[hfc]

i don't have a broad experience of cars, and i certainly don't have a mb, but i tried an sl the other day. the sl certainly appeals to me and i wouldn't hesitate at buying one if i could afford it.

however, on stepping into and out of the sl, i found it quite inconvenient. first of all, stepping into such a sports coupe, the seat feels really low and you really have to lower yourself to get in, and then you need to raise your feet quite high into the car. this feels difficult because your body is already low in the car, and your knees start to hit the steering wheel (if the position so happens to be right, and the autoretract thing is not on).

then, on getting out of the car, it's the same sort of struggle.

also, whilst in the car, the knees seem uncomfortably close to the steering wheel (or is my optimum driving position not good?).

does anyone else have the same problem?

 

[LovinSL600]

hfc - 1/29/2005 8:29 AM

i don't have a broad experience of cars, and i certainly don't have a mb, but i tried an sl the other day. the sl certainly appeals to me and i wouldn't hesitate at buying one if i could afford it.

however, on stepping into and out of the sl, i found it quite inconvenient. first of all, stepping into such a sports coupe, the seat feels really low and you really have to lower yourself to get in, and then you need to raise your feet quite high into the car. this feels difficult because your body is already low in the car, and your knees start to hit the steering wheel (if the position so happens to be right, and the autoretract thing is not on).

then, on getting out of the car, it's the same sort of struggle.

also, whilst in the car, the knees seem uncomfortably close to the steering wheel (or is my optimum driving position not good?).

does anyone else have the same problem?

I can understand how this could happen if your seat were not adjusted properly.

One of the great things about SL's is that they have great seat adjustments and then memory so once you get it right, you can set the memory so it is always there. There are actually 3 memory positions.

If you set your seat perfectly for driving and comfort and you still have this problem, the SL's have an entry/exit seat adjustment that can be turned on.

If you turn on this feature, when you open the door to exit or enter, the seat moves backwards and the steering wheel moves upwards. Once you close the door, the seat automatically goes back to the position you set it in. This certainly takes care of the problem.

I see this was your first post. WELCOME.

 

[hfc]

hi, thanks for the warm reception. the photo in your avatar is the exact colour i would like.

yes, i know about the seat adjustment and the entry/exit thing, but i still feel the seat is pretty low on the floor.

were all sl's like this?

i may seem a bit different to what i'm used to, but given the opportunity, i would buy one straight away. apart from a dream woman, there's nothing better i can imagine having.

 

[LovinSL600]

hfc - 1/29/2005 9:15 AM

hi, thanks for the warm reception. the photo in your avatar is the exact colour i would like.

yes, i know about the seat adjustment and the entry/exit thing, but i still feel the seat is pretty low on the floor.

were all sl's like this?

i may seem a bit different to what i'm used to, but given the opportunity, i would buy one straight away. apart from a dream woman, there's nothing better i can imagine having.

All the SL's are like that since the body change in 2003 in the USA and 2002 overseas. If you like my color and want to see more pictures you can go to the following links:

http://community.webshots.com/user/matthewschoenberg

http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/761152

You'll find as an SL owner, sometimes our women think the car comes before them. []

Got to have an understanding wife if you're gonna have a SL. []

 

[hfc]

wow, those are beautiful photos.
nice choice of designo finish, although i prefer i leather steering wheel and 5 spoke alloys.

i'm gonna have to start dreaming of the perfect wife AND a sl now!

 

[carlosfernandeznadal]

I agree with loving600 in all, specialy in the wife matter . []

 

[cxt32]

lol, i found it difficult too to get out at first... it's not the most dignified thing. But the 'easy-entry' function is excellent. I drove a Lotus for a while before and believe me, you literally have to crawl on the floor to get out of that!

 

[hfc]

cxt32 - 1/30/2005 9:23 AM

lol, i found it difficult too to get out at first... it's not the most dignified thing.

that's exactly what i feel. doesn't really go with the sophistication of such a beautiful car.

btw, how do the ladies do it? i mean get out, if for example, they're wearing a short dress?

 

[LovinSL600]

I wonder when age comes into play on this issue? []

 

[Scruffyone]

With the wife or the car?

 

[LovinSL600]

Scruffyone - 1/30/2005 1:32 PM

With the wife or the car?

I'd say that was the $64,000 question.

 

[SL600TOM]

LOVIN, IM 64 BUT IN PRETTY GOOD SHAPE. I THINK HAVING THIS CAR AND SOME STRENGH IN THE LEGS TRYING TO GET IN AND GET OUT IS A GOOD THING. IT IS LIKE THE DIFFERENCE OF TAKING THE STAIRS INSTEAD OF THE ESCALATOR. TOM

 

[tiggerfink]

The SL and SLK are very easy to get in and out of. I hate driving my mothers Corvette, because I have trouble getting out of it. Go test drive a Corvette and you will see that the SL is very easy to get out of.

My wife was very worried of getting her SL, because she hates getting in and out of sport cars. She loves her SL and how easy to get in and out of. Now she traded with me, because she is afraid to driving an expensive car.

 

[Scruffyone]

Ya got ten years on me Tom. Happy driving to ya. It took me a week to figure out how to get in and out of the SLK without looking like a klutz. Getting out with a cup of coffee in my hand was not very graceful until I worked it out. Pushing myself up with my left elbow
on the left bolster worked out best.
Tiggerfink is right about the Corvette. I used to refer to that process as putting it on, not getting in. It required a deep left knee bend. OUCH!

 

[hfc]

nice to see my topic has gotten so many replies!

i still think the sl is slightly 'strange' to get in and out of, but i still would love one.

on the other hand the clk feels quite comfortable in the drivers seat, but of course no way as classy as the sl.

 

[cxt32]

agreed, it is 'strange', but nevertheless, something you will either get used to, or will forget once you start driving it!

 

[Scruffyone]

I look forward to suffering with that in April.

 

[mark11]

OK, in fact it does seem a little difficult at first, but hre's my method. First open the door and allow the seat to go back all the way and the steering wheel to go up. Then put your left leg out the door but pull it back toward the side of the car. Then with your right hand, reach accross the steering wheel and grab it at about 9 or 10 o'clock. Now with one smooth motion, lean your body forward and to the left out the door and push on the steering wheel. Just when your head clears the door, push up with your left leg. Why you'll just pop right out of that seat so smooth you'll be amazed at yourself. Practice a few times and you'll be able to do this with a coffee in your left hand, and donut in your mouth and still look good doing it. Now go get that SL!!!!

 

[LovinSL600]

mark11 - 1/31/2005 8:46 AM

OK, in fact it does seem a little difficult at first, but hre's my method. First open the door and allow the seat to go back all the way and the steering wheel to go up. Then put your left leg out the door but pull it back toward the side of the car. Then with your right hand, reach accross the steering wheel and grab it at about 9 or 10 o'clock. Now with one smooth motion, lean your body forward and to the left out the door and push on the steering wheel. Just when your head clears the door, push up with your left leg. Why you'll just pop right out of that seat so smooth you'll be amazed at yourself. Practice a few times and you'll be able to do this with a coffee in your left hand, and donut in your mouth and still look good doing it. Now go get that SL!!!!

Quite excellent with a great sense of humor.

 

[cxt32]

mark11 - 1/29/2005 4:46 PM

OK, in fact it does seem a little difficult at first, but hre's my method. First open the door and allow the seat to go back all the way and the steering wheel to go up. Then put your left leg out the door but pull it back toward the side of the car. Then with your right hand, reach accross the steering wheel and grab it at about 9 or 10 o'clock. Now with one smooth motion, lean your body forward and to the left out the door and push on the steering wheel. Just when your head clears the door, push up with your left leg. Why you'll just pop right out of that seat so smooth you'll be amazed at yourself. Practice a few times and you'll be able to do this with a coffee in your left hand, and donut in your mouth and still look good doing it. Now go get that SL!!!!

haha! nice!