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I am thinking of buying an SL500 - FAMILY car?? help please!?

X

Xstyle

New Member
Joined
Feb 2, 2009
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17
Location
Reading, Berkshire
Car
C220 Sport & BMW 320D AC Schnitzer
I am thinking of buying a Mercedes SL500, and my wife is saying no.

I know that there are VERY small seats in the back, and I read somewhere that these are good to seat children up to 7 years old or upto 50kg weight, as long as the anti-roll bar is raised.

Link:
rear jump seats? - Benzworld.org - Mercedes-Benz Discussion Forum

- How many here put there kids in the back of there SL?
- Will a baby seat fit ok, and with the kids legs in the back too, of course!

I'll ask more questions later!!
Thanks,

Xstyle
 
If you are looking at the current or previous model, there is very little space behind the seats....go and take a look. I considered an SL but bought a CLK500 for this very reason. At least I can seat 4 in "relative" comfort.
 
CLK convertible would be a much better choice with 2 proper seats at the back
 
How old are your kids?

My 10 year old loves it in my SL but I dont think you'd be able to fit a child seat in the back properly.
 
Occasional use fine, only or daily runner getting kids in, opening the wide doors and all the stuff you need with kids in the boot = would drive you mad.

I had my 330 Convertible with our little one and the rear seats are bucket types (very narrow) and getting the baby in the back, opening the door wide, moving the seat forward became a pain after a couple of weeks. Park next to any other car and almost impossible, worst of all never had the roof down once little one in the back at whats the point it waffting cold air all round her.

Nope, sorry with my sensible head on for a daily its not going to be good, yes you Could cope and people do but would drive me mad for our lifestyle and what we end up taking with us.

I've seen a 997 with kids seats in the back, hardly any window for them to see out and look squashed in, also very upright due to bucket type nature of the seats.

As a third / weekend car fine.
 
Thanks for the replies guys.
My wife is along all your lines!!

Erm, we don't have any kids... yet!
My wife also has a C220d, so my argument that is the family car. I am just thinking ahead as sometimes I will need to pick the kids up from nursery/school/elsewhere.

I also work in London so mainly just get the train, this would be used mainly to get me to the station and on weekends and evenings.

I have always wanted one. Have 2 replica models sitting here (scaled down!). The other option I was considering before this was an M3 2003/4 reg, black with red leathers.
(my current ride is a BMW 320d Silver with red leathers and M3 and AC Schnitzer extras all round). So I want something "wow"-like to replace it.

Can I get a CLK vert, newer shape, for the price?
Around £17k. (don't like the bug headlights on older models)

:-)
 
Change the S to a C

CL500 is the car
 
Having had both a CLK cabrio (W208) and an older SL, i'd also say the CLK would cope as the family car.

the rear seats in a CLK will be ok with child seats and the car is very safe. SL's older than the current shape only have lap belts in the rear, so that rules them out really as practical safe every day family transport..... the seats are too small for mum to go in the back and baby in the front aswelll....

the CLK cabrio will be your best bet if you definatly want a convertable (for when baby isnt in the car) as it will be too cold/uncomfortable otherwise.

want the "wow" factor, go for a W208 (for the classic looks) CLK55 AMG cabrio. The W208 looks soooo good as a convertable i dont think the 209 matches, and the AMG W209 just doesnt look the part (IMHO of course!!). W208 is such a classic shape.

I found the boot space in my CLK cabrio pretty good considering (especially when with the roof up). almost as good as most family saloons. the roof retracts into the boot space but that space can be used for luggege when the roof is up.
 
Last edited:
No kids yet!! Buy the SL...get it out of your system...and then if kids come along change it.
 
CLK is the way to go as a "family" car, that's why a I bought one. :thumb:

That said it also helps having the 32 as the selfish alternative if you just want to go and have an out and out blatt ;) :)
 
if you are just looking for something that may occasionally pick up the kids rather than every day family transport then i'd say the SL would be ok. i often take my kids (5 and 3) to school and nursary in the back of my SL without issue.... it wouldnt cope very well with family trips down south to the outlaws etc though with all the luggege etc.
 
do the SL now.. kids later ...

you will too busy with the SL to make time to make kids.. dont worry!
 
The CL500 is a nice car, do prefer that shape over the CLK. Though the CLK55 AMG vert is looking nice! It's still a bit chunky, and no hard top?
It is my wife's ideal car!!

A black SL500 (no point in getting a 350) is doing it for me right now!!
Trying to find a decent one with low miles and panoramic roof; then will go for a test drive, and seriously look at the dimensions in depth.
 
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