OK. Well it looks like you all dont have a clue what you are talking about. The transmissions in SL's are set up to shift before redline. The only way you can over-ride the syatem is to have the dealer to set a fault code in the control unit. Then the transmission will go to redline.
I work at Mercedes Bnez in North Vancouver Canada. I currently own a few Mercedes as well. Along with my 944. I have a SL55, C43 With RPI bodykit and rims, and a Brabus 190E. All great cars.
O and if anyone is intrested in doing a auto to manual conversion on a merc let me know