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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Revised 2017 D.O.G.
I just got this latest Dealer Ordering Guide (D.O.G.) and thought some of you might be interested. One change, which I consider ridiculous, is the elimination of Mars Red as a color choice. 50 shades of black, white & gray, but the color they felt then needed to drop was Mars Red. They now have Cardinal Red Metallic, but unless you are from another planet, that is more of an orange than it is a red. Oh well, maybe Ferrari will be the next to drop red-yeah, right.
Here is the 2017 Mars Red I saw at the dealership in full sun. After seeing this color in person I paid to have the Cardinal Red shipped from D.C. To Houston and am glad I waited. I really dislike all the boring colors now produced and the Mars Red did nothing on my excitement meter either...
Last edited by Utopia Texas; Oct 15, 2016 at 11:09 AM.
I just got this latest Dealer Ordering Guide (D.O.G.) and thought some of you might be interested. One change, which I consider ridiculous, is the elimination of Mars Red as a color choice. 50 shades of black, white & gray, but the color they felt then needed to drop was Mars Red. They now have Cardinal Red Metallic, but unless you are from another planet, that is more of an orange than it is a red. Oh well, maybe Ferrari will be the next to drop red-yeah, right.
I have a Cardinal Red SL550 and agree, in bright sunlight it looks very orange'ish. Dusk, Dawn, in shade, overcast it looks great, but otherwise, not so good.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
Here is the 2017 Mars Red I saw at the dealership in full sun. After seeing this color in person I paid to have the Cardinal Red shipped from D.C. To Houston and am glad I waited. I really dislike all the boring colors now produced and the Storm Red did nothing on my excitement meter either...
As someone who takes a lot of photos, I know that it is fairly easy to make any car look great or horrible, by working with the lighting. Your photo of the Mars Red car does look bad, but the photo is not representative of how the color looks in most instances. In addition, it would appear that that car has a Ginger Beige interior, which helps to wash out the red. Not a good interior color choice for a red car. Naturally, it all boils down to personal preference. It's great that you are happy with your Cardinal color choice and I'm sure many folks will order it, but the color is not RED in the classic sense, its much more of an orange. A good, non-metallic, solid red has been synonymous with sporting cars for decades. For MB to be without one for the SL is ridiculous. I've had five new SL's, all red, like my old 2004 shown here. This photo was taken when the car was 12 years old. Pretty nice, isn't it?
I agree with everything you say and no one is forcing us to buy these colors, but one does wonder where Mercedes is comming up with their "options" choices. For example I am thrilled my 2017 Sl450 finally has decent cup holders but question why Mercedes puts a Sun roof in a convertible baffles me? It is really hot and humid in my part of Texas 6-7 months of the year and I either want the roof closed with the AC running or all the way open. The sun roof is useless in my case. Also the polished aluminum door sill plates are a mistake in my opinion. They are going to be easily scratched compared to brushed aluminum or stainless steel.
The sun roof is useless in my case. Also the polished aluminum door sill plates are a mistake in my opinion. They are going to be easily scratched compared to brushed aluminum or stainless steel.
First item, my '16 came with Magic Sky. I would have never ordered it but am glad to have it now. Second, I'm pretty sure my car has polished stainless sills and not aluminum. I had one replaced upon delivery and I'm sure there will be more scratches. I think something like Simichrome will get rid of the light ones.
I also had the windows tinted which is done to probably 90% of the new autos here in Texas. Makes a huge difference inside the cabin and the AC runs a lot less.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
I also had the windows tinted which is done to probably 90% of the new autos here in Texas. Makes a huge difference inside the cabin and the AC runs a lot less.
The GM at my local MB dealer told me that he had to put three layers of heavy tint on the inside of the roof on his wife's new SL, to get it dark/cool enough for her. If I get a new SL, I plan on not only tinting the inside of the roof, but also wrapping the exterior in the body color.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
I agree with everything you say and no one is forcing us to buy these colors, but one does wonder where Mercedes is comming up with their "options" choices. For example I am thrilled my 2017 Sl450 finally has decent cup holders but question why Mercedes puts a Sun roof in a convertible baffles me? It is really hot and humid in my part of Texas 6-7 months of the year and I either want the roof closed with the AC running or all the way open. The sun roof is useless in my case. Also the polished aluminum door sill plates are a mistake in my opinion. They are going to be easily scratched compared to brushed aluminum or stainless steel.
I often wonder about some of the decisions MB makes. The glass roof on the SL, if it a good idea at all, should be an option. Not everyone in the world lives in a place where the skies are mostly gray, as they are in Germany. Don't even get me started on interior & exterior color choices.
I often wonder about some of the decisions MB makes. The glass roof on the SL, if it a good idea at all, should be an option. Not everyone in the world lives in a place where the skies are mostly gray, as they are in Germany. Don't even get me started on interior & exterior color choices.
Completely agree that it pano should be an option. For me it is an absolutely essential option where we live and I really like the Magic Sky. We have had cars with it for nearly 4 years and love it in any climate.
First item, my '16 came with Magic Sky. I would have never ordered it but am glad to have it now. Second, I'm pretty sure my car has polished stainless sills and not aluminum. I had one replaced upon delivery and I'm sure there will be more scratches. I think something like Simichrome will get rid of the light ones.
The advertising for the 2017 models states the door sills are aluminum.
Completely agree that it pano should be an option. For me it is an absolutely essential option where we live and I really like the Magic Sky. We have had cars with it for nearly 4 years and love it in any climate.
I am curious as to why the pano roof is "absolutely essential" where you live?
I am curious as to why the pano roof is "absolutely essential" where you live?
Minneapolis weather supports top-down driving for 5-6 months a year. To me it simply feels better to have more light come in on the days when the top has to stay up.
Obviously a personal preference but we have had R230's with and without Pano roof and it made a big difference.
Fortunately for you, convertibles are made for your climate
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Completely agree that it pano should be an option. For me it is an absolutely essential option where we live and I really like the Magic Sky. We have had cars with it for nearly 4 years and love it in any climate.
As always, your insight is much appreciated. Perhaps you may know the answer to this question: Has the R231 ever, in any market, been offered without the glass roof?
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