Just a quick foreword. I had a 2015 Porsche Turbo S and traded in for a 2019 SL550.
I just permantantly moved from Mass to FL, SWFL, was snow bird for a couple of years.
Anyways the Porsche was certainly an overkill here in FL, the SL550 is much better.
I do miss the speed of the 911 Turbo S, and I think I always will. Just an incredible rush
hitting that pedal. Something about knowing you are one of the quickest cars on the road,
is somehow fulfilling also.

SL550 has a lot of brake dust. I'm retired now so I clean the wheels often.
Just applied the Armor All Brake Dust Repellent, had so-so reviews, we'll see how it works.

One of the things I'm starting to realize is that, there are a lot of standard stuff in the SL550
which you have to pay for in the Porsche world.
- Sports exhaust
- Aluminum pedals
- net in the passenger side tunnel
- Headlights that turn with wheel
- Here's a plus the SL550 has piezoelectric fuel injectors, the 2020 911 is the first Porsche
to have that. One big plus for MB
- My 2015 911 had a "fake" key in the left hand side, the SL550 has a push button start
BTW thet keyless ignition was an option on the 911 on an almost $200k car
- the MB has lots of leather, door, dashboard and the seat is covered in it. Ok it was an extra
amount of money, but still more leather than the 911. Plus for MB. U think on a car
that costs over $100k leather should be standard everywhere.
- A smart wheel with lots of options buttons, that was an extra on the 911 as well and I like
the flat bottom wheel on the SL550
- Like that the SL550 has an oil dipstick, the 911 has none just a gauge inside the car you read after the
oil is warmed up. I alway hated that, I changed my own oil and would like to know I am close to full
before I start up an expensive car.
- The bad thing about SL550 has no numbered gauges, I like to know oil temp/pressure and water temp
not just a dummy guage. Looks like some AMG cars have real guages with numbers.
- The other plus on the SL550 is the upgraded side skirts which are painted the same color as the car.
That is an extra in the Porsche.
- The stop/start button that is a real PIA. On the Porsche you could just turn it off permantantly
with a button. On the SL550 has a button but everytime you turn the car on, the button is on.
Also when you change to sport mode or any mode the button is turned back on.

The more I drive the SL550 it does have decent acceleration in the sport mode. I like the paddle shifters.
And the sound of the exhaust. Love being a convertible, never owned one before just drove a couple.
The SL550 does ride well, still getting used to the side bolsters squeezing me around turns, weird feeling.
The a/c works well, but my wife Lexus ES350 will freeze you out. The cooled/vented seats are a joke in
the SL550. Porsche was much better and my wifes Lexus also works very well. Cooling the seat and the
car is important here in SWFL, it gets hot. The Harmon/Kardon in the SL550 does quite well even with
the top down. The 911 had a Burmester 820 watt with an 300 watt bass which was outstanding sounding
stereo. Overall the SL550 is just perfect for a nice GT cruiser here in FL. This car does have the run flats
which are typically not a great tire, I'll upgrade to a better pair of Michelin when these wear out.

One of things I found is that there are not a lot of upgrades to the SL550, no Blistein shocks, no upgraded
intercoolers, air filters or other turbos. I did see the there is an ECU upgrade but that usually voids the
warranty. The car setup is perfect but always looking to improve something.

Bottom line, loving it. Glad I made the trade into the SL550. The only downside I see is that there is some
information indicating that the MB is not as reliable as it used to be. Time will tell. And the 2020 will be the
last model year of this car. Looks like they are going to a soft top and possible a 4 seater.

 

Great comparison- does your 550 have ABC? That would be the suspension "upgrade"
And yes the way MB (with that generation of COMAND is total BS in not providing numbered or analog gauges. My S550 is the same way-
I like to associate a "volume setting number" when I turn the radio up or down. Is it that hard MB to put that on a display somewhere?
That said, the generation of COMAND does allow for DVD playback IN MOTION so that is cool ($ 199 add on)
I do not have an SL yet but will be getting one soon- dont know if it will be the 450 550 or SL 63.

Interesting- how do you find the looks of your new SL vs your Ex Porsche?

 

The side bolsters can be adjusted or turned off via the COMAND menu. Also, there are some threads in this forum regarding Stop/Start options that are worth looking at. Enjoy your 550!

 

The looks of Porsche was cool. The funny is that you really couldn't easily tell the difference between 2010 and 2019 911 cars.
Very similar cars, the same is true for the SL cars, the SL450 and SL550 are the same from what I can see, only the
motor is different. And earlier years look very similar. Haven't really researched that but the 2018 and 2019 were the same.
The Porsche at least the Turbo S had a rear spoiler builtin and it went up based on speed or you could engage with a button inside.
That was kind of cool. Liked the shape of the 911, built very well no rattles, no wind noise with windows down. Maintenance on
the car was minimal. I changed my own oil and the only thing the dealer did was change the brake fluid after 3 years.

 

Thx I turned off the off nanny commands, need to find the side bolsters one. Thx I'll look for the start/stop function, but right off the bat
it should be turned off all time if you want like the Porsche.

 

BTW is the oil dipstick supposed to be straight in the SL550? Mine looks a little bent...no jokes please I get enough
from my wife.