...
(Sorry, the stock one is a quick iPhone pic vs. my Nikon DSLR)

Wolfman

Completely off-topic but I wanted to show just how well our porcelain white interior is holding up. 22000 miles and nearly 3 years (well, 2 years 9 months)... No leather protection or cleaner ever. Just a wet cotton rag is there was a little rub-off from jeans.

Dirtiest thing was the seatbelt. That can be cleaned too but with care so that the weave strength is not impacted... Never cleaned though

johnroden

We went out and drove the SL450 and the SL550. The 450 is a very nice car but the 550 drove more like our old 2004 SL500 and we liked the way it drove and the incredible horsepower. Her's a picture of what we purchased. It's going to be my wife's car and she loved the red.

RocketBoots

Very nice!!!

I agree with you on the engine choice. I tried the V6 version and although it might be better balanced for handling on real twisty country roads (not just normal curves), I went with the V8 as its pulling power leaves a smile on our faces and never gets old.

bob55

Right On RocketBoots!

While the smaller 450 V6 may be OK for some people, the 550 V8 still feels to me like 'the right engine' for the SL Class, (i.e. the one that the 231 was originally designed to have).

I know I wouldn't be happy with anything less than a proper V8...

Streamliner

Johnroden: It is a lovely car, congratulations! May you have many thousands of safe, happy miles in it!

iridium18

Beautiful automobile ... enjoy the top-down weather !
? have you named her ....

johnroden

Thank you for the comment. I haven't named her but I know my wife will.

johnroden

My wife named it Scarlett O'Benz

iridium18

Great name - beautiful color combo - ENOY !!!!