LovinMercedes

OK, we now know the Bentley Continental GT is going to have XM radio in 2006. That takes care of that issue.

The final hurdle is "will I miss the retractable hard top?"

I love having it but I really don't use it as much as one would think.

What do you guys think? Do you use your retractable hard top a lot?

Thanks for all your help and support.

Chris 45971

If you don't use it much, I would say no. Personally, I think when the top is down the good looks of the SL are substantially decreased.

Heck, if you miss the hard top, you can always pick up an SLK or stretch for another SL.

I really think you will be happy with the Bentley. It will certainly be ultra exclusive. Whatever, you decide will be the right choice. Definately a nice dilemma to have.

blueSL

I think the SL looks best with the roof down. The rear 3/4 view with the roof up is the car's worst angle.

Do you really like the Bentley. To my eyes, it's one ugly runt and the upcoming sedan is a better balanced design.

I don't think you've spent enough time with the SL600 to really appreciate it. I'd advise waiting for spring and then a weekend trip up to Marin Country and Calistoga or down to Carmel and the PCH. It could re-calibrate your view of the car.

lorinserbenz

I hope you reconsider, trading your Sl. I really like your color combo..
Id give MB one last chance before jumping ship!

carlosfernandez

I really use and enjoy my roof down, but most of the time during he weekend if when I fold down, and for sure the SL LOOKS BETTER that the Bentley, but for free of choice are the different of teastes.

IanSL55

SoCal and the top comes down daily - if just to better hear the exhaust note of my SL55. The hardtop convertable is a huge piece of the appeal to me... but we have the weather here for it.

Had the chance to tail a Bentley on Wednesday in my Cayenne. Lovely car but I'd personally be afraid to take it out casually. Seems much more of a special occassion car.

~ Ian

StephenK

I use the retractable hardtop quite frequently. The weather here in North Florida gives many great days to use it. With the hardtop we have all the advantages of a non convertible but with the push of a button and a few seconds, great open air driving to enjoy.

You will miss it!

RJC

Read the latest Automobile magazine article featuring a picture of broken three pointed star and you won't feel so bad about selling your SL600. MB ranked #1 in image by the German public out of 34 brands, but 33rd out of 34 in actual quality, also rated by the German people!

blueSL

...which kind of mirrors Lovin's experience - all the anticipation of owning a great car, followed by a big reality let-down.

RJC

I know Blue, it's so sad. I remember the MB of the 60's 70' and 80's...just enough luxury,techno stuff and understated elegance to be just right and built like a bank vault. The best part was there was not one on every corner.

tiggerfink

The let down period is over for me. Car is doing great now. When I wake up tomorrow, I will wash it and try out the new wax on my baby. I will let you know if I like the Optimum spray on wax. The BMW clubs swear by it.

IanSL55

I'd argue that their is a loose inverse correlation between the two. With a higher image ranking also comes greater expectation... which in turn leads to lower overall satisfaction.

In late 2002 I bought a 2003 Nissan 350Z. Turned out that the majority of models that year had both a front end alignment issue as well as window rollers that left grease stains on both the driver and passenger side. I kind of took both issues in stride because after all... it was only a $35K car. With my SL55, I'm at the dealership getting all bent out of shape about the quality of the driver side floor mats... because after all, I paid $120K for the car and my expectations are 4x higher.

~ Ian

tiggerfink

Get the rubber floor mats. They hold up better.

carlosfernandez

Did you like the rubber floor mat?

tiggerfink

The MB rubber floor mats are awesome. They have a lip that holds about all the small pebbles, dirt, and grass on the maps. They are very easy to clean. I even have the plastic tray in the trunk.

carlosfernandez

I think it looks ugly but I am willing to change my mind on this.

RJC

I think that's a cop-out. There are very high expectations for a myriad of high end products and services, some maintain the quality year in and year out and some companies have kept the quality at the top for decade after decade or for 100 years+ while others let it slip away ie; MB. Back in the 90's Heir Schrempp demanded cheaper parts from all of MB suppliers including those that provide electronics, the suppliers warned that quality would be greatly effected and guess what???He got what he paid for.

MB themselves have even admitted there has been a quality shortfall and they are trying very hard to properly address it. As I've written before, the allure of the three pointed star can only carry the company so far.

blueSL

Trying hard to think of a company as big as MB which has an unsullied reputation for quality. Focusssing on names you'll be familiar with... Exxon? Wal-Mart? IBM? Coca Cola? McDonalds? (LOL) Microsoft? (LOL LOL LOL) I don't think so. All have skeletons in their cupboard, whether its buggy software, dumping oil over Alaska, sex discrimination, spearheading the US obesity epidemic, they all have something they should not be proud of.

The US company that is held up here as being as you describe is Johnson and Johnson, especially the way they handled the Tylenol doctoring problem of the late 70's; they didn't go into denial, they faced up to their responsibilities. Can't imagine many PR Machines doing the same now.

MB's Achilles' heel right now is quality but the same is happening at Porsche, driven in part by what the customers are prepared to pay. I've no doubt that MB want the best quality they can get - the parts cost cutting strategy which has failed them (whoever thought it would work?) is their effort to continue to make the cars in Germany which has the highest unit labor costs in the world.

That said, the car which is normally held up as being the worst of the bunch is the M Class and that is made in Alabama.

blueSL

I do think describing something as mundane as rubber floor mats as awesome is over-cooking it. I wonder how excited you get when something really interesting comes along, perhaps you foam at the mouth and have to be physically restrained...

lorinserbenz

Whats your problem? Drink a cup of nasty this morning?
I d describe the mats the same way, they do a great job so they are awesome..

carlosfernandez

Hey bodies:

Don't fight for a floor mats, I was just curious about it but like the original ones.

LovinMercedes

Talking about floor mats, I usually get an extra set during the rainly season so I can replace them afterwards.

I got an extra set for new X11 all black exclusive leather interior. I almost dropped when they told me they were $850. I said this had to be a mistake but it was not. The reason they state is because the mats are trimmed in the exclusive nappa leather.

Hey, I should have listed that as an option for $850.

I was shocked but still got them.

Anyone interested in these mats...or the car please see:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...533540423&rd=1

carlosfernandez

You will list you mats with your car or apart?

LovinMercedes

You don't understand. I have a mini parts department in my garage for this car. Remember, I have had the new SL 230 body since 2003 so I have tons of parts.

For $850, I won't give them away with the car unless...

For the car and possibly the extra floor mats see:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...533540423&rd=1

carlosfernandez

Thanks for the info.