Not joined yet? Register for free and enjoy features such as alerts, private messaging and viewing latest posts and topics.

Test drove an sl350

Discussion of other cars non-Z4
Post Reply
User avatar
mr.tourette
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4288
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
Location: north wales

Test drove an sl350

Post by mr.tourette » Fri Aug 26, 2022 5:41 pm

So in my quest to find a replacement for a the zed i have shortlisted 3 cars, A c5 or c6 corvette, an sl350 or a cayman S.

A little disappointed in the sl, was a 2014 model with only 44k on the clock, first impressions were good, nice looking motor to me, I know these things are subjective but I am a bit of a Merc fan, lovely understated interior.

Out for the test drive and the engine is fantastic, 3.5 n/a V6, liquid smooth linear delivery, soaks up the bumps and poor surfaces like it was built for it.. all good so far.. until you put your foot down and try and go round a bit of a bend..ugh not good, braking hard from 80 was also an unsettling experience with the car wallowing about like a hippo in the mud.. wasn't expecting sports car taut but wasn't expecting a complete barge either, I appreciate its a more gt car but you want to be able to press on without that much body roll and wallowing about.

If you're wafting about its lovely with very little turbulence in the cabin and that lovely engine, roof up its much quieter than the zed but there was still more road noise from the tyres than I was expecting.

All in all if I was after a great top down luxury motor for wafting then I'd be in it like a shot but its not quite there if you occasionally want a bit of fun in the twisties.. next!
Last edited by mr.tourette on Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:34 pm, edited 2 times in total.
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

Silverstar
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 2716
Joined: Fri Jun 21, 2019 10:06 am
Location: Costa Del Sol

Test drove an sl350

Post by Silverstar » Fri Aug 26, 2022 5:50 pm

These later SL aren't really known for their handling, many thought Mercedes would kill off the SL line but I have to say the new AMG SL looks real nice! I think probably you will have more luck with the Corvette or the Cayman.
2009 sdrive30i auto Sapphire Black / Coral Red

User avatar
mr.tourette
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4288
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
Location: north wales

Test drove an sl350

Post by mr.tourette » Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:35 pm

Silverstar wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 5:50 pm These later SL aren't really known for their handling, many thought Mercedes would kill off the SL line but I have to say the new AMG SL looks real nice! I think probably you will have more luck with the Corvette or the Cayman.
Hopefully. I really wanted to love it as its probably going to be the most reliable of the 3 but it just left me with a few doubts
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

User avatar
M1k3yC
Member
Member
Posts: 624
Joined: Tue Aug 06, 2019 6:38 pm
Location: Stafford

Test drove an sl350

Post by M1k3yC » Fri Aug 26, 2022 6:45 pm

What generation Cayman are you looking at? A 981 GTS would be high up my shopping list if I was looking.
2022 Hyundai Kona N - greyhound transport
2018 F56 Mini JCW
2016 MX-5 2.0 Sport Recaro
Gone to a good home: 2007 E86 3.0Si Sport

User avatar
Mr Tidy
Legend
Legend
Posts: 23608
Joined: Wed Jul 02, 2014 12:18 pm
Location: North West Surrey

Test drove an sl350

Post by Mr Tidy » Fri Aug 26, 2022 7:39 pm

The Merc definitely seems to be more "cruiser" than "sports car", which is clearly not what you want.

A Corvette would certainly be an experience but for fun on the twisties I would have thought a Cayman might be the best bet!

Good luck narrowing your choice down. :thumbsup:
Coupes because stunning!
Current - Silver Grey MC, Imola Red heated Nappa & carbon trim. Aeros, H & R Coil-overs, 224s, OE Strut brace, Nav, cup-holders, DSP Hi-Fi, pdc, cruise, MFSW, no CDV! E90 330i daily
Gone - Montego Blue
Gone - Ruby Black

Online
User avatar
sars
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 7022
Joined: Sun Feb 21, 2010 11:37 am
Location: East Yorkshire

Test drove an sl350

Post by sars » Fri Aug 26, 2022 8:54 pm

I might be wrong, but I have a feeling that as part of the facelift the suspension was lowered and stiffened with adaptive damping as standard. The first time I drove mine, first thoughts were how stiff it felt, though not uncomfortably so.

I would suggest you try a post 2017 SL400, I certainly miss mine.
Gorgeous SFR Z4 M40i 8)
Gone 2017 Iridium SL400, 2015 435d xDrive Convertible, 2012 E350 CDi Convertible, 2010 DSB Z4 sdrive30i, 2008 Audi A4 Cabriolet, 2006 Phoenix Yellow Z4 2.5Si, 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible

User avatar
mr.tourette
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4288
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
Location: north wales

Test drove an sl350

Post by mr.tourette » Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:09 pm

sars wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 8:54 pm I might be wrong, but I have a feeling that as part of the facelift the suspension was lowered and stiffened with adaptive damping as standard. The first time I drove mine, first thoughts were how stiff it felt, though not uncomfortably so.

I would suggest you try a post 2017 SL400, I certainly miss mine.
Thanks Sars.. probably a bit over budget for me for a weekend toy :)
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

Pondrew
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 8325
Joined: Wed Jan 20, 2021 7:20 pm
Location: Spaldingski

Test drove an sl350

Post by Pondrew » Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:36 pm

I would put money on you getting the Cayman.
A C6 (with the LS3) is a lot of car but don't they only come as left-hookers? They are also not exactly ....um...well built.
What about the old SL; ie pre-2000? I can't remember mercs designation but they were well built and are holding money really well.
All good things come to those who wait. I'm really impatient which explains a lot.

F31 320i. Good car.
E89 20i Now fully dried
Z3 'free litre'. Project and a half. Complicated!
Mazda3 sold
Tatty old R56 Mini Cooper. Money pit!

User avatar
mr.tourette
Lifer
Lifer
Posts: 4288
Joined: Thu Aug 27, 2015 9:16 am
Location: north wales

Test drove an sl350

Post by mr.tourette » Fri Aug 26, 2022 10:15 pm

Pondrew wrote: Fri Aug 26, 2022 9:36 pm I would put money on you getting the Cayman.
A C6 (with the LS3) is a lot of car but don't they only come as left-hookers? They are also not exactly ....um...well built.
What about the old SL; ie pre-2000? I can't remember mercs designation but they were well built and are holding money really well.
I've spent a bit of time on the corvette forums recently and there's very few complaints on reliability.. sure parts are harder to get if you have an mot fail and you could be off the road for weeks but that's all part of the experience although I must admit running costs are occasionally casting doubts, left hooker I can live with.

Not a fan of the earlier sl.. I have started wondering though if a set of eibachs would firm things up a bit.. the 3.5 v6 was rather nice and if the suspension could be tweeked a bit I could see myself in one, Hopefully I'll try a cayman out soon, they are rather a nice looking thing. :thumbsup:
if its got tits or tyres..its trouble :D

Post Reply