SL/R232: Any info on the SL 43?
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,539
Likes: 3,670
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
This starts to sound like throwing around lot of numbers without context. First off, the SL63 will not cost $200k as a base and we'll have to see where the SL43 is coming in. It will cost a good amount of money to get the amenities and features of the 43 to match the base features of the 63, so expect a significantly smaller delta.
Last edited by Wolfman; Apr 1, 2022 at 02:27 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
While I think the 4 is an odd choice when they make a great new efficient I-6 (especially since it would more strongly link it to the original), outside of the US the last couple generations of S-class have been available with four cylinder diesels to V12s and everything in between. Same with the big sedan competition from BMW and Audi. People in general have no idea what's under the hood.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2021
Posts: 931
Likes: 371
From: Ohio
'16 C450, '21 Dad Wagon Pilot, '22 Wrangler 4xe
This starts to sound like throwing around lot of numbers without context. First off, the SL63 will not cost $200k as a base and we'll have to see where the SL43 is coming in. It will cost a good amount of money to get the amenities and features of the 43 to match the base features of the 63, so expect a significantly smaller delta.
While I think the 4 is an odd choice when they make a great new efficient I-6 (especially since it would more strongly link it to the original), outside of the US the last couple generations of S-class have been available with four cylinder diesels to V12s and everything in between. Same with the big sedan competition from BMW and Audi. People in general have no idea what's under the hood.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 395
^ The I-6 must have come before or concurrently with development of the SL; I'm sure it would be in there if that's what they wanted.
Perhaps the I-4 in a low volume halo car goes a long way towards acceptance in more profitable AMG product lines...
Perhaps the I-4 in a low volume halo car goes a long way towards acceptance in more profitable AMG product lines...
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
New fuel mileage rules 40 mpg by 2026 might have a lot to do with the 4 cyl SL. Also I’ve owned a few 4 cyl motorcycles which both sounded and performed very sporting. That was 1 ltr producing 100 Hp, this is 200 Hp per ltr.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 454
Likes: 117
S63 AMG Cabrio
The base price of the SL43 will be approx Euro 40K less than the SL55 and Euro 70K less than the SL63 in Germany. Im some countries, the difference can be even more because of CO2 Tax (here the CO2 tax difference between a x43 and x55 engine alone will be approx Euro 30K!).
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
NY Auto Show 2022
Anyone see the new SL at the NY Auto Show? Any SL 43 there? Anything else to see? I’m going Friday
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2020
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 1,601
From: Florida
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 792
Likes: 86
GLC EQB GLS C300 convertible
CLE cab was released yesterday, you still think SL looks much better?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,526
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
So much for the "same engine different car" point. SL is a more dynamic design for sure, new CLE is less evolved but overall a pretty nice looking car. I think two different targets, although there will obviously be overlap with the CLE AMG version(s). IMO the SL 43 will appeal to someone that wants SL status but likely can't stretch for the real deal 55/63. I'd take the CLE with a six over a four banger SL all day.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 792
Likes: 86
GLC EQB GLS C300 convertible
So much for the "same engine different car" point. SL is a more dynamic design for sure, new CLE is less evolved but overall a pretty nice looking car. I think two different targets, although there will obviously be overlap with the CLE AMG version(s). IMO the SL 43 will appeal to someone that wants SL status but likely can't stretch for the real deal 55/63. I'd take the CLE with a six over a four banger SL all day.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,539
Likes: 3,670
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
People can discuss this all day long but the AMG 4 banger will easily outperform the 6 cylinder engine. It's detuned in the SL43 to begin with and can easily be tuned above 500hp. No the same type of cars, still very different price points.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 293
Likes: 214
From: GA
‘24 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo;'22 AMG SL55;'23 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe;'13 Porsche Boxster S
I don't think there will be any significant overlap. A SL55, used or not, will be a very different car. The CLE is a step down from the E-Series and the E cab wasn't in the ballpark of a V8 SL, especially an AMG. The CLE is the more traditional, slower, softer 4 seater cab. And YES, I think the SL looks much better. No comparison...
People can discuss this all day long but the AMG 4 banger will easily outperform the 6 cylinder engine. It's detuned in the SL43 to begin with and can easily be tuned above 500hp. No the same type of cars, still very different price points.
People can discuss this all day long but the AMG 4 banger will easily outperform the 6 cylinder engine. It's detuned in the SL43 to begin with and can easily be tuned above 500hp. No the same type of cars, still very different price points.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 3,360
Likes: 1,526
From: Washington DC
No more MB:(
From the pictures it looks like the CLE convertible has a retractable windscreen vs the ever so convenient get out of you car, unfold and manually install offered on the more premium SL.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,539
Likes: 3,670
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
If the SL would have stayed as a 2 seater, they would have had an effective electric screen like the old SL but with even tiny rear seats that will need to be covered.
The 911 has an elegant solution but that only worked by cutting off half the backrest and having no headrests in the rear. Granted not a big deal as nobody ever sits in the rear
In the new SL, they simply used the BMW 8 Series style. Ugly, clumsy, but effective...
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
Well. I mean the SL is a roadster while the CLE is a convertible, the SL was meant to and be built to have the top down, the CLE is meant to have the top down as an option. So not really a comparison in my opinion. Design wasn't with the open top as the first priority on the CLE compared to the SL, the SL is also more streamlined.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,222
Likes: 6,281
While this is true, the windscreen of the CLE will be as useless as the one in the S-Class cab. In these large tub 4 seat cabriolets, there is just more wind buffeting unless the rear seats are also covered by a net.
If the SL would have stayed as a 2 seater, they would have had an effective electric screen like the old SL but with even tiny rear seats that will need to be covered.
The 911 has an elegant solution but that only worked by cutting off half the backrest and having no headrests in the rear. Granted not a big deal as nobody ever sits in the rear
In the new SL, they simply used the BMW 8 Series style. Ugly, clumsy, but effective...
If the SL would have stayed as a 2 seater, they would have had an effective electric screen like the old SL but with even tiny rear seats that will need to be covered.
The 911 has an elegant solution but that only worked by cutting off half the backrest and having no headrests in the rear. Granted not a big deal as nobody ever sits in the rear
In the new SL, they simply used the BMW 8 Series style. Ugly, clumsy, but effective...
Anyways, the SL is built to be sporty with luxury in mind the CLE is built to be luxury with sporty in mind. Different cars for different folks' wants and needs.
Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 184
Likes: 138
From: Chicago and Palm Springs
2025 BMW Z4 M40i (Manual); 2025 Lexus NXH Luxury; 2021 Porsche Macan S; 2023 Audi Q5
Nobody is or ever will be in the rear seats of my SL, so I just keep the windscreen affixed and reach behind me to put it up or down.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
Not sure why the CLE bashing. My E53 Cab is my daily driver. It’s plenty fast and loud, and looks great. The back seat is very important, in addition to housing two sets of golf clubs in the trunk with the top down. SL is like my motorcycle, drive on nice weekends usually by myself. Both have a place and function.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2022
Posts: 792
Likes: 86
GLC EQB GLS C300 convertible
Not sure why the CLE bashing. My E53 Cab is my daily driver. It’s plenty fast and loud, and looks great. The back seat is very important, in addition to housing two sets of golf clubs in the trunk with the top down. SL is like my motorcycle, drive on nice weekends usually by myself. Both have a place and function.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 312
Likes: 32
From: Long Island, NY
19 E53 AMG Cab, 21 Land Rover Defender 110S, 20 LR Discovery HSE, 23 Ford Bronco 2dr 7spd Manual
Yes actually the Bronco’s top and doors come off. It’s a manual tranny too. Fun
