Streamliner

I've heard all the rumors and read all the articles here and in the magazines, but I'm wondering if one of you guys might have some pretty solid info on this. Do we think the new (R232?) will be released next year as a 2019, or the following year as a 2020?

My real interest is what do we think the last model year of the R231 will be?

pmlnnrt

Supposed to be a 4 place with a Rag roof ! But who knows - right now - still waiting for a 2018 that was ordered in May, delivered to Baltimore 3 weeks ago, and not released yet - maybe by the end of August ! A big mistake if they junk the current SL as we know it - Sounds like that happened
to the Ford Thunderbird in 1958 - we will see in time !

Utopia Texas

I am wondering if Mercedes is considering going to a rag top thinking it might increase sales letting the general public see the SL on the street as a convertable when the top up. I've had dozens of folks comment over the years how they liked the looks of my 2008 and 2017 SL's and not one of them knew they were convertables. Those of us who drive them take for granted that everyone on the street is familiar with the SL, and most folks are not.

Wolfman

It's a solid no on the R232 next year. The MY19 will release in summer 18, as usual...

It would be a MY20 model at the earliest

Streamliner

My dealer just informed me that Mars Red is no longer available, even as a special order. They will paint a W222 Cardinal Red Metallic for $6,200.00, but they won't paint anything Mars Red. I guess they had a bad batch of the color that caused them some huge problems in 2016, so instead of fixing the problem, some idiot in Germany just decided to 86 Mars Red for good. Obviously, they could get a bad batch of any color. It's not the color, it's the batch, but what's done is done.

So, I am going to drive my SL to the dealer and park it next to a Jupiter Red car and see just how different the color is. From what I have seen, it looks almost the same to me. I believe that they will take a special order using Jupiter Red, since it is a color in regular production use at MB this year. They are using it in the AMG GT and a few other models

The big decision is if I do this on a 2018, or wait for the 2019, when they may make Jupiter Red a standard color. Being the last year of the R231, they may offer some other, interesting colors, interiors, special models, etc. Decisions, decisions.

SLclass

All reps from two different dealerships have told me that they believe the arrival of the R232 will be in 2020 or, at least, as a 2020 year model. Reps also stated that going to a soft-top is mere speculation and rumors from the press.

Streamliner

I believe that in this particular instance, the information seems to be overwhelming that the new SL will, indeed, be a soft top. If I am not mistaken, there have even been spy photos of camouflaged test cars with soft tops.

The reason I am so crazy about getting a new R231, is because I feel that the car will lose A LOT, if it goes to a soft top. I plan on keeping my next SL for many years and I don't want to be dealing with a soft top that deteriorates and starts to look crummy over time.

SLclass

I do not like the thought of going to a soft-top!

pmlnnrt

Me too. A big mistake if it happens !!!