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Are There Any Other Forums or Information Sites I Should Read
Since purchasing the 2017 SL450, I have tried to use the web to search and educate myself on what we own and how to care for it. This forum is great, but there does not seem to be very many active members that post. What I read is good, but there is just not much activity or archived information on caring for the car and tips and hints or best practices for being a good owner. Thanks.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Well, in terms of numbers, the R231 cars are relatively rare, compared to, let’s say, something like a Corvette. In addition, these cars tend to be purchased by folks who simply take them to the dealer, for issues and servicing and few are purchased by “gear-head” types. The R231’s also seem to be relatively rock solid and trouble free. These cars are not raced or used in any sort of competition, which means that few are modified. Add all these things up and the results are very few online enthusiasts. I believe that most owners who bought or leased these cars new, are professionals, who have little interest in the cars, other than enjoying them until they trade them for their next rides. I believe the majority of folks on this forum obtained their cars second hand and are older & retired, but that is just speculation on my part.
Stream, I agree almost completely. I'm a former C7 Corvette owner, retired, will use the dealer but I am a gearhead and car nut. Bought the SL because my wife hated the Corvette and loved our BMW Z4 hardtop convertible that I traded for the Corvette. I bought the SL as a CPO in the colors she wanted. Happy Wife, Happy Life.
Well, in terms of numbers, the R231 cars are relatively rare, compared to, let’s say, something like a Corvette. In addition, these cars tend to be purchased by folks who simply take them to the dealer, for issues and servicing and few are purchased by “gear-head” types. The R231’s also seem to be relatively rock solid and trouble free. These cars are not raced or used in any sort of competition, which means that few are modified. Add all these things up and the results are very few online enthusiasts. I believe that most owners who bought or leased these cars new, are professionals, who have little interest in the cars, other than enjoying them until they trade them for their next rides. I believe the majority of folks on this forum obtained their cars second hand and are older & retired, but that is just speculation on my part.
Doesn't fit my profile at all but I just like these cars. Must be the lack of a proper hobby
I am most definitely a "gear head", but as Streamliner pointed out, I'm retired...meaning that I've finally figured out what will satisfy me, car-wise. That's why I settled on the 231: it'll be perfect for me. I bookmarked four forums beside this one when I started searching for info on the 231. I quickly discovered that the others are functionally dead compared to this one, so I haven't been to any of them in many months...maybe over a year.
I am most definitely a "gear head", but as Streamliner pointed out, I'm retired...meaning that I've finally figured out what will satisfy me, car-wise.
Well said! I'm not retired yet, but my R231 definitely satisifies my gear head itch
Having come from the Corvette forum, I was initially disappointed by the limited participation/information I was finding here. But now, about three weeks later, I am beginning to understand what has been so eloquently explained by Streamliner regarding the nature of the folks who choose to own an SL. In fact, rmorin49's explanation of what led him to buy his SL400 is incredibly similar to my story. Also, there is a lot more information to be found on this forum than initially meets the eye. I am working my way back through older threads in an effort to find out others thought and concerns about these marvelous little gems. Mostly I am learning about my cars features on the fly, but there are things I never would have figured out on my own, like how to activate the fader control for the audio system. (As a newbie I did not even realize there was little to nothing coming out the rear speakers until it was called to my attention on this forum!) So do not be surprised to find me reviving old threads, they are not old to us relative newbies here. I am really enjoying going through older posts in an effort to increase my learning curve so that I can fully enjoy our SL400. No regrets leaving the Corvette forum behind and moving on to this new venue.
I was in the exact same position a year ago. Traded my 2016 C7 Corvette for the SL. Happy Wife, Happy Life. Still considering a C8 Corvette in a few years.
This forum has been very helpful and informative for a Mercedes Newbie like me as the SL is my first Daimler product after 13 BMWs, 3 Audis and 3 VWs.
Last edited by rmorin49; Mar 31, 2021 at 04:18 PM.
I too was an avid Corvette enthusiast and was active on Corvetteforum for many years. I too enjoy tinkering with cars and I was able to fix my center console door spring by finding a video off this forum and I also replaced the inner scuff plates. Nothing major but not worth bringing it to the dealer either. This is my replacement Corvette and it surely is an upgrade...
Sounds like a lot of us Corvette forum guys migrated this way. My MY C5 Vert was the gateway drug for open air driving for me, and the plate KzooVet has chased me all across the country!
This is truly a great group here, though. Informative, supportive, pithy, and with a teeny hard edge. I like that!
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
It was around 1970 or so and I was driving home late one night. Sepulveda Blvd. in Culver City was almost deserted when I pulled up to a stop light in my ‘68 Corvette, L79 350hp, 4-speed, coupe. Sitting at the light was a Porsche 911. The light turned green and I jumped on it. Going into third gear, I was absolutely shocked to see the Porsche right there on my rear bumper. It was time to shut down, we both did and he turned off, but I got the idea that he probably would have beat me, had we raced further. I got my first 911 a year later. I used to drive it to Corvette club car shows and I joked that it was a “German Corvette.” I had a few other Corvettes over the years, but I never kept one very long, always going back to a 911 or an SL. When I got my new 2004 SL500, I kept it for 12 years.
Last edited by Streamliner; Jul 2, 2020 at 04:18 PM.
Streamliner's description of the quintessential SL owner more or less fits my profile. Prior to moving to the SL last summer i owned a 2007 CLK550 for 12 yers. I did a lot of wrenching in the past but my arthritis prevents me from doing anything but the most basic functions. I found to CLK (W209) forum to be an excellent source of information with many experts who were more than willing to act as volunteer service advisors. The CLK had more problems than the SL so there was significant activity not he forum. For me, the primary benefit of these fora is it often provides me with information I can use when interacting with the dealership's service advisors.
Streamliner, your last entry on the thread sounds like the first few lines of a 60s JAN & Dean song (Dead Man's Curve), but the Stingray was racing an XKE.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by bobpun
.............
Streamliner, your last entry on the thread sounds like the first few lines of a 60s JAN & Dean song (Dead Man's Curve), but the Stingray was racing an XKE.
Being brought up in L.A., I was VERY familiar with “Dead Man’s Curve,” which was on Sunset Blvd. in the Beverly Hills area. In addition, I owned many ‘63 to ‘67 C2 Stingrays and also a ‘65 XKE Roadster. When I think of an XKE racing a C2 through that stretch of Sunset, I can only imagine one outcome and that would be with the Jag being wrapped around a telephone pole! The E Type Jags were notorious for breaking loose in turns and were very difficult to handle at speed through curves. The C2’s, on the other hand, could really take those curves and all the torque of the 327’s really helped.
The city completely reworked the Deadman’s Curve Portion of Sunset Blvd. several decades ago and, for all intents and purposes, it no longer exists—which is a really good thing, as it was truly treacherous!
One of my 427 Corvettes. This one was a 400hp, PowerGlide and every option except side exhaust. Obviously NOT a car to go racing in!
Last edited by Streamliner; Jul 2, 2020 at 04:51 PM.
I'm a UK resident and a member of two forums here. The problem with them is that they are not model specific, which makes it difficult to obtain info for my car.
This forum is model specific although there seems to be a lack of hands on guys on here.
BL
Having come from the Corvette forum, I was initially disappointed by the limited participation/information I was finding here. But now, about three weeks later, I am beginning to understand what has been so eloquently explained by Streamliner regarding the nature of the folks who choose to own an SL. In fact, rmorin49's explanation of what led him to buy his SL400 is incredibly similar to my story. Also, there is a lot more information to be found on this forum than initially meets the eye. I am working my way back through older threads in an effort to find out others thought and concerns about these marvelous little gems. Mostly I am learning about my cars features on the fly, but there are things I never would have figured out on my own, like how to activate the fader control for the audio system. (As a newbie I did not even realize there was little to nothing coming out the rear speakers until it was called to my attention on this forum!) So do not be surprised to find me reviving old threads, they are not old to us relative newbies here. I am really enjoying going through older posts in an effort to increase my learning curve so that I can fully enjoy our SL400. No regrets leaving the Corvette forum behind and moving on to this new venue.
i came from the corvette forum also, nothing like that in this section compared to corvette forums. however SL isnt the model that most people like to mod. corvettes being american have way too many options and mods to choose from hence lesss content here.
the forum similar to corvette forum here might be the C E class subsections where ppl mod their cars and have tons of options to choose from. SL is perfect from the beginning haha
Actually, the SL is nearly perfect from the get go, in my opinion. For what they are, MB got it mostly right with these cars. Outside of some modernization of tech, the cars do most everything as well as one would expect. This might explain why they have changed little over the years.
Actually, the SL is nearly perfect from the get go, in my opinion. For what they are, MB got it mostly right with these cars. Outside of some modernization of tech, the cars do most everything as well as one would expect. This might explain why they have changed little over the years.
You're giving the car a bit too much credit. IMO the SL is far from perfect. The open differential, terrible plastic button bank, and the outdated tech are the three huge flaws of this car. I still like them a lot!
Fitting spacers certainly enhances the the look of a car. But to wide will play havoc with your wheel bearings.
I don't think that any R231 is going to be fitted with spacers that large. My Jeep has rims with 2" less backspacing than stock, and it's been perfectly fine. So if that is holding up, I'm sure a 10 or 15 mm spacer on a car like this won't be an issue.
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