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From R107? Definitely the R231, technically the best SL there has been. Solidity of chassis, hardtop coupe with Magic Sky, best engine choices. I would take the SL65 only because of V12 nostalgia and some of the interior options. Otherwise the SL550 was the perfect fit.
Even if the money were no object, I am so very happy with the color scheme and the options on my present Palladium Silver Metallic, 2013 SL 550, that there really isn't another SL Class I have seen that is more appealing to my eye, so status quo is just fine for me!...
I was certainly very lucky to find an SL so pristine and so perfect for me! Although I bought it as a CPO with 15K miles, I was able to find my favorite 231 color scheme along with every single option I wanted, and none of what I didn't want. Furthermore, I only paid 1/3 of this SL's original ($120K+) List Price which I also feel quite good about!...
I should mention that I don't find the current 2019 SL Class Exterior Colors nearly as appealing as the MB color palettes from previous model years. However, at least MB does still offer the lovely Ginger Beige/Espresso Brown Nappa Interior with Burl Walnut Trim, (including Steering Wheel), that I enjoy so much in my 2013 SL550!...
Despite what the OP's article said, the 231 series is easily the best SL ever, and with the folding hardtop its still the only sports roadster I care about enough to own. However, since I already own one that's absolutely perfect for me, there's really no need to have another SL on some 'wish list'....Enjoying the Drive!....
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
We need to refine the question a bit.
If a genie we’re granting us the wish of one SL—but it would not be my only SL—then the decision for me would be a no brainer and I would take the 300SLR driven by Juan Manuel Fangio.
If we were allowed to order, brand new, from the factory, an SL from any year, anyway we want it, then I would order an R231 with all the cosmetics of the SL65 AMG, but with the SL450 mechanicals, with the latest MB electronics and infotainment, in any interior/exterior colors I wished.
If we are talking about a stock SL that had to be in “as delivered” form, that we would have to drive and live with on a day to day basis, then I’d choose the SL450 I just took delivery of a few weeks ago.
Last edited by Streamliner; May 19, 2019 at 12:47 PM.
While I think that the article is a lot of BS without a doubt a 300SL gullwing followed up by a nice pagoda.
Agreed. But the picture gallery is great. Nice close-up shots. That said, I would never want to drive these cars. Classic cars are just not safe enough against some inattentive soccer mom in a 6000+ lbs SUV
Agreed. But the picture gallery is great. Nice close-up shots. That said, I would never want to drive these cars. Classic cars are just not safe enough against some inattentive soccer mom in a 6000+ lbs SUV
and years from now people will say, "You're joking aren't you, no way would I let a person take control of a car away from the car's own self driving computer system; it's much too dangerous..."
and years from now people will say, "You're joking aren't you, no way would I let a person take control of a car away from the car's own self driving computer system; it's much too dangerous..."
I don't get your comment...
Zero relevance related to driving a classic car build in 1956. These cars have low survivability ratings in case of accidents
You're missing the point. Some people consider a 1950's era car unsafe, others the1960's era (I restored (not had restored for me!!!) a Triumph TR4 and a Jag E-type roadster before going modern with the SL). Some people consider 80' era cars unsafe. The point is that it comes from the person's perspective of safety.
I agree with you about modern distracted drivers; whether they are on the phone or having their dog sit on their lap while driving. When self driving cars are the norm, and they will be, the kids who grow up in that era will have no perspective on the fact that people used to operate their own vehicles. Nowadays, they are astounded by LP records or that mobile phones weren't common 30 years ago, or that there only used to be a handful of TV channels to watch. They will also be amazed that we used to put a flammable liquid into a vehicle tank for the noisy combustion engine to use - "what, they weren't always electric?
You're missing the point. Some people consider a 1950's era car unsafe, others the1960's era (I restored (not had restored for me!!!) a Triumph TR4 and a Jag E-type roadster before going modern with the SL). Some people consider 80' era cars unsafe. The point is that it comes from the person's perspective of safety.
I agree with you about modern distracted drivers; whether they are on the phone or having their dog sit on their lap while driving. When self driving cars are the norm, and they will be, the kids who grow up in that era will have no perspective on the fact that people used to operate their own vehicles. Nowadays, they are astounded by LP records or that mobile phones weren't common 30 years ago, or that there only used to be a handful of TV channels to watch. They will also be amazed that we used to put a flammable liquid into a vehicle tank for the noisy combustion engine to use - "what, they weren't always electric?
I guess that was a bit more far fetched than I expected
To my earlier comment, I love the look of classic cars like the 300SL Gullwing (MG Spitfire was one of my first classic cars) but these cars are deathtraps even if they collide with a modern mid-size Mercedes. I remember back in the nineties, the W140 S-Class in Germany was considered the "safest place" in traffic as in case of an accident, you'll likely be the winner wether at fault or not. There were philosophical discussions of how fair it is to drive a car like that in German traffic.
Today, that S-Class can't get close to the current SL in safety tech.
As long as we are reaching back in SL land; here's a story for you. This gentleman seated on the entry sill, is an active member of our local MBCA chapter, took the train from Nashville to New York in 1957. There he bought this car from Hoffman, drove it back to Nashville and has enjoyed the vehicle ever since. Now in his ninties, his son does most of the driving, but he still rolls the car out for special occasions. As he says, "this is likely the best investment I ever made, although when I bought it, the cost was way to high for me, but I just had to have it."
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.
