SL/R231: 2017 Maintenance, repairs and depreciation?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2024
Posts: 13
Likes: 7
From: VT
2017 SL450
My intent was not to hijack the thread but I was thinking more in terms of a somewhat modern MB 2019+. I have a F150, Subaru legacy, and an AWD SUV and I plan to keep these and add to the fleet. So I am specifically looking for a fun sedan with 4 matic but that cruises great too. Something I can take on roadtrips and really enjoy vs the normal boring daily drivers I already have. My SL is pure joy when I drive it vs my other cars… something like that but for the winter. :-)
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 7,847
Likes: 3,498
From: Maryland
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Honestly, a second SL. You are not going to find another Mercedes or any other brand that will replicate an SL. The R232 SL is available with 4Matic, but only in the SL55 and above. Not really what you are looking for. Also, I think the R231 is probably the best generation of SL for now.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 267
Likes: 114
From: Virginia Beach
R231 SL 63
Curious about what's used SLs are out there, I queried for SL400 on Carvana. 20 cars came back with 16 being SL550s, two being SL63s and two being SL400s. They were all in mid $30,000 to $50,00 range with 30,000 to 60,000 miles on them. There was one with 66,000 miles for $29k. The SL400s were $34k with around 51k miles. There was an SL63 for about $50k.
My point is that only 10% of the cars were an SL400 and 10% were an SL63. I was a little surprised to see this. I don't know what conclusion to make other than 80% of the SL550s were being sold. Not to disparage the SL550, but it does beg the question why.
My SL400 now has 51k miles. I paid $43,000 about three years ago. It had 22,649 miles on it at the time. So my "depreciation" after three years and 29,000 miles is about $9,000. It has aged nearly 42% and increased its mileage/usage by 127% yet has "depreciated" only about 21%. I'll take that for all the pleasure it has given me.
I've owned a lot of cars and there are about four that I kept for really long times or remember fondly. They are a 1981 Volvo 240 station wagon; a 2004 Audi TT; a 2004 SL500; and my current 2015 SL400. I've never bought a car concerned about its resale value as an "investment". Every car I buy I intend to keep "forever" and only get rid of it when I become bored or it becomes problematic.
My point is that only 10% of the cars were an SL400 and 10% were an SL63. I was a little surprised to see this. I don't know what conclusion to make other than 80% of the SL550s were being sold. Not to disparage the SL550, but it does beg the question why.
My SL400 now has 51k miles. I paid $43,000 about three years ago. It had 22,649 miles on it at the time. So my "depreciation" after three years and 29,000 miles is about $9,000. It has aged nearly 42% and increased its mileage/usage by 127% yet has "depreciated" only about 21%. I'll take that for all the pleasure it has given me.
I've owned a lot of cars and there are about four that I kept for really long times or remember fondly. They are a 1981 Volvo 240 station wagon; a 2004 Audi TT; a 2004 SL500; and my current 2015 SL400. I've never bought a car concerned about its resale value as an "investment". Every car I buy I intend to keep "forever" and only get rid of it when I become bored or it becomes problematic.
