SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: OMG, Best seats ever

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Rate Thread
 
Old Aug 13, 2020 | 03:00 AM
  #26  
rorywquin's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,040
Likes: 234
From: God's County (Yorkshire)
Shanks’s Pony
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Didn't know there is anyone more direct than a German, so no need to explain yourself
Not trying to beat a dead horse. I have no issues people hating or disliking things; that is normal and I would expect no less. But in my example of S-Class wood interior, I am fine with people hating the look or disliking colors, design, etc. but if they say it's fake wood or plastic, their opinion just became irrelevant to me.
Germans, Dutch, South Africans.....we're all pretty direct.
I did not say is is fake or plastic, just gave my (irrelevant) opinion which has unfortunately offended some people.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2020 | 04:36 PM
  #27  
Dr. Manhattan's Avatar
Super Member
5 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 563
Likes: 171
From: Nothern Georgia, U.S.A.
'17 SL450, '25 Lyriq, '25 Sonata Hybrid, '96 Corvette GS coupe
I think I know what Rory's been getting at here. I always thought of the SL as a must-have-wood-interior car, so in my extensive search for my car, looking at all the interior/wood trim combinations, my personal taste eventually brought me to the conclusion that I preferred Satin Poplar as my choice of wood. Burl Walnut, Black Ash, Bamboo, and both Piano choices all have such perfect, glossy finishes that, to me, they could easily pass for plastic . My '99 Passat had "Real Wood" (clear plastic with wood vernier on the back) interior trim that is very strongly brought back to mind when I look at Burl Walnut. The satin finish on the poplar just looks more like real wood to me. But, the other wood choices can be equally compelling in the correct interiors. For example, in Streamliner's brown/beige interior, the wood tone (color) of the Burl Walnut just flat-out pops, easily better than even my favorite poplar. I've seen a few SLs with that interior and Satin Poplar trim and it just doesn't look as good as it does with Burl Walnut. The same goes for either of the red interiors. Warm wood tones just don't seem to look right to me in a red interior. I'd go with either Black Ash or CF with either red interior (I like both red interiors a lot), but I did disregard two cars with red interiors that had Piano Black trim...for that very reason. And I still think that the Deep White interior looks absolutely amazing with Bamboo trim. TEHO, indeed.

Sorry about the hyjack...

Last edited by Dr. Manhattan; Aug 27, 2020 at 04:42 PM.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2020 | 06:46 PM
  #28  
Wolfman's Avatar
Super Moderator
MBWorld Ambassador

20 Year Member
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,537
Likes: 3,670
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Originally Posted by Dr. Manhattan
I think I know what Rory's been getting at here. I always thought of the SL as a must-have-wood-interior car, so in my extensive search for my car, looking at all the interior/wood trim combinations, my personal taste eventually brought me to the conclusion that I preferred Satin Poplar as my choice of wood. Burl Walnut, Black Ash, Bamboo, and both Piano choices all have such perfect, glossy finishes that, to me, they could easily pass for plastic . My '99 Passat had "Real Wood" (clear plastic with wood vernier on the back) interior trim that is very strongly brought back to mind when I look at Burl Walnut. The satin finish on the poplar just looks more like real wood to me. But, the other wood choices can be equally compelling in the correct interiors. For example, in Streamliner's brown/beige interior, the wood tone (color) of the Burl Walnut just flat-out pops, easily better than even my favorite poplar. I've seen a few SLs with that interior and Satin Poplar trim and it just doesn't look as good as it does with Burl Walnut. The same goes for either of the red interiors. Warm wood tones just don't seem to look right to me in a red interior. I'd go with either Black Ash or CF with either red interior (I like both red interiors a lot), but I did disregard two cars with red interiors that had Piano Black trim...for that very reason. And I still think that the Deep White interior looks absolutely amazing with Bamboo trim. TEHO, indeed.

Sorry about the hyjack...
I thought we had a pretty cool Carbon Fibre interior in our E63s. MB actually did a great job with matching the weaves. My wife thinks that it was $3k for nothing. In our convertible however, she likes the matte Carbon Fibre which I feel it's a rip off for a couple tiny pieces for even more money. Looks great with Black/Pepper Red interior though.
The new S-Class has a wood option I really like; it's a matte wood with surface treatment (almost like carved wood planks) with aluminum stripes. Would love something like that on the new SL.



Reply
Old Aug 27, 2020 | 08:18 PM
  #29  
RonNSoCal's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
5 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 2020
Posts: 256
Likes: 85
From: Newbury Park, CA
2016 SL400 & 2021 C300
These new high end MBs offer a whole new level of interior design. Those who were critical of the upholstery of the older MBs are understandable. They were austere, at best. My wife's 2010 E350 interior wore like iron, and you could see why they were a popular choice for taxis in Europe, but it was not inspiring. We never had these discussions on the C6 Corvette forum. Of course, our interior from the factory was limited in the color combinations available as well as in the materials. The dash was always black plastic, no matter the color of the seats. Not fake plastic, mind you. No, the real deal -black naugahyde. My SI400 has beige seats with chocolate brown, sorry mocca, on the dash. You might think that I miss that black plastic dash covering, but I really do not. I guess this is why there are so many ex-Vette owners driving SLs now.
Reply
Old Aug 27, 2020 | 11:04 PM
  #30  
C280 Sport's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,829
Likes: 592
From: NY & FL
MB’s of all kinds.
Originally Posted by RonNSoCal
These new high end MBs offer a whole new level of interior design. Those who were critical of the upholstery of the older MBs are understandable. They were austere, at best. My wife's 2010 E350 interior wore like iron, and you could see why they were a popular choice for taxis in Europe, but it was not inspiring. We never had these discussions on the C6 Corvette forum. Of course, our interior from the factory was limited in the color combinations available as well as in the materials. The dash was always black plastic, no matter the color of the seats. Not fake plastic, mind you. No, the real deal -black naugahyde. My SI400 has beige seats with chocolate brown, sorry mocca, on the dash. You might think that I miss that black plastic dash covering, but I really do not. I guess this is why there are so many ex-Vette owners driving SLs now.
My W212 is holding up like iron as well! It looks near brand new still! Even with real leather! Usually that stuff wears down fast. I had a C4 Corvette. Everything is plastic in American cars LOL. The SL is a HUGE upgrade from any Corvette. Yes the Vette outperformed the SL and is cheaper to run but overall the SL is worlds ahead.
Reply
Old Aug 28, 2020 | 08:30 AM
  #31  
places's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,526
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
Originally Posted by rorywquin
What words would you choose?

How would you describe "highly polished shiny black wood" that looks like plastic? Please convince me that the black wood in the pictures posted does not look like plastic materials.

I had a C Class 2020 model as a loaner last week and really liked the matte black wood look.

As I was careful to mention before - it is all down to taste.......I'm not saying your's is good or bad - just different.
I don't need to convince you because I have it on my SL and love it. I can personally attest that the polished black wood looks and feels like polished black wood. Nothing plastic feeling about it, actually feels quite solid and looks elegant. Like the wood MB was using for decades. As Wolf stated, it's very well executed. Personally I'm not a fan of the unfinished wood look, it's rough and too "casual" for an elegant car such as the S. Also feels "hollow" if you tap it, not nearly as solid. To each is own. I'm not even sure if they offer (or ever offered) the Piano wood on the lower line cars like they do the unfinished wood.
Reply

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:30 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
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.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE