I am sorry to say that I have really struggled with the SL500. I just haven't been able to bond with it.
Not sure exactly why, I think it is a number of reasons. I struggle to enjoy driving with the roof down. Although it isn't too windy, it is very noisy, especially at speed. Also, in traffic, road noise and especially diesel vans or lorries driving behind you is not very pleasant.
The car also has numerous creaks and rattles, especially with the roof up. The headlights mist up on the inside nearly every time it rains and when you open the boot when the car is wet, water pours into the boot. I'm sure that some of this could be sorted under warranty but it is not what I expected of an £80K car.
Lastly the fuel consumption is horrendous. Around town it is about 14 mpg. A full tank only does just over 200 miles!
I have no complaints over the performance of the car but on public roads, it is too much really and you just can't use the car to it's full potential.
After a lot of serious thought I have decided to cut my losses and change to a BMW 640 M Sport coupe.
I really like the 640. It just felt right as soon as I drove it. Beautiful interior, everything is finished in nappa leather and it shows how poor the artificial leather in the SL is.
I was really surprised by the engine. I have always been very against diesel but you would never know that this engine was not a petrol. The torque is nearly the same as the SL500 and it drives really well. I have tried Mercedes diesels and they all are very rough and unrefined. The BMW unit is light years ahead in terms of refinement. I just can't ignore the fuel consumption. Even on the run to the BMW dealer which was about 30 miles away, in clear traffic, driving very sedately, the SL500 was only doing 18 mpg. The 640 will do between 40 to 50.
The Satnav and entertainment systems are very advanced compared to Mercedes as well. I maybe a bit biased as I was a life long BMW driver until 3 years ago when I switched to Mercedes but BMW are a long way ahead of Mercedes in this field.
The car has got variable dampers and so the ride was faultless even on 20" wheels. And there wasn't a squeak or rattle to be heard anywhere.
The car I am buying has got a massive spec, including full LED headlights, head up display,variable dampers, a full electronic dashboard and numerous other bits and pieces. I have negotiated a £23k discount plus a free 5 year service package. This even includes free oil top ups between services.
The customer service was exemplary. Not at all like the shambles that I experienced from the Mercedes dealer that I purchased the SL from.
I am sad that the SL has not lived up to my expectations. The poor customer service and questionable build quality hasn't helped but I think deep down it just isn't the right car for me. I thought I would love having a convertible but I just don't. In the south of France I am sure it would be great but in the congested South East and busy M4 and M25, a convertible is just no fun at all. The traffic noise with the roof down is just too much. I have tried many times having the roof down to try and convince myself but each time I just couldn't wait to shut it again.
So unfortunately I will be leaving Mercedes. Despite numerous calls and emails to the supplying dealer they have not responded. I may have considered an E400 or even a CLS as an alternative but they clearly are not interested in trying to salvage the situation.
I will still lurk on the forum but after three years I am sorry to say that I am leaving Mercedes and returning to BMW.
Not sure exactly why, I think it is a number of reasons. I struggle to enjoy driving with the roof down. Although it isn't too windy, it is very noisy, especially at speed. Also, in traffic, road noise and especially diesel vans or lorries driving behind you is not very pleasant.
The car also has numerous creaks and rattles, especially with the roof up. The headlights mist up on the inside nearly every time it rains and when you open the boot when the car is wet, water pours into the boot. I'm sure that some of this could be sorted under warranty but it is not what I expected of an £80K car.
Lastly the fuel consumption is horrendous. Around town it is about 14 mpg. A full tank only does just over 200 miles!
I have no complaints over the performance of the car but on public roads, it is too much really and you just can't use the car to it's full potential.
After a lot of serious thought I have decided to cut my losses and change to a BMW 640 M Sport coupe.
I really like the 640. It just felt right as soon as I drove it. Beautiful interior, everything is finished in nappa leather and it shows how poor the artificial leather in the SL is.
I was really surprised by the engine. I have always been very against diesel but you would never know that this engine was not a petrol. The torque is nearly the same as the SL500 and it drives really well. I have tried Mercedes diesels and they all are very rough and unrefined. The BMW unit is light years ahead in terms of refinement. I just can't ignore the fuel consumption. Even on the run to the BMW dealer which was about 30 miles away, in clear traffic, driving very sedately, the SL500 was only doing 18 mpg. The 640 will do between 40 to 50.
The Satnav and entertainment systems are very advanced compared to Mercedes as well. I maybe a bit biased as I was a life long BMW driver until 3 years ago when I switched to Mercedes but BMW are a long way ahead of Mercedes in this field.
The car has got variable dampers and so the ride was faultless even on 20" wheels. And there wasn't a squeak or rattle to be heard anywhere.
The car I am buying has got a massive spec, including full LED headlights, head up display,variable dampers, a full electronic dashboard and numerous other bits and pieces. I have negotiated a £23k discount plus a free 5 year service package. This even includes free oil top ups between services.
The customer service was exemplary. Not at all like the shambles that I experienced from the Mercedes dealer that I purchased the SL from.
I am sad that the SL has not lived up to my expectations. The poor customer service and questionable build quality hasn't helped but I think deep down it just isn't the right car for me. I thought I would love having a convertible but I just don't. In the south of France I am sure it would be great but in the congested South East and busy M4 and M25, a convertible is just no fun at all. The traffic noise with the roof down is just too much. I have tried many times having the roof down to try and convince myself but each time I just couldn't wait to shut it again.
So unfortunately I will be leaving Mercedes. Despite numerous calls and emails to the supplying dealer they have not responded. I may have considered an E400 or even a CLS as an alternative but they clearly are not interested in trying to salvage the situation.
I will still lurk on the forum but after three years I am sorry to say that I am leaving Mercedes and returning to BMW.
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