SL/R231: Drove a new 2019 S560 Cabriolet today.......
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Drove a new 2019 S560 Cabriolet today.......
When the new 2017 S550 Cabriolet came out, I test drove one and was so disappointed. You see, ever since MB built the “Ocean Drive” S Class Convertible concept car, I had been waiting for a drop top S Class and was really looking forward to getting one. However, when I drove that first car, I remember that it just didn’t feel right, at least not to me.
My 2015 S550 Sedan was a good car, but I wasn’t thrilled with it. When I traded it for my 2018 S560, it was such a HUGE improvement, it was almost as if it was an entirely new car and not simply an updated model. So, hoping that the same thing might be true about the updated S560 Cab, I drove one today. No soap! The car feels SO heavy and bulbous. Honestly, it feels bigger, heavier and ponderous compared to my S560 sedan. How can this be? There is ZERO comparison to a new SL, other than they both have tops that lower. Add in the fact that the Cab is way more money, has a back seat that really isn’t good for anyone but kids, and that’s three strikes, you’re OUT!
Oh well. I thought maybe I’d go for a new Cab, but I just don’t like it at all. The current SL is a much better driver. Too bad MB has allowed it to languish so long without the much needed updates that they seem to heap upon other, much lesser models. Keeping my fingers crossed that they get the new SL right this time, right from the start.
My 2015 S550 Sedan was a good car, but I wasn’t thrilled with it. When I traded it for my 2018 S560, it was such a HUGE improvement, it was almost as if it was an entirely new car and not simply an updated model. So, hoping that the same thing might be true about the updated S560 Cab, I drove one today. No soap! The car feels SO heavy and bulbous. Honestly, it feels bigger, heavier and ponderous compared to my S560 sedan. How can this be? There is ZERO comparison to a new SL, other than they both have tops that lower. Add in the fact that the Cab is way more money, has a back seat that really isn’t good for anyone but kids, and that’s three strikes, you’re OUT!
Oh well. I thought maybe I’d go for a new Cab, but I just don’t like it at all. The current SL is a much better driver. Too bad MB has allowed it to languish so long without the much needed updates that they seem to heap upon other, much lesser models. Keeping my fingers crossed that they get the new SL right this time, right from the start.
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Joined: Oct 2009
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From: Everett, WA
14 E63S Wagon, 16 GTS Edition1 (Sold), 17 SL450 designo edition
Agree with what you say but not sure MB will get the new SL right if it's going to have a fabric top. Lots of choices for those in the GT series already.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Believe me, nobody will lament the loss of the folding hardtop more than me. However, MB has done so many things I find idiotic, but I still end up driving—and in end—LOVING their cars (my 2018 S560), that all I can do is hope for the best. If the new SL has a soft top and rear jump seats, should I run out and buy a 911 Cabriolet that has the same things? I’ll miss the hard top, but knowing myself, if the new SL is great with everything else, I’ll probably end up with one. My biggest concern, is that with AMG involved, they will “toughen” the car up, losing much of what we have loved about the past few generations of the SL. Oh well, we will just have to wait & see. In the meantime, I am looking to see what MB might do with a 2020 R231 model, and I just may order one of those.
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From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
Expect not only to see the SL Cabriolet Soft Top with the 2021 SL Class, but expecting to also see the return of the non-convertible 'SL Coupe', reminiscent of the original SLC (SL Coupe) from the 1970's.
Since it won't need to devote stowage space for a Cabriolet top like the convertible version SL, I expect the 2021 'SL Coupe' to have a larger, (more usable) back seat and different look to the rear side glass. The rear side glass may even feature a throwback design ('slanted vertical 'venetian blind' look), that was seen on the original SLC Coupe back in the 1970's.
If I was asked to choose now, (fast forward to 2021), I would much rather have an SL Hardtop Coupe over an SL Convertible with a Cabriolet Soft Top.
However, all that said, the next generation will still be disappointing because MB is making a huge mistake by choosing to discontinue the current SL's Vario Roof that is so appealing to SL lovers
Long Live the 231 Series with the Vario Roof....so glad I own one! It's hard for me to imagine buying an SL Class Vehicle without that lovely folding hardtop...
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Since it won't need to devote stowage space for a Cabriolet top like the convertible version SL, I expect the 2021 'SL Coupe' to have a larger, (more usable) back seat and different look to the rear side glass. The rear side glass may even feature a throwback design ('slanted vertical 'venetian blind' look), that was seen on the original SLC Coupe back in the 1970's.
If I was asked to choose now, (fast forward to 2021), I would much rather have an SL Hardtop Coupe over an SL Convertible with a Cabriolet Soft Top.
However, all that said, the next generation will still be disappointing because MB is making a huge mistake by choosing to discontinue the current SL's Vario Roof that is so appealing to SL lovers
Long Live the 231 Series with the Vario Roof....so glad I own one! It's hard for me to imagine buying an SL Class Vehicle without that lovely folding hardtop...
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Last edited by bob55; Jan 12, 2019 at 11:11 AM.
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Joined: Jul 2018
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From: So Cal
SL550; BMW5; Bentley, CL550 Designo+all options
I must agree with Streamliner, Just drove a S550 coupe 2015 low miles. Underwhelmed. Have SL550, and 535i and each drive WAY better.
Felt same about S coupe, bulky and bulbous, as if a disconnect in the body,chassis, power train. Strange.
Was planning to add add to the garage, or replace the BMW.
Now, thinking of a new BMW as driving my SL is great, and a ragtop as anticipated in the next generation SL is a non starter. Plus, many of MB’s changes in design, and power plants are puzzling. An example is the CLS styling and cramped interior. Or, the E with a 2.0 engine as a standard...
Test drove a 911 hardtop bacic model. Not my thing. Need way more comfort and the ride and road/engine noise was too “go cart” feeling for me.
A disappointment of sorts as Porsche has a big following. I’ll test a new generation 911 next year, hopefully better.
So, any other car suggestions to the 540i?
Felt same about S coupe, bulky and bulbous, as if a disconnect in the body,chassis, power train. Strange.
Was planning to add add to the garage, or replace the BMW.
Now, thinking of a new BMW as driving my SL is great, and a ragtop as anticipated in the next generation SL is a non starter. Plus, many of MB’s changes in design, and power plants are puzzling. An example is the CLS styling and cramped interior. Or, the E with a 2.0 engine as a standard...
Test drove a 911 hardtop bacic model. Not my thing. Need way more comfort and the ride and road/engine noise was too “go cart” feeling for me.
A disappointment of sorts as Porsche has a big following. I’ll test a new generation 911 next year, hopefully better.
So, any other car suggestions to the 540i?
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
A voice of descent, as usual 
I will dispute that a BMW 535i will drive anywhere as nice as an S-Class coupe. It is a big boat to be sure, but a fast one. Much better convertibles than BMW makes (in terms of top-down experience) but clearly inferior to a SL 2 seater. But this car never competed with the SL though. More a Bentley Continental...
I will disagree with Stream on the importance of the rear seats; they are of no priority to car designers (or many buyer) of 2+2 coupes/cabs apart from Rolls Royce. Bentleys and Aston Martin are crap in the back. The priority of all these cars is the front row experience.
But we all agree on the soft top disadvantages.
The biggest issue MB has with the cab is their pricing strategy IMO. Both the S-Class and the SL's are bargains to lease as both are heavily discounted on the MF. The SL also has better residual than the S-Class. Given that the S560 cab's average price in the $150-$160k range, this makes this car very expensive to own/lease without clear benefits over other models.
I will dispute that a BMW 535i will drive anywhere as nice as an S-Class coupe. It is a big boat to be sure, but a fast one. Much better convertibles than BMW makes (in terms of top-down experience) but clearly inferior to a SL 2 seater. But this car never competed with the SL though. More a Bentley Continental...I will disagree with Stream on the importance of the rear seats; they are of no priority to car designers (or many buyer) of 2+2 coupes/cabs apart from Rolls Royce. Bentleys and Aston Martin are crap in the back. The priority of all these cars is the front row experience.
But we all agree on the soft top disadvantages.
The biggest issue MB has with the cab is their pricing strategy IMO. Both the S-Class and the SL's are bargains to lease as both are heavily discounted on the MF. The SL also has better residual than the S-Class. Given that the S560 cab's average price in the $150-$160k range, this makes this car very expensive to own/lease without clear benefits over other models.
