Used 2012 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Consumer Reviews
Used SL-Class for sale
2...
See Edmunds pricing data
Has Your Car's Value Changed?
Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.
We have a limited number of reviews for the 2012 SL-Class, so we've included reviews for other years of the SL-Class since its last redesign.
SL 600
Dan Newton, 04/15/2015
updated 10/16/2017
2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL600 2dr Convertible (5.5L 12cyl Turbo 5A)
11 of 11 people found this review helpful
I purchased my 2008 SL 600 new back in 2009; this was my first purchase of a performance luxury car. I just love everything about the car. The engine torque is amazing; when the twin turbochargers spool up the acceleration is scary fast. Cornering is flat and feels very secure. Interior noise is very low and luxurious. The overall build quality is second to none. I have owned the car for six years now and the only expense has been standard maintenance. The car did not have a single warranty repair during the warranty period or any repair required to date. I have owned the car for 8 years now and still no repairs, just standard maintenance. Slightly disappointing resale value, since only 110 units were sold in the US in 2008 you would think the car would hold resale value better.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Not worth the money...
Rob-Puyallup, 04/04/2010
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL63 AMG 2dr Convertible (6.2L 8cyl 7A)
58 of 65 people found this review helpful
I was a big fan of Mercedes prior to owning my 2009 SL-63. After having it in the shop for now the 4th time in 5 months, they still can't fix the transmission and excessive oil burn. The new transmission slips like you've lost gears until the car is completely warmed up. Try pulling out into traffic, stepping on the gas and the engine revs, but the car goes nowhere. Then out of no-where, 3-5 sec later the car catapults you into traffic. I was finally told that this is a race- car. You can't expect it to drive like a luxury car. How about that? In addition to having to add a quart of oil every 100 miles Mercedes has some work to do before I would ever recommend this car. Spend elsewhere!
Sports car morphs into luxury car
LovesToDrive, 08/19/2020
updated 08/22/2022
2008 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL550 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
9 of 9 people found this review helpful
I have been lucky enough to have owned many sports cars. From the context of a “sports cars” perspective, my 2008 SL550 is not really a sports car. It is much too heavy and too focused on creature comforts. BUT, at 69 years young, I no longer yearn only for testosterone boiling speed, but perhaps for a tad more subtlety. This car is gorgeous. It can go far faster and harder than you would think based on its weight because it is a technological marvel. That’s really good, and also a bit daunting. This car borders on over-complicated, but it plays the role of luxury-sport car very well. It has two distinct personalities. It can be a boulevard cruiser whisking you to the opera, and it can be a blast in the open-air mountain twistees. It’s target demographic is not a sports car for a 20- or 30-somethings. It is a car for a 50- or 60-somethings that simultaneously says you’ve arrived, and also you also still know how to play. Oh, it also signals that you have the financial backing to maintain it. When it runs, it runs well. When it breaks, it breaks expensively, at times very expensively. But in all, it is my favorite car, my favorite luxury car, and my favorite sports car all-in-one. When I close my eyes and imagine the perfect car, this car is where I am when I open my eyes to drive. PROS: beautiful classic design, excellent materials, exhilarating acceleration, wonderful exhaust song, transforms from real coupé to real convertible in 16 seconds, brilliant suspension that allows a very heavy car to respond like a lighter car. CONS: expensive to operate, breathtakingly expensive to fix (example: new MB battery is $650). Heavy. Seat level is quite low so getting in & out is “challenging,” electronic controls are aging poorly (COMAND system ugh). Final take: every car design is a compromise between many factors. I think the key is finding a car that fits “your needs and wants.” Even then there will be points that rub you the wrong way. The SL is not a perfect car, but it’s compromises place it in a subtle niche between performance and luxury that few other cars can attain. This is one car you must live with awhile to decide if the price of entry and maintenance is worth the exhilaration for. you. For me, it is. Happy Driving!
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Dream Car for Drivers
JPK, 04/14/2009
updated 08/21/2023
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL550 2dr Convertible (5.5L 8cyl 7A)
25 of 28 people found this review helpful
Factory delivery August '08. 2K miles over 3 weeks in Europe with spouse and plenty of luggage. Now have 8.5K miles. Beautiful (projects stronger image than predecessor),fast, handles flat, 27 MPG hwy, 18 city, rock solid, super brakes, zero defects, great seats, new COMMAND system w/ iPod connection, satellite radio excellent, totally stable at 110 MPH (autobahn, not California!) and in rain,seamless transmission with paddles, perfect descendant of original 300SL. Get one before they take your keys away. UPDATE: Wrote original Edmunds review of this SL in April 2009 having taken delivery at factory in August 2008. Now have 151K+ miles (!) and still drives and runs like a charm. Paint, leather all fine, and only routine maintenance required, although not cheap! And still think the car is sending me a message: "Is this the fastest you can drive?"
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
Excellent exhaust note
ML, 11/23/2018
2009 Mercedes-Benz SL-Class SL63 AMG 2dr Convertible (6.2L 8cyl 7A)
8 of 8 people found this review helpful
The SL63 AMG has the multi-clutch transmission. It does not shift as smoothly as an automatic with a torque converter, but once it's warmed up, shifts are quick. Make sure to get the extended warrantly. The roof, shocks are hydraulic and they can get expensive to repair. Oh, be light on the right foot or you'll be refueling around every 120 miles.
- Safety
- Technology
- Performance
- Interior
- Comfort
- Reliability
- Value
2...