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.

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.

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.

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?

Agree with all, and had a Bentley dealer make a similar comparison of the Cont GT to the S coupe and called the S “common”��