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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Being reasonably depressed by the current cloud of dread hanging over the world, the sight of all those AMGish designations for the new model of the luxurious, drop-top cars I have loved for decades, just adds to the gloom. OK, I’ll wait to see the actual cars, but my feeling is that this will be an SLINO—an SL in name only—a dolled up AMG GT with lipstick. I hate the idea. OK, so the SL started out as a sports car with the fabled 300SL’s, but that quickly changed and the SL has been a comfy, 2-seat, convertible, luxurious, boulevard cruiser since 1963, or at least since 1972, so this “going back to its roots” idea just doesn’t cut it with me. I know all the reasons why this new SL will be based on the AMG GT, but that doesn’t mean I have to like it. My 2019 will probably be my last Mercedes-Benz convertible and I’m glad I have it. Hope all of you out there are doing well.
The demand for true "sports cars" is very low and declining. Even luxury touring cars like the SL and the LC500 are not selling well. I'm surprised Daimler is continuing to develop and offer these type of vehicles. With the decline in fuel prices SUVs and pickups will continue to lead sales.
Can't quite agree with that as AMG is Mercedes' cash cow and the AMG GT sales dwarf those of the SL albeit being quite a bit more pricey. Sports cars sell but not in the mass market.
Now that we drive the AMG GTC I can see that the SL has some dynamic deficiencies that should be addressed with a new platform (being front heavy; that's why some like a smaller, lighter engine).
I am certain that the car will have all the creature comforts added as the SL needs to fill the role of the S-Class convertible.
It will be sportier than before (the i6 engine will be at the SL550 levels) while being more balanced. I like it and it fits the SL status.
If they do have they have done with the GT 2 door line, they have solved this by moving the engine behind the front axle (front-mid engine) and the transmission to the rear axle, given the car a great balance and light footed driving experience. Add rear wheel steering and AWD, this will make for a balanced and powerful car.
The only thing I will miss is the folding hard-top.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Can't quite agree with that as AMG is Mercedes' cash cow and the AMG GT sales dwarf those of the SL albeit being quite a bit more pricey. Sports cars sell but not in the mass market.
Now that we drive the AMG GTC I can see that the SL has some dynamic deficiencies that should be addressed with a new platform (being front heavy; that's why some like a smaller, lighter engine).
I am certain that the car will have all the creature comforts added as the SL needs to fill the role of the S-Class convertible.
It will be sportier than before (the i6 engine will be at the SL550 levels) while being more balanced. I like it and it fits the SL status.
If they do have they have done with the GT 2 door line, they have solved this by moving the engine behind the front axle (front-mid engine) and the transmission to the rear axle, given the car a great balance and light footed driving experience. Add rear wheel steering and AWD, this will make for a balanced and powerful car.
The only thing I will miss is the folding hard-top.
“MODERATOR???” I don’t think I can talk to you anymore. I feel inferior.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by allfortheunion
That’s a deal breaker for me and many others.
The retractable hardtop is just SO nice! It’s one of those things that was so revolutionary when it first came out, but now the car makers (other than Ferrari) seem to feel it’s passé, when it is anything but.
And, WHY has top down driving lost its luster? Do younger people not appreciate the experience? My second car was a 1958 Corvette, with just a soft top. Within five minutes of driving away from the place where I bought it used, I was absolutely HOOKED! It happened to be the first time I ever drove a stick shift as well. What a memory that is! But really, I don’t understand this SUV thing. Nobody wants to have fun anymore? Oh well.
Thanks but come on! If anyone doesn't actually have to use their tops it's in SoCal.
Kidding aside, the roof on our GTC is clearly inferior. But the soft top between the AMG and the S-Class cab was a world apart in terms of insulation. We'll see if it is a deal breaker or simply a nuisance...
The retractable hardtop is just SO nice! It’s one of those things that was so revolutionary when it first came out, but now the car makers (other than Ferrari) seem to feel it’s passé, when it is anything but.
And, WHY has top down driving lost its luster? Do younger people not appreciate the experience? My second car was a 1958 Corvette, with just a soft top. Within five minutes of driving away from the place where I bought it used, I was absolutely HOOKED! It happened to be the first time I ever drove a stick shift as well. What a memory that is! But really, I don’t understand this SUV thing. Nobody wants to have fun anymore? Oh well.
You never saw me disagree on the roof. Especially since this was the reason that made the car a all season car in MN. A true coupe top-up with a glass roof that really helps on short and gloomy winter days.
But the SL is more that a folding top. To me it's the whole package...
The retractable hardtop is just SO nice! It’s one of those things that was so revolutionary when it first came out, but now the car makers (other than Ferrari) seem to feel it’s passé, when it is anything but.
And, WHY has top down driving lost its luster? Do younger people not appreciate the experience? My second car was a 1958 Corvette, with just a soft top. Within five minutes of driving away from the place where I bought it used, I was absolutely HOOKED! It happened to be the first time I ever drove a stick shift as well. What a memory that is! But really, I don’t understand this SUV thing. Nobody wants to have fun anymore? Oh well.
I can see how you feel this way living in Southern CA. For those that live in colder and/or wetter climes, owning a drop top isn't quite as desirable. That said, I am fortunate to have several cars and one is always a drop top. That said, if we downsize and I lose a garage I will may have to give up my drop top.
Streamliner - this pic is for you - my 1958 "PeggySue" after Buddy Holly's hit from that year
Wolfman - Congrats ! I know this is off topic .... certainly delete ... but was hoping Streamliner would get a look see first ... I couldn't figure out how to attach a pic to a PM
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by rmorin49
I can see how you feel this way living in Southern CA. For those that live in colder and/or wetter climes, owning a drop top isn't quite as desirable. That said, I am fortunate to have several cars and one is always a drop top. That said, if we downsize and I lose a garage I will may have to give up my drop top.
Right there with you. I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to have a daily driver sedan and a “garage car” convertible for many years now. If I could only have one, as an older guy, it would be my big, comfy sedan.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
[QUOTE=iridium18;8012550]Streamliner - this pic is for you - my 1958 "PeggySue" after Buddy Holly's hit from that year
QUOTE]
Beautiful car, but I remember how mine drove. Ride quality was not in the vocabulary of early Vette engineers. One day, going to pick up my girlfriend from a college up in the hills above L.A. in the rain, I slid into a curb and bent the A Arm. I limped the car home and took it apart. When I went to the junk yard to try and find a replacement part, I was amazed to find out that the front suspension on the ‘53 to ‘62 Corvettes was exactly the same as that used on the ‘53 Chevrolet sedans! Of course, I still admire the beauty of the early Corvettes, but have no desire to own one again. This old backside of mine demands the comfort of my SL. Thanks for posting the great photo!
Thanks. You described the "driving dynamics", or lack thereof, concisely.
She is used primarily in charity events, visits to nursing homes, school events, etc.
Quite the pampered life as you might expect.
Stay safe, Steve
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Originally Posted by iridium18
Thanks. You described the "driving dynamics", or lack thereof, concisely.
She is used primarily in charity events, visits to nursing homes, school events, etc.
Quite the pampered life as you might expect.
Stay safe, Steve
I’ll try to find a photo of mine. I had it at a time when originality was not thought to be good and pretty much whatever one could do to modify their car was thought to be an improvement, ala the J.C Whitney catalog.
After owning E-Class cars since 1999, I took the plunge and purchased an SL550 in January 2019. It’s not my daily driver but I drive it every chance i get. I absolutely love the SL550. It truly is under appreciated until one drives it. Like others have said, most people don’t realize it’s a convertible. I recent drove mine on a 300 mile trip to KC and wow was the experience awesome. Can’t say enough good things about this car.
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