KennyK

I decided to go from my 2005 R230 SL500 to a 2016 SL550 (CPO). I absolutely love my R230, but the difference between that and the R231 was night and day. Getting the new one on Tuesday.

Very excited on a variety of levels.

I would love to here the comments from others who have gone from previous SL versions to the R231

Keon

The R230 felt more "solid" and heavier. The R231 feels a whole lot different, and it just has more of everything. The best way to put it is that I really love my R231, but I still miss my R230. Two very great cars.

Streamliner

Does your new car have ABC? I had a 2004 SL500 that I ordered new. I had it for 12 years and sold it with 22,000 miles on it. One of my all time favorite cars, and I have had many.

I replaced it with a CPO 2013 SL550. The car had only 11,000 miles and was in near new condition. Everything about the new car was better than on my 2004, with the following exceptions:

1. The 2003 to 2012 R230 SL’s in the USA, all came with Active Body Control or “ABC” as standard equipment. My 2004 rode like a dream. With the introduction of the R231 SL’s in 2013, all non-AMG cars imported into the USA, had ABC as a $4,000.00+ option. So, the vast majority of 2013 to 2020, non-AMG SL’s do not have ABC, including my 2013. Being someone who truly values ride quality, I was unable to keep the car, as I was so disappointed in the ride.

2. The audio system in my 2004 was just wonderful. The audio systems in the R231’s is not nearly as good and I personally, find it to be incredibly sub-standard for a $100K+ luxury car.

Good luck with your new car!

Keon

The Bose speakers in the R230 would still be considered good or great nowadays. They really were great!

KennyK

I do not have ABC on the R231. I did not notice much of difference in the audio.

The R231 feels a lot more modern but I am sure I will miss the R230

Streamliner

Actually, the speakers in the R231’s are fine. It’s the REST of the system that sucks.

steve sl550

Streamliner (note I got it right this time )

You are correct noting the speakers are OK...as you know problem is no signal to the rear speakers.

My solution (as discussed earlier) has made the audio system what it should be.....now I love EVERYTHING about the car.

With all the other things you have done to your new car you should really do what I have and you will be more than pleased.

Steve

Streamliner

Well, if I lived close to your audio guy, it would have been done already. I have been to several shops and have come away with the feeling that “I don’t want these guys touching my car.” So, the problem remains unattended to. Still looking.

Keon

I've gotten in contact with many audio shops and even the more high-end one refuse to do such work on the car, despite it being simple. I guess they are scared of the possible liabilities they'd face from installation error.

allfortheunion

For those in SoCal, you might consider a call to Reus Audio in Orange. They have been in business a long time and have worked on many high end cars. Not much to be found on this forum lately about them but recently they have been doing a lot of work on Teslas (one Tesla owner said the factory audio sounded like he was listening while head deep in mud!). Most reviews of the upgrades are very positive.

I have spoken to Rick Reus on the phone for 30 minutes, and received a quote for 3 levels of upgrade. Rick is quite friendly and will speak with you just about as long as you want. The cost is several times higher than installing an Alpine amp, but less than the B&O factory option, and takes about 6 hours. They install a second amp (350W), a subwoofer in the trunk, replace the door tweeters, install passive and active crossovers, and a few other things I don’t pretend to understand. Reportedly, when finished there is no indication in the cabin that any work has been done, and the equipment can even be removed and re-installed in your next car.

i’ll be visiting his shop soon to talk more, look at the shop, and listen to whatever demo setups they have there. If I go ahead with the upgrade I’ll post again later.

Wolfman

This is one of those cases where the R231 does everything better than the R230, especially with the engine you had. The V8TT is such a better engine. The R230 was great in its time but the weight reduction while being more rigid made the R231 a better convertible from the get-go.
Streamliner pointed out ABC which became an option and as such, a rarer one.

The only thing that is rarely mentioned is that the R231 has a touch more wind buffeting than the R230 due to their cabin/side window/windscreen design.