SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2004 SL55, just ordered
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 23
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From: DEL MAR, CALIF.
PORSCHE CAYENNE S,2004 MB CLK320, 2000 SL55,2004
2004 SL55, just ordered
Placed the order for the 2004 SL55 today. The color is pewter with a charcoal int. I took all the options except Distronic, Parktronic and the ventilated seats. The only changes noted from the 2003 SL55 is a minor change to the side rear view mirrors. The car will also be wired for Satellite Radio, which will be a dealer installed option.The 7 speed trans. will be offered in the SL500 and the S class. The dealer was not sure if it would also be available in SL55, and was going to check on it. No price has been set as of yet for the car. I am still not sure about the Parktronic,and how useful it would be? Any input would be helpful since i can still make a change.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
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My dad thinks Parktronic is useless and since he is the main driver of the SL I'd take his word for it. Whenever I drive it however making a quick run down to the market sometimes I wish I did have it just to be careful. If you want it go ahead, but I'd take a test drive of an SL first to check and make sure.
Ventilated Seats i'm in love with. They make it so even though in the heat of the summer the seats don't stick to the back. Also Distronic is useful around here because the SL accel. is extremely responsive (at least for me it is) so I use it almost everywhere where I have to maintain a steady speed.
Ventilated Seats i'm in love with. They make it so even though in the heat of the summer the seats don't stick to the back. Also Distronic is useful around here because the SL accel. is extremely responsive (at least for me it is) so I use it almost everywhere where I have to maintain a steady speed.
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From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
No AMG's will get the 7 speed for 2004. Parktronic is a GREAT option that I really enjoy. I do a lot of parallel parking and it really helps to avoid getting too close to people.
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
If it is not too late then my recommendation is to add parkmatic and ventilated seats. On a cheaper car such as an E Class or a CLK I could see keeping the cost down, but on the SL55 that justification just does not exist. Both add to not only the value of the vehicle but also to its enjoyment. In Europe I had to squeeze through a courtyard entry that had been designed for a horse and carriage. Without Parktronic I would not even have dared to try. The SL500/SL55 is a car that should be enjoyed and the stress of tight entry/parking is contrary to what the vehicle is all about IMHO. Ditto with the ventilated seats - you deserve them and the massage function that comes with them is a desirable option as well.
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From: Carefree az usa
2020 S560,14 ml350, 03 sl55, silver, pano, slr cams, evo headers, lsd, 2019 s63 cab.
get everything on the car. ventilated seats are great, parktronic is great. pano top is the best. they wouldn't offer it if it wasn't worth having.
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Australia
2012 MB E63 Wagon, 2012 BMW M5, 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo S, 2010 Ferrari 458
Parktronic is fine in concept, but (on my C32 at least), not as good as BMW's version. The Benz rear beeper is weak and the front one screeches every time a pedestrian walks past at the lights! But I would still have it - for a top end car, why not tick all the boxes? If you want to save money, the SL isn't the best place to do it!
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Joined: Aug 2002
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From: florida/california
2003 CLK500
Parktronic and 'key-less go' are both desirable. On the rare occasion my SL55 is in the shop, and I'm driving a 'C class' loan car, I almost bump things because I'm spoiled by parktronic.
It's also notable that about the only SL55 that sat for sale awhile here, was one ordered absent options, as a buyer recanted, and apparently was someone 'specing' the car without proper gear. My salesman mentioned that he could have sold it ex-post-haste if it had the options on most, such as mine. Keyless go and the parktronic were the two most missed acceessories.
On mine I've also got the pano roof, and I'd say no particularly feeling about it, other than when riding in a normal SL without it, it feels more closed-in.
Overall, the best car I've had, over former Porches, Ferraris, and BMW's, all of which were more finicky or required more babying.
Enjoy!
gene
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www.ingerletter.com
SL55 black/charcoal
all options but distronic
It's also notable that about the only SL55 that sat for sale awhile here, was one ordered absent options, as a buyer recanted, and apparently was someone 'specing' the car without proper gear. My salesman mentioned that he could have sold it ex-post-haste if it had the options on most, such as mine. Keyless go and the parktronic were the two most missed acceessories.
On mine I've also got the pano roof, and I'd say no particularly feeling about it, other than when riding in a normal SL without it, it feels more closed-in.
Overall, the best car I've had, over former Porches, Ferraris, and BMW's, all of which were more finicky or required more babying.
Enjoy!
gene
____________________
www.ingerletter.com
SL55 black/charcoal
all options but distronic
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 23
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From: DEL MAR, CALIF.
PORSCHE CAYENNE S,2004 MB CLK320, 2000 SL55,2004
SL 55, changed order
Changed my order today to include the ventilated seats and Parktronic. I was thinking that the sonar buttons used on the Parktronic system were unattractive, also I did not relies that the ventilated seats also had a massage function. I was thinking the seats may not be as comfortable since some padding would have to be sacrificed for air flow.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Thanks for everyone's input.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 22
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I also liked the Parktronic equivalent on my previous M5. However, I'm still glad I order it and would do so again.
The active seat option is a different story. I do like them, but I don't think it was worth anywhere near the $1,500 I paid for them. As far as the 'massage' function goes, there's not much of a massage that goes on. I have a very bad back and that's why I ordered them. It seems more like a novelty to me.
Keyless-go is one of my favorite features....I've never used the actual key in the car. Fun!
Good luck.
JB
The active seat option is a different story. I do like them, but I don't think it was worth anywhere near the $1,500 I paid for them. As far as the 'massage' function goes, there's not much of a massage that goes on. I have a very bad back and that's why I ordered them. It seems more like a novelty to me.
Keyless-go is one of my favorite features....I've never used the actual key in the car. Fun!
Good luck.
JB
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
I agree with the Parktronic; you just have to avoid one bumper scrape or wheel scrape and it's paid for itself. The SL is not the easiest car to park if you ever parallel park.
The massaging and ventilating seats are a bit of a novelty, nothing like as important in terms of day to day use as Parktronic. I also like Keyless Go, though it's less useful now you don't get the card.
I think the pano roof makes it look like you're driving around in a goldfish bowl, so it's not for me, but it may appeal to the more extrovert of you out there.
The massaging and ventilating seats are a bit of a novelty, nothing like as important in terms of day to day use as Parktronic. I also like Keyless Go, though it's less useful now you don't get the card.
I think the pano roof makes it look like you're driving around in a goldfish bowl, so it's not for me, but it may appeal to the more extrovert of you out there.
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Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
The latest German price list out just 3 days ago says the only car to get the new 7 speed transmission is the SL500. The 55 and the 600 do not have it.
And there's no mention of Bluetooth, DVD Navigation either. So I expect you can count these out for 2004 MY.
And there's no mention of Bluetooth, DVD Navigation either. So I expect you can count these out for 2004 MY.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 250
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From: SPAIN
2013 SL 350, ML 350 BT
Re: 2004 SL55, just ordered
Originally posted by ZOLTON
Placed the order for the 2004 SL55 today. The color is pewter with a charcoal int. I took all the options except Distronic, Parktronic and the ventilated seats. The only changes noted from the 2003 SL55 is a minor change to the side rear view mirrors. The car will also be wired for Satellite Radio, which will be a dealer installed option.The 7 speed trans. will be offered in the SL500 and the S class. The dealer was not sure if it would also be available in SL55, and was going to check on it. No price has been set as of yet for the car. I am still not sure about the Parktronic,and how useful it would be? Any input would be helpful since i can still make a change.
Placed the order for the 2004 SL55 today. The color is pewter with a charcoal int. I took all the options except Distronic, Parktronic and the ventilated seats. The only changes noted from the 2003 SL55 is a minor change to the side rear view mirrors. The car will also be wired for Satellite Radio, which will be a dealer installed option.The 7 speed trans. will be offered in the SL500 and the S class. The dealer was not sure if it would also be available in SL55, and was going to check on it. No price has been set as of yet for the car. I am still not sure about the Parktronic,and how useful it would be? Any input would be helpful since i can still make a change.
Regards
