Mercedes SL buyer’s guide
Tips and advice on elegant two-seat sports car
EVER since the 300SL arrived in 1954, the pinnacle of the Mercedes two-seater range has been the SL. For 65 years there have been few rivals that can compete with its blend of glamour, build quality, performance and usability.
In that time, plenty of other two-seat convertibles have come and gone, but most have struggled to match the well rounded abilities of the SL – a car that can cross continents with ease, and which is packed with the latest comfort and safety tech.
The SL we cover here is the folding metal hard-top sixth-generation model, codenamed R231, and it’s the most impressive edition yet, with its lightweight aluminium bodyshell bringing greater agility and extra economy.
History
THE R231 SL reached UK showrooms in June 2012, priced from £72,495 for the 302bhp SL 350, above which sat the 429bhp SL 500. The 530bhp SL 63 AMG version arrived in September 2012 (with optional 564bhp AMG Performance package); the 621bhp SL 65 AMG followed in November 2012.
Upgrades for the SL 350 and SL 500 in June 2013 brought standard AMG Sport trim, which included an electric glass sunroof, Active Park Assist, stronger brakes and sportier styling for the cabin and exterior.
The 328bhp 3.0-litre SL 400 replaced the SL 350 in July 2014, when the SL 63 AMG also got a power boost, to 577bhp. A revised version reached showrooms in March 2016; the SL 400 now had 362bhp, the SL 500 was rated at 449bhp, and all cars got Apple CarPlay as well as extra safety kit.
Which one?
SIX-cylinder cars (SL 350, SL 400) are all you need for smoothness and performance; the V8s offer stronger acceleration (all SLs are electronically limited to 155mph), but you’ll face higher fuel, maintenance, road tax and insurance costs. It’s better to buy the best sixcylinder car that you can find and afford, focusing on what options are fitted.
The SL 350/SL 400 and SL 500 get the same level of standard kit, including adaptive damping, bi-xenon headlights, power-folding door mirrors and electrically adjustable heated leather seats. Options worth seeking out include a Bang & Olufsen hi-fi, reversing camera, Airscarf neck heater, electric wind deflector, and a panoramic glass roof.
Alternatives
THE Mercedes is in a class of its own up to a point. The Jaguar F-Type is the nearest rival on paper, because it’s a similarly costly twoseat model with six or eight-cylinder engines, but it’s more sporting and comes as either a coupé or a soft-top cabriolet.
Porsche’s 911 has token rear seats and also comes in coupé or cabriolet forms; it’s a superb grand tourer but, again, it’s more
sporting than the Mercedes. The Maserati GranCabrio and GranTurismo are two grand tourers with V8 engines and are worth considering for their looks alone.
The BMW 6 Series is another GT that is accomplished, fast, refined and great to drive, plus it’s unique in the segment because it’s available with diesel power.
Verdict
WHILE this current Mercedes SL might not have the elegance of its predecessors, that doesn’t stop it from being a hugely desirable luxury cruiser. Despite its SL (Sport Leicht) tag, this is no sports car, although searing pace is available if you opt for one of the ferociously powerful AMG editions. You’ll struggle to use an AMG SL’s performance very often, but you do get a soundtrack that the more prosaic editions can’t match.
The SL is a costly car to purchase new and, while it can represent superb value as a used buy, you can never expect to run one of these cars on a shoestring. And when buying you need to ensure that the previous owner hasn’t tried to do so.