CD Article: 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL

[CD_Editor]

You may discuss our cover story of the day in this thread....
First Drive:

At first glance, the 2007 Mercedes-Benz SL line-up doesn't look much different, but there are beefed-up engines to enjoy, says Laurance Yap. He reports on a car that you'll drive "very fast indeed", with quicker steering and supercar cornering, but with brakes that prefer the fast lane.    More...

[Demosthenes X]

The SL500 is a very cool car indeed...  the convertible hard top is one helluva trick, and despite being "only" 302hp it's fast...  very fast.

But I still think it needs a proper manual transmission option... 

[Benhaze]

What a functional piece of art. Mercedes has renew itself without turning its back to its previous designs (inside and out), unlike what BMW has done for its flagships.

[Bullet Blue]

The SL500 is a very cool car indeed...  the convertible hard top is one helluva trick, and despite being "only" 302hp it's fast...  very fast.

But I still think it needs a proper manual transmission option... 

The AMG verison works much better with an automatic. I'm not sure how much of a market there would be to put in a stick. While you and I would prefer manual, the 60 year old retired CEO probably would not.

[Howswedeitis]

A technological and engineering 'tour de force' to be sure. I'm not sure however if
this latest SL is as significant as the previous generation SL and ultimately nothing
quite compares to the original SL's from the mid 1950's. Something tells me
these will depreciate like any other car in the Merc lineup unlike say Porsche's
which seem to do so at a much slower rate.

[safristi]

Oh PUCK ORFF HOW _SWEDE_IT IS...gloat on yer OWN TIME...I'm still tryin' ta remove tha skeleton FRUM ma CLOSET.......1:11:004...SAF does IT !!!! Yeeeaaahhh !!!!!

[a4_tom]

SL is just an awesome car no matter how you look at it. If I want a stick, I would go for 911. If I just want a comfortable cruiser with style, no doubt its an SL.

[Demosthenes X]

The AMG verison works much better with an automatic. I'm not sure how much of a market there would be to put in a stick. While you and I would prefer manual, the 60 year old retired CEO probably would not.

Oh, I agree.  No doubt Mercedes would sell very few of these cars with stick.  But it's the principle of the matter!

The local Dodge dealer has one for sale...  an 03, iirc, for $96 000.

[mdxtasy]

The AMG verison works much better with an automatic. I'm not sure how much of a market there would be to put in a stick. While you and I would prefer manual, the 60 year old retired CEO probably would not.

Oh, I agree.  No doubt Mercedes would sell very few of these cars with stick.  But it's the principle of the matter!

Principle of the matter doesn't make money.  I don't disagree with you that a manual tranny in such a car would be great, but that's not MB's market.  Even their SLR is an auto....shows you who they're targeting. 

[johngenx]

Mercedes' SL sales really took off with the 113 series cars from 1964.  They lost lots of the edge the previous ones had, but gained a much wider appeal.  Mercedes' SL models since that point have not been about going head-head to with the 911, but about offering something different.  Many of the richy-rich 911 owners I met through the PCA also had an SL as well as a couple sedans, often an E-Class and an M-series BMW.  911's were track cars and weekend machines, SL's often driven to work, M3/M5 for hauling people and an E430 Wagon for the family.  My attorney had a 911 "toy" and an E36 M3 "daily driver" with an S500 "family hauler" and a Suburban for towing stuff and the nanny to use.  When the new M3 (E46) came out with even more race-car character, he bought a new SL500 for his daily run-about, liking the comfort and new styling.

Mercedes has tried to offer manuals in North America, and without much success.  Even in Europe, the larger models have the demand for slush-boxes.

I can't stand the brake-by-wire (though I haven't driven the SL's system, only E-Class) and hope they sort that out soon.

[Giant Dwarf]

The SL500 is a very cool car indeed...  the convertible hard top is one helluva trick, and despite being "only" 302hp it's fast...  very fast.

But I still think it needs a proper manual transmission option... 

A manny tranny may help liven it up a bit.  Since the current body style came out, I've thought it is absolutely one of the most gorgeous cars ever designed.  Driving an SL500 though proved to be a bit of a disappointing experience for me.  The transmission seems lazy to kick down and overall it just feels like a very big, heavy and stylish car (ie. one you'd rather be seen in, than drive down a deserted mountain road just for the thrill of it).  If driving a new Bentley, I'd expect that sort of driving experience.  But in a two-seat convertible, I had hoped for a little more lively enjoyment of the drive.  An AMG-prepped car might be a different sensation altogether but 302 hp isn't all that impressive in such a heavy machine.  I didn't get to test the handling as much as I would have liked, but am told that its grip is very impressive even if the reactions are somewhat slow.  

If I were looking for a big, German convertible status machine, I'd go for a 6-series convertible over the SL in a second.  It offers a much more engaging driving experience and the availability of a stick shift makes it much more along my preferences too.

[Bullet Blue]

Does the 650i come with a stick? I heard a rumour that it doesn't. I'm sure it does though.

Anyway, I'm not too sure about the poor depreciation comments. I think it'll hold its value quite well.

[G0dspd]

Canada
6-Speed Manual Transmission or 6 Speed Automatic Transmission with STEPTRONIC

US
The 6 comes with a choice of a precise 6-speed manual transmission, the silk-smooth shifting of the STEPTRONIC automatic transmission, or the Formula 1-inspired Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG).

No SMG for Canada ... boooooo! 

[safristi]

Geez JOHN  are ya "CONNECTED!!! ".....yer Lawyer is doing excellent by YOU....... ....."Eh TONY wanna go pick UP some "ICE" over at the "MOUNTAINS"...KNOWHADDIMEAN...!!!