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I’ve had this vehicle since 2015, when it had only 6,000 miles, and over the years I’ve compiled a list of practical modifications. 1. SmartTOP - one touch top down/up while moving under 30 mph 2. Upgraded amplifier - enabled surround sound and louder bass for all speakers 3. Valentine 1 professionally mounted - never got a single traffic tickets after driving with this on 4. Carbon Fiber look backlip, door sill 5. Wireless Apple Carplay / Android Auto 6. Front camera - great parking aid 7. 3M Crystalline window film all around - a MUST have in California 8. Viofo A329S Front+Cabin Dash Cams - it is the missing Sentry Mode
I’m especially glad the car came equipped with Magic Sky and Distronic Plus, and almost all upgradable options. The only feature it’s missing is ABC, which I didn’t consider necessary. With the mods listed above, it really feels like a 2026-era modernized vehicle. That said, I’ll likely need a larger car soon (preferably an SUV), so I may end up selling it. What do you think — should I keep it as a weekend fun car instead?
Keep it of course! The car is well equipped, in great shape, low miles and technically uptodate. The selling price wouldn't reflect that. Plus, they are meant to be fun cars!
I too have the Viofo A329S front and inside fisheye dashcam. I have the rear camera, but haven't figured out where and how to mount and wire it. I've contemplated the SmartTop, but am still on the fence.
I had a R230 before the current SL, which I sold for a sedan due to family requirements. I couldn't stand it, so I bought the R231 a few years later. Keep the SL, you'll miss it when it's gone.
Keep it of course! The car is well equipped, in great shape, low miles and technically uptodate. The selling price wouldn't reflect that. Plus, they are meant to be fun cars!
I'd love to, but I have no extra garage space. I can't imagine it being stored outdoors.
I too have the Viofo A329S front and inside fisheye dashcam. I have the rear camera, but haven't figured out where and how to mount and wire it. I've contemplated the SmartTop, but am still on the fence.
I had a R230 before the current SL, which I sold for a sedan due to family requirements. I couldn't stand it, so I bought the R231 a few years later. Keep the SL, you'll miss it when it's gone.
You will need to install the waterproof rear camera on the license plate, as there’s really no place to mount an interior rear camera in a convertible. I figured the in-cabin fisheye camera covered everything I needed, so I didn’t opt for the separate rear one.SmartTOP is a quick and relatively inexpensive upgrade that adds a lot of convenience.
Btw, here is what I did for the dashcam install. This worked quite well for the SL although not for topdown unless one uses a regular rear cam on the A-pillar instead of a fisheye. Blackvue camera at the time; we also use Viofo A329's but that was almost 9 years ago
This is my current setup. It covers most of the angles that need to be monitored. The front-right camera is mounted a bit too close to the center, so it always captures a small portion of it. But I’m too lazy to reinstall and reposition it.
Can you give some more detail details about the valentine one professional installation?
Did they disassemble and waterproof the sensors and put them under your hood and in the back of the vehicle and mount the display inside of the car?
I’m running the older Gen 1 V1, which didn’t have separate sensors. Since higher placement yields better performance, I chose not to mount it under the hood. Even by today’s standards, I find it more than adequate. I’m not certain how it was installed, but the setup is extremely clean.
I’m curious about your front camera. Can you share some info on it, please?
The camera is installed in the front grille and wired to the CarPlay box, allowing manual activation through the system’s interface. The faster method I typically use is shifting into Reverse and then back to Drive, which automatically displays the front camera feed.
2005 Mercedes Benz C55 AMG..1967 Lotus Europa..1987 Lotus Turbo Esprit HCI..2020 Mercedes Benz E350
greatkoei......
I'm looking for a similar car but either a mars red (fire opal red) or tanzanite metallic blue exterior/tan interior. What's your asking price if you decide to sell? Also, where in California?
I'm looking for a similar car but either a mars red (fire opal red) or tanzanite metallic blue exterior/tan interior. What's your asking price if you decide to sell? Also, where in California?
Thanks......
Rob
I’m in LA County. I haven’t decided to sell yet, so I don’t have an asking price at this point.
As for the color, you can always wrap the car or even repaint it to get exactly the look you want.
2005 Mercedes Benz C55 AMG..1967 Lotus Europa..1987 Lotus Turbo Esprit HCI..2020 Mercedes Benz E350
greatkoei....
I'm not a fan of wraps......I'm not decided on SL55 AMG but also looking at SL63 and SL65's, too!
My wife and I have owned numerous MB's, a few BMW's, and Lotus cars.
Thanks for the info....I'll be on the lookout for your listing......
I'm not a fan of wraps......I'm not decided on SL55 AMG but also looking at SL63 and SL65's, too!
My wife and I have owned numerous MB's, a few BMW's, and Lotus cars.
Thanks for the info....I'll be on the lookout for your listing......
Rob
No SL55 in this generation SL. Only the old R230 which are day/night in terms of reliability to the R231. I would get a R231 SL550 over the older R230 SL65 any day...
I’m running the older Gen 1 V1, which didn’t have separate sensors. Since higher placement yields better performance, I chose not to mount it under the hood. Even by today’s standards, I find it more than adequate. I’m not certain how it was installed, but the setup is extremely clean.
Happy that you never got a ticket with the Gen 1 but it is a completely outdated model and no match to the latest radar guns/laser or the false alerts from blindspot radar. We have the Redline 360c but I would probably get the Uniden R8w now.
I’m running the older Gen 1 V1, which didn’t have separate sensors. Since higher placement yields better performance, I chose not to mount it under the hood. Even by today’s standards, I find it more than adequate. I’m not certain how it was installed, but the setup is extremely clean.
Radar detectors are illegal here in PA so you have to hide them.
I didn’t think radar detectors were illegal in Pennsylvania except for commercial vehicles. Also, they have to be mounted so they do not obstruct your view and they cannot be windshield mounted.
I was 100% going to pull the trigger on a very low mileage R231 SL65 until I drove it. Amazing machine, no doubt, however the suspension is much stiffer and there’s a couple hundred extra pounds of weight over that front axle which makes it not handle as well. If I had the resources to have two SL‘s, there is no doubt I would’ve bought that car in addition to an SL550 or SL63 (without the performance suspension option).
now if you are not going to drive it often and the roads are smooth where you live it may be ok but where I am it was a no-go.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
My 2013 SL550 Mods List
