New SL for the weekend.

[Peter DLM]

I've got a bit of a road trip planned for the weekend, a Smart clearly not suitable so I've got the use of a shiny new SL350.

It's a well spec'd model, with full Driver Aid pack, Magic Roof, Harmon Kardon, Distronic and probably something else I haven't spotted yet. Current mileage is just under 500 miles.

First impression is that it's a vast improvement over the previous R230 model. Feels lighter and more responsive, but also a lot quieter inside.

More impressions tomorrow.

I guess I could have taken out my dry cleaning before photographing the interior. I'll do another tomorrow

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Apart from the weird looking headlights I think they are great looking cars, have fun!

 

[The _Don]

Mb dartford have a white sl63 with black alloys on show it looks gorgeous.

Sent from my iPad using MBClub UK

 

[Peter DLM]

Indeed, they are delicious. Tried to get this one, but they wouldn't give me the keys, spoilsports.

 

[Carrsey]

Thats looks fantastic in white..

 

[C240Sport97]

thats looks fantastic in white..

+1

 

[Tan]

You guys can have the white one, i'll have the black one... its is just stunning.

 

[MartinGB]

Apart from the weird looking headlights I think they are great looking cars, have fun!

I really like those headlights, something a bit different.

I'd love to own one of those cars in the future, need a few pay rises first though

Cracking ride for a weekend!

 

[C240Sport97]

the more I see this SL, the more I like it ..

when I first saw it, I thought it heavy handed and large

in darker colours, it now looks contemporary and has presence

 

[Peter DLM]

Best thing about this car is that the doors stay open at the position you want them too, so no more worrying about it lurching out another 6 inches into the car or wall you're parked next to as soon as you left go of it . World's best invention.

 

[C240Sport97]

Best thing about this car is that the doors stay open at the position you want them too

the new Golf has this too ..

as did the 215 and 216 CLs

 

[st4]

S class does this as does 7 series. Did the old R230 not do this with the doors?

 

[tanuie]

Doors

Hi no, the doors on older r230 open as normal.

 

[Peter DLM]

Ok, so I need one of these in my life.

Far superior to the previous model. All 3 r230s I drove were a little uncouth on the motorway, and creaked a bit. This on on the other hand is very quiet indeed, and extremely sure footed, it corners totally flat and produces far more grip than you'd expect it too.

I've really grown to a appreciate the looks. Some angles can be a little ungainly, but overall the consensus is that it's a styling success, especially in the off-white paint job.

Inside is a very very nice place to be. The previous SL was definitely showing its age inside, design wise, whereas this one brings everything bang up to date. I still didn't notice the off-centre console/dash interface until I purposely looked for it. Even then it didn't bother me and I'm renown for a little OCD in these areas.

I didn't see the point of the Magic Roof though, didn't go dark enough for my liking. The driver aids all worked well, though most stopped working on the trip back as I presume most of the sensors had iced over in the blizzard conditions. Distronic still worked though.

Stop/Start on this car was the best I've experienced yet, didn't even notice it switch off until it restarted when I let off the brake again, it gives it a nice brap on the throttle so you can hardly stealth start this car.

The all ally construction definitely improves the dynamics of this car. Lighter, faster, stops better too. I was not being a good boy and still returned 30mpg over the few hundred miles I put on it.

So, I'm googling lease deals tonight.

 

[Peter DLM]

That was typed on my ipad which rapes my intended words sometimes....

 

[C240Sport97]

and extremely sure footed, it corners totally flat and produces far more grip than you'd expect it too.

So, I'm googling lease deals tonight.

ABC is now optional, even on the SL500.

MB lease deals seem reasonable, but many things not standard (such as parktronic, electric wind deflector)

 

[Peter DLM]

As its my birthday, I'm treating myself to a long weekend with this car again. I picked it up Thursday night, it now has just over 1,000 miles in total. I aim to return it with significantly more

 

[1945wickedred]

Hi could not afford the new model so had to make do with an old R230,what a bummer,

 

[tanuie]

Sl 230

Hi could not afford the new model so had to make do with an old R230,what a bummer,

As above.

 

[st4]

Hi could not afford the new model so had to make do with an old R230,what a bummer,

Console yourself that you have one of the best looking modern cars ever designed.