German Car Zone

Correct me if I am wrong, but in this type of market in which the SL competes in, wouldn't your average buyer not really care if he has a powerful V6 under the hood but by what he tells his or her friends?

"My SL is a V8" sounds so much better to these people than "My SL is a V6".

I am sure that there are a lot of people who would welcome the current SL350, but I am also under the impression that the majority of buyers here are status oriented and a V6 in a brand new SL is pretty "embarrassing" when you other golfing partner has a V8 Lexus SC430.


Edit: 17 votes for the SL and none for the others? Wow! I was at least expecting the Jaguar to pick up a couple of votes...

Oh for sure, a V6 has a stigma in this market segment. It had better be a flat-6, thats the only "6-cylinder" engine accepted in this market segment in the U.S. Still though I think with the current market climate a V6 SL would find some buyers and I know a CLS350 would. The previous 6-cylinder SL was the R129 and it was taken off the U.S. market back in 1996. It is rare to see one now, but they sold ok way back when I think. Imagewise compared to a Lexus SC430 I doubt even a SL350 buyers has much to worry about considering what an antiquated machine the SC430 is.


M

SL has a V6 with 315 hp, and XK has a V8 with 295 hp.....hmmmm

SL for me please. Best engineered by far. Best looking too.
*** is that POS Lexus doing here....

I'd take the SL, too, with XK coming in at a close second. Design wise, the rear lights of that Lexus are its best feature

I would definitely go with the Jag XK! I know, that the Merc is the better car, but my emotions say: Jaguar!!!

Oh, I thought that was the front.

Unbelievable that people in US are still sticking with V8. Used Prius cars are being sold there at higher price than new Prius car because you get it right away and some shops won't even take gaz guzzling SUV's in exchange.

So how difficult it is to change to a very powerful Benz V6 from a V8?

We're speculating here.

In this class image is still more important and some people here don't care about being green. They can afford the gas, it's nothing to them and a car like the SL is a very high-class prestige vehicle. Here a V8 sounds better than a V6 when you're talking to your local golf club compatriots.

So we're assuming.

Debadge it, install a modified exhaust and nobody will notice the difference.

Same feelings I cant decide