srknutson

Looking to get into a new or slightly used SL55. Is there a year not to buy and what's the best value for the money right now? I will be trading my S500.

Thanks

WIldcat465

For me, the new DVD nav for '05 is a vast improvement over the old CD nav. It's easier to read and use. I would not buy an earlier car for that reason alone unless budget was an issue.

CASL55

I'm a 04 SL55 owner, but I'd recommend an 05 or newer, based on the nav. The CD vs DVD is not particualrly important to me, but the softkey-driven user interface is a vast improvement over the twist-and-push interface in the 04. I have the new interface in my E500 and like it. I'm sorry to see MB go back to twist-and-push (a la BMW) for the S550.

Jim

IngenereAMG

I think every year SL55 is great!

Mine is an '03 and has been outstanding! Personally I don't get buuying a performance car based on how good the NAV is...but to each his own. My NAV works. Personally I would delete the NAV, order CF sport seats and put the car on a diet to lose 800 pounds.....that would be the only improvement that you could make on the car.

ItalianStallion

My father has an '05 SL55. It's been amazing, probably one of the best cars he has ever owned.

pinoyamg

I agree with Ingenere. I rarely use the NAV when I'm in the sl. Besides, so what if you get lost or drive around for while, who knows you might just find an open stretch of road to let her loose! I'd say like with most cars, the first year of production may have the so called "gremlins" but latter models should have most of the bugs worked out.

Juice it

I would like to say I agree with you but since I burned a couple hundred songs on one dvd and had great music for trips as well as a navigation unit that can plot out full trips instead of state lines I would say the 05 is worth every penny more than an 04. A "challenge stradale" version of an sl55 would be awesome though and I would ditch the active ventilated/heated seats for less weight but still want the nav!

IngenereAMG

I think they would have to call it a 'Herausforderung Stradale'. But of course the NAV would be in carbon fiber!!!

MBH

I love all the SL's from '03 and up. I think the car is a work of art. I am saving my pennies to put one next to my E someday soon.

Best Wishes