Out with old, in with new. SL swap.

[Peter DLM]

So the time has come to swap my old 13 reg SL350 for a 14reg one. Its 12 months was almost up, I'd covered 7,200 miles in it and now it'll get auctioned off to MB Dealers.

The new one is diamond white, whereas the previous was Polar white, I think. It lacks the Harmon Kardon and Speed Limit Assist, but gains a boot spoiler. I'd gladly swap said spoiler for the HK setup. Car has currently 24 miles on the clock.

That is not me in the pic.

 

[Sp!ke]

Wow!

I'm guessing they made another outstanding 12 months agility offer then?

 

[Peter DLM]

Yup, sorta I was hoping for an SL400, but a bit too early in the year sadly.

Still, in another 12 months time when this one goes back.... wooooohhh lol

 

[SL350_SWINDON]

What's the scheme? Pcp?

 

[Peter DLM]

It's not a publically available scheme unfortunately. As I have a close professional relationship (not an employee) with MBUK and MBRG, I managed to crowbar myself into a deal.

 

[Jules335]

I think your new one is polar white and the old one was diamond white from the picture. It looks very nice in that new white.

I really hope that you enjoy the car and that it is better than my 2014 SL500. Mine is going at the weekend. The rattles and creaking have now become unbearable. The headlights also mist up on the inside when it rains (most of time recently!) and it has developed a small water leak.

It is sadly the worst brand new car that I have ever owned. I hope that yours does not suffer the same problems.

 

[Peter DLM]

It sucks that your SL experience was so poor. Mine was completely the opposite really, it's strange how the same model of car can vary so significantly.

 

[Doodle]

Probably not dissimilar to the arrangement a friend of mine had while working for Audi training their service techs. New Audi every 6 months, which then got punted into the dealer approved network.

I'm not totally convinced on the lines of the new SL, but it works very well in that colour.

 

[acej]

Good luck to you.

Interesting to read about the poor experience of one owner.

My SL experience has been one of my best new car experiences.

 

[Peter DLM]

I'm noticing a few changes with the new car. There's been an update to COMAND with a few detail changes. After entering a destination, you get a choice of routes with estimated arrival times to choose from before guidance starts. There are also other menu changes, but I'm not sure there are any new cool features.

Also, even though the car has actually got Speed Limit Assist, and Attention Assist, the symbols no longer appear on the lower part of the central dash LCD screen.

And, the gear indicator whilst in 'D' shows the current gear whether you like it or not. The old one just showed 'D' unless you started tugging paddles.

The boot lid liner is fake carbon fibre instead of carpet too.

 

[Peter DLM]

A recent couple of runs in the SL. Suprisingly economic for what it is, I wasn't hanging around at all either, including full throttle getaways from toll booths etc.

I'm looking forward to swapping this one for an SL400 in a couple of months time. Trying to get a Hyacinth Red one this time.

 

[Giantvanman]

We looked at the Sl400 before buying the 350 (we couldn't justify the extra expense for our tiny annual mileage) but I was surprised how the updates on the interior just work, if that makes sense. Not too flashy, just a nice place to be.

 

[Mike Walker]

Banned for not buying the more expensive vehicle. Sorry wrong thread- banned!

 

[Peter DLM]

Goodbye lovely ol' SL.

I wasn't able to secure a replacement car on the scheme for this year so my run of having brand new SLs for the last two years has come to an end.

I took this opportunity to scratch an AMG itch I've had for a while and acquired a new E63 Estate. This will do a good job in filling the space left by the SL :bannana:

Just under 8,000 miles, averaged 29.8mpg since new. Managed a best of 38.9 mpg and proved to be very capable around Silverstone's GP circuit earlier this month.

 

[Peter DLM]

The new car.

 

[C240Sport97]

Life is tough for those at the top

 

[Peter DLM]

I know right, I dunno how I cope really.

 

[acej]

Congratulation Peter looks lovely.