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Don't consider this to be an issue but tastes differ. Easy answer; get a SL63 grill or just a SL63
Yea, tastes differ for sure. Some like that grille (I wish I did), but I feel pretty strongly that it's not going to age well. 5 or 10 years from now I think people will shake their heads at it and wonder.
Anyways, they look like they'd swap out - does anyone know for sure? I guess I should do some legwork and call the local dealer. I'll do a better job explaining things than I did here.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
To the OP: IF you truly appreciate a smooth, buttoned-down, compliant—yet nimble and sporty driving car, BY ALL MEANS NECESSARY, get yourself an SL with ABC. You sound very much like myself, as I have often compromised by buying something less than what I really wanted, only to have it irritate me to the point where I had to make a change, usually losing thousands of dollars in the process. DON’T DO IT! Get what you want.
I just recently got rid of a new car I bought that was a compromise. And only after 6 months so I took a bath on it.
My logical self (get exactly what you want) and emotional self (it's 80 and sunny out and you don't have your roadster because you're stubborn) are duking it out...
Originally Posted by 1sweet66
Just went back and reread the original post .
Funny how this took a right turn and went from comments about the updated grill to ABC vs. non ABC to 18" wheels vs. 19 run flats
3 threads for the price of 1
I like how it's evolved. Expanding my search to the '17s now....
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by 1sweet66
I too looked for a CPO '14 to '15 low mile ( my price range ) with ABC but really could not find anything that met my liking. There are so many non ABC cars out there in so many different colors & options. Don't get me wrong, I drove an SL w/ABC and it drove really well. I would spend the extra $ for it if ordering new or if I found one with the colors & options I desired. The 19" AMG wheel & brake package compliments the sporty appearance of the SL.
I had 2 different Corvettes with run flats so a non ABC SL and 19 AMG wheel package and run flats rides just fine for my taste. I guess it's also the type of roads you are on every day. Here in the south there are 90% fewer pot holes and bad roads as compared to the north. I was recently in NY with a rental car and the roads were horrible!
Either way it is a fabulous car
The 2003 Corvette that I had, with Magnetic Selective Ride Control rode better than my 2013 SL550 without ABC. And, when I would jump on the throttle, I never experienced “wheel hop” with the Vette, as I did with the SL550.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by bob55
Sorry, but I'm raising this dreadful flag over that comment!.:
What is your basis for raising that flag? The basis of my comment, is the fact that I owned a 2003 Corvette with Magnetic Selective Ride Control and a 2013 SL550.
My 2016 Stingray without Magnetic Ride rode rougher than our 2015 SL400 without ABC. However I do think the Stingray did handle sharp turns better than the SL. I don't consider the SL to be as pure a sports car as the Stingray but it makes for a much better cruiser for a couple senior citizens.
I think if I just did the grille (no badging), I'd be below the poseur radar. Really not different than painting all those silver dots black. Although the grill might require the bigger star and horizontal piece.
Originally Posted by Dr. Manhattan
and really, isn’t the tri-star just as nasty?
I have to agree that the larger 3 pt star that has shown itself over the past several years is a bit in-your-face. I do wish it was smaller.
I think if I just did the grille (no badging), I'd be below the poseur radar. Really not different than painting all those silver dots black. Although the grill might require the bigger star and horizontal piece.
I have to agree that the larger 3 pt star that has shown itself over the past several years is a bit in-your-face. I do wish it was smaller.
The SL63 grill always looked better with the double bar. No risk of posing. If sensitive, simply remove the small AMG sticker.
I don't have the sense that the Mercedes star is too big and it hasn't gotten larger. This is a Mercedes roadster after all and over the 60+ years the star is a predominant part of the front of the car. The star on our AMG GTC is larger than on the SL btw...
Unfortunately, SL Class 231's with ABC are no more prevalent among 2017-2019 (used) models than they are with 2013-2016 models, You are therefore just as unlikely to locate a 'face lift' SL with ABC as you are with the earlier 231's.
Of course, ordering a brand new one is the obvious way to get exactly what you want, but that's a very difficult financial decision to make. You must be able to stomach the 'mind blowing depreciation' that occurs during the first few years of ownership. I simply can't do it anymore!
Fact is, I stopped buying MB's as 'brand new' years ago for that very reason. Fortunately, here is South Florida there always seems to be a good selection of pristine condition, low mileage, used MB CPO's, As a result I've been able to buy 'like new' S-Class and SL Class vehicles for between 'a third to a half' of the brand new price for many years now, and that just makes a whole lot more financial sense to me!
That said, it took me 6-months to find my current SL550 because I was so very picky about the color schemes I wanted along with some 'must have' options, which by the way, did not include ABC. Eventually, I was able to locate the 'perfect' SL for me however! Got the precise color schemes desired along with every single option I wanted. So while it took time, effort, and patience to find precisely the right 231 for me, in the end, it was well worth it, You needn't settle for a 231 that's just 'not quite right' for you!
Patience is so important when shopping for late model used MB's in general, but it's especially important when shopping for SL Class 231's.
I wish you Good Luck in finding the 231 of your dreams! It's certainly a very unique vehicle, and there's really nothing else quite like it, or as satisfying to drive!
Patience is so important when shopping for late model used MB's in general, but it's especially important when shopping for SL Class 231's.
True.
I have located two that have everything I want except ABC in colors I like. One I can fly out to buy and drive back, the other is on the left coast so I'd have to ship back (so add $2500).
I roll the dice everyday that someone else will snap them up while I look for the unicorn...
I have located two that have everything I want except ABC in colors I like. One I can fly out to buy and drive back, the other is on the left coast so I'd have to ship back (so add $2500).
I roll the dice everyday that someone else will snap them up while I look for the unicorn...
Not sure what your price point is but as suggested earlier, you could simply get a used SL63. Car drives great, looks better with the forged wheels and grill (in your case) and all have ABC by default. You should be able to get a 2017 for $90k-$100k. Less for the older models of course...
Well fellas, the grille question is moot for me. I just purchased this beauty. It has everything I wanted except ABC, and as much as I wanted that, I just couldn't find one that had it and met my other criteria. I'm envious of those that have it, but I think I'll still be very happy with this car.
It's a CPO 2016 SL400 with just over 5000 miles on the odo. Designo Graphite exterior and Bengal Red Nappa interior. Premium Package, Driver Assist Package, Sport Wheel Package, Wood/Leather steering wheel, soft close doors. B service just completed.
I got a great quote for two more years of warranty from Jeff Jackson at MB Louisville and will be adding that soon.
It's on a truck coming from WA state to NY state, should be here this coming week. Thanks for all your advice so far!
It's very unlikely you'll ever find one to your liking with ABC, but if you're just concerned about ride quality, then can look for a 231 with 18-inch wheels and non-run flat tires instead. That was the 231 stock wheel size from 2013-2016.
[Keep in mind that 19-inch or larger wheel sizes make the ride noticeably more harsh, especially when combined with run flat tires which have very stiff sidewalls compared to more conventional non-run flat tires].
If necessary, you can certainly make the switch to 18-inch wheels and tires yourself.after purchasing a 231 that has the larger wheels and run flat tires..
The smaller diameter wheels and softer sidewalls of non-run flat tires enhance the ride quality nicely. Just keep the suspension setting in 'comfort mode', (the default setting), and you'll appreciate your 231's (non-ABC) ride comfort! Furthermore, with 18-inch wheels and tires, you're much less likely to incur damage from road hazards, (i.e. 'potholes')
Click on the link below to see ALL the genuine MB 18-inch wheel options that are available for the 231.
There is a lot more to ABC than just ride comfort.....
Well yes, ABC has multiple functions, and of course, the new 'Curve' Function has also been added, but I think by now virtually everyone here understands all that.
However, if you've been following the on-going ABC discussions at all, then you should realize that 'ride comfort' is the reason most often cited for why ABC is a desirable feature/option to have on a 231. There has been very little said about justifying ABC on the basis of 'better handling' or the new 'Curve' Function which provides 'flatter' cornering.
Keep in mind the average age of a 231 owner is older than you might have thought). A 231 Owner Age request was recently made to start an age of ownership discussion thread, and that thread remains active....Suggest you check it out if you have not already done so.
Indications are that most on this forum are indeed 'older' 231 owners, who consider themselves part of a 'Roadster/Cruiser Community', and therefore value 'ride comfort' more than 'tighter handling' and 'cornering'...However, you may well find the exact opposite to be true should you ever visit a Porsche Forum. I suspect Porsche Owners are much less concerned with 'ride comfort' than 231 owners are.
As previously mentioned, the vast majority of 231 Owners don't have ABC and very few with that option are available on the used market. However, non-ABC 231 ride comfort can be improved by choosing 18-inch wheels and 18" non-run flat tires that feature a softer sidewall. (Click on the link below to see the genuine 18-inch MB wheel options for the 231).
Well fellas, the grille question is moot for me. I just purchased this beauty. It has everything I wanted except ABC, and as much as I wanted that, I just couldn't find one that had it and met my other criteria. I'm envious of those that have it, but I think I'll still be very happy with this car.
It's a CPO 2016 SL400 with just over 5000 miles on the odo. Designo Graphite exterior and Bengal Red Nappa interior. Premium Package, Driver Assist Package, Sport Wheel Package, Wood/Leather steering wheel, soft close doors. B service just completed.
I got a great quote for two more years of warranty from Jeff Jackson at MB Louisville and will be adding that soon.
It's on a truck coming from WA state to NY state, should be here this coming week. Thanks for all your advice so far!
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.
Expanding my search to the '17s now....
Different classes of cars & suspensions, hence a 'useless' comparison!
