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Coupes & Convertibles Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK (all models)
766 messages, Last post on Oct 26, 2009 at 3:12 AM
You are in the Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Forum. Your Host is claires
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Replying to: zeaman (Mar 17, 2006 9:10 am) The interest has definitely worn off. Part of it is the general decline in Mercedes reliability and build quality. My not so prudent brother-in-law bought an 2004 SL55 at over sticker, had numerous problems to the point that Mercedes gave him a new one and then sold that at a $20k loss less than a year later. He bought a 2005 911 Cabriolet and is the "happiest he has ever been" with a car (first Porsche, after at least 8+ Mercedes). The other part is supply / demand. There was a time when you had to wait 6 months to get any AMG model and even some non-AMG models. Now the unsold inventories are starting to rival GM. And substantial discounts are available if you look around. We are inundated with business headlines questioning when GM and/or Ford are going to be filing for bankruptcy. But, IMO, the demise of Mercedes reputation over the past 10 years is the most signifcant challenge they have faced in the company's history. If I polled 100 of my friends and business associates to name the likely brand of their next car, I am certain Mercedes has fallen completely off the top 5 list, whereas it was probably #1 or #2 5-10 years ago. |
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Replying to: zeaman (Mar 17, 2006 9:10 am) That said watch the sales numbers go up once the 07' model arrives. A base SL with 382hp should really be popular, it almost makes the 55/600/65 models irrelevant, IMO. M |
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Replying to: zeaman (Mar 17, 2006 9:10 am) Personally - and obviously I am biased - I could never see getting the SL over the new 997 911 Cab. The old 911's were edgy (to the preference of purists) but the new 911 is both an extraordinary performing sports car and a pretty comfortable, well equiped highway cruiser. I have nearly 6,000 miles on ours in 6 months and a third of those have been with the kids in the back. Not to mention that the 911 has received high reliability ratings: Most reliable luxury cars I also think Mercedes is cannibalizing on the SL with its other models. It used to be that the SL was the only non-sedan in Mercedes lineup. Now you have the CL, CLS and SLK and CLK Cab all nicking away at the SL's market. It also used to be that the SL500 was the top dog in terms of Mercedes performance. Now, unfortunately, compared to the competition, it is just a dog. The added horsepower of the 2007 may help, but it could also go on a 1,000 lb diet and a (non AMG) suspension upgrade as well. In the long run, I am not sure how many "niche" models Mercedes can profitably maintain. One of my friends is a Mercedes fleet leasing specialist and he's indicated that there are "deals to be had" on every one of the aforementioned models, including every AMG variant.
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Replying to: habitat1 (Mar 18, 2006 10:15 am) Not true. The CL (S-Class Coupe before 1997) has been around for ages and the CLK has been around since 1998. The only victim of the SLK was the underpowered SL320 version of the previous R129 SL. The CLK, SLK and SL are all in different price ranges and though the SLK and SL are both 2-seaters they aren't even close in price. Yeah I know you don't consider the SLK a sports car either, but it is the sportier of the two and is no slouch. The SL is the luxury GT that is still entertaining to drive. We've had this conversation before about the SL and its intended purpose which is not to compete with your car.  I know you're just talking when saying that SL is a "dog" so I'll let that go. M
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Replying to: merc1 (Mar 19, 2006 1:22 pm) Thanks for forgiving me that momentary indescretion. The SL500 is hardly a dog, but if it is due for an 80 horsepower upgrade, that should help push its 4,000 lb curb weight a bit more forcefully. And I guess you are right about the other models being around in the past, but they have definitely gotten a bit more competitive recently. I know of someone that traded an old 500 SL for the redesigned SLK 55. Would never have done that with the old body style SLK. It also seems that Mercedes is pushing AMG models in higher volumes. It seems like I see about 1 SL55 for every 2 SL500's here in the DC area. |
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Replying to: habitat1 (Mar 22, 2006 11:11 am) True. I thought the first SLK was cute, but nothing more. This new one especially the SLK55 is really a great little roadster, all that is missing is the stick for some folks. M
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Replying to: merc1 (Mar 22, 2006 9:39 pm)
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Replying to: bosco42 (Mar 28, 2006 4:06 am) |
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| Does anyone know how to get the trunk open on a 450SL when the battery, which is in the trunk, has died?. I've had to do it once before and can not for the life of me remember how I did it. The key opens the trunk but with the assistance of an electrically controlled release mechanism. I don't want to damage the chrome or paint. It's a '78 450SL. I just bought it a year or so ago and it did not come with an owners manual. They are out of print. | |
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Replying to: bosco42 (Mar 28, 2006 4:06 am) |
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