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saw the most beautiful Benz today, and was shocked to see the model it was...
So we typically take my car when we go to the country for the weekend, but my wife's C300 hadn't been driven for weeks, what with the clampdown and all, so we took hers this time. Earlier today, on our drive back to reality, I see the most beautiful Mercedes coming up from behind. I didn't recognize the grille but it was equal parts sporty and luxurious, totally fierce. As it went by I checked the model: SL400, making it a 2015, same as mine!!
Last edited by eddieo45; Apr 27, 2020 at 06:41 AM.
I like this post very much. It's sort of like, "I saw this incredibly good-looking guy walking up to me at the mall yesterday, and damned if it wasn't a mirror!" 🙂
It is the 2nd most beautiful.......
Facelift edges it
Agreed! The facelift was the SL I saw that made me want to get one, but it was beyond my budget. I read a lot of opinions about R230's and R231's, front ends, rear ends, masculine, feminine....all kinds of nonsense, then I drove a 2013 SL550 and a 2015 SL400, made my decision and that was that. Sure, if I saw a facelifted R231 on the road I would look at it with a bit of envy, but it felt good to see the beauty in someone ELSE's 2015 that I must've seen in my own. Full disclosure it was white, which was my first choice, but in 6 months of shopping I never saw a decently equipped white one within 500 miles.
Agreed! The facelift was the SL I saw that made me want to get one, but it was beyond my budget. I read a lot of opinions about R230's and R231's, front ends, rear ends, masculine, feminine....all kinds of nonsense, then I drove a 2013 SL550 and a 2015 SL400, made my decision and that was that. Sure, if I saw a facelifted R231 on the road I would look at it with a bit of envy, but it felt good to see the beauty in someone ELSE's 2015 that I must've seen in my own. Full disclosure it was white, which was my first choice, but in 6 months of shopping I never saw a decently equipped white one within 500 miles.
Yes, Some of the opinions were to say the least over the top. “The overhang past the front wheels is one inch too long!” 😊
There are still quite a few of us who prefer the original (2013-2016) design over the 2017+ 'facelift' models...
I don't care for those silver 'grille bullets' that were added for 2017, nor do I like the lower grille design seen on the facelift models. I find the 2017+ lower grille to be much too similar to far less expensive MB models like the C-Class Coupe, Sedan or the GLC. Hate those huge 'holes' on either side of the facelifted model's lower grille too. (A $100K+ SL Class certainly deserves more 'exclusivity' there)...
To my eye, the more angular, AMG-inspired grille of the original 231 models looks 'way better', and I much prefer the original's 2-tone taillights as well...
Appearance is always subjective of course, so obviously YMMV must apply here, and while I applaud the 2017+ engine/transmission upgrades, I am just 'one of many' 231 Owners who still prefers 'the original' 231's body design!....
Streamliner's previously posted grille pics (below) show the front grille differences quite well, so you can see just what I mean and draw your own conclusions....
The pic below, (an original model), shows the 2-tone Taillights and the original 231's 18-inch Twin Spoke Wheels. (The Taillights became 'monochrome red' beginning with model year 2017, and sadly, 19-inch wheels became the 'stock standard' wheel size that same year). The change to 19" wheel size was detrimental to the 231's ride quality, and stock run-flat tires only made the harsher 'ride' of the 19" size worse). I've been very happy with my original's 18" wheels and 18" Michelin Ultra High Performance Pilot Sport AS3 Tires. My 18" Wheels and Tires provide more protection against road hazards too. Best of all, thanks to the 18-inch size, I have no issues with ride quality, so I don't miss ABC at all. Furthermore, I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that I will never again have to pay for an expensive ABC repair like I did with the 230 that I owned before acquiring my 231...
There are still quite a few of us who prefer the original (2013-2016) design over the 2017+ 'facelift' models...
I don't care for those silver 'grille bullets' that were added for 2017, nor do I like the lower grille design seen on the facelift models. I find the 2017+ lower grille to be much too similar to far less expensive MB models like the C-Class Coupe, Sedan or the GLC. Hate those huge 'holes' on either side of the facelifted model's lower grille too. (A $100K+ SL Class certainly deserves more 'exclusivity' there)...
To my eye, the more angular, AMG-inspired grille of the original 231 models looks 'way better', and I much prefer the original's 2-tone taillights as well...
Appearance is always subjective of course, so obviously YMMV must apply here, and while I applaud the 2017+ engine/transmission upgrades, I am just 'one of many' 231 Owners who still prefers 'the original' 231's body design!....
Streamliner's previously posted grille pics (below) show the front grille differences quite well, so you can see just what I mean and draw your own conclusions....
The pic below, (an original model), shows the 2-tone Taillights and the original 231's 18-inch Twin Spoke Wheels. (The Taillights became 'monochrome red' beginning with model year 2017, and sadly, 19-inch wheels became the 'stock standard' wheel size that same year). The change to 19" wheel size was detrimental to the 231's ride quality, and stock run-flat tires only made the harsher 'ride' of the 19" size worse). I've been very happy with my original's 18" wheels and 18" Michelin Ultra High Performance Pilot Sport AS3 Tires. My 18" Wheels and Tires provide more protection against road hazards too. Best of all, thanks to the 18-inch size, I have no issues with ride quality, so I don't miss ABC at all. Furthermore, I enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing that I will never again have to pay for an expensive ABC repair like I did with the 230 that I owned before acquiring my 231...
The prefacelift front looks too Audi / Lexus to me.
There is a lot more to ABC than simply ride quality and I've yet to read about ABC problems on a R231 (R231 is now going on 10 years old vs ~20 year old ABC design on R230s).
However, we all love our cars and will defend their qualities & looks.
Happy driving when we are allowed to get out and about.
Last edited by rorywquin; Apr 29, 2020 at 04:54 AM.
The 231 pre-facelift grille pic I added here is for comparison with the Lexus grille pic in your post above. I'm quite happy to allow others to draw their own conclusions on the subject!...
I also prefer the pre-facelift front end mainly because the "stars" in the facelift grille are just too much "bling" for me. I would have to paint them black if I ever upgrade to a newer model.
I also prefer the pre-facelift front end mainly because the "stars" in the facelift grille are just too much "bling" for me. I would have to paint them black if I ever upgrade to a newer model.
I'm not a fan of the stars either - I'd like a Panamerica style grille. However I'm happy to live with the stars (and as suggested - they could be painted) and have the more modern front end without the (IMO) dated DRL & V/A grilles.
No matter which one, they are all great looking cars.
OK, of course I'm biased - there's always the option of a SL63, Polar White, with the Night Package. Very nice balance and symmetry. When my wife said "I like it" .. bam, done.
OK, of course I'm biased - there's always the option of a SL63, Polar White, with the Night Package. Very nice balance and symmetry. When my wife said "I like it" .. bam, done.
yea, my first personalized plate ... interestingly, I don't know for certain if it was in '16 or '17 but MB reversed the trunk badging - it used to be SL63 on the left and AMG on the right
when I bought this CPO the trunk badging was L to R AMG - SL63 and to my surprise the TX Plate was available .... so ....
yea, my first personalized plate ... interestingly, I don't know for certain if it was in '16 or '17 but MB reversed the trunk badging - it used to be SL63 on the left and AMG on the right
when I bought this CPO the trunk badging was L to R AMG - SL63 and to my surprise the TX Plate was available .... so ....
I like the avatar pic of your car better, no front plate....
The front plate was a difficult decision - it is a fact that the ST of TX seemingly hunts out vehicles without front plates as a reason to stop ... if you watch Live PD at all nearly every show depicts that ... BUT, I wish it didn't as well ...
ah, with the requisite bungee so "I've been meaning to put it on" is plausible .... LOL Nice.
I agree it's a shame to detract from the front of these automobiles with the damn plates .....
Massachusetts has taken their annual inspections up a notch, and they now include multiple photos. I used to hang it on with paper clips! Once the inspector actually put it on for my using twist ties. None of that will fly now. I will bungee the plate through the lower grill, get my sticker, then remove it and toss it in the trunk. It's technically a moving violation but I've come to expect the middle-aged white guy privilege when I get pulled over!
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