Vehicle Class:
Luxury Grand Tourer / Roadster
Target Audience:
Affluent individuals seeking high-performance, luxury, and advanced technology
Competitors:
Porsche 911, BMW 6 Series, Jaguar XK, Aston Martin DB9
Key Selling Points:
Retractable hardtop, V8/V12 engine options, advanced safety and comfort features, Mercedes-Benz brand prestige
Infotainment System:
COMAND APS with integrated navigation, audio, and communication
Convertible System:
Vario-roof (retractable hardtop) operation
Performance Enhancements:
Active Body Control (ABC) suspension
Convenience Features:
Keyless-Go, Power-assisted trunk closer
Navigational Systems:
COMAND APS (Cockpit Management and Navigation)
Infotainment Features:
Audio, Navigation, Climate Control Interface, Bluetooth Telephony
Estimated Pages:
Approximately 150-250 (typical for COMAND APS manuals of this era)
Type:
Operator's Manual / Owner's Manual
Primary System:
COMAND APS Navigation and Entertainment System
Audio System:
Radio, CD Player, Changer Operation
Navigation System:
Map display, Destination entry, Route planning, Voice commands
Climate Control:
Integration with COMAND for climate adjustments
Telephony System:
Bluetooth phone pairing, call management
Display Controls:
Screen operation, button layout, rotary controller usage
Basic Operation:
System startup, shutdown, mode selection
Customization:
Personalizing settings for audio, navigation, and comfort
Troubleshooting Basic:
Common error messages, system resets
Navigation Usage:
Entering addresses, finding points of interest, managing routes
Audio Management:
Tuning radio, playing CDs, adjusting sound settings
Bluetooth Management:
Pairing devices, making and receiving calls
Depth Level:
User-focused operation and feature utilization
Diagnostic Capability:
Limited; does not cover deep electronic diagnostics or module repair
File Type:
PDF (Portable Document Format)
Searchability:
Typically searchable text, allowing for keyword searching
Printability:
Printable, allowing users to create physical copies
Quality:
Digital facsimile of original factory document, quality dependent on original scan
Binding:
N/A (Digital Format)
Paper:
N/A (Digital Format)
Engine Code:
M113 E50 (for SL500)
Displacement:
4966 cc (5.0 Liters)
Horsepower:
302 hp @ 5600 rpm (for SL500)
Torque:
339 lb-ft @ 3250 rpm (for SL500)
Fuel Delivery:
Electronic Fuel Injection (EFI)
Fuel Type:
Premium Unleaded Gasoline
Sl55 Amg:
5.4L Supercharged V8 (M113 ML55)
Sl600:
5.5L Twin-Turbo V12 (M275)
Transmission Type:
5-speed Automatic (722.6)
Traction Control:
ASR (Acceleration Slip Regulation)
Transmission Amg:
5-speed AMG Speedshift Automatic (for SL55 AMG)
Transmission V12:
5-speed Automatic (722.6) (for SL600)
Shift Modes:
Comfort (C) and Sport (S) modes
NHTSA Front Impact:
Not explicitly rated for convertible models, but generally high
IIHS Side Impact:
Not explicitly rated for convertible models
Electronic Stability Control:
ESP (Electronic Stability Program)
Brake Assist:
BAS (Brake Assist System)
Suspension:
Active Body Control (ABC) with automatic leveling
Airbags:
Front, side, and head airbags; rollover protection system
Rollover Protection:
Automatically deploying roll bars behind headrests
System Name:
COMAND APS (Cockpit Management and Navigation)
Display Type:
Color LCD Display (typically 6.5 or 7 inch)
Navigation Media:
DVD-ROM based navigation maps
Audio Source:
AM/FM Radio, CD Player (single disc), optional CD Changer
Cruise Control:
Standard Cruise Control with Speed Limiter
Parking Assistance:
Optional front and rear Parktronic sensors
Bluetooth:
Integrated Bluetooth Hands-Free Communication System
Auxiliary Input:
Optional auxiliary audio input
Oil Change Interval:
Every 10,000 miles or 1 year, whichever comes first (synthetic oil recommended)
Major Service A:
Typically around 20,000 miles, includes inspection of various systems
Major Service B:
Typically around 40,000 miles, includes fluid changes (e.g., transmission, brake), filter replacements
Engine Oil:
MB 229.5 Certified Full Synthetic SAE 0W-40 or 5W-40
Transmission Fluid:
MB 236.14 (ATF) for 5-speed automatic transmission
Brake Fluid:
DOT 4 Plus (MB 331.0)
Coolant:
MB 325.0 (Glysantin G05 compatible) - Antifreeze/Coolant
Abc Suspension Leaks:
Common issue with hydraulic fluid leaks from struts, hoses, or pump
Vario Roof Actuators:
Malfunctions in hydraulic cylinders or pumps for the retractable hardtop
Icc Module Failure:
Intermittent issues with the Intelligent Controller Module, affecting various electronic systems
Mass Airflow Sensor:
Can become dirty or fail, leading to rough idling or performance issues
Biodegradable Wiring Harness:
Insulation on some older Mercedes-Benz wiring harnesses can degrade, causing electrical issues
Founding Year:
1886 (Benz Patent-Motorwagen)
Reputation:
Pioneer in automotive engineering, known for luxury, safety, and innovation
Sl Legacy:
Long lineage of iconic sports cars dating back to the 300 SL 'Gullwing' (W198)
R230 Generation:
Introduced for the 2003 model year, featuring a retractable hardtop and advanced technology
Manufacturing Location:
Bremen, Germany
Production Years R230:
2001-2011
Car And Driver:
Often featured on Car and Driver's 10Best lists in previous generations, consistent critical acclaim for the SL-Class line
Top Gear:
Frequent positive reviews from automotive journalists for performance and luxury
Jdpower Initial Quality:
Mercedes-Benz typically ranks well in J.D. Power IQS for premium vehicles
Safety Certifications:
Compliant with all relevant US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS)
