When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Man please that's all you've been doing since you were proven wrong. Rambling about performance what car should have which engine. Now you're trying to say it's me, PLUUHLEASE. You could have stopped rambling a few posts back after you "agreed".
M
OK you get the last word. Oh wait, this is posted after your last post. Hmm, when will it end? Go for it one more time....Please and then we'll move on.
OK you get the last word. Oh wait, this is posted after your last post. Hmm, when will it end? Go for it one more time....Please and then we'll move on.
Hilarious. Didn't know what you were talking about and now can't stop.
I'm a little late to an older thread but I'll chime in with my input.
I have had the chance to street and track drive the new SL 55 and 63. I certainly would not call it "slow" and it does an amazing job on the race track for something most would expect to be a GT car. The SL 63 will not be the top of the line model for long. The rear section of the subframe has a cutaway in place for the purpose of the same electric rear motor that the AMG GT 63s E Performance uses. Expect the same 831hp offered to the top of the line GT in the future.
That is much better indeed. Not quite in line with the ones mentioned but the SL is not designed that way.
MB is actually directly targeting 911 Cab buyers with the new SL. So much so that they had one for comparison at the hands-on preview of the car. The new model is significantly more hard edged than any previous generations. That may be off putting to some, but the car handles sports car and GT duties quite well.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by CincyMBGuy
...................The new model is significantly more hard edged than any previous generations. That may be off putting to some..................l.
You rang? Just what the world needs, is yet another car that is way too fast and too quick for the streets and highways in 99% of the world. The SL--for many generations of the marque--has been a 2-seat, luxurious, convertible cruiser. Prior to this latest R232, there were already way more than enough sporty type cars that could do 0 to 60 in the 3 second range and top out at over 150mph, including a fleet of AMG GT models already being sold under the banner of the 3-pointed star. So WHY did we need yet another one at the expense of losing something that was unique? I've said this before, but MB should have kept the SL in house, not given it to AMG, kept what was great about the last generation SL and improved everything else. They could have done it. They should have done it. The result would have been truly amazing. Instead, we have an AMG GT/911 look alike wannabe, that has lost the two seater design, gained two ridiculous rear "seats," gained an even more ridiculous, removable wind screen, lost the truly amazing and relatively unique, retractable hardtop and in the process, lost its soul. The SL is dead. Of course, this is all in my humble opinion. Time for a photo of a real SL.
Thank you! You've said it all -- covered all bases and hit a home run. My sentiments exactly.
Originally Posted by Streamliner
You rang? Just what the world needs, is yet another car that is way too fast and too quick for the streets and highways in 99% of the world. The SL--for many generations of the marque--has been a 2-seat, luxurious, convertible cruiser. Prior to this latest R232, there were already way more than enough sporty type cars that could do 0 to 60 in the 3 second range and top out at over 150mph, including a fleet of AMG GT models already being sold under the banner of the 3-pointed star. So WHY did we need yet another one at the expense of losing something that was unique? I've said this before, but MB should have kept the SL in house, not given it to AMG, kept what was great about the last generation SL and improved everything else. They could have done it. They should have done it. The result would have been truly amazing. Instead, we have an AMG GT/911 look alike wannabe, that has lost the two seater design, gained two ridiculous rear "seats," gained an even more ridiculous, removable wind screen, lost the truly amazing and relatively unique, retractable hardtop and in the process, lost its soul. The SL is dead. Of course, this is all in my humble opinion. Time for a photo of a real SL.
I'm a little late to an older thread but I'll chime in with my input.
I have had the chance to street and track drive the new SL 55 and 63. I certainly would not call it "slow" and it does an amazing job on the race track for something most would expect to be a GT car. The SL 63 will not be the top of the line model for long. The rear section of the subframe has a cutaway in place for the purpose of the same electric rear motor that the AMG GT 63s E Performance uses. Expect the same 831hp offered to the top of the line GT in the future.
Good to hear. I've been reading a lot of the reviews and am very eager to test out the new hydraulic suspension which has received unanimous praise from all the journalists who were able to drive the SL last month. I have a feeling the 55 will actually be the sweet spot similar to Autoblog's conclusion, as its more than enough power while still providing a much more athletic and dynamic drive than the prior generation and plenty of comfort and luxuries.
You rang? Just what the world needs, is yet another car that is way too fast and too quick for the streets and highways in 99% of the world. The SL--for many generations of the marque--has been a 2-seat, luxurious, convertible cruiser. Prior to this latest R232, there were already way more than enough sporty type cars that could do 0 to 60 in the 3 second range and top out at over 150mph, including a fleet of AMG GT models already being sold under the banner of the 3-pointed star. So WHY did we need yet another one at the expense of losing something that was unique? I've said this before, but MB should have kept the SL in house, not given it to AMG, kept what was great about the last generation SL and improved everything else. They could have done it. They should have done it. The result would have been truly amazing. Instead, we have an AMG GT/911 look alike wannabe, that has lost the two seater design, gained two ridiculous rear "seats," gained an even more ridiculous, removable wind screen, lost the truly amazing and relatively unique, retractable hardtop and in the process, lost its soul. The SL is dead. Of course, this is all in my humble opinion. Time for a photo of a real SL.
Every review so far states the exact opposite, saying that this is the appropriate successor to the original 300 SL.
We have had quite a few SL’s and enjoyed all of them for different reasons. The last one was technically the best and stands as one of the most reliable MB’s in recent history. Incredibly versatile and practical but unfortunately not a looker.
That’s ok to say even though we owned 3 of them. The facelift improved things quite a bit but the new one definitely looks better than that.
Eager to drive the car and see how it stacks up to our very unpractical but epic AMG GTC
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by Wolfman
Every review so far states the exact opposite, saying that this is the appropriate successor to the original 300 SL…………..
Therein lies the problem: I don’t want an “appropriate successor to the original 300SL,” I want an appropriate successor to EVERY SL that came afterwards.
This whole thing about keeping it the way it was ignores the fact that the R231 never sold well. It was time for a change. I also don't see how a car can be too fast or too quick when every Mercedes is quick and fast and this SL has AWD which keep things under control vs a R231 whose rear end can break loose under power, especially in the wet. If anything the new SL is safer. Mercedes has to go where the market and buyers are not where 10 guys are complaining about.
You rang? Just what the world needs, is yet another car that is way too fast and too quick for the streets and highways in 99% of the world. The SL--for many generations of the marque--has been a 2-seat, luxurious, convertible cruiser. Prior to this latest R232, there were already way more than enough sporty type cars that could do 0 to 60 in the 3 second range and top out at over 150mph, including a fleet of AMG GT models already being sold under the banner of the 3-pointed star. So WHY did we need yet another one at the expense of losing something that was unique? I've said this before, but MB should have kept the SL in house, not given it to AMG, kept what was great about the last generation SL and improved everything else. They could have done it. They should have done it. The result would have been truly amazing. Instead, we have an AMG GT/911 look alike wannabe, that has lost the two seater design, gained two ridiculous rear "seats," gained an even more ridiculous, removable wind screen, lost the truly amazing and relatively unique, retractable hardtop and in the process, lost its soul. The SL is dead. Of course, this is all in my humble opinion. Time for a photo of a real SL.
I love the R231 SL, so much so that when this market corrects I will likely own one. However, that car was so long in the tooth. The interior over a decade behind it's competitors and was never a fantastic seller. I could not recommend more that you take the opportunity to drive the SL55 as soon as you get the chance, I am convinced your opinion would be changed on the car.
Originally Posted by js_cls
Good to hear. I've been reading a lot of the reviews and am very eager to test out the new hydraulic suspension which has received unanimous praise from all the journalists who were able to drive the SL last month. I have a feeling the 55 will actually be the sweet spot similar to Autoblog's conclusion, as its more than enough power while still providing a much more athletic and dynamic drive than the prior generation and plenty of comfort and luxuries.
The new suspension set up is mind boggling. I have never adapted the individual setting more than in the new SL, and I have seat time in LOTS of AMG cars. It can comfortably soak up rough back roads at a spirited speed and an hour later give a rock solid feel on a race track that allows you to feel the pebble you hit on the apex of the last turn.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by Germancar1
This whole thing about keeping it the way it was ignores the fact that the R231 never sold well. It was time for a change. I also don't see how a car can be too fast or too quick when every Mercedes is quick and fast and this SL has AWD which keep things under control vs a R231 whose rear end can break loose under power, especially in the wet. If anything the new SL is safer. Mercedes has to go where the market and buyers are not where 10 guys are complaining about.
M
I didn’t say they should have kept it “the way it was.” As I opined, they should have kept what was great about the last SL and improved everything else. The R231 was far from a perfect car, but did have many wonderful attributes. But MB washed their hands of the fabled cruiser and gave it to AMG who threw the baby out with the bath water. I’m sure the R232 will have much to like, but to those of us who have driven SL’s for decades—my first was a 1972 and I’ve owned eight—this new car is not worthy of the legacy, it’s yet another huge compromise.
I didn’t say they should have kept it “the way it was.” As I opined, they should have kept what was great about the last SL and improved everything else. The R231 was far from a perfect car, but did have many wonderful attributes. But MB washed their hands of the fabled cruiser and gave it to AMG who threw the baby out with the bath water. I’m sure the R232 will have much to like, but to those of us who have driven SL’s for decades—my first was a 1972 and I’ve owned eight—this new car is not worthy of the legacy, it’s yet another huge compromise.
On that same token, there are many that think the last 30+ years of the SL were not deserving of the Sportlicht nameplate. The model has had slowing sales since the early 2000's, clearly the previous recipe wasn't working for most buyers. Think back a few years and recall how many Porsche 911s you saw versus SL models when hanging around affluent areas. Now MB is chasing a piece of that pie.
On that same token, there are many that think the last 30+ years of the SL were not deserving of the Sportlicht nameplate. The model has had slowing sales since the early 2000's, clearly the previous recipe wasn't working for most buyers. Think back a few years and recall how many Porsche 911s you saw versus SL models when hanging around affluent areas. Now MB is chasing a piece of that pie.
At 4200 pounds is this model now deserving of the Sportlicht nameplate?
Even by 911 standards that heavy for a 911. A 911 Cab use to weigh just a little over 3,000lbs. Pretty much all 911's have gained about 200-300 lbs over the last ten years.
The SL has also always been heavier than a 911 for decades, the AMG GT though is closer to the 911's weight, although still a bit heavier.
Even by 911 standards that heavy for a 911. A 911 Cab use to weigh just a little over 3,000lbs. Pretty much all 911's have gained about 200-300 lbs over the last ten years.
The SL has also always been heavier than a 911 for decades, the AMG GT though is closer to the 911's weight, although still a bit heavier.
At 4200 pounds is this model now deserving of the Sportlicht nameplate?
Worse yet, SL actually stands for Super Leicht, not Sport Leicht and super light this car is not. Same concern with the upcoming ePerformance model. This will add yet significantly more weight and the extra HP is only available for short periods of time. We know that the GT 63 ePerformance clocks in at a whopping 5,247 lbs so I expect at least another 150lbs for that model.