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The pricing is a lot cheaper than Porsche. I had been in once already but that one was on their dime.
The kid who washed my car (despite me telling them not to wash it) pulled up with the seat in slouch position, butt shakers on 10. On the plus side he had the radio on KZOK which is a half decent FM station; would hate to think he was demoing the 4D with subpar tunes.
I wanted to fit this in with another appointment I had in the area and they agreed to do it first thing so I could wait and move on without losing too much time. They were quick, but not quick enough to keep me from test driving the SL43. I liked it much more than I expected. I drove a 63 when they came out and while impressed, I felt like I'd rather go 911 at that price. This one was just a little more than half of what they wanted for that one and while it lacked the shock and awe, it was surprisingly satisfying when imagined as a top down curiser. Might be a man wants to sample it if he's thinking SL for that kind of duty.
Last tidbit; the sales manager stopped by and we chatted a little bit. I was noticing the model makeup on the lot and he told me they're moving a lot at the very top and the low to mid-range stuff but not the mid to high which has fallen off a cliff. His words.
Thanks for the update especially impressions on the SL 43. I think I’ve come back to my senses Crab. No sports car anymore…over that phase (again). Perhaps next week I’ll feel differently LOL!!
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
As someone who has owned 8 SL’s and currently has a 2019 SL450, the current SL leaves me frigid! Instead of building on the positive features of the previous model, such as the retractable hardtop, retractable wind screen, elegant interior and amazing ride quality (when ABC equipped), they flushed all of that down the toilet, to give us yet another vehicle that cannot be used anywhere near its limits on public streets & highways. They put that touchscreen that is less than optimal in a sedan into a convertible, which makes about as much sense as the two, ridiculous rear seats and the removable wind screen that is clumsy and never there when you need it. To me, the best & last true SL rolled off the assembly line in 2020. What a shame!
The pricing is a lot cheaper than Porsche. I had been in once already but that one was on their dime.
The kid who washed my car (despite me telling them not to wash it) pulled up with the seat in slouch position, butt shakers on 10. On the plus side he had the radio on KZOK which is a half decent FM station; would hate to think he was demoing the 4D with subpar tunes.
I wanted to fit this in with another appointment I had in the area and they agreed to do it first thing so I could wait and move on without losing too much time. They were quick, but not quick enough to keep me from test driving the SL43. I liked it much more than I expected. I drove a 63 when they came out and while impressed, I felt like I'd rather go 911 at that price. This one was just a little more than half of what they wanted for that one and while it lacked the shock and awe, it was surprisingly satisfying when imagined as a top down curiser. Might be a man wants to sample it if he's thinking SL for that kind of duty.
Last tidbit; the sales manager stopped by and we chatted a little bit. I was noticing the model makeup on the lot and he told me they're moving a lot at the very top and the low to mid-range stuff but not the mid to high which has fallen off a cliff. His words.
I haven't driven the 43, but I have driven the 63 and think I'd stick with the V8, just because you can't beat that noise with the top down. We might spring for one after the S thanks to the depreciation on them, plus the wife loves the looks of them (we haven't found the SL to be beautiful since the 90's) and you know what they say about happy wives
I asked about when I might be able to get behind the wheel in an S63; he told me their allocation may be spoken for through the year. Knowing some physical buttons are coming back in the refresh tends to make me think waiting would be a good idea whether going vanilla or S63 anyway.
The problem i have with the SL63 is more its logical competition and pricing. You can get a well optioned 911 for that money and in my opinion it's a better car; both as a sports car and in a daily/commuter role.
While it was in a bit of it's own niche as a sport/luxury 2-seat vert, moving it over to the sporty side put it into that comparison and I question the wisdom of going head to head against what is arguably the most developed platform in the game. But, what do I know?
The SL43 changes that equation; a similarly priced 911 vert is breathtaking mostly in its lack of content. If you can survive without the V8 and just want to drop the top and cruise the SL43 becomes much more compelling competition at that price. Or maybe I should say that it's more appealing to me at that price point. I still consider the 911 the better car but with sporting intent off the table it can't overcome its woefull lack of features at similar pricing.
My fellow Porsche fanboys will disagree but I've never much liked the look of the vert. I think maybe that's the topper. The SL is downright attractive and pretty matters more when fun and practicality aren't high on the list of buying criteria.
I asked about when I might be able to get behind the wheel in an S63; he told me their allocation may be spoken for through the year. Knowing some physical buttons are coming back in the refresh tends to make me think waiting would be a good idea whether going vanilla or S63 anyway.
The problem i have with the SL63 is more its logical competition and pricing. You can get a well optioned 911 for that money and in my opinion it's a better car; both as a sports car and in a daily/commuter role.
While it was in a bit of it's own niche as a sport/luxury 2-seat vert, moving it over to the sporty side put it into that comparison and I question the wisdom of going head to head against what is arguably the most developed platform in the game. But, what do I know?
The SL43 changes that equation; a similarly priced 911 vert is breathtaking mostly in its lack of content. If you can survive without the V8 and just want to drop the top and cruise the SL43 becomes much more compelling competition at that price. Or maybe I should say that it's more appealing to me at that price point. I still consider the 911 the better car but with sporting intent off the table it can't overcome its woefull lack of features at similar pricing.
My fellow Porsche fanboys will disagree but I've never much liked the look of the vert. I think maybe that's the topper. The SL is downright attractive and pretty matters more when fun and practicality aren't high on the list of buying criteria.
Gotta agree that it's a looker.
You can discount the V8 down though whether it be a 55 or 63. No one is buying MSRP for an SL anymore (or at least I hope they aren't).
If it had the I6, and they held the line on pricing, I'd consider it. The 4 felt fine in the GLA45, not so much when you're north of 100k. It's better than expected but I would want more refinement and power. Although I guess that would make it an SL53? I havne't quite figured out the MB naming protocol, it would be strange to have a 53 and 55 but it seems 43 wouldn't be right with a 6?
If it had the I6, and they held the line on pricing, I'd consider it. The 4 felt fine in the GLA45, not so much when you're north of 100k. It's better than expected but I would want more refinement and power. Although I guess that would make it an SL53? I havne't quite figured out the MB naming protocol, it would be strange to have a 53 and 55 but it seems 43 wouldn't be right with a 6?
There is no protocol. 63 can mean V8 or the lowly 4 pot in the C63. Yet a 53 is identifiable with only a 6. Whatever the MB marketing machine deems most profitable.
Personally a SL 63 and 53 (I6) would have perfectly acceptable and made the most sense. Anyhow, anyone that wants a deal they can easily have one on the 43. Nobody seems to want them.
The kid who washed my car (despite me telling them not to wash it) pulled up with the seat in slouch position, butt shakers on 10. On the plus side he had the radio on KZOK which is a half decent FM station; would hate to think he was demoing the 4D with subpar tunes.
They should not have messed with your audio settings...thats actually really surprising...
Best one for me was a truck I had for towing a bass boat. There was a leak at the roof, you have to figure it's coming from one of the roof marker lights and I take it in. They tell me at the dealership they pull the headliner down and take it over to a collision center where they have a rain machine; quickest way to figure out which one is leaking. Ok with me, and off I go in my nifty Enterprise loaner. They told me to come back in the afternoon; that they had the parts and it was a slam dunk once they found the leak. That afternoon I rolled in and the service advisor tells me he's been calling over but he can't get them to pick up the phone. We decide to go over there and check it out. Didn't have to get all the way there before we saw the problem: The truck was stuck in a little mud bog in an open field next to the collision place.
Seems the kid that was supposed to move it around into the bay where they had the rain action decided he'd loop over and see what that big ol 4x4 could do on the way. Not a great idea with a heavy diesel truck shod with all-season tires and it was quickly stuck. But when you're young, and you think all evidence of your adventure will be washed away, why not? lol
There is no protocol. 63 can mean V8 or the lowly 4 pot in the C63. Yet a 53 is identifiable with only a 6. Whatever the MB marketing machine deems most profitable.
Personally a SL 63 and 53 (I6) would have perfectly acceptable and made the most sense. Anyhow, anyone that wants a deal they can easily have one on the 43. Nobody seems to want them.
The 53 models are interestingly the only cars without a hand build AMG engine.
In regards to sales, there is no news here; SL's have been selling only with discounts and that for a long time. The new model didn't turn that around. The difference is that Mercedes has a higher margin on these than the R231.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Wolfman
…………In regards to sales, there is no news here; SL's have been selling only with discounts and that for a long time. The new model didn't turn that around. The difference is that Mercedes has a higher margin on these than the R231.
Yes. Less content + a huge price increase = a higher margin. Too bad the new SL wasn’t a knockout, a “grand slam home run,” a car that folks young & old would lust after. A car that did NOT compare favorably to the 911, because it was competing in a completely different ballpark. It should have been a non-AMG, lavish, luxurious, convertible like no other. No spartan, “performance oriented” interior, but one so sumptuous that grown men—and women—might drool over. No pavement scorching performance, but a ride quality that put Bentley to shame. If folks want crazy performance, they should get an AMG GT or a 911–or a Mustang.
I feel I might have had one more new SL in me, but I wouldn’t have the current car if it was half the price. It’s a 911 wannabe and it falls short, having cut too many corners. All of this, of course, is only my opinion.
A lot of the reviewers agree on the 911 comparison: For the sporting dollar, at a like price; it's the better car. Even at the 30, 40k off people are claiming they're getting on the 63 over in that sub-forum you're still looking at a very well optioned 911; the V8 and a purty exterior have to carry a lot of weight to pull SL money out of my wallet and it they're not there.
It is purty though, I agree btw, I also think they should have stayed in the niche they were in, but I suppose the corporate boy wonders had their reasons.
The 53 models are interestingly the only cars without a hand build AMG engine.
In regards to sales, there is no news here; SL's have been selling only with discounts and that for a long time. The new model didn't turn that around. The difference is that Mercedes has a higher margin on these than the R231.
Curiously, how many of these "hand built" engines will be produced in 2023 vs how many mechanics. Total numbers. Wondering how many engines per day each mechanic can crank out (pun intended). Also, what does hand built mean? Or is it hand assembled? Is it the same method used ten or fifteen years ago?
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by places
Curiously, how many of these "hand built" engines will be produced in 2023 vs how many mechanics. Total numbers. Wondering how many engines per day each mechanic can crank out (pun intended). Also, what does hand built mean? Or is it hand assembled? Is it the same method used ten or fifteen years ago?
The vast majority of AMG 63 engines, are installed in vehicles that are driven by commuters, by folks going to the grocery store, etc. They are massive overkill and absolutely unneeded by most of the people who drive them. I’ll hand it to MB for making AMG a status symbol and a vanity necessity. When I see these tootsies here in Newport Beach driving their G63’s to pick up their spoiled brats from school I just laugh and laugh. What a ludicrous waste of machinery.
Excess can be fun, consider all those cars you've purchased over the years; many people would consider that egregiously wasteful but I'd be willing to bet you enjoyed yourself immensely.
Still, I cant agree more about the placement of the SL, it was in a much better space where it was before. Going dollar for dollar up against the 911 was downright foolhardy: People buying performance have that as a better option and the people who were buying it for what it has been for the last many years had the rug pulled out from under them.
But, the corporate boy wonders couldn't be wrong. Could they...
The vast majority of AMG 63 engines, are installed in vehicles that are driven by commuters, by folks going to the grocery store, etc. They are massive overkill and absolutely unneeded by most of the people who drive them.
Same could be said for any luxury car including our S-Classes. We'd all be fine with Camry's or *insert commuter car here* but we all want something a little more special now don't we?
Excess can be fun, consider all those cars you've purchased over the years; many people would consider that egregiously wasteful but I'd be willing to bet you enjoyed yourself immensely.
Still, I cant agree more about the placement of the SL, it was in a much better space where it was before. Going dollar for dollar up against the 911 was downright foolhardy: People buying performance have that as a better option and the people who were buying it for what it has been for the last many years had the rug pulled out from under them.
But, the corporate boy wonders couldn't be wrong. Could they...
Depends at how you look at it. @Wolfman would have more data but I believe he stated that AMG's represented very little of R231 sales. Now they are selling AMG's only and getting a different crowd that they may want to pull buyers from. The old SL crowd is dying off and moving to SUV's. There's a fair number of Porsche converts in the SL forum. Not everyone who drives a 911 cares about handling or sportiness as a top factor in their car, so yes the Porsche may be more dynamic, and most members in the SL forum who have or had 911's confirm this, but their priorities lie more in other areas like comfort, sound, looks, etc, while still having the engaging drive that the new SL provides better than before.
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