2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Overview2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 - An Ideal Combination of Personality Traits 
Long anticipated, twelve years to be exact, the 2003 replacement for the Mercedes-Benz SL seems to be more popular than it should be considering its $124,900 base price. Obviously lovers of the three-pointed star find its alluring sheetmetal and dynamic performance hard to pass up. I can at least empathize. I remember pulling up to my Onkel Gleissner's house in North Vancouver and eyeing his cream on red 300SL roadster. I hardly remember my uncle today, as I only met him a few times, but I'll never forget his car. The new SL500 pulls design cues from this same 300SL roadster, such as its shark gill-like side air vents, rounded front headlights and curvaceous fenders. The new SL is the first since this classic to embody such athletic, rakish lines. It's stimulating from every angle. 
Also stimulating is experiencing its retractable hardtop in action. It's similar in design to the smaller SLK, yet more sophisticated in execution and thus quicker to drop - going topless takes a mere 16 seconds. When folded, its compact dimensions leave an impressive 206 L (7.3 cu ft) of trunk space - 288L (10.2 cu ft) is available when the top is up. As advanced as its inspiring forbearer was in its time, the new SL features the world's first electronic brake system, called Sensotronic, which will adjust the brake pressure at each wheel to increase panic-stop stability and shorten stopping distances by about 3% - significant enough to avoid an accident. Cross-drilled internally-ventilated front brake discs join solid internally-vented rear discs via an electronically controlled 4-circuit braking system. Brake pressure is individually transmitted to each wheel based on a variety of vehicle parameters as well as driver input. Additionally, under normal braking, its Soft Stop feature modulates brake pressure as the SL nears a stop. What's more, to reduce moisture on the disc surfaces Mercedes incorporates an automatic brake drying system, based on windshield wiper use and braking intervals. While its substantial 1,835 kg (4,045 lb) curb weight can be reportedly felt in the slalom, the SL is quite agile overall and rock-solid at high speeds. It incorporates a rack-and-pinion steering system with vehicle-speed-sensitive power assist and an integrated hydraulic damper for both tight turn in and confident highway driving. The SL also manages an extremely tight 11 m (36.1 ft) turning circle, making parking lot maneuvers especially easy. Its front suspension is made up of an independent damper strut with triangular lower control arms, anti-dive geometry and a stabilizer bar. In the rear an independent 5-arm multilink setup with geometry for anti-lift, anti-squat and alignment control are complimented by a stabilizer bar. Individual gas-pressurized shocks and coil springs are also found at both ends. Its ABC active suspension and ESP stability control have been designed with safety in mind too, but the added benefit is increased control during at-the-limit handling. Despite its onerous base curb weight, incidentally 35 kg (78 lb) lighter than last year's car, its 302-hp 5.0-L, 24-valve, SOHC V8 with 339 lb-ft of torque produces enthusiastic acceleration - 6.3 seconds to be exact. Still, single-overhead cam, 3-valve per cylinder technology seems a little dated when compared to its competition's dual-overhead cam architecture and 4-valve heads - 5-valve heads are part of Audi's arsenal. Mercedes does use twin spark plugs to get the most out of its premium fuel though, improving performance and fuel economy. This helps the SL to achieve ULEV emissions standards, an impressive feat. Its 15.3 / 9.9 L/100 km fuel economy rating is hardly bad for this class either. It's difficult to say if fuel economy could be improved by adopting a 6-speed automatic transmission but we'll have to wait for an indefinite amount of time to find out. Mercedes has thus far bucked current trends and causes the SL500 to make due with only five forward gears. Just the same the sophisticated transaxle includes a side-to-side shifting manual mode to improve performance. The shifter itself is surrounded by a myriad of buttons and switches, adding to the sophistication of the cockpit. That said it's hardly cold and calculated in appearance, with rich woods or aluminum trim covering the console and central stack while high-grade plastics and sumptuous leather spread across the remaining surfaces. Standard features not already mentioned include headlamp washers, a heated windshield washer system, rain sensing wipers and xenon headlamps. Inside, the usual luxury power features are complimented by a 6-disc dash-mounted CD changer connecting to a Bose audio system, electrically adjustable steering column, power adjustable and memory equipped heated seats, driver's side knee airbag, Tele Aid and more. Optional equipment includes a $220 wood and leather shift knob, $850 wood and leather steering wheel, $1,250 climate comfort seats, plus multi-colored left and right front seats at $770 each and Keyless Go, a state of the art touch sensitive system that allows an owner to open the car just by touching a button on the door, start the engine by tapping the gearshift lever, all without touching the key or remote itself. It does this via an adaptation of the Smart Key system. The price of wowing your friends is a cool $1,805. Want more? You can add Distronic adaptive cruise control for $3,995, Parktronic for $1,500, a panorama retractable roof with manual sunshade for $2,585, a tire pressure monitoring system at $930, bi-xenon Headlamps at $400 and last but not least an AMG sport package for $8,825. Also, a $2,980 integrated Motorola V60 portable telephone system can be dealer installed. Altogether the options come to $26,880, or just $550 more than the price of a 2003 VW GTI 1.8T - putting the entire purchasing premise into perspective. At $151,780, is a fully loaded SL500 priced beyond reason? It's hard to compare as there aren't very many competitors in the luxury sports roadster category and those that are offer very different experiences and hardly similar equipment. Compared to the $195,000 BMW Z8 the SL seems like quite a bargain. That said the 396-hp, 6-speed manual equipped, aluminum bodied BMW is in an altogether different performance category. The same has to be said for the brilliant Maserati Spyder. While closer in price at $147,250 fully featured, its Ferrari derived 390-hp V8 and F1-style sequentially shifting paddle-actuated manual is in a league of few. That said it doesn't have the SL's slick retractable hardtop or a great many of its other features. Porsche's 911 Cabriolet offers a couple of jump seats and a little more power for slightly less money, but realistically a Porsche is an entirely different prospect. Jaguar's XKR offers even more grunt, at 370-hp, despite its much lower $130,000-ish maxed out price. That said it's not as sophisticated by any means. Only the Lexus SC 430 offers a similar combination of folding hardtop, sporting dynamics and luxury features. That said it's almost half the price at $84,000, something to consider if budgetary restraints are involved in your purchasing decision. That said I imagine most people with their eye on an SL aren't as concerned with saving a few bucks as they are with getting what they want. I'm sure they can see and appreciate the differences between their object of desire and its competitors. And when all are considered few match the SL's combination of superb driving dynamics, luxurious comfort and sensational style. Yes, its dual coupe/roadster personality is in a class of few, and ideal for wet, cold environs like Canada. That just might make it one of the best forms of executive express available. And what ever happened to Onkel Gleissner? He lives in Calgary these days, and is awaiting the delivery of his 2003 SL500. It seems some habits are hard to break. Specifications:
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