Through Ian's Lens: 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL550
With so many models, trims, engines, SUVs, coupes, roadsters, convertibles, crossovers, sedans — sometimes I wonder how anyone holds it together on the showroom floor at a Mercedes-Benz dealership without exploding with confusion. As Mercedes continues the daunting task of updating the designs of its many models, I want them to leave one class intact and as-is.
The SL-Class fills a niche as the visual missing link between the off-the-charts high-end SLR McLaren and pretty much everything else Mercedes makes. The SL matches the SLR’s sleek, subtle design with its own shark-gill intakes and roaring exhaust, but it doesn’t break any new ground with its looks. The more I think about it, it’s the SL’s anonymous appearance that I most enjoy about the car. Obviously it’s a Mercedes, but without a second glance, the SL can be easily mistaken for any other Mercedes-Benz roadster/convertible — most likely the SLK-Class, and that’s fine with me.
No one needs to know how much it costs or how fast it goes. The SL is in a class of autos that look nice but aren’t over-the-top, sophisticated but not gaudy, intelligent without being arrogant. The look and feel can be described in one word: smooth.
Let me know what you think in the comments section below. As always, feel free to use the full-screen mode on the photo browser.
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While I completely agree with your assessment of the SL, I think a lot of people are going to disagree. When most people spend that kind of money on a car, they want people to know they have bought something different. They don’t want it to look anything like the SLK, which can be had for one half the price. They want it to look like the SLR, a mean “look at me” machine. If they wanted a “sleeper”, they would go with the S class.
Like I said though, I agree with what you’ve written, I just don’t think the majority of people buying this car will. I used to own a BMW 528, a very nice and decently fast car. It wasn’t cheap, but the way others reacted around it was annoying. I bought it because it was a very nice car that drove great, not to garner the attention I received. I actually got tired of the attention and got rid of it. I have since purchased an Acura RL, and absolutely love it. Everybody knows what a BMW is, soccer moms, kids… They do make a fantastic car, but I like the RL better. It’s faster than the 528 (although the V8 5 series would blow it away), the gadgets are wonderful, and all came standard rather than the BMW options pricing. I think the thing I like the most about it though is unless you know cars, you’ll have no clue what I’m driving. Exactly what you were talking about with the SL class, but I have a bunch of friends with their BMW’s and Mercedes screaming “look at me”!
Andy,
has the RL been more reliable more the BMW? I would imagine BMW would have plenty of electronic gremlins as opposed to the RL.
the new headlight design doesn't do it for me, the original shape was better looking and more distinctive, and the lower rear bumper is busier now for no apparent reason. I do like the new grille, just wish the new headlight design went better with it.