Expected date new SL?
08-31-2016, 06:59 PM
#1
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Expected date new SL?
Extended maintenance warranty running out on 2013 SL. Planning on purchasing additional 3 years.
1- Anyone have projections when completely new SL available in USA?
2- Any thoughts if hard top or soft top expected?
1- Anyone have projections when completely new SL available in USA?
2- Any thoughts if hard top or soft top expected?
08-31-2016, 09:29 PM
#2
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
2. Softtop confirmed
The SL will continue as a specialty model between the S-Class cab and the AMG GT C roadster.
09-01-2016, 10:42 AM
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I used to think that I would keep a new SL forever! With that frame of mind, I just loved the retractable hardtop on my 2004, as the top would "never" wear out. Then, after having the car for 12 years, the realty set in: you can't keep these cars forever anymore, unless you are into doing major surgery, in the way of replacing hydraulic systems that were pretty much designed to never be replaced. The job is expensive and VERY messy, IF you can find someone to do it. Chances of a mint condition car remaining that way after a job like this are slim. The same goes for the ABC system. Then we have aging electronics, etc.
Anyway, my point is, that I don't care anymore. These new $120K+ cars are best leased for 3 or so years, always under warranty and then you turn it in and get a new one. So, a cloth top is just fine, as by the time it even comes close to wearing or fading, the car will be in someone else's garage.
Anyway, my point is, that I don't care anymore. These new $120K+ cars are best leased for 3 or so years, always under warranty and then you turn it in and get a new one. So, a cloth top is just fine, as by the time it even comes close to wearing or fading, the car will be in someone else's garage.
09-02-2016, 11:16 AM
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09-02-2016, 01:24 PM
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I used to think that I would keep a new SL forever! With that frame of mind, I just loved the retractable hardtop on my 2004, as the top would "never" wear out. Then, after having the car for 12 years, the realty set in: you can't keep these cars forever anymore, unless you are into doing major surgery, in the way of replacing hydraulic systems that were pretty much designed to never be replaced. The job is expensive and VERY messy, IF you can find someone to do it. Chances of a mint condition car remaining that way after a job like this are slim. The same goes for the ABC system. Then we have aging electronics, etc.
Anyway, my point is, that I don't care anymore. These new $120K+ cars are best leased for 3 or so years, always under warranty and then you turn it in and get a new one. So, a cloth top is just fine, as by the time it even comes close to wearing or fading, the car will be in someone else's garage.
Anyway, my point is, that I don't care anymore. These new $120K+ cars are best leased for 3 or so years, always under warranty and then you turn it in and get a new one. So, a cloth top is just fine, as by the time it even comes close to wearing or fading, the car will be in someone else's garage.
The issue is that everything is processor controlled and future spare part availability is greatly impacted by the short processor manufacturing life-cycles. Chips needed for these modules are already ancient by the time the car is introduced and can't be re-ordered after a while anymore as the manufacturing tech has moved on.
This is a much bigger issue than hydraulics or anything mechanical. ABC is also not a big deal anymore with the amount of rebuild parts.
(Personal rant following) The amount of whining on forums here about repair costs of ABC distorts the size of the problem.
People are tempted by highly depreciated MB's that were $100k-$200k+ that can be snapped up for pennies on the Dollar and then forget that maintenance costs on these cars can be significant, especially without warranty. If there is a $5k plus repair, it's a significant hit on the budget.
Of course it didn't help that MB in the early years lacked an ABC maintenance schedule or drive the car after seeing the ABC error message (big no no). (End of rant)
09-02-2016, 01:25 PM
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This is a weight, not a cost decision. You do realize that the RR Dawn has a soft top too?
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09-02-2016, 01:43 PM
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We now have the face lifted 2017 SL and I am very happy with the car.
It's interesting how few choices there are if one looks for a two seat convertible in this size.
Besides the Jaguar F-type, there is the Porsche 911 and then the Ferrari, etc. But that's it.
In the future, there is the DB11 and AMG GT roadster.
The S-Class cab. or similar (Bentley, etc.) are just too big & "boaty" for my wife...
09-03-2016, 07:15 AM
#10
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We live in a subtropical area, i.e., hot damn hot. The hard top rarely is down. But, my wife and I enjoy the luxury interior and the quiet of the hard top in the current model. And, we like the sporty appearance of the car. A soft top is a deal breaker, she wont even consider looking at the new cab and for sure, has nixed considering a new SL soft top. The argument that it's a weight saving issue is bull compared to aluminum or carbon. These things don't sell so well as it is. Mercedes may shoot themselves in the foot with this soft top folly. If, MB corporate follows this forum. Tread lightly, son. There's money to be lost with a soft top. Just saying.
09-03-2016, 08:13 AM
#11
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We live in a subtropical area, i.e., hot damn hot. The hard top rarely is down. But, my wife and I enjoy the luxury interior and the quiet of the hard top in the current model. And, we like the sporty appearance of the car. A soft top is a deal breaker, she wont even consider looking at the new cab and for sure, has nixed considering a new SL soft top. The argument that it's a weight saving issue is bull compared to aluminum or carbon. These things don't sell so well as it is. Mercedes may shoot themselves in the foot with this soft top folly. If, MB corporate follows this forum. Tread lightly, son. There's money to be lost with a soft top. Just saying.
09-03-2016, 10:29 AM
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We live in a subtropical area, i.e., hot damn hot. The hard top rarely is down. But, my wife and I enjoy the luxury interior and the quiet of the hard top in the current model. And, we like the sporty appearance of the car. A soft top is a deal breaker, she wont even consider looking at the new cab and for sure, has nixed considering a new SL soft top. The argument that it's a weight saving issue is bull compared to aluminum or carbon. These things don't sell so well as it is. Mercedes may shoot themselves in the foot with this soft top folly. If, MB corporate follows this forum. Tread lightly, son. There's money to be lost with a soft top. Just saying.
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09-03-2016, 04:42 PM
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Even though I said I didn't care about a soft vs. hard top--and I don't, I completely agree with you. The SL has been a unique car in its class with the retractable hard top. As for the weight issue, the SL, pretty much since 1972, has been a very heavy grand tourer and folks have LOVED IT that way. If MB changes the car dramatically--which a cloth top would do, it will turn off a lot of long time, repeat customers and open the flood gates for them to shop the competition. Right now, MB has this niche market pretty much sewed up. WHY fix something that isn't broken?
09-03-2016, 07:44 PM
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Even though I said I didn't care about a soft vs. hard top--and I don't, I completely agree with you. The SL has been a unique car in its class with the retractable hard top. As for the weight issue, the SL, pretty much since 1972, has been a very heavy grand tourer and folks have LOVED IT that way. If MB changes the car dramatically--which a cloth top would do, it will turn off a lot of long time, repeat customers and open the flood gates for them to shop the competition. Right now, MB has this niche market pretty much sewed up. WHY fix something that isn't broken?
09-03-2016, 08:17 PM
#15
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Yeah, had one. Been there, ain't doing it again. Hence, my post and opinion. This thing of monkey see, monkey do
trying to follow cars ( RR & Bentley)that cost 2-3 times the cost of MBs is foolish on their part. A 70 y/o can't dress like a 30y/o. Wake up and take a reality pill.
trying to follow cars ( RR & Bentley)that cost 2-3 times the cost of MBs is foolish on their part. A 70 y/o can't dress like a 30y/o. Wake up and take a reality pill.
09-03-2016, 08:20 PM
#16
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If I was enamored with soft tops, I would have opted for a Rolls or Bentley. Rather, I chose the sporty car with a hard top.
09-03-2016, 10:04 PM
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09-04-2016, 05:49 AM
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If you select a convertible solely by a having a hardtop, you have a choice of one (at this level) and eventually none.
I want the hard top too but I pick the car I like first. If it has a hard top the better it is, if not it's not a showstopper for me
09-04-2016, 09:22 AM
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This seems perfectly logical to me, just sayin.
09-04-2016, 04:31 PM
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What I was trying to say is that for one reason or another, hardtop convertibles are a dying breed and the SL is the only luxury convertible cruiser (not counting the SLC) that has a hard top left. Not counting some exotics though...
I am not defending Mercedes corporate choices as I disagree with them just the same. Just pointing out what's on the roadmap
09-05-2016, 11:11 AM
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For me, a convertible is a third car for my wife and I. It will rarely be driven with the top up. The top will mostly be used to keep the interior clean while the car sits in the garage, or out of the sun when we park it somewhere. So, even though I prefer a retractable hard top, it's not a big deal anymore. The worst things about a soft top are keeping it clean (especially if it is a light color) and the possibility that someone might cut it to break in. Over a three year lease, neither is much of a concern to me.
09-06-2016, 08:46 PM
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OK, OK, let's start ALL over again. Let me pose this to this learned opinionated forum. If/when the new SL comes with a soft top then, what two seater boulevardiere coupe with luxe interior could possibly be an alternative? Hmmmm?
09-07-2016, 08:27 AM
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09-08-2016, 02:29 AM
#25
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Had several '13-'14 SL65s: urban commuter cars and wkend mtn twisties cars: phenomenal: never put top down (in CA): better acoustics vs engine/exhaust music w/top&windows closed
Now have couple '16 S65 Coupes: same uses; so much more enjoyable in mtn twisties than SL65....but gearbox worse in urban driving (jerky in decels, hesitant throttle response) and CCBs are creaky/groaning in urban use (vs CCB of SL65, both properly bedded)...and can't ever go back to steel brakes after addicted to pedal feel of competent CCB esp vs spirited driving
Am replacing w/'17 S65 Coupe largely for wkend twisties and '17 911TurboS Coupe for urban driving....ironically, latest PDK is smoother than 65 box in urban driving; but prefer 65 in twisties and on fast fwys (and in rain AMG CCBs seem far more than competent than PCCB)...and engine/exhaust music of 65 at any speed is a delight
Suspect given anemic sales of SL, tech/safety/debugging of SL will chronically lag, much like in case of Bent/RR...or Ferr for that matter....need some scale in case of cars to have proper safety engineering&debugging (esp vs cars driven more heavily where bugs/warranty claims/crashes more quickly arise)
Prefer S Coupe where suspect MB can spread safety&chassis engineering/debugging, etc costs over far bigger S platform
These cars are all, at most, 2yr leases: don't want to be in any car w/aging airbag systems (consider Takata implics): effectively onboard ticking time bombs when airbags are inept/decaying
Now have couple '16 S65 Coupes: same uses; so much more enjoyable in mtn twisties than SL65....but gearbox worse in urban driving (jerky in decels, hesitant throttle response) and CCBs are creaky/groaning in urban use (vs CCB of SL65, both properly bedded)...and can't ever go back to steel brakes after addicted to pedal feel of competent CCB esp vs spirited driving
Am replacing w/'17 S65 Coupe largely for wkend twisties and '17 911TurboS Coupe for urban driving....ironically, latest PDK is smoother than 65 box in urban driving; but prefer 65 in twisties and on fast fwys (and in rain AMG CCBs seem far more than competent than PCCB)...and engine/exhaust music of 65 at any speed is a delight
Suspect given anemic sales of SL, tech/safety/debugging of SL will chronically lag, much like in case of Bent/RR...or Ferr for that matter....need some scale in case of cars to have proper safety engineering&debugging (esp vs cars driven more heavily where bugs/warranty claims/crashes more quickly arise)
Prefer S Coupe where suspect MB can spread safety&chassis engineering/debugging, etc costs over far bigger S platform
These cars are all, at most, 2yr leases: don't want to be in any car w/aging airbag systems (consider Takata implics): effectively onboard ticking time bombs when airbags are inept/decaying
