SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: New Gen SL spotted - Orange/brown color looks eh?

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Old 10-31-2011, 01:27 PM
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2004 SL500
Post New Gen SL spotted - Orange/brown color looks eh?

More pics and info here - New SL spotted testing i dont know guys, this is not looking very promising.

Old 10-31-2011, 06:21 PM
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2005 SL55 AMG
Not liking it so far. Looks too flat in front.
Old 10-31-2011, 11:03 PM
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SL500R, 500SL, C230, 560SL, 450SL, 450SLC, 300CD.
The whole new MB generation, from E class to CLS looks disappointing, lacking homogeneity, proportion and and design integrity. And with too many lines contradicting each other the end result is a mess. BMW's new crop, on the other hand is finally looking good. Therefor I am holding on to my gorgeous first generation R230 thank you.
Cheers.

Last edited by Leester; 10-31-2011 at 11:20 PM. Reason: typo
Old 11-01-2011, 09:10 PM
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That front end needs a lot of work -- too tall.
Old 11-02-2011, 06:10 AM
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C63AMG Coupe, SL350, ABT Q7, MVF4750, MVF41000R, Ducati 996SPS, Virgin Cup R6
They're all following the lead from the SLS for that 'retro' slab by, tall nose. Think it looks too angular, myself.
Old 11-02-2011, 02:01 PM
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04 SL 500, 09 R350, 09 E63, 2010 Prius
it's not giving me the same "oomffff" feeling that I had when I first saw my R230 SL almost 10 years ago... that car made me want to "possess!" it... this one has diffeerent front, back, but the middle looks the same as the current generation... Where is the "WOW" factor? sure with some aftermarket parts and wheels it will look nicer but... don't know... The SLS roadster's got more Wow....

In short, it's not giving me a hard on.....
Old 11-03-2011, 05:32 PM
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2003 R230 and 2007 W209
NEW SL

Guys..

Guess I am showing my age and conservative taste..but..
I realize that MB A/G HAS to keep selling cars to remain in business.. HOWEVER after being a Mercedes "nut" since I was in my teens..This was during those wonderful Fangio, Fitch, Kling, and Moss golden years.. Since - I haved owned a W198, bunches of W107s, a R129 and now a very low mileage cherry very late '03 R230.. I think the "Fatherlands Marketing Gurus" SOMETIMES ought to at least ASK the various loyal clubs like us (and MBCA) WHAT WE THINK - before they finalize a new model..IMHO the early R230s are the cleanest and more streamlined of the group..In fact I would expect the drag coefficient on that design to be lower than the following models ..

Cheers,

rwm
Old 11-05-2011, 10:56 AM
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Gotta agree, I've not seen an SL that looks better that my 2003.
Also, sometimes these MB's look much better in person than in photos...
Old 11-07-2011, 03:30 PM
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2005 SL600 OETuning ECU
I think the tall vertical front ends are the result of Euorpean pedestrian safety requirements. Check the new Audi's and such and they all have this new kind of look.

I guess it won't hurt as much when it hits you!
Old 11-08-2011, 08:57 PM
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sl55 AMG
Really not liking that at all.. The whole flat front isnt really working
Old 11-12-2011, 08:54 PM
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You guys realize that the upright "flat front" on all new MBs and BMWs is a direct result of EU new pedestrian safety requirements. If you look at the previous generation of modern MBs (211, 209, 220, 230, etc), they all have slopped fronts. Every single replacement in the last 3-4 years has had an upright front. The same can be said for the new 5,7 & Z series from BMW. I'm assuming it will also be true of the new 3 as well.
Old 11-12-2011, 11:57 PM
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04 SL 500, 09 R350, 09 E63, 2010 Prius
does the law not apply to Ferrari Italias? Or Lambos? Maybe it's just a German law?
Old 11-13-2011, 06:48 PM
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W212 M276 DELA 30 ; W211 OM642 ; R107 M117, Sierra 1500 LZ0
Originally Posted by erichen
does the law not apply to Ferrari Italias? Or Lambos? Maybe it's just a German law?
Maybe those are low volume enough to be subject to a different set of rules? Not sure...
Old 11-23-2011, 03:06 PM
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Originally Posted by lee blaik
The whole new MB generation, from E class to CLS looks disappointing, lacking homogeneity, proportion and and design integrity. And with too many lines contradicting each other the end result is a mess. BMW's new crop, on the other hand is finally looking good. Therefor I am holding on to my gorgeous first generation R230 thank you.
Cheers.
totally agree.
they started to look like corean replicas of themselves

I hope this is not the final speciment...
Old 11-23-2011, 05:34 PM
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2003 R230 and 2007 W209
Thanks for your candor... I would suspect that a LOT of us feel the same about the direction and trend in the Sindelfingen patterns... In fact, it seems as the first DESIGN model of every " SL generation " from the W194 - W198 - W107 series were all "cleaner", more streamlined, and concomittantly more "handsome" than their follow-on models.. Although to be fair.. the MECHANICAL /TECHINCAL follow-on improvements ..
i e. brakes, engines, suspension upgrades were better... If I could wish for improving my 2003 R230 .. I might consider super AMG or BREMBO brakes/discs, and better non turbo engine enhancements..

I might add whoever chose the materials for some of the plastic parts need to have to use and maintain them ..such as the little turtle "cover flaps" for the top leverage system and other seemingly "cheapo" materials.... in a $100+K auto !

Compare the finish and materials used in a nice W107 to today's "plastic-fantastics".... Still better than 95% of the others ... which sadly says what ???


rwm
Old 11-24-2011, 06:13 AM
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SL 55 and a GT 3000 vr4 Here's my car: http://home.online.no/~ludvs/index.cfm
I thought the 2003 sl had brembo brakes?

Please correct me if i'm wrong.

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