New SL for the weekend.

[Peter De La Mare]

I've got a bit of a road trip planned for the weekend, a Smart clearly not suitable so I've got the use of a shiny new SL350.

It's a well spec'd model, with full Driver Aid pack, Magic Roof, Harmon Kardon, Distronic and probably something else I haven't spotted yet. Current mileage is just under 500 miles.

First impression is that it's a vast improvement over the previous R230 model. Feels lighter and more responsive, but also a lot quieter inside.

More impressions tomorrow.

I guess I could have taken out my dry cleaning before photographing the interior. I'll do another tomorrow

 

[MissyD]

very nice Peter, where you off to?

 

[Peter De La Mare]

Popping back down to London to check on my house, visit buddies then into Essex and Kent to catch up on a few things. Nothing very glamorous but not something I'd do in the Smart. I always borrow something more suitable.

 

[MissyD]

I'll be driving on the M25 from Essex on Saturday and then back again Sunday, so will look out for you

 

[Gkinghorn]

Looks lovely..should be nice...

 

[dml]

Oh my!!

 

[television]

Rather nice but I am not looking too hard

 

[st4]

I went to see one of those in MB Lincoln.

Its not a looker like the R230 and the interiors messed up with the dash and tranmission tunnel not lining up properly. That would hack me off

 

[Corned]

Doesn't the squiffy dash console grate on you? Once I'd spotted it, it really looked very odd indeed.

Apart from that...

 

[st4]

The size is a bit big. I know its a super sized sports car, but for fun driving an SLK IMHO would be a nice car on the road. Want comfort, get the finest luxury car going, an S class.

 

[SteveX]

Very nice, I'm sure you will enjoy it

 

[Neil H]

Fantastic, that was the model I was considering. I shall watch this space with interest!

 

[PeterCLK]

I think it has a bit of a Jaguar look about it.

 

[BAZZER1]

I went to see one of those in MB Lincoln.

Its not a looker like the R230 and the interiors messed up with the dash and tranmission tunnel not lining up properly. That would hack me off

You can please some of the people some of the time but not all of the people all of the time
Have a great week-end Peter

BAZZER1

 

[st4]

I cannot afford one Peter so pleasing me really won't be on MBs agenda

 

[television]

7g is standard

 

[Peter De La Mare]

Coolest thing so far is the doors stay at the open position you choose. So, no more suffering only two opening positions. Very very handy for tight parking spaces.

 

[television]

Coolest thing so far is the doors stay at the open position you choose. So, no more suffering only two opening positions. Very very handy for tight parking spaces.

So there are no indents just a variable what ever

 

[st4]

Its like a BMW seven series or Mercedes S class system. Just variable. Classy

 

[Peter De La Mare]

Ok, so I need one of these in my life.

Far superior to the previous model. All 3 r230s I drove were a little uncouth on the motorway, and creaked a bit. This on on the other hand is very quiet indeed, and extremely sure footed, it corners totally flat and produces far more grip than you'd expect it too.

I've really grown to a appreciate the looks. Some angles can be a little ungainly, but overall the consensus is that it's a styling success, especially in the off-white paint job.

Inside is a very very nice place to be. The previous SL was definitely showing its age inside, design wise, whereas this one brings everything bang up to date. I still didn't notice the off-centre console/dash interface until I purposely looked for it. Even then it didn't bother me and I'm renown for a little OCD in these areas.

I didn't see the point of the Magic Roof though, didn't go dark enough for my liking. The driver aids all worked well, though most stopped working on the trip back as I presume most of the sensors had iced over in the blizzard conditions. Distronic still worked though.

Stop/Start on this car was the best I've experienced yet, didn't even notice it switch off until it restarted when I let off the brake again, it gives it a nice brap on the throttle so you can hardly stealth start this car.

The all ally construction definitely improves the dynamics of this car. Lighter, faster, stops better too. I was not being a good boy and still returned 30mpg over the few hundred miles I put on it.

So, I'm googling lease deals tonight.