spilok

Mercedes makes subtle changes in their cars, and that helps them, I believe, retain their identity and value to a large degree. I have a 2003 SL500, and even when I look at pics of the proposed '09, I still see the 2003 style there...with changes, but subtle ones. When do you think the next RADICAL body style change will be on the SL series? What I mean is a body style that completely separates it's identity with the current model.
The previous model, pre-2003, had THAT body style for many years, didn't it? Was it 9 or 10 years, I'm not sure.
Look forward to your theories on this.

Stan

lovemysl

The R230 has only been around for 5 years, the R129 body style ran from 1990 to 2002, that's 12 years of the samy body, with small changes. I hope the R230 body will last at least another 4 -5 years. Maybe Daimler will retro the SL.

LovinMercedes

The R230 will be completely revamped somewhere around the time period for the 2012-2013 model years.

CY

Im over the SL for a while once I get rid of mine in 3 months...I moving on to bigger things: 6 series. I dont like the idea of a 2nd refresh on a $100k+ car which as so much heritage. I think they should have kept the current SL500/550 as is for another year and then brought out an all new SL.

LovinSL600: when do you think the 6 will change? The 08 refresh is minor like the 07 SL refresh was? Will BMW pull a MB?

teeth

When my 6-series disappeared in the recent San Diego fires, I though hard about a new one. I eventually decided against it. The SL is a move up from the 6 in my opinion, both in the looks and performance categories. The M6 is saddled by the horribly lurchy SMG tranny, and the iDrive, while a great idea, is infuriating in its slowness. I do miss the head up display and the back seat, but not much else.

LovinMercedes

No info on the M6. Will do some checking.

LovinMercedes

Funny how people look at things differently. I agree the I-Drive is less than great but I think the SMG on the M6 is fantastic and what makes it far superior to the SL in terms of speed, handling and fun to drive factor.

In one of my weaker moments I was thinking about a CL and I test drove the new Anniversary Edition CL65 and while the car was hot, I thought even though it had the big 600+ HP engine that in fact on the low end, the M6 felt stronger and faster. I might have bought that car because I thought it looked so great but I just can't imagine any MB worth $300,000.

Hey, what do I know?

Guido1986

I heard the 6 series are going to get makeover for 2009

CY

I agree on some points but the size thing is what bothers me most...Im 6'2 and a a gym freak....after almost 2 1/2 years in a R230 I need some more room. When I was 21 I had a R129 for almost 2 years...then went back to SUV's ...a few years later I needed my SL fix again.

CY

Thank you..I appreciate this.

CY

If this is the case then I would definetely not buy one...where did you hear this??????? That would mean a makeover after a referesh for 2008?

pmb600

What's wrong with keeping the R230 for a few more years. Frankly I'm happy to see it stick around with only some front end changes. I'm kind of sick of the car industry having to change everything every few years, I feel like there is still life left in many of the cars when they do completely update it. The R230 will get reworked from the A pillar forward--I read somewhere that every body panel from A forward is new for 2009 MY. I think the R230 is a beuatiful car and I'm sure they will update the electronics a bit, and the car will certainly be ready for several more years.

pmb600

The 6-series just had an update for MY 2008, so I don't see a completely new one for at least another year or two. Probably MY 2011.

CY

No problem really...but just imagine that you drop 100k for a brilliant R230 roadster and then have MB tweak the looks of the car quite a bit but leave almost everything else that involves driving experience the same as a 2003-2008. Youre almost identical on the inside SL will look horribly dated and loose a lot of value....personally when in a car for this much money I want to have the newest bodystyle. If I was a 2007/2008 owner I would be much more perturbed unless money wasn't an issue....but if that was the case I would be driving a Murci

CY

I agree...but any info would be appreciated. I am scanning all spyshot forums before my purchase and cant find a thing.

teeth

Car and Driver had a picture of what they called the '09 6- series. Very different looking. It was a couple months ago.

So far as SMG goes.... I had an M3 with SMG, which I loved. Very fast hard shifts, awesome. The M6 version, at least the one I tested, was not nearly as smooth. Very lurch-y.

mjr24

I saw somewhere they won't be redoing the 6 for several years...2011 or so.

However, the 6 is a very big step down from the SL. I am looking at selling my SL in the next few months, too. I looked at the 6 series with the 360-380 HP or so (650i) but the car is heavier than the SL.

There really isn't much out right now that I like. I like the new S....but there isn't really anything comparable to or better than the SL right now until you get into the Bentley/Lambo cars.

dunderhi

I took a serious look at the 650 when I was car shopping last year. The eliminating factors were that I couldn't find a proper driving position and the car felt underpowered. I will also echo an argument that I've read on some BMW boards: Why would anyone want a 650 when the 335 is soo good?

CY

The 6 is most likely my choice mostly because of the bigger size. It is BMW's flagship conv. and a bit more rare then the R230 numbers wise...the only thing that IMO could be considered a "downgrade" is the lack of a conv. hardtop but many cheaper cars have this now and most expensive conv's are still rag-top. I just turned 27 and am now single and really dont need a big 4 door S550...the CL isnt really worth the high Money Factor IMO and the CLS is a bit played out to me. P-cars are too small as my daily driver and the XK8 is a no go. All exotics are pretty much out of the question since this will be my beater/main car... so I am 99% sold on a 650 Cab. What else is there?

SL2003driver

My only concern would be the security of a rag top in LA. I would get a low mileage "CPOed" SL55 and extend the CPO to the full 3year 100K mile warranty limit. You would have the better looks, super fast car and the warranty coverage plus the hard top convertible. JMHO

Guido1986

If I had to buy another ar besides the SL I would buy the new Audi R8 or the new maserati GT or I really do like the new CL but it has to have the AMG kit on it though. I think the 650 is a nice choice, I always liked them ever since they came out.....I almost bought one before buying my G55

mjr24

If I got a 6....I think it would be a coupe. I don't like the ragtop.....

I also think the CLS is played out but alot of people think that about the 6, too. Who knows....maybe there will be a good lease deal on the new SL. I am not buying that car outright, though, knowing that it is changing 2 years later.

SL2003driver

The 6 series was designed as a coupe not a convertible. The way the convertible looks changes the design look of the vehicle and looks like the roof was just cut-off. I agree if your getting a 6 get the coupe with a sunroof.

dunderhi

Unfortunately, the coupe doesn't have a real sunroof. It only has a tilt up function.

I think the Aston Martin & Masaerati are interesting alternatives, but they will make your wallet lighter.

CY

The new R8 and Maserati are on top of everybodys list but the price is horrible due to mark ups. Also in regards to buying another soon to be "old body style" AMG R230, that is out of the question..I have had this car for too long and want a change, as well as a slightly bigger car....not to mention the main issue which is the 2009 front end rebody. The soft top safetly issue in LA does bother me....good point. Its just that the conv seems to look a bit more expensive to me for some reason, not to mention I live in Southern CA...which is always top down weather.

On the 6'er forum I noticed a lot of SL to 6 conv converts....