2005 New SL Front End - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MapleOne · #1 05-27-2003, 01:22 PM

Sign of the times

New

Old

With the SL only in its infancy, Mercedes is already planning to change the front end. The new F1 front end coming on next years SLK will be carried over to the 2005 SL.

Remember the days when MB would run a model for 10 years with very few changes? Those days are gone forever.

PCM84 · #2 05-27-2003, 11:12 PM

My two cents.. I personally don't like the F1 front end at all... who designed this, that guy Brad Bangle who's single handedly destroyed BMW's styling heritage?

This is not a front end for an SL, it's a snout that belongs on an anteater...

G-Benz · #3 05-28-2003, 03:37 PM

I wouldn't think MB would take a vehicle borne of millions of $$$ of development and risk devaluing its worth by introducing a facelift so soon!

I watched my R129 value drop catastrophically when the R230 was introduced...not sure current owners who paid 20K+ over MSRP for the R230 would be none too happy either...

Eli (NJ) · #4 05-29-2003, 10:13 AM

Wow, these guys aren't even good "Photoshoppers" ?

With that much steering angle, and the speed portrayed, the new car would be off the road in very short order. Also, why would the number on the license plate be lower on a newer car?

I do think it's an attractive nose, but not for the SL.

Just a thought. Eli.

MapleOne · #5 05-29-2003, 10:24 AM

If you doubt the authenticity of this please post it and we will talk again at the end of 2004.
The front end will change to the new F1 look.

In the year 2005 the Facelift of the new SL's officially begins. Actually it should have appeared in 2003 with the SLR look, but there was no more time to revise the car, which was already slated for construction. Therefore the SL gets the SLR Look with the new Facelift in 2004 as a 2005 model. The SL's will also get new V-engines. There will be a new V6 and a V8 engine, plus the AMG variant. They are reduced in capacity to three and four litres and will receive a supercharger. Thus performance data's are set to rise in relation to the current models, with fuel consumption getting better.

elau · #6 05-29-2003, 01:02 PM

It seems that I have heard this rumor of the front end re-design before. But I believe it is only for the SLK version and not the SL. The R230 will be in production for 7 years with the same body style as opposed to the R129 with production run of twelve years.

I also do not think MB will risks the "copy cat" look on the SL for the soon to be released SLR. The SLR is rumored to have a price tag of $250K. If the SL is going to look like the SLR, I would imagine the SLR buyers will want their money back and buy the SL instead.

MapleOne · #7 05-29-2003, 01:13 PM

Guys,

The new SLK will have the F1 front end as well as the new SL.
Anybody that doubts that please look at any european spy site.

All the sports cars will be evolving into this look.
I have an inside source at MB Germany and I tell you it is true.
The pictures may change a little but the concept will be there.

I will keep you updated with more information

phelan · #8 05-30-2003, 10:09 PM

Ugly is a mild word for it. Would never buy one with that look.

MapleOne · #9 06-06-2003, 07:26 AM

To all you doubters who would not believe me, here is definite proof from Auto Spies.

2005 SL Facelift

It confirms what I have known for almost a year....
My source in Germany emailed me this information almost eight months ago.

jjrodger · #10 06-06-2003, 10:30 AM

I regard this site as authoritative, but there is nothing about a facelift:

http://mbspy.bacosys.be/index2.html

that said, I am not disinclined to believe that the SL will get the SLR nose cone. Style over substance, if you ask me, but that seems to be the way MB is going these days. It used to be substance equals style. That is why the Pagoda, the 107, the 129, the 124, the 126, the 140, the 201 still look good and feel good.

MapleOne · #11 06-06-2003, 10:45 AM

MBSpy is hardly ever updated anymore and I assure you that there are a lot of other sources far more reliable.

I have friends who work right at the factory in Germany and I sometimes get news far ahead of a lot of other people.

One of my best friends is a personal friend of Juergen Schremp and they still live in the same village they grew up in.

For all of you who do not know, Juergen is the President of DaimlerChrysler AG.

I have a picture at home of Juergen and my friend Hermann together enjoying a beer. I will dig it up and post it when I get a chance.

Gilly · #12 06-06-2003, 07:48 PM

It looks like the Vision SLR to me.

Gilly

mike690003 · #13 06-06-2003, 11:12 PM

I hardly believe mercedes would facelift the SL so quickly. Its barely been around a year. If thats the case MB's are not going to have as much value as it used to. I hade Daimler-Chrysler!!!!

Gilly · #14 06-07-2003, 01:38 PM

I still think it's the Vision SLR. Here's a link to someones SLR page:
http://sportcars.tripod.com/europe/merc_slr.html

Gilly

#15 06-07-2003, 01:49 PM

Maple One - These photos you post are crap. Someone just stuck the new SLK nose on the SL.

I think a 12 year old with a computer could do this.

Mike