Does anyone know when the the R232/233 will be announced for sale, will it be in CY 2021 or CY 2022.

If CY 2022 will there be a final R231 sold in CY 2021?

 

It is now becoming more likely that there will be an actual 1 year gap on the SL model.
The R232 will be introduced in 2021 as a MY2022.
The R231 will be a 2020. No 2021.

This can still change if the numbers makes sense but I am not counting on it.
In addition, there may be further consolidation on MB models.

Nothing crazy like the discussions that BMW that might axe the latest 8 series just as it really rolls out (at least the coupe/cab)

 

Recently had a discussion with my dealer in regards to this issue and consensus was pretty much in line with your comments above.

 

Consumer demand in the US for sedans, coupes and especially convertibles continues to decline. Seems everyone wants an SUV or a pickup. Mercedes, like BMW, GM and Ford is making cuts to their lineup of vehicles to be sold in the US.

One major difference between the US and Europe is the sales of wagons, estates or touring models, take your pick of what they are called. They sell in big numbers in Europe but very few in the US.

I am curious to know how many SLs are sold in Europe. Aren't annual US sales down to about 1500?

 

Just Google it. According to carsalesbase, 2018 European sales of all SL models was only 938.

 

No wonder they are dropping the 2 seat roadster.

 

I think that you are probably right.
In addition to it being a soft top 2+2, it also looks like the top model will be the SL53 (M256).

 

So no 63?

 

That's what I concluded from reading some of the European (British & German) articles.
It's not being directly said, but rather implied - e.g. by stating that the top SL engine available will have an electric assist.

 

Of course you are right, but I feel there is much more to the story. Please forgive me if I have written parts of this before.

The R230, as introduced in 2003, as the SL500, it was a good selling car. Reasonably fast, very comfortable, luxurious and, IMO, very good looking. When upgraded to the SL550 in 2007, it was even better and continued that way through 2008. For 2009, it is my feeling that that was the start of the SL’s decline, as the “face lift” done then, looked like it was “phoned in” by some apprentice designer. The car looked awkward and lost the clean lines of the original R230 design. That said, the 2009 through 2012 cars still drove beautifully, with the entire run of R230’s in the U.S. having ABC as standard equipment.

When the R231 came out as a 2013 model, the idea of a standard model and an AMG Sports Package model continued, as offered on the R230 and the two versions were offered in Germany and several other countries. However, in the largest market for the SL, the U.S., some bean counter at MBUSA decided that ONLY the AMG Sports Pkg. model would be imported here. It is my feeling, which is also backed up by numerous magazine reviews, that the AMG Sports Pkg. model R231’s really had exterior design flaws. Comments were made that different parts of the body appeared to have been designed by different designers and that the body design looked chopped up, awkward, odd looking, and “designed by committee.” The two 2013 designs are shown below. We here in the U.S. only received the version shown in white, while the gorgeous, IMHO, standard version, shown in the sort of copper color, was never imported by MBUSA. I feel this was a huge mistake.

To add insult to injury, the truly fabulous Active Body Control or “ABC” suspension, which had been standard equipment on all U.S. bound 2003 to 2012 SL’s, was now made OPTIONAL on all non-SL63 & SL65 Models, starting in 2013. To make that MUCH worse, 2013 marked the introduction of run flat tires to the SL. So, customers coming out of R230’s and looking to get into a new SL, we’re first greeted by the odd looking appearance of the new car, and then were quite disappointed when they went for a test drive and were greeted with rock hard RFT, which were exacerbated by the standard spring suspension.

As many potential new SL customers walked away from their test drive, shaking their heads, many of them headed to their Porsche dealers and bought new, great driving, beautiful Carrera Cabriolets. Some bought Boxters, some bought BMW Z4’s, some bought Ferrari California’s, but the bottom line is that many, previous R230 owners, refused to buy the R231.

I truly believe that if MBUSA had imported the standard bodied SL in 2013 and if ABC had been kept as standard equipment, many more R231’s would have been sold between 2013 and 2020. The other conclusion I come to, is that IF the R231 had been a better car from its inception, then the next generation SL surely may have been a 2-seat, retractable hardtop. Obviously, this is all just my opinion.

 

Streamliner: Have you considered a retrofit of the non-AMG pre-facelift front bumper?

 

You are making a joke, no?
I love that front end, but it would be way too costly. I am considering doing the front bumper, grill & rear diffuser from the 2017 SL65 though.

 

Let me look this up.

I suspect the cost would be less than you might think. I took a very quick look:

A2318850425 TRIM BUMPER FRONT ~$600USD
A2318853123 COVER BUMPER AREA CENTRAL BOTTOM ~$50USD
A2318880260 RADIATOR GRILLE PROTECTIVE GRILLE ~$70USD
A1648880411 BASE PLATE FRONT $120 USD

My parts choice was based on my assumptions: I assumed that the car has distronic, parktronic and no night-view assist, and you wished for the solid single-line chrome beam across the front. Those prices are for new parts, cheaper parts may be available second-hand if you wished. M-B in germany run an official second-hand official parts shop here

The above is possibly indicative of the parts needed. However, I am far from certain about this and have no idea whether this would fit without modification. It may also require new fender side panels as well. It would also require professional painting by a dealer using Mercedes paint. You could also consider installation of the Mercedes Illuminated Star as well (circa ~$400) should you wish. The kit from the CLS W218 is a perfect fit.

 

If I am not mistaken, the fenders and hood that work with that front end are different, as are the headlights. When I had a 2013 SL550, I gave it some thought and I believe I found that the bumper was not available new in the US and I would need to import it. In addition, I do not believe the bumper would be D.O.T. (Department of Transportation) approved, if that means anything. It sure would make my car a "one of a kind," especially here in the US. It's a fun thing to think about.

 

There appear to be actually 3 designs of radiator grille: 2013-2016, 2016-2017 and 2017-.

The fenders, if needed, would be A2318800107 A2318800207 at ~$400 USD each.

The fender chrome trim would be A23169001797F24 and A23169002797F24 at ~$50 USD each.

For the hood, again if needed, would be A2318800057 at ~$1000 USD.

I can not see any different headlight model specific to the post-facelift spec.

I have no idea if these would be required to make the bumper fit or not. I am not an expert on the fitment of the bumper and this is just my best calculation. I have no idea what modifications, if any, would be required to fit these parts to the car.

This would be an indicative parts price of $840 USD just bumpers, $1740 USD with fenders, and $2740 with hood and fenders.

I have no advice to provide regarding U.S. DOT regulations / certification. I provide this information merely to demonstrate part prices. But, if you genuinely prefer the look of this bumper on your car, perhaps it is food for thought.

 

I have received word it will be the SL73 with 800hp... Definitely not a 53

 

Why would they do that? They already have the amazing AMG GT’s in many different variations, which seems like the ultimate platform for one monster power plant after another. The SL, at least since the original 300SL’s, has pretty much always been a luxury focused, very comfortable grand tourer. It doesn’t make sense to me. Four seats, a rag top and 800hp. Phooey!

 

One wonders what type of folks are in the focus groups that car companies sponsor or if they even listen to the focus groups at all....

 

What makes you think that they do focus groups at all?
If they did, they would probably find out that their (AMG's) preoccupation with Porsche is not shared by the average MB / AMG owner.

 

Time will tell.

 

Well, I can attest to the fact that MB does do focus groups, as I have participated in a few, based on the S Class & E Class cars I have owned. That said, I’m quite sure that they would not spend the money to listen to the relatively very few SL owners out there.

 

It must be a generational quirk on my part but I do not like the rapid push by auto makers for all the touch screens and self driving systems being installed on newer cars. I do appreciate those that function to help the driver out but the no knobs and button huge touch screens and play on the Internet while your car drives for you is not to my liking.

When I was growing up getting to drive for the first time, getting your drivers license and going out on your own to explore was a huge taste of freedom. As Dinah Shore used to sing, “See the USA in your Chevrolet”. It’s all about the drive not the destination! Another reason I just bought the 2019 SL. It will be interesting to see if the next generation SL turns out to be a IPad on wheels....

 

Word is that the AMG GT roadsters will also go away, along with the S-Class cab. The SL will fill the role of the high-end convertible.

 

IMO, your current car is far better looking than either of those!

 

Headlights will also be required as the facelift has LED vs Xenon headlights. $4k on those?

But even if for FREE, who in their right mind would go for the pre-facelift? To be kind, the front-end the main point of criticism on the car and the most time Mercedes spent to get rid of during the facelift.
The issue of AMG vs. non-AMG is also moot as they addressed the other complaint of the car (front end designed by one team, the rear by another) by getting rid of all hard edge design elements to give every line a softened, more sculpted look to be more coherent.

Not dissing the first R231 as we had two of them but the facelift fixed a lot of the design issues. The car simply wasn't that pretty