I’ve been with MB for 40 years but that soft top would have been a dealbreaker. Guaranteed to make me leave MB and, not look back.

Wolf, this is fantastic news! Now I don’t have to worry about getting a new R231, when I really don’t want one, based on the current color & tech offerings. I’m sure the new model will be magnificent, based on how amazing the latest high end MB offerings have been, such as the W222, W213, AMG GT’s, etc. When do you think we will see this new SL?

I like the looks of the California, but not overwhelmingly. If you are going to spend over $200K on a car, I think its looks should knock your socks off every time you look at it. I don’t care for cars that make more noise than they need to. The Ferrari had this butterfly valve in the exhsust and even the slightest bit of throttle seemed to make the engine scream or roar, for no apparent reason, other than to disturb the peace and to make everyone turn and look your way, which I feel is ridiculous. I’m a huge fan of safety technology. To me, the MB Driver’s Assistance Pkg, is “THE,” all time best option ever offered by any manufacturer. Ferrari doesn’t offer any such safety technology. The ride of an SL with ABC is amazingly comfortable, which is another huge plus with me. I cruise in my SL, just for fun, almost always with the top down and it’s hard to beat the comfort of the R231. Comfort and safety are paramount to me and the SL, IMO, outshines the California in both categories. I love the interior and exterior color choices Ferrari offers, but that isn’t enough to sway me from MB. Also, with something like an SL550 or 450, maintenance is something you don’t even need to think about. With Ferrari, I know things have improved greatly from the days of needing to pull the engine to do a tune up, but why do I need any additional hassle or expense, when something like the SL is so easy to deal with? I no longer drive fast or aggressively and I even prefer cars that don’t outwardly boast ultra high performance stats. Really, after all the above is said, Mercedes-Benz makes vehicles that fit me like a glove. I *****, moan and groan about color choices and some of their marketing ploys, but when it comes down to what I REALLY want to drive these days, I have finally capitulated and feel I will probably never stray from the 3-pointed star.

Wolf, what’s the latest word out of Germany: hard or soft top? Thanks!

Went to the local dealer earlier this week to look at the 2019 SL Dealer Ordering Guide. Per the What’s Different section of the DOG, basically nothing. So the 2019’s will be identical to the 2018’s. I would hope that the R232 when it shows up keeps the hardtop.
My wife and I looked at most of the “exotic” cars but both of us preferred the SL. Interesting because my wife was certain she wanted an Aston Martin until she sat in one and drove it.
Since the SL65 appears to be discontinued at the end of the 2018 model year (not included in the 2019 DOG) we placed an order for a 2018.

Since I keep hearing conflicting reports as to whether the R232 will have a hard or soft top—I LOVE the retractable hardtop—I am again considering a new R231. I just love my 2013, but I miss the ABC suspension I had on my R230, so would be going for the new car almost entirely for that option. All that said, I want a RED one, damnit and I am in hopes that the color will return before it is too late for me to order one. By the way, I just got a new S560 sedan with MBC and the “Curve” function, that is also included in the ABC option on the SL, is ABSOLUTELY AMAZING and I highly recommend that anyone ordering a new SL to get it.

I ordered an SL65 so all those neat things are standard. The dealer rep said they tried to custom order a Mars Red ($10,000 special order upcharge) for another customer but for some unknown reason it would not clear. I have already had two Mars Red SL’s so I am ok with something else. We are also thinking about having the car wrapped.
The ABC is a must have for me. I was surprised it is an option on the R231. My current R230 (SL600) has it as standard equipment.

As much as I love the brand, they continue to make what I feel are stupid, idiotic, absurd decisions. The R230 cars drove so beautifully with ABC as standard equipment and should have continued as standard on the R231. At $4K+ for the ABC option, it is virtually never ordered for a dealer stock car, meaning that almost nobody who doesn’t do a special order of an SL450 or 550 will ever have the chance to experience it. In addition, as one would imagine, dealer salespeople routinely badmouth ABC, since they don’t have a car so equipped to sell.

As best as I have been able to ascertain, MB had a bad batch of Mars Red paint, which caused some problems with some 2016 or 2017 models. So, instead doing the logical thing, like dumping the bad batch and working with the supplier to fix the problem, the geniuses at MB tossed the baby out with the bath water and just dropped the color altogether. Wonder what Ferrari or ANY other automaker would have done if their red paint had a bad batch? What would MB have done if they got a bad batch of BLACK? Idiots.

thought of your comments ref maintenance when I got the latest issue of Motor Trend with a Ferrari Portofino on cover. Really touting hard top convertible.