Kudos on giving this car a proper and balanced review. Most people get stuck on the cars engine and completely miss the point of this SL43

nice car but i feel it is way over priced for what it offers

The four cyinder is wellcome, but it is the first time in sixty years that the SL range does not have a six cylinder. The SL 55 could have easily been that SL 53.

ordered my sl 43. should be arriving in 2 weeks can't wait looks like an absolute beauty!

Reviews of these kind of cars are rare… glad you are doing it ❤

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

some great deals to be had on these now - and yes, lots of fun to drive!

They probably used a 2.0 engine instead of an inline 6 due to the fact, that in many places in Europe we pay much higher tax on a displacement larger than 2.0L.

@donwarner6925

8 ай бұрын

Bingo!

@jackmarston2515

7 ай бұрын

Shhh. That's too much for we ignorant American car culture guys 😂😂

@bulversteher

7 ай бұрын

That would be Belgium, China, Japan, Malaysia (?) Nepal. I guess whoever buys German cars in Asia just wants them for the prestige, therefor wants the bigger engines which he can easily afford to pay the tax for.

@Predikant

6 ай бұрын

I drove the S 320 a few years ago, a fine car that was only available in a few markets. It was basically configured with the same electro-mechanical drive train. A 2 litre, four cylinder turbo-charged Petrol engine, making it the first Gasoline powered S Class ever manufactured, it also came with the 48 Volt EQ augmented propulsion system The performance for such a large and heavy vehicle was astonishing, delivery was superb and flawless whilst being whisper quiet

@The_THX_1138

2 ай бұрын

your country sucks. Sorry.

I think the SL 55 is the sweet spot on this new SL.

@jackmarston2515

7 ай бұрын

As an SL63 owners, I'd be ok with it if you were correct.

@davidrpriest

7 ай бұрын

@@jackmarston2515 The SL 63 is awesome! Congrats!

I like the lighter weight. I'm sure this was made for EU & China where regulations are stricter. For the US, I'd prefer an SL53 with the 3.0L I6 and RWD as a better compromise.

Over $100.000 for turbo 4 !?!?!? 😅 thanks but I'd take V8 corvette over this every single time

@emekaiheanacho274

8 ай бұрын

I don't even like vettes but I agree

Here for the Options Game.

Thank you for an objective review of this underrated car

@MotoManTV

5 ай бұрын

Underrated is an understatement . . . :)

Beautiful..💙

This is the review I have been waiting for! Still driving my 2009 SL550 I bought CPO thinking about getting something new or newer. I was hoping the turning radius would be smaller than the V8 AWD variants but what I have seen listed states otherwise. I live in a tight urban area and smaller turning radius is beneficial for emergency situations.

Ha Ha! I was very curious about this car with this engine. I didn't expect You would test.

I really like this package. I might put in an order for one to replace my old SL500. Not everyone wants their summer-road-trip roadster to put down 500hp (or cost 1/4 $1M). I'm glad MB is making this.

@jareknowak8712

8 ай бұрын

I agree, Mercedes made a good decision by introducing this version to the market. People who use cars on a normal, daily basis, do not need rocket engines, and 4,8 sec to 60 is not slow.

@sethgunn8256

8 ай бұрын

No you don’t. The price of this car keeps its exclusive, exclusive shouldn’t include a 4 cylinder when an 8 cylinder is available

@rodgerk.

8 ай бұрын

@@sethgunn8256 4cyl doesn't mean "econo-box" anymore. Cylinder count is increasingly irrelevant for modern cars (esp when mediocre EVs are quicker than v12s). I shop for emotion and quality, not spec numbers.

Love the upholstery color

nice looking and strong convertible.

There are people that want looks without power maybe that will appeal to them. But i wouldve liked to see this in an inline 6 instead. Also this should have been offered air suspension with woods and different color specs.

@jareknowak8712

8 ай бұрын

4.8 sec to 60 is not slow for a daily driver.

@BobbyDeniroX

8 ай бұрын

​@@jareknowak8712 Exactly more then enough power from the smaller units nowadays and that 2 Litre is their best engine anyway it's bomb proof compared to the bigger more unreliable units.

SL53 would have made more sense, I agree. Thanks for including the beautiful Pagode!

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

Caught that one on the way up to the shoot road . . .I couldn't resist . . .

For the longest time I thought we were only getting the V8 here in the US. Then two months ago, randomly as I was at a MB dealership, they just got in one of these. Even the salesmen had no idea. Kinda cool, and for such a savings, would be a nice car for cruising a crowded PCH, or Hollywood boulevard. With current gas prices, even the rich can’t afford V8s for much longer.

I like that interior from what I can see. I’m sorry but that’s just too much money for this car.

An AMG SL with a 2.0 4 cylinder, the SL73 must be looking down from car heaven with absolute disgust. I get why they "had" to do it, but still... Excellent work, like always, M.

Those are great shoes. That is all

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

Thanks! Designed them myself!

I have nothing against 4 cylinder engines (I owned an S2000 for 10 years), but I'd never pay 6-figures for a car with one.

Having owned several high output 4 cyl there really is not much of a fuel savings. Drive it like a granny, yes you get the mpg, drive it to get the most out of the engine you get about the same mpg and performance driving a V8 as a granny. In a lab they satisfy the mpg and CAFE but a smaller engine always works much harder = lousy mpg. However one of the benefits of going to a smaller engine is usually better handling and weight distribution as you lighten the front end.

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

No argument from me on this.

What happens when Mercedes is run by an accountant...

@MPPJ1931

8 ай бұрын

What accountant wants to have 3 versions of 1 car with 2 drive and powertrains?

@jareknowak8712

8 ай бұрын

That's what people want too.

@Link_1129

8 ай бұрын

Along with Brussels.

@jackmarston2515

7 ай бұрын

Yeah indeed. Said accountant would have made the fastest SL yet in the 63.

@zechengwang9776

5 ай бұрын

4 cylinder special price, 110k :)

My 2021 E53 coupe with the performance exhaust and the inline 6 is so much fun to drive. I’m hoping they will put it in the new CLE AMG coupe keeping the 0-60 at 4.5 or less. One can only hope.

@emekaiheanacho274

8 ай бұрын

They are

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

Will have a chance to see (and hopefully shoot a preview) of that one in early November.

A bit of a surprose for the CLE to come with a six and this to have a four-banger.

The 4 cylinder should offer it a much better drive I would think. That red interior is amazing though.

U forgot its a hybrid and that's so cool

I'd opt for the AMG SL55 in Blue and tan interior.

I am actually surprised that the weight lose is only 300lbs. Take away the extra 4 cyl (less 2 camshafts, pistons and a big crank, intake and exhaust manifolds, turbo and a cat), 4matic (front diff, half shafts, transfer case) and simplified suspension you'd think it would be in the range of over 600+ pounds. Love the red seats, hate the trend to this light grey that everyone is doing which I call 'East German Grey' (look at the Trabants, Wartburgs and Stasi uniforms)

@jeffs6090

8 ай бұрын

Everyone has copied Audi's nardo grey.

That giant IPad!

It still sounds like a 4 cylinder which is to say not very good.

I’m almost 60, just looking to buy my last petrol car that I can keep for the next 20 years or so. I don’t really care anymore for outright speed, just cruising around enjoying the scenery. This might be it!

Yeah, a luxury 6-figure cabrio with a 4 cylinder banger. Its not just a horroshow, its mockery.

It needs that inline six

people who can afford a SL will not buy a 4 cylinder.

@Gmoneyluv4u

8 ай бұрын

Definitely not 😂 lol

@oscarshen6855

7 ай бұрын

Sorry the SL43 is the best seller in the line up now. They do market survey better than you. People who can afford SL are more likely to be chill, they don't care about horse power number and noise like a 10 years old. For rich boys, they have Porsche.

They need to pull the AMG badge and a 6 cyl. You just can’t get the refinement with the 4. Also, it’s well north of $100k and the 4 is always going to be a laggy and lacking the refinement that matches the cars character.

I love the styling. 👍 I like the interior color, but I spec'd it online with the exterior color you have and grey interior. This car should be priced at $100K to better compete with Z4M, Jaguar F-Type and C8. 💵

Merc's aim is, I think, to create a fast-enough but cheap-enough alternative to the V8 versions to appeal to those who simply can't afford their high retail prices... put in the six cyl 53 engine in the SL and the price will creep up very close to the V8s so what's the point?

What the hell are seatbelts doing behind the driver (and passenger)? The only other car where that looked ridiculous was in my 2004 Audi TT. I think in the TT the back seat was done to formally reclassify the car to something with less insurance costs.

Since you asked...... I am very fond of that interior colour, I would select either white or silver as a backdrop to make it even more dramatic.

The 3L biturbo in the R231 SL400/450 with a stage 1 tune would munch this car.

A four-pot SL...??

@YYZ-SRQ

8 ай бұрын

once upon a time there was a 190SL

This 4 banger is really great for tuning people are tuning these to 600+ hp

Resident design geek reporting in to say, the color and trim selection needs a slight rework, definitely. Heck, you can't get a red top with the sole red exterior color on offer.* (*Unless you were to go through designo and use a sold-order-only loophole, perhaps)

No start up or drive? That 4 cylinder sound must be an embarrassment.

Ill say this as a SL63R4 owner. This car is meant to be a quick and fun to drive, while getting better gas mileage than i ever will.

In my view the red seats are too orange and bright, like BMW.The dark red leather in the F Type looks nice.

I was expecting a thriftier MPG as a highlight. I know they have to run particulate filters on the other side of the pond so I expected a better exhaust note that rewarded the pragmatic purchase that at this point I believe has been fleeced. 🐑✂️👀 15:08

@arthurcatalanotto1151

8 ай бұрын

Totally agree! There are vehicles out there that offer much more for equal or less cost.

In a world where this level of performance includes the B58, this is comical. The noises coming out of this Mercedes sounds like the muffler rusted off an Altima. I’m not in the market for this class of car but this same 4 banger in the C43 is outclassed by the M340i every single day and twice on Sunday. And to add insult to injury, it’s more expensive.

The upcoming CLE AMG will be a 6 cyl. That's the engine the SL55 should have had.

I love the M139 in my AMG A45S. 421 HP in a hatchback, awesome daily driver like a more noble Golf on steroids. But this engine with a little less power in the much heavier SL? No thanks, it's just not the right fit, besides quite good numbers. In a big and heavy car like the SL you want more low end torque, which leads me to the same conclusion like many folks here: yes the inline 3 liter six cylinder from the 53 models would be the right entry SL.

You want the obnoxious sound you get the amg. Not everyone wants to hear the engine all the time. Besides that, I think a 4 cil can sound awesome too. The price is high bc it is still a car with weight and redundance of power so taxed like crazy I think.

How does this not have the same power output as the C43?!?! Makes not sense to me. I hate that crap on the fenders. Just have a real vent or nothing. Sure wish this had a 500hp inline 6 with the electric turbo.

I really wanted to like this model, but your comparison of it to a basic 911 isn’t very apt. In pricing it is almost equal to my Boxster Spyder, and this car while certainly more luxurious, is nowhere near the weekend canyon cruiser that is. I’ve got heated/cooled seats, driver assistance package and way less gigantic TV screen sitting in my lap. The upper models may compete with 911, this one doesn’t. Love what you do!

The real question is, is the jump from a $120k SL to a $130k 911 Carrera T manual too big for people in this price class? The other real question, is the LC500 convertible enticing enough to lure people away from the SL?

Would/could we call the interior color “ burnt orange”???

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

Too bright.

when you reviewing this type of cars mate, you don’t have to talk about the pricels 😂😂😂

Isnt the base c2 better in every aspect 😂😂😂

Mercedes & other luxury car reds almost always make a fine car look like a pimpmobile.

I suppose the 190 SL had 4 cylinders…..

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

Was waiting for someone to bring that car up:) It was not that long ago it was hard to get someone to pay US$40,000 for one!

Um I think I can get a Corvette convertible for around 100k and have cash left over for tires brakes and speeding tickets.

MotoMan, Would you buy one new?

I thinking you cars lots on youree drive be koun Shreveport Louisiana I hope and pray I can get one soon like tomorrow could u tint the window black out full load Joyce Benson ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤

Unless it’s produced 500 hp or more

That’s fine is it’s $85,000 now

i wouldnt care about times to 60 ....but i would deffo care about reliability which, a coffee grinder motor would not be able to provide.

Four cylinders in an SL is absolutely outrageous and disgusting

Why would anyone buy this car when you can have an m850i with 500+hp for the same money as this 4 banger MB

2JZ Swap.

Mercedes designers 1990: Let's make the most high quality and dignified looking interior we possibly can. Mercedes designers 2023: We can just slap two ipads on the dash and people will think that looks expensive right? This slapped on screen look already looks dated and Mercedes is one of the worst offenders

Bruh an SL with 4 cylinders 😢😅

SL doesn't carry the weight for normal people that it does for car journalists. To most people this is a "Mercedes convertible", and it doesn't need to adhere to any nameplate preconceptions to do that.

This car needed the same power train as the C63 but detuned. 375hp is not enough for an SL. I predict this will fail as will the new C63

@jareknowak8712

8 ай бұрын

What are You talking about, 4,8 sec to 60 is slow as for daily driver?

A real shame this is a 4 cylinder. The exterior design is really nice though!

For what this costs across the range you are better off buying a cayman or 911, if your in need of high power + flashy looks so badly the M2.

Its over 200lbs heavier than the first the AMG GT and that has a twin turbo v8 😂

The horror….. The horror

That mileage is absurd! I get better gas mileage with my 2015 SL400 3.0L bi-turbo V6 (tuned for over 400 hp).

The 4 cylinder was likely chosen due to packaging, putting the I6 would mean moving things forward or backwards, meanwhile a V8 is two 4 cylinder’s together so it can be the same length. I think That’s the reason they didn’t use the 6 in the C class

@Link_1129

8 ай бұрын

That suddenly makes everything make sense. The C-Class has a packaging issue where they deliberately designed the hood something like 2 inches too short to fit an I6 for the AMGs (let alone a V8), too.

120k for a 4 cylinders SL. Seriously.. Might as well head over to BMW and get m440i xdrive convertible loaded up with all the gadget and save some $$$. More fun, tech, and a sweet , smooth B58 engine

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

I see where you are going with that logic, but two very different cars dynamically.

I had an SL with a 4 cilinder in the front..... it was called Honda freaking S2000. What the heck is mercedes doing?. The last thing i want in an SL is anything under a V8, with a pass on a really nice creamy smooth I6. No pardon for the guy who made this choice. If Mercedes wants a 4cyl SL better sell them somewhere car guys can´t see them..... ever. Rather SL-EV than this.

We can put this engine in Cessna.

I want a car that has drivin experence not an overpower cas as 63

nice but can it really survive next to base 911 ? I think there is a better 911 against every variation of SL which is still in the same budget...

@javiermarques4657

8 ай бұрын

I think the SL is a far better tourer than the 911, just think about the tyre noise of the 911 in a long journey.

@The_Stanman

8 ай бұрын

Very different objectives. Yes, a 911 will always beat the SL as a sports car. The SL will always beat the 911 as comfortable grand tourer.

Never mind they are selling for an average of $116,000 with a $10,000 mark-up for the privilege of having a Toyota Corolla sized engine

For 10 grand more buy sl55

@MotoManTV

8 ай бұрын

A bigger delta than that . . .

4 cylinder turbo? In a sports car? Can you say …maintenance $$$$.

The 43 variant of the SL, is a complete disgrace to the Mercedes flagship roadster. I'd buy a base Boxster over this any time of the day.

It just hard to find value these days you want me to pay this amount of money because it's a Mercedes yet you want to give me less of what I'm used to... And it probably works because most people care more about aesthetics... But I never thought I'd see the day when you get an SL with a damn 4 banger .... 😢... The future of automotive looking real sad right now 😔

@jareknowak8712

8 ай бұрын

Yes, but this is a 375hp 4-banger with no turbo lag, with low emissions and good fuel economy. Its also uncomparably cheaper than V8s. Be happy now, because soon you will have an SL without any cylinders at all.

@jeffs6090

8 ай бұрын

Everything is a 4 cylinder turbo and no more manuals. It's like they're trying to piss everyone off to where they say, "fine, I'll just get your stupid ev!"

@jermainec2462

8 ай бұрын

@@jareknowak8712 no I rather get a lc500 while I still can you get the last naturally good sounding V8 we got left...

The SL 43 does not deserve the AMG badging. The AMG badging should have been reserved for the SL 55/63.

@bazookajoe-theguybehindthe4205

8 ай бұрын

But it is an AMG because it was designed and built by AMG. There is more to AMG than just engines.

@jareknowak8712

8 ай бұрын

Thats true, they should stop calling everything AMG.

@paultaylor9521

8 ай бұрын

Love the new SL design but honestly if I had low 6 figures to spend, it would be a CPO 55 any day!

Not an AMG unless the 0-60 is close to 4.0

good car, terrible price

worlds most expensive 4 cylinder car

What a out the elephant in the room- the huge, hideous IPad prompted in front of the day. The bean counters strike again. It’s cheaper tan integrating the screen into the dash. This is a deal breaker for me.

if 375hp in a Benz roadster ain't enough you should go and get a few driving lessons.

Car is too expensive with too small a motor. Why would anyone buy something worse value than an e s amg convertible and less stylish than an lc.