SL/R231: Upcoming R232 still with hardtop
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Upcoming R232 still with hardtop
Word is that MB has changed their mind on the next SL and will keep the familiar hardtop, not the soft top as planned. That will be good new for SL customers anywhere 
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The SL would just not be the elegant car it is with a soft top.
This last Summer I walked out of a restaurant in Galveston, Texas and a father and about 12 year old son were in the parking lot admiring my 2017. As I walked closer I asked the boy if he had ever seen a real "transformer". He said no and I energized the top by way of the key fob. The look on their faces was priceless!
This last Summer I walked out of a restaurant in Galveston, Texas and a father and about 12 year old son were in the parking lot admiring my 2017. As I walked closer I asked the boy if he had ever seen a real "transformer". He said no and I energized the top by way of the key fob. The look on their faces was priceless!
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I never believed it would go back to having a soft-top. And, I did read the various prints that were circulating and saw supposed-to-be spy shots, etc. But, I have seen a lot of other junk out there, too. I feel confident that your source is correct.
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I did that as well. The local dealer let my wife and I take a brand new California for an extended test drive. I have to say that I like EVERYTHING about the SL better, with the exception of the interior & exterior color choices.
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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?
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Streamliner, I am intrigued by your comparison on the California vs. the SL. I drove a Mondial the other day, and while I am still in contemplation on the car, our other household conversation has centered around not adding 'another car' but going to a California. I have a neighbor with one and do enjoy the vehicle, albeit preferring the SL550. Did you find the compliance of the suspension to be the comparo 'breaker', or the engine, or the OA vehicle dynamics? I do like the lines of the California, but I am bent on adding a Mondial drop top to the stable. Comments? Thanks!
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Streamliner, I am intrigued by your comparison on the California vs. the SL. I drove a Mondial the other day, and while I am still in contemplation on the car, our other household conversation has centered around not adding 'another car' but going to a California. I have a neighbor with one and do enjoy the vehicle, albeit preferring the SL550. Did you find the compliance of the suspension to be the comparo 'breaker', or the engine, or the OA vehicle dynamics? I do like the lines of the California, but I am bent on adding a Mondial drop top to the stable. Comments? Thanks!
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Agreed
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.
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Streamliner, I am intrigued by your comparison on the California vs. the SL. I drove a Mondial the other day, and while I am still in contemplation on the car, our other household conversation has centered around not adding 'another car' but going to a California. I have a neighbor with one and do enjoy the vehicle, albeit preferring the SL550. Did you find the compliance of the suspension to be the comparo 'breaker', or the engine, or the OA vehicle dynamics? I do like the lines of the California, but I am bent on adding a Mondial drop top to the stable. Comments? Thanks!
My two cents,
MB
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Thanks F456 V12 for you comments, and for sharing your experience. And we all know how you get experience! I must admit to being attracted to the Mondial for a number of reasons, not the least of which is the styling of the car. Although styling looks good in the garage, it's what comprises the running and electrical gear that we have to live with as drivers. I will say our eight M-B autos have all be exceptional motor cars, and as one friend of mine shared after I purchased the SL, 'This is what all cars want to be when they grow up!' So from the input from you gentlemen, as well as some other friends / car guys, I will be looking at another plan for an addition. I do enjoy the SL, for a number of reasons. Perhaps a late '60's DeVille convertible? Or another M, perhaps a 5? Who knows, but the quest will continue. Thanks all, and Happy New Year!
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Wolf, what’s the latest word out of Germany: hard or soft top? Thanks!
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'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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From: Laguna Niguel
'94 SL600,'05 SL600,'06 S65,'07 E63,'14 E63S,'09SL600 all sold, ‘15 S65,‘18 E63S,'17 SL65, '17S65Cab
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.
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.
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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.
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 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.
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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.
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.
That said, ABC was a huge liability issue for the R230 as the system was new and had to go through several revisions (including maintenance guidelines) to become a solid non-issue feature. R231 had been great overall.
In your case ABC wasn't an option though; all 63's and 65's have ABC by default...
Enjoy!
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Gee, not sure if I should give you a dose of reality or just let you find out the hard way. I owned 4 Ferraris, the oldest was a 95 456GT (2000 F550, 2004 360 Modena, 2008 F430 Spider), at least one generation ahead of the Mondial so I hope you are prepared for considerable frustration and maintenance costs. Mondial is a remnant of the 328 and 348, neither of which had overwhelming performance or reliability...that said like most Italian autos very attractive lines. As for the California, could never get past the rear end exhaust (vertical) or the overt feminine design lines.
My two cents,
MB
My two cents,
MB
