SL-Class (R231) 2012 Mercedes SL (R231) - First Drives Thread

[vedjo01]

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[Human]

^
Double post:

http://www.germancarforum.com/commu...edes-sl-r231-first-drives-thread.43593/page-2

 

[south]

Threads merged.


Best regards,
south

 

[DexterMorgan]

My dealers facebook page (facebook.com/mercedesbenzofsilverspring) says they'll have an SL to view tomorrow. I'll be sure to take a lot of pictures. The looks haven't settled on me yet, but here's hoping that seeing the car in person will change that.

 

[Gianclaudio]

More and more positive reviews about the car (except style wise). Topgear highly appreiate the SL500:

A quiet, thoughtful, rigorous take on what a GT convertible should really be about

Link:
http://www.topgear.com/uk/mercedes-benz/sl-class/road-test/sl500-driven

Same about the SL63:

http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/mercedes-SL63-AMG-driven-2012-05-01

Autocar wasn't so kind, but still liked it:
http://www.autocar.co.uk/CarReviews/FirstDrives/Mercedes-Benz-SL-63-5.5-AMG/262500/

Regards!

 

[DexterMorgan]

Here are a few pictures I took at my dealership of the new SL550. Even in person, the design doesn't come across as very cohesive. Perhaps with time, as with most of MB's recent designs, I'll learn to like it.

 

[DexterMorgan]

Here's a video from my dealer's YouTube page showing the new parking assist tech.

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[Merc1]

Maybe its the color or something, but that really looks good to me.


M

 

[K-A]

I'm hit and miss in the two times I've seen this car, but I think as my eyes resolve it, I'll hopefully appreciate it more and more.

 

[Wolfgang]

DRIVEN: MERCEDES SL63 AMG

Harris drives the new twin-turbo SL63 and starts pondering finance options - nuff said? Not quite...
Driven: Mercedes SL63 AMG | PistonHeads

 

[Human]

^
Nice review!

I like this:

Actually, once the tyres are a bit over-warm, that 660lb ft can bring angles well into third gear. It's all very controllable and immense fun. Owners will need friends on the board of a tyre company if they want to do this regularly.

 

[Soup]

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[klier]

^ Looks fantastic in that shot!!

Here's a video from my dealer's YouTube page showing the new parking assist tech.

As nice as that might be, we have to remember that VW had this tech already on the Passat, 5 years ago.
It's nice MB has it too (not sure BMW has it?) but it's nothing new or amazing.

 

[DexterMorgan]

^ Looks fantastic in that shot!!





As nice as that might be, we have to remember that VW had this tech already on the Passat, 5 years ago.
It's nice MB has it too (not sure BMW has it?) but it's nothing new or amazing.

Lexus and Lincoln have had the self park tech for a few years also. The reason I referred to the video is because the SL can 'un-park' itself from a spot. I don't think any other manufacturer has this ability yet.

 

[Soup]

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[Pagani]

Also, it is the only third-party video where any car having this system actually completes the parking procedure without mishaps. Although, it was given plenty of room to park. Most city parking situation will barely give you two feet oover the length of the car to complete the parking, and this or any system would be left parking for half an hour.

Lexus and Lincoln have had the self park tech for a few years also. The reason I referred to the video is because the SL can 'un-park' itself from a spot. I don't think any other manufacturer has this ability yet.

 

[Soup]

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[Cashmere]

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[Soup]

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[K-A]

The SL looks crisp and sexy there where in comparison the non-M Pack Vert 6er looks nondescript, bloated and behemoth. The Coupe with M-Pack VS the SL is gonna be fun to gauge which can get the upper hand visually over the other.

I sat in an SL today. Very solid, mature and proper interior. The design is nice, reminiscent of other M-B's, and the build quality is OUTSTANDING. I was literally banging buttons and compartments open and close, to try and generate even a little vibration or "stress tests".... these things ALL feel like they're made of iron and welded in place. Very sturdy (the only ones that felt a little flimsy were the door mounted seat adjustments). Closing the door was the same, I slammed it shut several times, and not a vibration in that state of the art chassis or frame. The Dealer people probably were wondering WTF I was doing.

Only thing about the interior I didn't like is the A-Pillar material which is the same "decent" plastic that is in my Dad's 2005 CLK Convertible. This is pronounced especially since this car had a staggering $120-130K price tag and should have alcantara at the least in that area. At even the very very least, not sure why they wouldn't use the classier velour material used in other M-B's.

The exterior, I like, maybe like a lot, but not sure if or how much I love just yet.