Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (02-11) - Review

Review by David Ross on
The SL name has a great heritage in Mercedes-Benz history and this model holds true to its predecessors. It's expensive, exclusive and elegant while the metal folding roof means it's a convertible which can also be as refined and quiet as a coupe. But it's not just all about looks. The SL packs some serious performance thanks to a choice of great engines ranging from a 3.0-litre V6 up to the 5.5-litre V12 with more than 500bhp. It may not handle as well as similarly priced sports cars from Porsche for example, but few cars can match the style, refinement and pace it offers. It was facelifted in April 2008 with a more aggressive front end, improved steering and updated engines.

Company Car Costs

P11D Value

The price of the car excluding road tax and first registration fee. This is used to calculate company car tax.

CO2 g/km

The carbon dioxide emissions of the car, which decides the company car tax band into which the car falls.

BIK Band

The percentage band used to calculate company car tax, determined by CO2 emissions of the car.

20% Tax / 40% Tax

The annual amount of company car tax payable based on the drivers income tax level, either at the basic rate or the higher rate.

Standard Trim

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

SL 300 2d Tip Auto

£62,920

217

15%

£1,887

£3,775

£1,887

£3,775

SL 350 (2008) 2d Tip Auto

£67,515

226

15%

£2,025

£4,050

£2,025

£4,050

SL 350 (272bhp) 2d Tip Auto

£63,435

246

15%

£1,903

£3,806

£1,903

£3,806

SL 350 2d Seq Auto

£61,397

276

15%

£1,842

£3,684

£1,842

£3,684

SL 350 2d Tip Auto

£62,082

281

15%

£1,862

£3,724

£1,862

£3,724

SL 500 2d Auto

£69,442

304

15%

£2,083

£4,166

£2,083

£4,166

SL 500 2d Auto (7)

£73,922

292

15%

£2,217

£4,435

£2,217

£4,435

SL 500 (2008) 2d Tip Auto

£80,650

272

15%

£2,419

£4,839

£2,419

£4,839

SL 500 (388bhp) 2d Tip Auto (7)

£76,427

291

15%

£2,292

£4,585

£2,292

£4,585

SL 600 Bi-Turbo (2008) 2d Tip Auto

£108,300

326

15%

£3,249

£6,498

£3,249

£6,498

SL 600 Bi-Turbo 2d Tip Auto

£100,082

346

15%

£3,002

£6,004

£3,002

£6,004

SL 600 Bi-Turbo (517bhp) 2d Tip Auto

£101,770

340

15%

£3,053

£6,106

£3,053

£6,106

Sport Edition

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

SL 350 Sport Edition 2d Tip Auto

£66,272

246

15%

£1,988

£3,976

£1,988

£3,976

SL 500 Sport Edition 2d Tip Auto

£78,742

291

15%

£2,362

£4,724

£2,362

£4,724

Night Edition

2012 / 2013 2013 / 2014
Model P11D Value CO2 g/km BIK Band 20% Tax 40% Tax 20% Tax 40% Tax

SL 350 Night Edition 2d Tip Auto

£71,081

226

15%

£2,132

£4,264

£2,132

£4,264

SL 500 Night Edition 2d Tip Auto

£84,214

272

15%

£2,526

£5,052

£2,526

£5,052