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I love my SL63… but finding it impractical for my needs. I am considering trading it in for a AWD grand tourer with a back seat. I would prefer not to own 2 cars. If I pull the trigger, I’ve been weighing the pros/cons of the E-class, S-class, and comparable BMW’s. Has anyone else faced this dilemma and, if so, what did you conclude?
Yesterday I gave (gratis) a well equipped, modestly sized boat to a friend. I had not used it in 3 years and infrequently in the last 5 years. The boat was part of many family memories over the years and was hard to let go. It was time.
Sounds like it is time for you to move on from the SL.
I had a 2005 SL500 (R230) that I loved. I traded it for a 2021 E350 for family considerations. I made it about two years before I bought another a 2017 SL550. Don't get rid of the SL unless you're really sure. It's amazing how much you'll miss it.
I went with an S560 coupe as our daily driver, though in my case I didn't get rid of my SL. Production of S coupes ended in 2019. Take a look at the AMG GT 4-door coupe. I think that's where I'm heading next.
What I concluded is that I couldn’t let go of the SL.
I had a similar dilemma and thought a BMW M850i coupe would do the trick.
Three years later and I still have both. I just couldn’t part with the SL.
I’m very happy with the BMW--it’s a lovely car… powerful (525 hp) quiet and luxurious—but it doesn’t scratch the same itch as the SL.
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Our R231 SL’s are “End of An Era” cars. They have virtually nothing in common with the R232’s or anything else on the road. In a word, they are just AMAZING vehicles and I believe that they are becoming even more so as time goes by. The luxury our SL’s offer is unmatched by pretty much nothing this side of a Bentley Continental and then we are talking “nose bleed” prices, “vertigo”maintenance costs and the thing is a ragtop to boot!
Our 2013-2020 SL’s with their retractable hardtops, accent on luxurious, comfortable cruising and their near legendary reputation as rock solid, very dependable & simple to maintain “sporty” cars are pretty much in a class of their own. These cars echo a time gone by and we will never see the likes of them again. Lastly, when you see what you can sell your SL for and what you can buy with that same amount of money, it just doesn’t pencil out.
Our R231 SL’s are “End of An Era” cars. They have virtually nothing in common with the R232’s or anything else on the road. In a word, they are just AMAZING vehicles and I believe that they are becoming even more so as time goes by. The luxury our SL’s offer is unmatched by pretty much nothing this side of a Bentley Continental and then we are talking “nose bleed” prices, “vertigo”maintenance costs and the thing is a ragtop to boot!
Our 2013-2020 SL’s with their retractable hardtops, accent on luxurious, comfortable cruising and their near legendary reputation as rock solid, very dependable & simple to maintain “sporty” cars are pretty much in a class of their own. These cars echo a time gone by and we will never see the likes of them again. Lastly, when you see what you can sell your SL for and what you can buy with that same amount of money, it just doesn’t pencil out.
You speak the truth and should be making commercials for Mercedes Benz if R231s we're still being manufactured. Our SL is our first Mercedes after 14 BMWs and we will likely keep it until we can't get in and out of it. It's our "fun" vehicle, only driven in good weather and trips under about 300 miles and a week's stay.
My solution is 2014 SL63 and 2024 Porsche Macan GTS (wearing winter wheels in this pic with 21" Summer wheels in storage). Gets me through snow in our part of the world but still provides year round fun.
There is nothing. Nothing. That stands out like a 231. It’s like a ‘65 Mustang. You can see it a block away, and you know what it is. e.g., just now, a 10 y/o kid on a bike shouts, man I like your car.
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.
