Former 2012 SLK350 owner, currently leasing a 2019 C300 coupe and turning it in this fall.

After much research seriously considering a used/certified SL (2017-) for a few factors:

- Love the blend of classic and modern design, looking for more of a grand tourer than a sports car
- I love roadsters, and my wife and I loved the SLK and miss it after turning ours in a year ago
- As much as I love the aesthetics of the new-style MB interior I find it less sturdy and more creaky in multiple models even the pricier ones, so the more "dated" interior is actually kind of appealing to me

Definitely leaning toward the SL550 even though the SL450 has solid reviews. Anyone else move from SLK to SL and have any hot takes on the experience?

 

These aren't the same cars as you have & are considering, but I went from a 2005 SLK55 to a 2013 SL63.

The SLK55 was stock when I originally bought it, and I subsequently added headers, tune, and Kleemann supercharger. With those mods, it was maybe equal to a stock SL63. After tune (etc.), the SL63 would wipe the floor with the SLK55. The SLK55 likely had more immediate lag off-throttle stock, but then less immediate lag if comparing both after tuning.

The SLK55 is smaller and definitely feels smaller. The SL63 probably handles better, but the SLK55 felt more in touch with the road in a way while driving - more feedback, I guess. The SL63 is much smoother, with far superior seats & road cushioning with ABC. The interior of the SL63 is also much more luxurious, and I definitely like the SL63's steering wheel (feel & shape) better.

 

Appreciate the perspective! Won’t be going AMG this time around but makes sense and keeps me leaning toward the SL. And wow, what a powerful couple of AMGs to compare- both must be a blast to drive.

 

And the room in the SL...the room. I once tried to sit in an SLK...LOL...it was actually worse than my Corvette! My SL is so comfortable. I know everyone is different, and I'm only giving my impressions, but I really was shocked at how cramped the SLK was.

 

I'm 5'11" and I definitely cannot imagine being any larger and being comfortable in the SLK. It was just so fun to drive. I also love the newer style front end and the more classic rear end styling. Any features from your perspective an absolute must have? Every SL I see seems to be fairly loaded.

 

If you enjoy the size of the SLK but want something newer maybe try the SLC 43. TTV6 and fun as can be to drive. I too am stuck in the same boat. Small and fun to drive SLK vs larger and more luxurious SL. A gray problem to have Like you I will be moving from a coupe. While I do enjoy them I am finding out a coupe makes 0 sense. Back seats are useless so why even have them?

 

I am your size and fit fine into a R172 SLK350 I once test drove. More room in them than I anticipated.

 

Yeah I am not too big for the SLK but would like some extra room to stretch, so I'm pretty much headed for an SL. The SLC43 is nice but it's just not as quick as I would expect at least on paper, apparently the SL550 is .3 faster zero to 60 than the SLC43. I wonder why the SLC43 gets absolutely trashed in auto reviews as well, from my initial research anyway.

100% agree on coupes after this experience. Roadsters are just too much fun. Now I just get to search Autotrader and MBUSA.com for the next few months til I find the right one. Hoping to find something Certified.

 

Go for the Sl 550. If you come from performance cars you will feel that the sl 450 is slow compared to the SL 550. I came from Corvettes and hellcats. The SL 550 is quite a comfortable rocket. What ever you choose enjoy.

 

I would then go for the SL550. Add a tune as well. You will probably never look back. I have 3 Coupes at the moment and want to dump them all for a SL550. (CLK350,CLK55 & CL600) I have been spending some time on test drives in SLK’s and SL’s and I really believe the coupes are the worst of both worlds. Sort of a half way point and a major compromise. Anyways you can find a low mileage SL out there as depreciation is your best friend. They drop like a rock

 

The vast majority of R231s were ordered by dealerships for the purpose of leasing. As a result, the vast majority of them have, as a minimum, both the Premium and Driver Assist packages, but do not have ABC (an expensive option that you couldn't point to on the showroom floor...never mind that it takes both ride and handling to another level). I searched for a CPO 2017+ SL450 with ABC for nearly a year. I literally researched hundreds of cars. In all those cars, only one had ABC...and it proved to be an otherwise rough example, so I had to pass on it. Of all the rest, there were none without the Premium package, and only two without the Driver Assist package. Premium gives you all the important stuff (those magic seats, mega cruise control, etc.), while Driver Assist is mostly a bunch of sexy-sounding nannies that you've probably lived a good life without so far. The car I ended up with has those two packages, and within about a week I had turned off most of those nannies in the Driver Assist package for being either too intrusive or duplicating my own efforts to drive the car myself. In hindsight, I'm now sorry that I passed on one particular car only because it didn't have Driver Assist.

My car has the standard adaptive suspension, and coming from a lifetime in Corvettes myself, I'm thrilled with the ride/handling compromise in my SL. It rides perfectly fine (even with the standard run-flats...which could be a bit quieter) and handles much better than I thought it would. The 450's V6 performance seems to be slightly better than that of my '96 Corvette GS, too. Car & Driver tested this same SL combination in 2017 and got a 0-60 time of 4.5 seconds...which is 3 tenths quicker than my GS, so the 450's performance is quite adequate. If you need even more in a straight line, there are the 550 and 63 in waiting, but only you can decide if the incurred trade-offs of those models would be worth it to you.

There were 3 optional levels of interior leather, each basically consisting of leather covering more and more of the interior's surfaces. Anything above the optional second level puts leather on top of the dash, and a few here have had problems with the dash-top leather de-laminating (bubbling/wrinkling) from sun damage. As a result, I'm glad that my car only has the second leather option, as whatever M-B covers the dash with looks and feels very much like leather anyway. Many here swear by Magic Sky Control, a few others swear at it. My car's conventional tight mesh sunshade is just a finger pull affair, and probably takes less time than holding that MSC button, while darkening the roof even more. There seems to be near total agreement here that both sound systems are equally below par. My car has the standard H-K system, and on the odd occasion when I do turn it on, I just can't seem to find anything wrong with it...other than the equalizer could use more than three channels (true of most cars, btw). At least you do get a separate equalizer for each input, which is nice.

Any of the other options are pretty easy to figure out whether or not they're for you, or how important they are to you. Good luck in your search. Just be careful to either lay eyes/hands on prospective cars yourself, or pay a trusted inspector to do so for you. It will be money well spent, as it turns out that M-B used car dealers are exactly that: used car dealers. When dealing with them, if you expect deception, they can't blindside you...and many will try to...

 

Extremely helpful advice - thank you very much! I will take this into consideration especially with the audio system. I'm guessing it's similar to the bass-heavy HK system I had in my SLK, which could bump nicely but didn't hit the mid or high range quite as nicely as the premium Burmester sound in my current C300. I will probably test drive both the SL450 and SL550 just for the hell of it to see the difference as well. I didn't even know these came with ABC (I thought that was a luxury barge S/CLS only feature) so I will look out for that too. I will most likely not make that a dependency as even without that MBs usually have a solid, premium ride. Runflats though? Will be getting rid of those real fast if they come with it.

 

I did find that my H-K system improved a bit (at least, with the top up) after I went into the menus and found out that the "Logic 7" feature was turned off. When I turned it on, the sound took on a welcome spacial effect behind me. The complaint everyone has is that the rear speakers are "silent", which makes both systems inadequate when the top is down. Personally, I don't have the system on when the top is down because I would feel like a jerk inflicting my choices on others with the gain levels that would be necessary to hear it clearly (I was surprised to find out that, at least the H-K system, does not have speed adjusting volume)...but that's just me. When the top is up, the Logic 7 causes just enough spacial effect that I don't have a problem with the sound system at all. Which is fortunate, because I also have a severe aversion to anyone cutting into my SL's wiring, which would be necessary if I was to "upgrade" the system as many here have done. No thanks. The H-K system does an OK job with the bass if it's set at a reasonable level (that is, at a natural-sounding setting). If you happen to be one of those who need their windows bowing outward at a stoplight, then it may prove to be inadequate. Mine's set somewhere around zero to one or, at most, two notches above zero. This will deliver bass that you can somewhat feel, as well as hear. It just won't blow out your windows. It starts to get muddy if you turn it up much beyond that. If you need more than that, you'll need to get out your wire cutters and checkbook.

Yes, the standard tires are run-flats. Mine are Continentals, and while they grip better than I would have thought they would, because the car is so quiet and refined, they do seem a bit louder than I expected. Before buying my car, I test drove one that was mechanically identical and much quieter in this respect. It was the first one I drove, so I didn't think to look to see what tires were mounted. I wish now that I had checked. Anyone who's a ride quality fanatic has already changed out their run-flats. I haven't yet because I'm thinking about changing out my wheels...possibly even to 18s...so I won't do anything about the tires until I settle on some wheels.

As I pointed out, as of the debut of the R231, ABC became a $4090 option on the 450 and 550, though it remained standard on the SL63/65. We all started referring to 450s with ABC as "unicorns", though they're even more rare than that. The lucky folks on here who have them, ordered them new. For a brief while I was considering doing that, but in the end I just couldn't justify spending an extra $45k on a new car (over the cost of an otherwise-identical CPO '17) just to get that one option. I console myself with two facts: 1) it's an option that I don't have to maintain/worry aboout, and 2) my car is about 110 lbs lighter without it. I'd still like to have it, though.

 

I upgraded from the SLK to an SL (with an E class cabriolet in between) - don't look back - get the SL!!!!!

 

I'm 6'2" and my R172 was perfectly comfortable. I did sit in a R171 which was terrible.

 

I've has a R172 SLK350 and the current SL. No comparison. The SL is head and shoulders better.

Don't believe all the "it must be a V8"......Those that have tested both found the V6 the better car to drive. It is ~200lbs lighter than the V8 with all that difference on the front wheels making the V6 a better balanced car. The facelift V6 has a very long and flat torque curve and will happily travel at 30mph in 8th gear. If you need to scratch a V8 itch by all means do so there is nothing wrong with them. I've owned a few V8s so was happy to opt for the V6 (same engine engine as the SLC 43 "AMG").

If you can, get one with ABC. Does more than simply stiffen / soften the ride. e.g. Raise/lower the car (good for nose in parking, steep driveway, getting in and out if you're a bit creaky etc) , curve tilt, stops diving on braking and rearing on acceleration, etc etc....

 

Here's my quick take, comparing my SLK55 AMG vs. my SL550. The SLK55 was nimble and fun to drive a bit aggressively. The SL is much more comfortable to drive and I really appreciate the ledge behind the seats (missing in the SLK.) The torque from both V8 is impressive and personally, I would not "settle" for the V6. I'm 6' 2'' and found plenty of room in both. If you hope to do any track events, you probably will be reluctant to take an SL 'cause it is more of a classy boulevard cruiser than a more nimble SLK. See the photo attached -- me driving in the time trials at the Starfest in Las Vegas. Other members may disagree, but I don't see loading up the tires and cornering like this in an SL


.

 

SL is a next level experience. Everything is better. You wont look back.

 

You being an experienced "track day" / circuit driver, I find it surprising that you would say that selecting the better balanced & handling car would be "settling". I would not be surprised if on a good circuit the V6 did better lap times than the V8. As it is there are only 8/10 of a second difference in acceleration times.

 

Yes, I agree that the V6 would likely to be better and more satisfying on a track than the V8, particularly on one with many turns. But I would not buy either the V6 or V8 SL primarily as a track car but more for a comfortable, classy touring car. For a track car, there are a lot of better choices -- I must say that BMW has the best selection, best suspension and balance in stock street cars that are a joy to drive on a racetrack.

Note that BMW no longer allows retractable hardtops in their driving schools due to rollover concerns. Soft tops have always be rejected without a full roll cage. So SLs and SLKs of all types, including predicted future soft top SLs are verboten.

 

IMO, BMW was always the better "driver's car". I've had a few of them.

I did a 2 day refresher (high performance driving) course at a specialised vehicle testing facility we have here which has a short racetrack with various road conditions e.g. reverse camber bends and the SL performed well. https://www.millbrook.co.uk/services...roving-ground/

They also have a circular banked track (continuous high speed testing) and it it a real pucker factor travelling at 150mph 2 yards away from the crash barrier and almost no steering input because of the angle of the banking.

I really did not need the extra torque from the V8. Horses for courses I suppose. I got my SL for touring and we go (before Covid) to Europe and Ireland with it. Friends & family in Italy, Netherlands and Ireland and we prefer road trips to any other form of holiday. I've had it up-to top speed a couple of times on the autobahn but you really need to be alert - very busy and even at that speed there are cars that want to pass you.

V6 or V8 (both limited to 155mph) they are are otherwise identical and awesome cars. Happy motoring.

 

The SL is a great tourer and has plenty of space for a roadster. The trunk takes more luggage than the S-Class cab.
As for the SLK I had one as a loaner and it was a fun little car but not spacious enough and not at the SL level. I have also never been a fan of the looks as I felt the cars proportions were somewhat off. But that was just personal taste.

I did drive both the SLK43 and the SL63 at Laguna Seca and actually liked both. The SLK was a hoot to drive and even the SL's tail happy behavior made for a fun ride. The SLK was better suited there; just underpowered. Couple pics from that time...

 

I think the BMW being "a drivers car" is more historical. Mercedes these days has them beat with better steering and braking and the next SL will likely be the better drivers car. The problem these days is the massive weight. More power and electronics can't offset all physics...

 

I beieve the "AMG 43" in that SLC is the same engine as the SL400 (2017-).

 

but the SLC43 has a better power-to-weight ratio and was still described as underpowered

Probably any course that the SL400 beats the SL550 on, a new Miata beats the SL400.