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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
R231 SL vs Porsche 911.2
Well, of course I meant the title to read “R231 SL vs Porsche 991.2,” but I messed up. Sorry.
My wife is always in “shoe crisis,” or “dress crisis,” etc. Well, I’m in “convertible crisis,” ever since I sent my 2013 SL550 down the road. Even though I currently have no garage in which to put one, I find myself just chomping at the bit to get a new open car.
Two days ago, I drove a new 718 Boxster with a manual trans. Nice car, but not for me. I then drove a PDK equipped Carerra S Cabriolet, which was a much better fit. The 991.2 is a very refined sports car. Very comfortable and very fast.
Yesterday, I drove a new Carerra GTS Targa. Having owned several 1970’s model Targas years ago, I had been lusting after a new one since it came out a few years ago, but I found what was a fatal flaw, at least to me: with the top down and the windows lowered, at moderate speeds, there is a RUSH of wind that enters the cabin, right into my neck. Windows up, no problem, but with windows down, WAY more turbulence than in a Cabriolet, and a completely different feel compared to 911 Targas of yore. Crazy! Anyway, no new Targa for me.
After my Targa ride, I asked to drive ANY 911 with PCCB or “Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes,” as I have never experienced them. The salesman said I could drive the GM’s Turbo S Cabriolet. I tried to stifle the grin and casually said “oh, OK.” The salesman drove the car off the lot and then floored it. I thought my eyeballs were going to exit through my ear drums! With a zero to 60 time in the 2.6 second area, it is, without a doubt, the quickest car I have ever been in. A few, very excited expletives came out of my mouth, as I held on for dear life. Truly amazing! Anyway, as I got to drive the car, I found that the yellow calipered brakes worked great. The fact that they generate virtually no brake dust and they look so great, makes the $8K option price not seem so bad. If I get a new 911, it will have PCCB.
Back in my S560–which seemed WAY more silent and comfortable after my 911 rides, I headed to the MB dealer to once again drive an SL450. A year or two ago I had driven one and pronounced it as my choice over a 550, but I wanted to see if I still felt the same. I’m happy to report that I feel that the SL450 is a superior car to the 550, unless one really is a torque junky. The 450 feels so much lighter on its feet, so much more balanced, refined and, for lack of a better term, so much “sportier” compared to the 550. I do believe that if I get a new R231, it will be an SL450.
Anyway, here’s a photo of my eyeball crushing ride. Still thinking about what to do, while perusing all of the late model used and CPO SL & 911 Cabriolet listings. Such fun!
Last edited by Streamliner; Nov 11, 2018 at 12:22 AM.
I wish I was in your position. I would have a white with red Turbo S Cab. I just don't have $200k in my new car fund. How much engine noise in the CS, not talking exhaust but mechanical noise?
The only issue I have with my 17 SL450 is that I have always been a V8 guy and although the performance is acceptable, I prefer the sound of 8 cylinders to 6. I am in the habit of using the engine compression and paddle shifters to slow down which is very hard to do with the V6 compared to my other rides. I'm guessing the compression ratio is inherently low but being shy two cylinders has to be a factor as well.
Other than that it's a great grand touring automobile and suits me more than the GTS I had before.
I like mine. Pondered the V8 but have no regrets -the 400 is nimble. I did 2 days at a vehicle test facility with a trainer and was amazed what a big tank like an SL can do. I do love the Porsche but lack the $$.
Before buying my SL 550 this summer, I had a 1996 911 and also had a 1962 356 Cabriolet which I owned for over 25 years.. The 911 was a fabulous driver. Fast, and nimble. I miss it. I've also driven a 2002 911 Turbo with triptronic. The Turbo was a true beast. About the same horsepower as the 550, but of course lighter and much more of a tight curvy road machine. Transitioning to the 550 has been fairly easy, but of course it doesn't have the same sports car "feel" as the 993. On long drives or even around town, the 550 is much more comfortable and I'm glad I made the switch to MB. However, I do look wistfully when a C4 911 snarls past me when I'm driving on I 10....:-)
Gents, just throwing this out there for the comparison between the 450 and 550; curb weight difference is just 133 lbs. per the MB website. The 450 weighs in at 3826 lbs. and the 550 weighs in at 3959. Just to add more confusion to the mix, the 991.2 tips the scales at 3153, so substantially lighter than either SL. Still, IMO, when comparing the SL's, it is a matter of what your use of the vehicle will tend to be; around town, or on the open road. I will admit to being a torque junkie; and the range of the torque in the SL550 more fits my driving style on the open road. So the feel of the cars may be influenced more by the response of the motors at lower rpm's / shorter gear ratios / final drive ratio. Regardless, the vehicle is a most competent companion on leg stretching trips.
We’ve exchanged posts on this subject before, and we seem to have the same views of these cars. I have driven an SL for the last 13 years. It has been a great car - responsive with lots of poise on a winding road (the ABC, as you know, really does work a treat), and maintenance costs have been quite low. The new one has all the electronic goodies, which I do value. However, it also feels significantly bigger to me. The new 991.2 is very tempting, because it is nifty on any road - agile, immediate, rewarding to drive fast or slow or any way between, and comfortable. Also, I think the lines of the SL seem a bit compromised by the several updates since 2003, whereas the 991.2 is a very convincing tribute to the idea of enlightened evolution in design. Of course, they both cost too much, until, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, you look at every other choice. Resale on the Porsche is better. The 2017 991.2 is almost identical to the 2019. And as the 2020 will be different, the price of a 2017 may soften next year. If that doesn’t happen, I may buy a new one. But if a great deal appears down the street on an SL, I would be tempted. Patience is rewarded.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Yeah, the time to buy a 991.2 is not now, but a few months from now, when the 992 comes out. There are SO many rich guys out there who MUST have the latest and greatest toy. The market for near new 991.2 cars will be packed with pristine examples and the prices will fall.
The same may not hold true for the R231 SL’s. IF the new SL has a cloth top, there will be some increased demand for the late model R231’s from those who feel it is their last chance to get a retractable hard top model, which MAY describe yours truly as well. Decisions, decisions.
Last edited by Streamliner; Nov 27, 2018 at 09:44 PM.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by twilightround
We’ve exchanged posts on this subject before, and we seem to have the same views of these cars. I have driven an SL for the last 13 years. It has been a great car - responsive with lots of poise on a winding road (the ABC, as you know, really does work a treat), and maintenance costs have been quite low. The new one has all the electronic goodies, which I do value. However, it also feels significantly bigger to me. The new 991.2 is very tempting, because it is nifty on any road - agile, immediate, rewarding to drive fast or slow or any way between, and comfortable. Also, I think the lines of the SL seem a bit compromised by the several updates since 2003, whereas the 991.2 is a very convincing tribute to the idea of enlightened evolution in design. Of course, they both cost too much, until, to paraphrase Winston Churchill, you look at every other choice. Resale on the Porsche is better. The 2017 991.2 is almost identical to the 2019. And as the 2020 will be different, the price of a 2017 may soften next year. If that doesn’t happen, I may buy a new one. But if a great deal appears down the street on an SL, I would be tempted. Patience is rewarded.
I have to make a decision on another convertible rather soon and am pondering my choices as well. We might order a new SL now and keep it until the R232 is available (2 year lease) or jump on something else. I do like the AMG GTC but it is stiffer, more bare bone in terms of amenities compared to the SL and quite a bit more expensive. It does look better than the SL IMO but is less practical.
Just love the classic lines and long hood. Unlike many of you, I am completely bored by the 911. A very capable sport car but I dislike the look of them and can't understand the nostalgia that people have with these cars so it is really not a good option for us.
Well, of course I meant the title to read “R231 SL vs Porsche 991.2,” but I messed up. Sorry.
My wife is always in “shoe crisis,” or “dress crisis,” etc. Well, I’m in “convertible crisis,” ever since I sent my 2013 SL550 down the road. Even though I currently have no garage in which to put one, I find myself just chomping at the bit to get a new open car.
Two days ago, I drove a new 718 Boxster with a manual trans. Nice car, but not for me. I then drove a PDK equipped Carerra S Cabriolet, which was a much better fit. The 991.2 is a very refined sports car. Very comfortable and very fast.
Yesterday, I drove a new Carerra GTS Targa. Having owned several 1970’s model Targas years ago, I had been lusting after a new one since it came out a few years ago, but I found what was a fatal flaw, at least to me: with the top down and the windows lowered, at moderate speeds, there is a RUSH of wind that enters the cabin, right into my neck. Windows up, no problem, but with windows down, WAY more turbulence than in a Cabriolet, and a completely different feel compared to 911 Targas of yore. Crazy! Anyway, no new Targa for me.
After my Targa ride, I asked to drive ANY 911 with PCCB or “Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes,” as I have never experienced them. The salesman said I could drive the GM’s Turbo S Cabriolet. I tried to stifle the grin and casually said “oh, OK.” The salesman drove the car off the lot and then floored it. I thought my eyeballs were going to exit through my ear drums! With a zero to 60 time in the 2.6 second area, it is, without a doubt, the quickest car I have ever been in. A few, very excited expletives came out of my mouth, as I held on for dear life. Truly amazing! Anyway, as I got to drive the car, I found that the yellow calipered brakes worked great. The fact that they generate virtually no brake dust and they look so great, makes the $8K option price not seem so bad. If I get a new 911, it will have PCCB.
Back in my S560–which seemed WAY more silent and comfortable after my 911 rides, I headed to the MB dealer to once again drive an SL450. A year or two ago I had driven one and pronounced it as my choice over a 550, but I wanted to see if I still felt the same. I’m happy to report that I feel that the SL450 is a superior car to the 550, unless one really is a torque junky. The 450 feels so much lighter on its feet, so much more balanced, refined and, for lack of a better term, so much “sportier” compared to the 550. I do believe that if I get a new R231, it will be an SL450.
Anyway, here’s a photo of my eyeball crushing ride. Still thinking about what to do, while perusing all of the late model used and CPO SL & 911 Cabriolet listings. Such fun!
So from a ride comfort standpoint (as in taking it on a trip) was the Carrara S acceptable? How much better did the SL ride? Also I have heard that the 911's have a lot of road noise as well. I guess if you drove it only with the top down you wouldn't notice. Just wonder if anybody could comment on the relative cabin noise (engine aside) of a 911 coupe to an SL with the top up.
Where I am coming from is I would prefer a coupe 911 over an SL but not at the expense of a tiring experience due to ride and noise.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by MBNUT1
So from a ride comfort standpoint (as in taking it on a trip) was the Carrara S acceptable? How much better did the SL ride? Also I have heard that the 911's have a lot of road noise as well. I guess if you drove it only with the top down you wouldn't notice. Just wonder if anybody could comment on the relative cabin noise (engine aside) of a 911 coupe to an SL with the top up.
Where I am coming from is I would prefer a coupe 911 over an SL but not at the expense of a tiring experience due to ride and noise.
Well, as far as sheer comfort goes, I’d take the SL, especially if it were equipped with ABC. For me though, an SL or a 911 would be a car used only for brief drives. I would probably never drive it with the top up and probably never more than maybe 40 or 50 miles in a day, so either would be fine. In my younger days, I would drive an SL from L.A. to Napa, but these days, that type of drive is only done in my S560.
The only issue I have with my 17 SL450 is that I have always been a V8 guy and although the performance is acceptable, I prefer the sound of 8 cylinders to 6...
I've driven Corvettes most of my adult life and I'm finding that, some time in the last couple of decades, I've grown tired of the "NASCAR" sound track. Both the 911 and the 450 sound far more refined to me now. Obviously, YMMV.
Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
Gents, just throwing this out there for the comparison between the 450 and 550; curb weight difference is just 133 lbs. per the MB website. The 450 weighs in at 3826 lbs. and the 550 weighs in at 3959...
True, but every single pound of that weight difference occurs over the front tires. That's why it's so noticeable, in terms of steering response. Also, the 450's "lack of torque" is fairly mitigated by that sweet new 9-speed. The V6 benefits more from the extra gear ratios than the V8 does.
Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; Jan 13, 2019 at 03:06 AM.
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
