New SL not selling - Massive discounts

[Dryce]

Clearly a crap salesman. It looks much smarter than before!

Maybe an honest salesman

Aesthetics are so subjective.

SWMBO was thinking about one as her next car and has lost interest in the current model.

It's a difficult sector IMO. Very hard to offer up a product that offers the tangible value against its price.

It also drives better and has more technology.

But we get told that with every new model.

 

[JBD]

Maybe an honest salesman

Aesthetics are so subjective.

SWMBO was thinking about one as her next car and has lost interest in the current model.

It's a difficult sector IMO. Very hard to offer up a product that offers the tangible value against its price.



But we get told that with every new model.

Because that happened generally when a car is replaced [emoji23]


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[Red C220]

Well, approaching 5000 miles and I'm still absolutely delighted with mine.

 

[StuartK]

A mate in the know said:


80's classic from a company call Willy Koenig, he did mental conversions in the 80's and 90's. More famous for his ferrari and Merc stuff. Very Miami Vice but don't get me wrong that car probably needs £20k spending to bring back to its former glory

 

[Bieldside]

Sl500

I too have an SL500 that I love
2006 model year with a long list of options
Great car with a value of £18000 say ( £93,000 new, 45,000 miles)

But I suppose my point is that over 10 years the car has hardly evolved

It looks exactly the same externally

MB needs to raise the game if it wants to charge £80,000

Clearly the market thinks the same if £20,000 discounts apply to a new model

 

[Peter DLM]

But I suppose my point is that over 10 years the car has hardly evolved

It looks exactly the same externally

Should really go to Specsavers, seriously.

 

[Dryce]

But I suppose my point is that over 10 years the car has hardly evolved

It looks exactly the same externally

I'm with Peter_DLM on this!

The current model is quite different.

The previous R230 did last quite a long time.

MB needs to raise the game if it wants to charge £80,000

Clearly the market thinks the same if £20,000 discounts apply to a new model

In MB's case the problem is accentuated by the SLK/SLC looking similar to a lot of people unless both cars are side by side. Image counts for a lot in this sector and MB have perhaps diluted it.

 

[Markjames]

Get thee behind me Satan!! We're thinking that with advancing age and increasing difficulty getting in and out of the sports seats of the 968 cab, the likely replacement will be an SLK/C - so between the much increased value of the 968 (doubled in 5 years!, PCGB valuation is almost 3 times what I paid for it!) and a big discount.........

See if you can get a couple of day test drive. My wife has a 2013 slk and although it's ok for her at 5ft7 I struggle to spend more than an hour at a time in it as can't physically get the seat back far enough and I'm only 5ft 10.

 

[Bieldside]

Sl

Should really go to Specsavers, seriously.

OK - I'll amend "exactly" the same to "very similar" then

Most other cars from 10 years ago have had a significant change in that price range

Only a personal view I will add

 

[Chrishazle]

See if you can get a couple of day test drive. My wife has a 2013 slk and although it's ok for her at 5ft7 I struggle to spend more than an hour at a time in it as can't physically get the seat back far enough and I'm only 5ft 10.

We're both a little more "vertically challenged", I'm shorter than your wife, so seating position should not be a problem. I always know when dear wife has driven the S204 though, as it takes me a couple of minutes to get the seat back/down to where I like it! If I do end up going for an SLK/SLC, I'll look for one with memory seats - plus airscarf, leather, Comand, heated seats, parktronic!

 

[Red C220]

I too have an SL500 that I love
2006 model year with a long list of options
Great car with a value of £18000 say ( £93,000 new, 45,000 miles)

But I suppose my point is that over 10 years the car has hardly evolved

It looks exactly the same externally

MB needs to raise the game if it wants to charge £80,000

Clearly the market thinks the same if £20,000 discounts apply to a new model

I paid £59K + Designo Paint. (£65K total) brand new in December for our SL400.

I don't think there's genuinely anything else available at that price point with the level of fit and finish, quality and folding metal roof. I get a coupe and a convertible all rolled into one.

SL63 sales have been destroyed by the AMG GTs which are cheaper and more appealing for people that want to track their car or take it to Vmax type events.

The 400 has killed 500 sales and no one in their right mind buys an SL65.

So whilst it was small market before, it's been reduced further. I'm happy about that as it makes make car a little more exclusive.

 

[carnut]

Just bought a sl400 having had a 350 for 13 years

Perceptible improvement in overall quality,much faster, and looks great in dark blue/ porcelain. I paid £58k for the car with lots of extras ( headscarf nappa, rear camera to name a few) which is a great discount and a bargain in the real world of other cars at this price point. It's a shame that mb don't just lower the price to the real level and market it against others at that price .if you want the best GT car in the world then the 400 is it. Over 30 mpg and 0_60 in 5 secs. Couldn't ask for more

 

[JBD]

I paid £59K + Designo Paint. (£65K total) brand new in December for our SL400.

I don't think there's genuinely anything else available at that price point with the level of fit and finish, quality and folding metal roof. I get a coupe and a convertible all rolled into one.

SL63 sales have been destroyed by the AMG GTs which are cheaper and more appealing for people that want to track their car or take it to Vmax type events.

The 400 has killed 500 sales and no one in their right mind buys an SL65.

So whilst it was small market before, it's been reduced further. I'm happy about that as it makes make car a little more exclusive.

You're right about the 400. I've no idea why anyone would buy a 500 now. The 400 is do capable. I'm not even sure that I'd go for a 63


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[Red C220]

Just bought a sl400 having had a 350 for 13 years

Perceptible improvement in overall quality,much faster, and looks great in dark blue/ porcelain. I paid £58k for the car with lots of extras ( headscarf nappa, rear camera to name a few) which is a great discount and a bargain in the real world of other cars at this price point. It's a shame that mb don't just lower the price to the real level and market it against others at that price .if you want the best GT car in the world then the 400 is it. Over 30 mpg and 0_60 in 5 secs. Couldn't ask for more

Pictures required.

 

[Red C220]

You're right about the 400. I've no idea why anyone would buy a 500 now. The 400 is do capable. I'm not even sure that I'd go for a 63


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At nearly 5000 miles in ours I've not once felt I needed more power. The 400 just suits the cruiser nature of the SL.

 

[JBD]

At nearly 5000 miles in ours I've not once felt I needed more power. The 400 just suits the cruiser nature of the SL.

Agreed. I feel the 63 is a little bit too aggressive for the SL. It suits the capable cruiser nature of the 400.


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[carnut]

At nearly 5000 miles in ours I've not once felt I needed more power. The 400 just suits the cruiser nature of the SL.

It's. Exactly the same as the one on the mb video of the SL. I will endeavour to post pics but I'm old school.....real camera and no smartphone..so I have to take pics,losd up etc from my computer

 

[Peter DLM]

OK - I'll amend "exactly" the same to "very similar" then

Most other cars from 10 years ago have had a significant change in that price range

Ironic coming from you who owns models of cars that even Porsche themselves can barely tell apart from iteration to iteration.

911 shape hasn't changed at all in 50 years by your standards.

 

[Bieldside]

Ironic coming from you who owns models of cars that even Porsche themselves can barely tell apart from iteration to iteration.

911 shape hasn't changed at all in 50 years by your standards.

I guessed someone would go there
If you think the Boxster is the same have a look
If you think the Cayman is the same have a look
If you think a 996 is the same as a 991.2 have a look
They have evolved and are much superior cars
The rest of the MB range has moved on
My comments are reserved for the SL
I'll happily keep my SL500 from 2006 and let you guys carry on and wish you well
It's just not 3 or 4 times a better car
In my opinion

 

[Peter DLM]

See, you don't like it when others use the same ignorant argument back at ya