Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (2002 – 2008) Review

Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (2002 – 2008) At A Glance

3/5

+Looks good and make you look rich. 2006 models with increased power vastly better cars. 388hp 500SL plenty fast enough and makes a nice noise.

-2002-2005 cars still a bit vague to drive and prone to expensive faults. 5 stars is for hugely improved 2006 model SL500. 3 stars otherwise. Best to steer clear of 2002-2005 SLs.

Forget Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini and Porsche. The most desirable car you can buy is the new Mercedes 500SL. Wherever you happen to be, no other car impresses most of the people most of the time. It's the one car the world over that says you've arrived before you even start your journey.

So what's it like to drive? Fantastic, obviously. A five-litre V8. Three hundred and six brake horsepower. A silky but overrideable five-speed automatic transmission. And probably more technology than a Space Shuttle.

ABC, SBC, ABS, BAS, ESP, ASR. You have to abbreviate to get them all on the page. Just to be boring for a moment, SBC or Sensonic Brake Control is a world first. The brake pedal is not mechanically connected to the brake servo. Instead it merely feeds messages to a control box which sends electronic signals to the microprocessor which organises the braking. It feels exactly like conventional braking, until you do something stupid, at which point the SBC and all the other control systems save your life. Mercedes, these days, build almost uncrashable cars.

To further guarantee your survival you can order DCC or Distronic Cruise Control. This involves fitting a radar scanner behind the three-pointed star on the radiator grille and stops your car ever getting within its effective braking distance from the car in front. People used to drive Mercs using the three-pointed star on the bonnet to home in on the car in front. Now the three-pointed star homes you out.

Mercedes Benz SL 2002 Road Test

Mercedes Benz SL 2006 Road Test

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Ask Honest John

I replaced the bumper on my Mercedes SL but the fog lights don't fit, when did they change?

"My car a 2002 Mercedes SL500 was stolen and crashed so I bought a salvage bumper and it fitted perfectly but the old spot lights didn't fit at all do you know what year Mercedes changed the spotlights on the SL models? "
Mercedes-Benz updated the R230 generation SL in 2006 and again in 2008, so as you have an early car we would suggest that you need fog lights from a car produced between 2001 and 2005.
Answered by David Ross

Can I fit LED headlights to my Mercedes SL350?

"The headlights on my 2003 Mercedes SL350 seem dim in comparison with the headlights of modern cars. Is it possible to convert them to LED units and if so, what suitable products are available?"
LED conversions are available for some cars, but it is model-specific and depends on the age of the original vehicle. Newer vehicles that were not offered with LED lights may be more problematic, as the new lights will need to be wired in as well as programed into the vehicle's systems. You may find it easier and cheaper to replace the existing bulbs. We would suggest Osram Night Breakers or Phillips RacingVision bulbs which offer superior brightness to standard bulbs.
Answered by David Ross

How many Mercedes-Benz SL500 R230 models are in the UK?

"How many Mercedes-Benz SL500 R230 models are in the UK? "
There are 4075 Mercedes SL models registered between 2000 and 2010 on the road (695 SORN). The DVLA's data is categorised by vehicle name rather generation, so we only have data for SL models registered during that period - but they won't all be R230. Have a look: https://classics.honestjohn.co.uk/how-many-survived/mercedes-benz/sl
Answered by Keith Moody

How much is my Mercedes SL55 AMG worth?

"I need to sell my car 2005 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG, but can't get much price guidance from Parkers or Glasses guides because it is a model fitted with the performance package option which is reasonably rare. It is fitted with most other available options except parktronic and cost about £20k more than the standard car when new. Can you give me some guidance on the price or suggest where I can get guidance?"
One sold at http://www.historics.co.uk in June for £39,950: http://www.historics.co.uk/buying/auctions/2016-06-11/cars/ref-37-mercedes-benz-sl55.aspx
Answered by Honest John
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