SL/R231: Depreciation
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From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
Thanks for your perspective. I'll have to test drive a car with MSC to help me make up my mind. I think I'd like the "cleaner look to the headliner" Now, if MB had only provided concealment for the roof hinges as BMW does on their 4 Series, I'd be happier.
How do you feel about ABC? It operates on the same principle as Soft Close Doors?
How do you feel about ABC? It operates on the same principle as Soft Close Doors?
To ensure the most comfortable ride, It's important to keep the suspension setting in, 'comfort mode'; (the default suspension setting), rather than selecting 'sport mode for your 231's suspension setting.
If you do choose larger 19" or 20" wheels/tires and/or run flat tires, you will experience a ride that feels more harsh, especially if you don't have ABC on your 231. (231's with the ABC option are actually quite rare)..
FWIW, I haven't even noticed the 'roof hinges' on the 231 that you mentioned...they are hidden from view better on the 231 than they were on the 230
Note: You can view the (3) available MB Factory 18-inch wheel options for the 231 by clicking on the link shown below:
http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer.../all/price_asc
Last edited by bob55; Mar 7, 2019 at 11:00 AM.
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2009 SL550 Silver Arrow
Streamliner,
Great looking car. As far as ABC goes, I had it on my R230 and now my MY13 has it as well. The ride with 19s in either comfort or sport is great. I would really like to know how the ride changes with 2 less cylinders over the front wheels and what is does for the car's balance. Looking forward to a report.
Great looking car. As far as ABC goes, I had it on my R230 and now my MY13 has it as well. The ride with 19s in either comfort or sport is great. I would really like to know how the ride changes with 2 less cylinders over the front wheels and what is does for the car's balance. Looking forward to a report.
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From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
Call me backward, but I consider the non-touch center screen of the present SL to be a desirable feature, not a drawback. I hate touch screens...they always look greasy/scummy after no time at all, and they're distracting and a PITA to operate in a moving car. The "old" screen in the SL's interior is one of the things I like most about the car. JMO...
In addition to the above 18s, MB also offered an 18" winter wheel/tire package for the SL450 last year that included AMG 18s that were identical in appearance to the current 19s that are standard on the SL63.
...You can view the (3) available MB Factory 18-inch wheel options for the 231 by clicking on the link shown below:
http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer.../all/price_asc
http://www.alloywheelsdirect.net/mer.../all/price_asc
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: South Florida
2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
Please note however, that it's a 19-inch AMG wheel, not an 18-inch.
https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/acces...rtNo:BQ6400153
Last edited by bob55; Mar 8, 2019 at 10:39 AM.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Again, nobody can dispute the exterior styling as being among the best in roadsters. But IMO, it can't make up for the shortcomings of that interior. The big question is why MB? WHY? It's like having a beautiful house with crummy interiors and rooms....that's what you see mostly and live with. WE really wanted to love the SL, but just couldn't with these shortcomings. Again, it is a beautiful car to behold exterior wise! No doubt!
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From: Ohio/Florida
'10 C300, '15 ML250BT, '22 M850i Vert
Always liked new cars and I know many here have stated that they get such a good deal if one looks around for a used car with low mileage. Think I am beginning to see why after finding out that my 2013, great condition with 60K and virtually fully loaded is only worth around 33K max!!! WTF! Had no idea. That's serious depreciation. Not too enamored with the latest news of the 2020 SL being a 2+2 and cloth top and as some of you know have been waiting and waiting to see the new shape. Can I wait this out only to perhaps be disappointed? Hate black dashboards and so have limited choice with MB and now thinking of the GT as love the lines of the front(not so much the back) but again because my wife has broken her back, sure it wont be as comfortable as the SL550. Decisions. I just see nothing out there that has the comfort and style of our cars and with the looks but like another poster(streamlined?) has mentioned, Mercedes color choices for interior/trim and exterior are seriously lacking and I also want ABC! Bentley..too big, don't need huge seats in the back and dont like the front grill. Aston, not me..Ferrari, how comfortable?
What else is there? Still have my 05 customized Vette with 9K on the clock, so if I want to rip it, will do, but now want style, acceleration when needed but above all smooth ride with all the trimmings inside..Gone off point here a bit, I know, sorry.
What else is there? Still have my 05 customized Vette with 9K on the clock, so if I want to rip it, will do, but now want style, acceleration when needed but above all smooth ride with all the trimmings inside..Gone off point here a bit, I know, sorry.
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2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
It's hard to imagine a prettier interior that that on any car!
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2019 Dune Silver Metallic E-450 Mercedes Cabriolet NEW Mercedes 2020 GLC300 graphite gray SUV
Some may like or love that interior look. That's fine. Just an opinion.
For me, you gotta love,love,love a car from the inside out to buy new. While we loved the styling exterior wise, we couldn't from an interior viewpoint. A previous OP didn't like 2+2 CABS, that they were more noisy, etc. another hated the SL CAB calling it fat and bloaty. Even though I disagree, that's fine. A different view point and nothing personal.
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I truly meant no offense, and I agree, the ginger Brown interior is a nice color...but.....it ends there...the interior is old and outdated IMO! They still have that old clunky, old fashion button console system for heaven's sake! No electronic or updated gauges, etc. Save for the steering wheel, it's like buying a beautiful new car, with an outdated interior. Why it hasn't been updated on such an iconic vehicle, I'll never know. It was a deciding factor from our steering away from buying it; and we had gone in with the full intention of buying a roadster!
Some may like or love that interior look. That's fine. Just an opinion.
For me, you gotta love,love,love a car from the inside out to buy new. While we loved the styling exterior wise, we couldn't from an interior viewpoint. A previous OP didn't like 2+2 CABS, that they were more noisy, etc. another hated the SL CAB calling it fat and bloaty. Even though I disagree, that's fine. A different view point and nothing personal.
Some may like or love that interior look. That's fine. Just an opinion.
For me, you gotta love,love,love a car from the inside out to buy new. While we loved the styling exterior wise, we couldn't from an interior viewpoint. A previous OP didn't like 2+2 CABS, that they were more noisy, etc. another hated the SL CAB calling it fat and bloaty. Even though I disagree, that's fine. A different view point and nothing personal.
Wind buffeting and noise levels are not opinions though, those are a simple result of the cars designs.
Granted, I have not driven the E-class cab but driven the S560 cab for a couple thousand miles in Europe and drove a C-class cab for a week top down in Arizona to experience of how these cars perform in variety of situations. Enough for me to know which one I prefer...
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Shanks’s Pony
I have not driven the V8 but before ordering my car, I had a lot of time on my hands (for about 8 months) and read every road test I could find on the V6 and V8 and in all instances where test drivers had driven both, they said the handling (turn in) on the V6 was better and it felt more nimble.
Makes sense as all the added weight of the V8 is on the front wheels.
Makes sense as all the added weight of the V8 is on the front wheels.
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Shanks’s Pony
Call me backward, but I consider the non-touch center screen of the present SL to be a desirable feature, not a drawback. I hate touch screens...they always look greasy/scummy after no time at all, and they're distracting and a PITA to operate in a moving car. The "old" screen in the SL's interior is one of the things I like most about the car. JMO...
3.
3.
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Shanks’s Pony
Thread Starter
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Sold 06 CLS500. SL550 09. SL550 2013. Own C6 Corvette heavily customized garage queen 2005.
Well, I don't agree. Have the same interior as Streamliner and have done so for my last 2 cars. However, yes we are all different but in this case MB are giving us absolutely no choice and I will NOT have a black dash. Dreary, miserable dark and that is dated when Porsche offer one so many interior choices but I am not a fan. However did see a Boxter I think, The whole interior trim, and dash matched the exterior and yet although I liked the back, the front just doesn't do it for me and never has. Has no long flowing lines or grace to it. It's lacking aggression and in comparison to our lovely long body, pales. GTS is a beast, the front goes on forever but the ride would concern me and yes to my original post, there is nothing else on the market(that I would want at this stage)
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
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Shanks’s Pony
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Shanks’s Pony
It is not the colour but where the colour is applied - paint colours for houses change with the times and what was considered nice 30 years ago could be considered dated today.
As I keep saying, it is a matter of taste and that too, will vary from country to country. What is popular in the USA may not be popular in Germany!
Brown coloured suits were fashionable (got married in one) where I lived in the 70s - but I've not seen anyone in one since then....
I'm certain there are people think my red and black interior is really ugly & that is their taste - it does not bother me.
However, we love what we purchased so let's enjoy our cars.
As I keep saying, it is a matter of taste and that too, will vary from country to country. What is popular in the USA may not be popular in Germany!
Brown coloured suits were fashionable (got married in one) where I lived in the 70s - but I've not seen anyone in one since then....
I'm certain there are people think my red and black interior is really ugly & that is their taste - it does not bother me.
However, we love what we purchased so let's enjoy our cars.
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2013 SL550 (Lux Sport), 2006 CL55 AMG (Muscle). S550 (Wife's Sedan)
It's just a matter of one's 'particular tastes' I suppose, and one's 'tastes' will often change as you age. That said, there will always be those who just naturally have better 'tastes' than others when it comes to their MB color choices!..
Last edited by bob55; Mar 12, 2019 at 02:30 PM.
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Glad it doesn't bother you, because you're absolutely right, ..Many people do think the 231's red and black interiors are downright garish and ugly! However, it's just a matter of one's 'tastes', I suppose!. That said, obviously some people have better 'tastes' than others!..
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If they did, it would have been my choice, hands down.
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Shanks’s Pony
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2010 E350 4Matic
I would consider any attribute that harken back to the 50's 60's vintage Mercedes a plus as that is what I was raised on.
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I thought then and still think today, that the GTS was the most beautiful sports car ever built.
