phonetics

I am now considering to trade in my 2003 CL500 for 2005 SL55. I have the following questions:

1) I believe SL55 first came out in 2003 (correct me if I am wrong), I am not sure if it's a good time to buy 2005 model since there might be facelift / upgrade for model 2006. Please comment.

2) Also, if I buy a new auto, I intend to keep it until the next model comes out at least. Anyone can estimate when the next generation SL will come out?

3) I am considering the color now. My choice will be cubanite silver, but I don't get to see any in real car, does anyone have any pictures to post here? Black is absolutely my best choice, but it's really too common in my area, 9 out of 10 SL are black... really boring.

IanSL55

1. Not much different in 2006 v. 2005. Some new colors I think. 2005 has the new Comand system. A big upgrade from the 2004 model. 2006 might have iPod connectivity.

2. I think 2009 is the earliest estimated date for a new model. I may be wrong but either way it's out there.

3. If you can get RED interior w/ that silver you'll have a unique car indeed. Here in SoCal most SL's are Silver (variations) or black.

Hope that helps a bit.

~ Ian

phonetics

Why would you think the new SL will come out in 2009? That means it only lasts for 6 years (2003 - 2009). The previous SL was around for like 12 years (1990 - 2002) without major changes in looks .

IanSL55

It's what I heard and I very well may be wrong. I think MB will be turning around model styles faster than they have in the past because generally speaking - it boosts sales... and MB is all about the $'s now.

~ Ian

v8plus4

I recently saw an SL in Cubanite (Pewter here in the US) with the Berry Red interior. Different, but nonetheless quite sharp. Would look great with a darker red or burgundy.

blueSL

Wrong. The SL came out in 2001 so when there's talk of 2009/10, it's the date of the German launch, a full year before it goes to the US then there's the bizarre practice of model years starting before the calendar year. Seems to me the next SL will be Model Year 2010 or 2011.

phonetics

You guys seem to know a lot about MB. Perhaps you will have answer to my other concern.

My alternative is to just replace my 2003 CL500 with the next gen CL55, anyone knows where it will be launched in germany?

Does anyone got any spy picts for that? it will be great.

Assuming SL will have facelift in 2006/07 and then next gen CL will be launched also in 2006/07, that means it is absolutely a bad idea and quite stupid to buy a 2005 SL55, does this make any sense?

Please share your views with me.

WIldcat465

I wouldn't purchase and '05 today, becuase you can probably order an '06 in the near furture and take delivery by year's end.

phonetics

Do you mean the 2006 SL55 will be the facelifted model?

blueSL

Or else you can sit on the fence forever waiting for what you think might be better to come along. You can count on it being more expensive and de-contented as Mercedes try to compensate for the low dollar and in the meantime, you are missing out on one of the greatest GT cars in the world. Talk about a facelift is premature as is speculation about the next SL, the R231. Besides, the dealer hasn't asked me for a deposit yet....

AMG_Fan

I would most definitlely agree with BlueSL, we've had our 05' SL55 for almost 6 weeks now and couldnt imagine waiting 6-8 month for an 06' (miss an entire summer) and we were also able to get a good price on this one, why pay list on an 06'...this is all given that there doesnt seem to be any major changes. I personally rather get an 05', own it for 5-6 years and then look into upgrading to the R231, when ever that's available. My 2cents.

andy-sl55

here in London i have seen a few cubanite silver SL's. Personally I dont think it works on the car as its too beige. I would like to see a more steel grey or tungsten colour on the sl55, maybe they offer that in some markets but not in the UK. Best colours for me are brilliant silver with berry red (very sporty look, makes the car seem a bit smaller too) and obsidian black with anthracite. Think im going to go for the silver/berry combo when i get mine...

How much does colour matter in the US? here it seems an sl55 has to be either silver or black to sell easily. Probably 80-90% of cars are brilliant silver.m

allenjdmb

that you'll see at least a facelifted SL by 07. The model is simply not selling well, and the days of long product lifetimes are over at DC (unfortunately).Given the pressure that MB is under in terms of sales, nothing is going to hang around very long that isn't doing much in the marketplace. Dumb I think, considering how quickly it devalues the product and takes away from development of a program (see R129).

phonetics

That's what I think too about cubanite silver.. too beige. Now I have 3 options in mind:

- Black with dark grey and black rims (my CL is black now, so just feel like having some change)
- Diamond silver with berry red
- White with berry red (the white does get old and turn to yellowish very easily, thus not really a good choice, only looks nice when new)

What do you think???

allenjdmb

things are different in the UK. Your importer may be doing a better job of keeping the product "short" there. But in the USA, there is nothing that matters to DC but units. Lots and lots of them. If you were to go to South Florida or LA in the next day or two, you would have dozens of opportunities to own a new SL before the weekend. I recently visited a South Florida store that had 32 (that is THIRTY TWO) USED SL's on hand. That INCLUDES numerous 55's and at least 3 65's. I stopped counting at 16 new R230's for sale, including 2 65's. Unfortunately, the US arm of DC has ruined any of the exclusivity of owning a Benz by slamming the market with product. And it's not selling. Just FYI, my small market dealer here has two unsold 500's with Sport in black and silver. The door has not been opened on them in nearly 60 days. He's told our zone rep, please, dont' send me any more SL's this year. Great car, I just hate what DC has done to the brand. You can forward the lousy coffee now, just make sure it's not too hot...

phonetics

I noticed that most SL55 has either the factory AMG rims or other big brands rims such as brabus, carlsson, lowenhart etc.

What's the problem with putting some hip hop style chrome rims on an SL, such as Giovanni, Lexani, spinners etc like what people put on their S500, Cadillac or Hummer H2? What's wrong with doing that?

vraa

A lot of people do.
Most think it's ugly and stupid.

Hip hop sucks. But whatever floats your boat.

IanSL55

I have Chrome Brabus rims but if someone told me it was Hip Hop Style I'd look at them as if they just insulted my mother... No offense, but the Hip Hop lifestyle is about spending your very last penny on bling - no matter how tasteless.

~ Ian

vraa

Brabus is fine.
Although heavy and I don't like them much, they are still Mercedes O.K.!

NOTKTS

I wish I still had the pic of the white SL500 with the 20" Giovanni Anzios, it was terrible. Those are some rappers with no taste what so ever and IMO destroy the car. Brabus, Renn Tech, Lorinser, Kleemann and Carrlsson are not "hip-hip style" rims, they are in their own class.

CASL55

That's what I like about the SL. Where I live they're a dime a dozen. A few days ago, I counted 8 SLs in the oncoming traffic in a 10-mile section of semi-rural two-lane highway (Carmel Valley Road, from the mouth of the valley to the village, for those of you who know the road), 5 of them the current model. I want to drive a fast, luxurious car, but I don't want to stand out on the road or in the parking lot. I don't want people standing around my car when it's parked, and I don't want people pacing me on the freeway to get a better look. The SL is perfect for me in that regard.

I know what you're saying, but this is a little like the Yogi Berra (actually said first by John McNulty) line about a restaurant: "Nobody goes there any more, it's too crowded."

Jim

phonetics

What colors do you guys suggest??

blueSL

Search through the forum for endless discussions on colour. How many times have we been here???

Lexani

Left out Lexani-- hater.

NOTKTS

Tear Tear.... I found the pic last night.