Greetings fellow AMG Owners,

I have grown very weary of the insults thrown at our R231 SL. I wonder if fellow owners are exasperated as well. Specifically, I think the following needs to be declared: our AMG SL63 is not some incapable or disappointing vehicle that shouldn’t have been built. It’s one of the most capable GT cars ever built.

With this thread, I intend to help debunk the untruths out there about our SL63, which is the best overall performing R231 variant. I wonder if fellow SL63 owners might contribute, help the cause, and offer insight. I also am posting a poll.

Let us leave the mighty and wonderful SL65 aside — a car that almost nobody has seen or driven due to its rarity; a car which sits in its V-12 glory without any need for defense, comparison with the SL63, or further mention. (I happen to own a cousin of that vehicle, a 2019 AMG S65 Coupe).

The overall point: I don’t see why the reveal of a new R232 AMG SL needs to be accompanied by a wanton repudiation of the R231 SL. I resent it.

I resent the idea that our AMG SL63 has been lumped together with the overall cliché that the R231 SL moved away from its sporting roots, which supposedly has been corrected by the R232. (I happen to think exactly the opposite is true, but that’s a different subject.) This assertion is preposterous in so many ways. As a highly experienced and long-time collector of Mercedes cars as well as cars of virtually every other marque, my reasoned opinion is this: the blanket media critique of the R231 is undeserving and a display of ignorance or presentist, revisionist history.

It amounts to intellectually dishonest journalism if actual comparisons aren’t going to be made using comparative driving experience, ownership experience, testimony from other owners, performance data comparisons, other specification comparisons, etc.

I would like to outline my perspective. I am blessed to currently own, and to have owned recently and in the more distant past, countless European and domestic luxury sports cars and grand touring cars positioned above, below, and roughly equal to the R231 SL63. I even owned a 2019 SL450 at the same time as I owned my SL63. (The SL450 was a really good car, but its handling capabilities couldn’t compare to those of the SL63. It had better road manners and handled well on highway curves; but it was in no way a canyon carver.) As I have with other cars, I’ve taken my SL63 on various road trips; but when I took it in 2020 through the canyons of North Carolina and Tennessee — conquering roads like the Tail of the Dragon, various parkways including the Blue Ridge Parkway, and other technical roads, I made an important discovery. I discovered that the SL63 could do so much more than I ever could have expected. I came to love the car infinitely more than I had previously. My conclusion was that it could do virtually EVERYTHING that my 911 Carrera S with rear axle steering could do on those roads. It was an absolute beast, conquering every curve after a high speed straightaway in manner unbecoming of a 4,068-pound vehicle. (If the vehicle weighed 3200 pounds and was built with the same technology, only our imagination could capture how its capabilities would compare with the world’s finest vehicles in the category of true sports car.)

What about highway cruising? Again: the R231 SL63 is brilliant. I have had the good fortune of taking custody of a 2022 911 base turbo cabriolet for a few months, and obviously that vehicle is a wonderful vehicle that can do everything; but I can certainly say this: cruising down the highway for dozens and dozens of miles at a time around 100mph is much more preferred in the R231 SL63. It just does it better than the 911 turbo. Especially with the top down. The overall experience is much better. The ABC suspension is magical. Do we need to talk about straight line acceleration or engine power an torque numbers? I think not. Law of diminishing returns: I’m not big on 0-60 numbers or 1/4-mile times determine the enjoyability or capability factor of a car overall.

I think it’s time that the best attributes of the R231 AMG SL63 be declared.

Attributes of the R231 SL63:
- Curb weight of slightly more than 4k pounds (4,068)
- Reasonable length of 182 inches — keeps the car just within sports car or GT car length parameters, and not a large car
- All-aluminum chassis and body (This was a huge leap forward for the SL at the time of introduction )
- New generation of Active Body Control
- Rear-wheel drive with brake-steer/torque vectoring
- The absolute best high-speed roadster the world has ever seen. (I’ve driven at speeds around 150mph with the top down in this vehicle and others; and the wind deflector raised, no other car could ever match its wind-comfort attributes — that’s a fact.)
- Folding hardtop: structural rigidity, lots of natural light, great visibility all-around, peace of mind for optimum crash safety, aesthetic appearance.
- An S-class level or SL-class level Mercedes-Benz built by Mercedes-Benz incorporating all the priorities suited to the most expensive variants of Mercedes-Benz; budget or design energy constraints on luxury and quality are the least restrictive.
- A sport touring vehicle with the athleticism of a true sports car: the subjective line between true sports car and sport/grand touring car is further blurred after experiencing this vehicle. (I say it handles like a true sports car; therefore it must be a true sports car.)
- A car like this will never, ever, ever be manufactured again by anyone.

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On to the R232. I haven’t driven one. I imagine it is a really nice car and a wonderful driver. I can only comment on its specifications which are well known and available on paper.

I do not think the on-paper attributes of the R232 are superior to the attributes of the R231 SL63. Period. More on this later.

- Curb weight. Official number is hard to find, but it’s around 4300 pounds. Should a weight gain of around 250 pounds be dismissed during such laudatory praise of the R232?
- Length is 185 inches. That’s becoming quite long. Should a further growth in length of the SL be dismissed?
- No Active Body Control. I don’t care what the technology is — there is no way electronic stabilizer bars can do the job that ABC can do. It’s not a substitute - it’s a step down; and it’s cheaper to manufacture and integrate. These are facts.
- All-wheel drive. This is subjective, but I think more than 50% of sports car owners and certainly more than 50% of track instructors want rear-wheel drive. I base this on my experience talking to such folks along my journey across the years. Among other negatives, it’s unnecessary rotational mass and encroachment on steering feel.
- Wind deflection might be good; but if I had to predict, I’d say the increase in the size of the cockpit would not lend itself to wind deflection characteristics equivalent or superior to those of the R231.
- Folding hard tops are bad now? We are to ditch the plastic bags now, in favor of the paper bags, when around 1992 the paper bags were ditched in favor of plastic? Why are we complaining that a hard top convertible adds unnecessary weight when we didn’t save any weight overall by going to a R232? There is nothing wrong with a folding hard top — in various practical ways already mentioned, it’s superior; and if the R232 saved some 125 pounds with a fabric roof, I don’t think we’d notice much difference in performance. The fabric roof has one and only one advantage - weight. Who wouldn’t trade a bit extra weight for all the advantages of the hardtop? I’ll tell you who WOULD NOT — creators of a larger, heavier R232 SL who couldn’t possibly consider using the hardtop when they already created a behemoth using the soft top.
- I am skeptical of the luxury and quality priorities and budget allowances of the designers at Mercedes-AMG (which operates within its own ecosystem at Mercedes) who took control of the R232 design. Anyone who has been in a Mercedes-AMG GT knows that it’s not R231 SL-class level of luxury or quality. That’s a fact.

Conclusions:

1) The R232 might just be a fine vehicle. Is it absolutely an upgrade to the R231? I think on paper the answer to that question is definitely, without question, “Not necessarily.”

2) The R232 might be an upgrade to the R231 — concluded after an assembly of various conclusions on different subjective attributes synthesized together for an overall decision. At the same time, this does not necessitate that there was something terribly wrong with Mercedes’s efforts, or the results of their efforts, in connection to the R231 model and specifically the SL63.

3) I will keep my R231 SL63 forever because it’s not supplanted. It’s a wonderful, unique automobile. I might dabble with an R232, but to me it’s a different category of car — not a replacement the way a Porsche 991.2 replaces a 991.1 or a 991 replaces a 997.

4) I do not have a problem with the applause of the arrival of the new R232. I was very excited to witness the announcement of the new vehicle. I do have a problem with the seeming blind eye to all those on-paper negatives listed above — some which have been flipped into positives by clever partisans; and I do have a problem with the accompanying daggers thrown at the R231 model. If a journalist is going to laud the new car by denigrating the previous car, then he’d better cite a recent driving experience of the R231. That would be the fair way to compare — not to work off a distant memory or no experience at all.

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Please participate in the poll.
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Thanks for reading!​​​​​​

 

One word: WOW!

 

You stated the fabric roof had only one advantage.... weight. I do agree with that. There is also another advantage... it is CHEAPER. MB saved probably $15,000 they will put in their pocket by deleting the hardtop convertible. And the beauty of being able to paint the top the same color as the car is lost.

Also, the 231 was maybe the last real roadster. If you don't agree, Google the term roadster and come back here to discuss it. The 232 has FOUR SEATS. MB can call it a roadster if they want. They own it. If they were really interested in weight, they would not have put the stupid back seats in the car.

Every time I see the computer screen dash, i cannot get the picture of JarJar out of my head. It is just so ugly.

We will.be keeping the 231 we own. I might trade the Expedition or the Enclave.... but the SL ain't going anywhere. It is the last rendition of a classy MB Roadster.... a real roadster. And so fun to drive and look at too.

And the 231 does get a bad rap...it is a great value...dependable.... and fun to own.

 

348sstb - I am also fortunate enough to own a MY17 SL63, which I purchased CPO 3 years ago. "Sugar" is my first SL. To borrow the Four Seasons hit - "O What a Night" the first drive ... and every drive since. It is quite the automobile. You have summed the attributes exactly. Enjoy.

 

I have never listened to or care about the opinions of so called experts who once graced the pages of car magazines and now internet media. Pardon my French but I don’t give a s*** what others think and drive what I believe is the most enjoyable car on the road for me. Media folks are always chasing the “next” exciting by line and you are wasting your time preaching to the choir here….😊
I predict that the R232 will be a horrible seller and the last of the ICE SL’s.

 

They can call the 232 an SL...they build it and they can call it what they want. The media people are given treats and gifts to write good things about the car. Then you have people that make a living selling the 232 or work for MB in some other fashion... then some people are actually buying one and of course they are going to like it. No real delivery date and no price... LOL.

The 231 is the last of the MB roadster breed. I love the car and don't care what others say.

 

I voted (only) for #2. And mainly because of the words “at this time”. Didn’t check #3 because honestly I haven’t been following any recent coverage of the R231 vis-a-vis the R232.

I bought my 2013 SL63 last June. Wonderful, awesome car, and my first ever MB. Liked it so much that just a few short months later in November I added an R129 SL500 to the fleet. So I went backward in SL time, not forwards. I find the R129 to be simply delightful as well.

I am sure that the R232 is an awesome car, but simply put, I only buy toys that someone else has taken the depreciation bullet on. So while I may quite possibly own an R232 in the future, I’m simply not thinking about one right now. (Actually considering a 2000s Jag XKR for my next target. Blasphemy maybe? Alas, too many cars, too little time!)

Here’s the two SLs in the garage. Out of view are the 996 Turbo and the C4 ZR-1. Yes, I’m marque-agnostic. Yes, I’ve previously owned 4 Mustangs, including a fire-breathing GT500, hence the Ford poster. I repeat: too many cars, too little time.

 

Quite an analysis! But who the eff cares? If you love your current car, it's YOUR car and nobody else's. I love my 231, but it doesn't quite have the classic looks of the 230 (though I really like the looks of my 231). And I agree about the ABC suspension. It was a pain in the *** right before I sold it, but now I understand how superior it was compared to the Damptronic suspension I have now. And the gas tank baffle coming loose was annoying. So, I am very happy to own a 231.

My SL400 does seem to be a bit more nimble than my SL500 was, even with ABC. That might be due to saving weight in the front with the V6, so the SL43 may be an interesting car to drive with the 4-banger, though I can't imaging the exhaust will sound nearly as good as my car does now. So, your comment about the extra weight isn't insignificant. These cars are heavy already. And with the weight reduction from the 230 to the 231, adding weight back in is the wrong direction.

Nice discussion.

 

Love your garage! Looks like mine. Well used and lived in.

 

From what I have read, the owners of SLs typically love them, while the magazine writers tend to disparage the car. The car mag folks seem to fail to apply one of their own criteria of how well a car performs with regards to its designed purpose. They do not see the appeal of the SL because they are typically more interested in race cars rather than comfort, luxury/quality of build and versatility. I now own an SL400 and it certainly is more to my liking than the C6 Corvette it replaced and the 2001 BMW M Roadster and other assorted sports cars I have owned in the past, which were loved by the critics. The Vette and BMW were my past favorites and they were great cars, but not as comfortable or luxurious or pleasant to drive, especially on a longer trip. And top down, there is minimum chill and wind noise with windows up on the freeway, and the hard top offers security and looks so much better than a rag top. if there is a better car for top down motoring I am yet to hear about it. Also, the trunk can hold two carry-ons and still has room for more, which is great for a trip for two. And the seats are so comfortable and the car is very roomy for a two seater. Honestly, there is not a lot more I could want from a sports car.

 

I couldn't have said it better. I traded my 2010 Z4 for a 2016 C7 Corvette coupe. Loved both cars but the SL is a step up in terms of how we use our "sports car". In terms of performance the SL, other than the top AMG models, is a step below the Corvette, Porsche 911, etc. but it is a far better GT car. As Ron said it makes a great road trip car and we have made several with another one scheduled for May. Oh, and one more thing, my better half LOVES and the SL and absolutely HATED the Corvette. This is an added bonus.

 

This, my fellow SL friends, is definitely a first world problem. 😎

 

The new soft top is actually quieter than the 231's folding hard top. Looks are of course subjective, but I love the look of soft tops while in place on CERTAIN cars. (ex. F430 Spider, E46 M3, Gallardo)

 

Mine did not like the Corvette either. It was too low and hard to get into, bumped its chin on most driveways and was noisy.

 

LOL, Just how do you know the soft top in the R232 is quieter than the hard top on the R231?

 

He’s a dealer employee and attended the R232 product training on both road and track.

 

I read that the noise level is the same tops in a German article. Something I tend to believe because the sound insulation on the S-Class cab was quite good as we drove it at 160mph in Germany.

 

We also own a CLK with a Mercedes cloth top. The SL is noticeably quieter on the interstate at 80 and 90. I have not been able to test it at 150.. it has a V8 and the owner's manual says it is governed to max 155... LOL . Maybe the new top on the 232 is quieter. We liked the CLK enough that we bought it anyway and it is Mars Red so the black looks OK.

It is definitely subjective to one's taste and perspective, but I think the black cloth tops only look good with a red or black car. With a white car, I like the tan cloth tops better. To me, most body colors just do not look good with a black top. It's like wearing black tennis shoes to the beach. The black just does not look like it belongs there.

 

I can't quite relate to the poll and comments from the OP.

The R230 was a very popular SL but had to content with a lot of technical gremlins due to a low quality period of MB in the early 2K and some technologies what needed more maturity and better maintenance protocol that the company thought of (ABC), resulting in many expensive repairs.
The R231 has fixed all reliability issues and improved really all aspects of the top-down driving experience. It simply does everything better and this has been really one of the most reliable MBs manufactured over the last decade.

This car should have been a huge success given the popularity of the predecessor but it hasn't. The reason was simple. Unlike the R230 earlier, this car simply didn't look good. The press derided the looks of the car (ugly front-end, the front and back of the car being designed by two separate teams, etc.). Some think it was the lack of ABC as a default or the AMG-only fascia that caused it, but cars that looks good sell well and those that don't won't (my opinion).

Even our dealer joked about the looks as the time, telling me that customers would come, take a look and walk straight out. We bought our first R231 in 2013 and I felt the same. This was a great car but I never cared for the way it looked. Our SL600TT was just getting too pricey in repairs.
When the AMG GT was introduced a couple years later, the press absolutely loved the design and wondered out loud of how a company that could create the GT could fail so miserably on the SL. Two years later, the SL facelift was trying to fix that by emulating some design features and soften the lines. The press responded well to the facelift btw.

For those who can't understand this and like the look of the SL I feel the years have actually been kind to the SL. It now looks more mainstream than it did when launched as most car designs emphasize large grills and edgier designs.

I got used to the look over time but was happy when the facelift came out which really improved the car overall. But even then, the SL's were a hard sell throughout its lifecycle which resulted in many great deals for members here, including myself.

 

Then it would obviously be in his interest to promote the newer SL.

 

I think he knows that he won’t be selling to any members in this thread, he’s just sharing his opinion as he and one other member on MBWorld are the only ones that have been able to experience the R232 while others are stating opinion without any experience.

 

Haha 🤣 🤣 bunch of grumpy old retrogrouches aren’t we….
Did we mention white hair is a pre-requisite for this forum?

 

I really love my R231. It does everything I want it to. The folding hard top is spectacular. AND I bought the car because I love the way it looks. My first MB.

 

I'd love to have ANY hair! I don't even care what color it is. (For the record, I prefer to use "platinum blonde" versus "white".)

 

You have to wonder how many potential buyers were reluctant to buy the R231 because the R230 had expensive repair problems. When I bought mine, I was vaguely aware that the R231 was unlikely to have the top issues of the earlier model, but the dealer I bought my three year old SL400 from tried to use the top issues in trying to sell me an expensive maintenance policy before I left with my car. Had I not been in a hurry because my wife had a nail appointment and we were running late, I suppose I should have stood up and demanded we end the transaction at that point. It was like the dealer had admitted to selling me a car with a known defect that was going to cost me thousands of dollars soon. I can only imagine the general manager and the documents guy's verbal exchange that might have ensued.