BJL

Ordered my SL 55 this morning. Silver w/red interior, panorama top, multispoke wheels.
The build date is around Jan./Feb. and should arrive I have been told around March/April.
Can't wait!

sillydriver

Spec'd mine this past week. Black with red interior. All available options. Multispoke wheels. Black wood instead of aluminum. Build date Oct. 10th; delivery a month later.

Canuck

Checkout my berry red interior.

redline

wow I'm guessing alot of people have SL55's now??

nabzy

my dealer is a medium size dealer at best and he has 3 builds before jan 1st.... lets put it this way he expected 2 maybe 3 a model year tops, I think hes looking at about 6 or so now

blueSL

Great picture, the berry red, not to mention the car itself will do me nicely. Am I correct you went for black floor mats in the finish? It's easy to see why silver and black are the only exterior colors they recommend red with, I think any other color would make it look too busy, though I would like to see it with the dark green.

The German economy is not of the best now so maybe they're diverting some of the reported excess supply in Germany elsewhere. This is good news because they're not going to reach market saturation any time soon. You have to believe that they take note of what people are putting deposits on and realise that excessive waits will eventually damage the marque.

Canuck

Not really Blue, I just picked up my red mats today and decided to go with that instead. I particularly like the silver coloured wording of SL55.

Canuck

I don't know about you guys but I placed my booking in June of 2001 and I just got my car this week. Maybe Canada does not rank to high on the VIP list

blueSL

You did well to get your car so quickly. It's just over 5 years since I registered interest and I'm not in a car yet. With your list of upcoming car purchases, perhaps you are a VIP

By silver lettering, do you mean on the floor mats? I see from your other pictures you've been using the all-weather mats up to now, IMHO these are useful for wet weather because the red mats in my Ferrari do not hide dirt at all well.

Canuck

5 years is a long time Blue. Which god forsaken island in the Pacific are you at?

The mats in the photos are all weathers and they were provided by MB as my red mats did not arrive with the car. However I picked them up today and they match the red interior and have SL55 embossed in silver which ties in with the aluminium bits around the car.

I think that I am first for the Bentley in my area though my previous thread could haunt me yet again. I also requested for the Avant version of the RS6 which now doesn't seem like its coming to Canada so that order may fall through. And I don't regard a 15 month wait as being VIP treatment

Cheers.
ps what Horse are you riding?

blueSL

I'm buying the car for use when I'm in the UK, and it's only been available there since June/July, so although I've been on some list for 5 years, it's only now the cars are becoming available and there were 15 people ahead of me in the list anyway (for all SLs). Maybe, next month.

I've a 355B, great car, would like to change but just do not like the design of the 360. I hate the huge gaping nostrils, same for the 996T and if my 355 engine is anything to go by, the engine under the glass panel is not going to be a pretty sight when the paint starts peeling off the cylinder head and the surface corrosion sets in.

The Bentley should be good, VW are putting some much needed investment in and maybe we can look forwards to something new and innovative instead of a warmed-over old design.

Richard

Canuck - Im also in the UK. I put my name down for a SL (and paid £1000 deposit) in May 1997. When i heard about the AMG one, I said "i'll have one of those then".
I was about 15th on my dealer's SL list - but first one asking for the SL55

MB centrally organised the dealer slots having looked at all the orders, and I ended up with about the 10th or so (I think) SL55 to be built. For various reasons I didnt drive the car until 1st September - the dealer had had it for about 5-6 weeks then

(there was some errors that took a while to sort out, then I waited some more because we get new number plates on 1st September)

R

Canuck

I spent an enjoyable 4 years in the UK, 3 of which in Nottingham and the final year in London. Its a pleasure to meet you both!

Blue, I too find the 355 stunning especially when compared with its replacement. I completely understand your 'flared nostrils' comment about the Turbo and the 360 and it took me a while to get used to it too. In fact, mine was an early model so it came with those hideous 'bumperettes'!

But I'm sure that there are many people out there that would gladly own it or a 360 for that matter, warts and all.

Gunners for the treble I say!

Cheers.
ps I am very excited about the Bentley. Would anyone be able to recommend sites with new info?

morebhp

What a post to reply too.

I'm an Arsenal fan living in Nottingham, who has just sold a 360 to get a SL55.

I bought the 360 for the drive and size - I'm 6'3" tall and do not fit in any other Ferrari.

I was longing for a Diablo, which I was buying more for pose than drive having tested two they did not seem a huge advance over the fast Japs I had owned previously (Supra TT). I had also tried 355 spyder (could get in but due to my size I looked like Barbies boyfriend Ken sitting on top of a toy), Porsche GT3 and 911TT with the same feelings. Then drove a 360 it blew me away - speed, handling and sound.

I also felt it looked like a boat but was buying for the drive. It then grew on me and I now feel it is a gorgeous motor and totally biasedly feel the 355 now looks dated. I know many will disagree on this one - certainly many of the press still feel this way. Time will tell!

I ordered my SL55 in Spring 2001 and collect it in two weeks. Roll on the 26th!

Christopher M

German MB web site configurator shows 2 types of Berry Red (leather and leather exclusive).
Are they any different (I assume exclusive would be more supple)?
I have been agonizing over the diamond silver/berry red vs obsidian black/berry red color combinations as my choices...
Help!

Canuck

Alright me duck?

At 6'3", you should just about find it comfy in the '55. There was an earlier post about Jeremy Clarkson owning one and he is pretty tall too. The worst case scenario is a close encounter with a lovely alcantara headliner similar to that found in the S600

What options and colour combination did you opt for? Check out pictures of my obsidian black/berry red '55 on my earlier thread.

Wiltord is on fire this season and all this from the wing!!! Poor Freddie...

Cheers mate!

Canuck

I don't think we have different leather options in Canada but check out my earlier thread for pictures of my obsidian black/berry red '55.

morebhp

Alright Duck! Yes

Hope you enjoyed your time in Nottingham - It's a buzzing city.

Arsenal are looking great this year. I went to see them at Highbury last week with a Man City supporting friend. I enjoyed the game more than he did to the tune of 2-1

I've gone for Jasper Blue and Alpaca grey leather. Yours looks great and I do like the berry red but felt it may not go with the blue.

Most in the UK go for Silver so wanted something different. The dark green with sand leather looked superb and was my 1st choice but I was told you are not allowed this combination in the SL55 (agree with Clarkson here - why the f not).

See ya!


Paul

blueSL

Well, I decided to pluck up courage and call the dealer, expecting the worst and to be told "Well, err, there's a problem, delays you know". None of it. My car's been made and is on its way from the plant and with a bit of luck will be available next week! You could have knocked me over with a feather after all this time.

For the record...

Brilliant Silver, Berry Red Nappa, Multi-Spoke, Aluminium Trim
Parktronic, Keyless, Door Opener, Comfort Seats, Tire Monitor
Nokia 6310 + Linguatronic.

Bose and Xenon are standard in the UK. Passed on TV, fire extinguisher, Distronic and Roof rack prep, also the panoramic roof, not available when I spec'd the car.

I think it will be OK.

Canuck

Whats with the fire extinguisher option? We don't get that in Canada but it rains so often where I am that we probably don't need it

Remember to post some pictures Blue and here's a tip, search for a straight road leading into a tunnel and go for it. Its life changing, take it from me!

blueSL

Concerning the Nappa Leather (= Exclusive), the leather is softer but consequently less durable and susceptible to abrasions and marking, so needs plenty of care. I don't think it's an automatic must-have option, especially if your car is a daily driver, but it does approach the quality you see in Ferraris, RR ansd Bentley which use Connolly Leather (which is sadly now in Receivership - how on earth can that happen?).

blueSL

I've got a fire extinguisher in my SL600 (which I'm keeping as my daily driver) and I've never really understood whether it's there for you to do your good citizen bit or whether it's for when you've been overdoing it.

Basically, if my car is on fire, the last thing I'm going to do is open the hood to take a look. Porsche used to warn you not park the car in long grass because the catalyst could set fire to it.

Yes, I'll post some pictures, I'm even dreaming up excuses to buy a new digital camera - anyone got experience of the Nikon D100?

SL Boy

Dont you also get an all-leather cabin in the SL if you specify Exclusive Nappa leather, not just the seats? The dash covering and stitching looks different to the standard car.

blueSL

I believe that's correct. LondonLad also told me he believes you get an Alcantara covered roof in grey and if that is the case, the reason a black roof lining is a no-cost option in Germany is because they is already alcantara on the roof, they just change the color.