MERCEDES-BENZ SL CLASS Convertible 2002‑2011

I purchased this car as a treat to myself and if I'm honest it was based as much on how it looked as how it drove, both of which are superb.

Practicality wise, well you don't buy a two seat 5 litre convertible if you have two kids and a dog but having said that, the boot is large enough for two suitcases for a week away and you have plenty of storage space in the cabin with large shelf and two cubby holes behind the seats complete with retaining belts for larger items.

The cabin is beautifully trimmed but some interior plastics have a little bit of a budget feel to them, which I think improved a little on later models. Everything is adjustable for the perfect driving position. These cars really are fully loaded but the sat nav is frustrating to use and tricky to work on the move.

Mechanically? Well, the engine is beautiful, it burbles nicely around town and makes a noise like a Nascar when you plant your foot to the floor giving what is essentially a large car quite a decent turn of speed, especially in the mid range for over taking. The result of this performance and weight / size is that fuel consumption isn't the best but again, you're not going out looking at these thinking it's a Prius are you? A 5.0 V8 will never put you in the running for the president of Green Peace and you will get a few extra Nectar points via the Super Unleaded pump but look, it goes fast, sounds wonderful and makes your neck hairs stand to attention.

However, did I mention the reliability. These were designed in an era when Mercedes engineers couldn't be bothered. I run a 25 year old E30 BMW, it never lets me down in the 14 years it has been with me. I have owned the Mercedes for nearly 18 months and it has cost me more than £1500 in repairs. Not servicing or routine maintenance, repairs because something has broken!

Under seat wiring for the airbag, ECU failure, gearbox selector mechanism. All from Mercedes and all expensive as they are dealer only supply parts.

So in conclusion, great car, one of the best of 30 or so I've had in the past 20 years but buy with your eyes open and your wallet full as even a set of standard tyres are £800 for a decent brand and a tank of petrol will tip you over £100!

Probably the best convertible on the market, unlike most other convertibles this car was always designed as a convertible, so no nasty fabric roof or squeeks and twisting over bad roads.

Sure the running costs(fuel) are high but very few people buy this as there only car.

The 5ltr engine is effortless and is bareley audible when cruising.

Negatives; very few perhaps the gear change could be a little smoother and quicker but thaats about all.

To sum up if you can afford it buy one I love it!!! Lifes to short, enjoy yourself!!

Nice to look at at, but very expensive to run, everything went wrong with it eventhough I had it check out fully at mercedes benz brooklands. Had it two years and it cost me nearly 7500 in repairs and it was very low milage at only 40K. they depreciate like a lead baloon and even if you pick a good one up from a reputable dealer you will still spend and loose a fortune. Mercedes Benz do not build like they used to, previously I had an SL 320 which was far better in build quality and was generally a much better car! Save your money and buy an older shape or go for a 6 series or a 911. Dontmake the same mistake I did.

ive recently bought my sl 55 amg, i really love it. its a super car, the parts dont cost much from mercedes, eg front disc cost £130 with vat i really think its very good price. i had a 2003 M3 and the will cost over £400 from bmw. its my frist ever mercedes SL 55 amg but i love it and i think its worth every pound u pay for. its bit to much on fuel but u do know u are driving a super car with 5.5 supercharge.

it dose put a big : ) on your face when u drive it.

the only thing you should watch out its the suspention which cost over £1000 each aprt from that its the best car i ever had.

I bought an SL500 in September last year and expected to leave it in the garage over winter. However, because of the mild winter we have had, I have used it more than my other car, a Merc. E Class 320. Now the E Class is an absolute joy to drive and despite having had many powerful cars in the past, nothing, absolutely nothing compares to this magnificent piece of engineering. The ride quality is superb, the handling incredible and the power, well alas that's just something most motorists will sadly never experience --- but that's life. It quite happily drives around town like a family car but when you get it out onto the open road, well it turns into a truly fantastic sports car and with that power under your control there is very little on the road to match you. Admittedly around town it is not too bad on petrol, considering the engine size, but when you have some fun with it, it can be a bit thirsty. But you know what, the thrill is so fantastic, you don't care. Everyone I have let drive it is absolutely amazed at how this car handles and drives. They all want one for themselves! If you want a second car purely for fun purposes, or two seats is all you need, and you can afford one, then don't look at anything else, buy the best, buy a Merc. SL 500. Trust me,you wont regret it!

If you want an animal power car but still a smooth tourer and value for money this is the car for you. 5.5 litres AMG tuned Merc with awsome driving capability but dont buy one if you want economy with petrol or low repair bills. Being AMG tuned everything is expensive to replace and is like owning a thoroughbred - its needs handling with care! It also needs a daily thrashing to get the most out of it. The Merc SL55 AMG is a fabulous car and second hand, offers amazing purchase price - value for money.

I currently own an SL350 (April 2008) with 7-speed transmission and the usual extras such as glass roof etc. It is completely reliable and is an excellent second car. It would not be suitable for family use but is great fun to drive and has excellent roadholding and handling qualities. Running costs are reasonable though there is massive depreciation in the first three years from new. This is my second SL and is a big improvement on my previous SL500 (2003) in terms of build quality. This is a car to keep.

Well, it was a decision I pondered over for months. An SL350 or an SL500. I thought the V6 would be better on fuel, cheaper to insure and was the sensible choice. I test drove several 350's and was impressed with the handling, bearing in mind the car weighs in at over two tons, the smooth ride and the build quality. I then test drove an SL500.....Wow! The decision was made. No ifs, no buts, the decision was instant. I was just that sure. I had read lots of car reviews about how wonderful Mercedes V8s are, but until I drove one I didn't appreciate what the authors of these reviews really meant. Until now.

The power of the huge five litre V8 is relentless. It just keeps on accelerating and accelerating, and even when the super smooth gearbox kicks down, the cog change is hardly felt. The SL can be used as a daily driver and will purr along sedately at low speeds no problem and when you plant the loud pedal you then appreciate why you bought a V8, but be realistic, it is never going to be economical around town. I recent took her to Scotland and averaged 27mpg, not bad considering the monster that lurks beneath the bonnet.

The handling on the 500 is vastly better than the smaller engined models due to the hydraulic suspension struts ensuring any roll or pitching is minimised. But this is no bumpy, hard as nails sports car. It's a prestige Grand Tourer, with a ride that is smooth as silk. The styling is timeless and just the fact that it is a Mercedes Benz SL makes it iconic. It is beautifully finished and the cabin is a really nice place to be with every gizmo one could wish for.

I don't find servicing too bad either. I use an independant garage near Portsmouth and recently had a major service and an MOT which came in at under £400. I have had no major issues and look forward to dry days when I can get the hood down.

As I said before, this is never going to be an economical car to run, but hey, you don't buy a Mercedes SL for it's economy. You buy it to have fun in. Jim

Being a petrol head myself and haveing owner a few true sports cars - I have to say this is the best one ever and I dont think I will ever better it.

Originally went to but a rag top 911, and so glad I didn't

This car is a truely awsome beast

0-60 in 4.5 seconds, more power than all cars cosing far more (Ferraris, Lambo's the lot)

Okay not practical for the family, but top marks on everything else.

I have rate the car 5/5 for Running costs, because you cannot compare the car to a Diesel Astra, you must compare the car to other cars comparable to this one (possibly your other options should you consider to buy a car like this). At £450 to service, and an average of 22mpg, this car is comparably cheaper to run.

I have had 3 SL55's and and they have never let me down. I am a huge fan, and I would recommend this car to anyone wanting the power, speed, fun, and look of a powerful sports car, without the lack of reliability or huge servicing costs. I use my Sl55 every day, work and back - and every weekend, roof-down, in manual paddle-shift mode.

Get one, enjoy it, love it.