rorywquin

I'm struggling to understand the complaints about the audio in these cars - mine sounds fine, the bass is good etc. However, I'm not fussy about the sound and music is something I have in the background & with the roof open whenever I can, I find a high end system pointless.

Dr. Manhattan

When the 231 is done, I'll be referring to its replacement as "SL"...purposely in quotes. To me, an SL is a two-seater, period. If the rumored spec on its replacement is correct, it'll be more of a sporty S class. Of course, MB is free to call it anything they wish, but to me, the current car will be the end of the line for the SL. Also, I've owned a couple of soft top cars that I purchased new. Never again.

rmorin49

If the replacement is a 4 seater with a soft top, I'll be buying another used R231 in a few years. MB already has a couple 4 place convertibles, why do they need another one? BMW's Z4 has also dropped the retractable hardtop in favor of a soft top but it is a smaller car. I had a 2010, it was a fun car but too small for long road trips. Rumor has it Lexus might offer a drop top LC500 next year. Too bad it has a front end that looks like a cow catcher on the front of a locomotive.

Streamliner

Yeah, I feel much the same. However, IF the new SL is MAGNIFICENT, I just may go for one, with the idea being that I’ll lease it for three years, give it back and get a new one. I love the retractable hard top, but the fact of the matter is that I drive my SL with the top down 99% of the time, so as much as I dislike soft tops, I could live with one, IF everything else was truly AMAZING. If it isn’t, I’ll just keep my 2019 for the duration.

Dr. Manhattan

It may well be "magnificent", but I don't care if it can spout wings and fly...to me, the whole point of an SL is that it's a two-seater. That's what makes it so exclusively, indulgently, luxurious. There are any number of four-seat rag tops out there already; some of them are really nice, too. MB was always offering something special with the SL, but now they're letting go of that diminishing market. It may be inevitable, but that doesn't make it any less sad.

rmorin49

End of an era. SL is one of the longest continuously manufactured car models in the world along with the Corvette.

Streamliner

I agree, 100%, I’ll just reserve final judgement until I get to actually drive the new car.

Streamliner

BUT, it is not “ending,” it’s just changing. Perhaps “morphing” or “reverting” might be good words. We just won’t know for sure, until the new car comes out. Until then, most everyone here is locked & loaded with our R231’s and we shall see what we shall see.

rmorin49

You are correct. I am sad to hear that the traditional 2 seater SL is going away. This is sad but I understand that from a marketing standpoint it might not make sense to try to sell a production car is such low numbers. Many dealers don't have a single SL on their lot for sale.

TennesseeZ4

From Car & Driver today, see the linked article. Pretty much what has been provided on this forum before related to the new SL. Link: https://www.caranddriver.com/news/a2...adster-future/

allfortheunion

Dude called my car homely! I beg to differ.

Streamliner

It says it will be “unveiled as a 2022 in 2021.” SOOOOOOOOOO, does that mean there will be a 2021 R231????

rmorin49

Not impressed. I'll be shopping for a nice CPO car in 2022.

Wolfman

This was discussed before. Maybe or possibly no model year...

Streamliner

I know, but it’s fun to think about it.

TennesseeZ4

The automotive press eats Porsche McNuggets for the most part. If it is not associated with that marque, they tend to dismiss other cars as not up to that standard. I dare say if any of them would live with an SL for an extended period of time, they would form a much different opinion. But to call a car 'homely' when it is clearly a world class GT is quite, shall I say, lacking in knowledge. So a 'dis' on an SL is 'easy' for them to throw out, and as there are not many SL owners who care to read that drivel, they can pretty much go unscathed for the comment. Not that I really care what their opinion might be. I just drive, with a smile on my face, looking forward to the next curve.

Dr. Manhattan

Yes. That's why I initially asked the question about the inline six making an appearance in the 231...though you're probably right about them not bothering. I didn't think that it would be that much bother, though...there's plenty of room in the 231 chassis for the I6. It's quite a bit smaller than the outgoing V12 after all. It would amount to giving the last year or two of the 231 a little CPR, but there would be no performance gain, so...probably no new engine.

As to replacing the SL with a 2+2 ragtop...remember the Thunderbird? Yeah, they sold more big "Thunderbirds" than the original 2-seaters, but it just wasn't anything like the same car anymore. That's the SL in a nutshell.