The R231 didn’t fetch a nickel over MSRP and therefore buyers didn’t get hosed in the very first model year of production. It also didn’t have a problem selling at the beginning.

I don’t need to face the music — I bought a second 2017 SL63 in March so now I have a duplicate car to celebrate how great it is.

I’m extremely upset that Dealers were so unethical with this R232 SL debut. In most cases they didn’t call loyal SL owners and offer them test drives, offer them cars to configure and purchase at a FAIR price, etc. They utilized the new model in one way: greed. In most cases there was not a shred of loyalty to existing owners. Their strategy most of the time was to fill available allocations for inventory and hope for the dumbest person with the highest spending potential. I’m not calling people who did it dumb — I’m saying that’s the kind of customer for whom Dealers were hoping. Don’t think they didn’t laugh all the way to the bank.

It’s unethical to sell a car over MSRP — plain and simple. It’s greed and deadweight loss, not free market. Just because something is legal (at the time) or unpoliced in-house by participating actors doesn't mean it’s not unethical. Our wonderful country has been transformed into a place where price stability for any merchandise doesn’t matter and automobile prices on the window sticker don’t mean anything. It’s acceptable among just about everyone these days to overpay whereas previously that was expected for very special variants in the very high-end market (Porsche GT cars, etc). Our government isn’t enforcing anti-trust laws while Dealers all day long, every day, everywhere are talking to each other about price and colluding to fix prices. This activity is heinously illegal. Friends in the car business say to me on almost a daily basis: “We don’t know what the price is going to be yet. Dealers are already talking about $___ over MSRP.” What’s that? It’s called price fixing. Anyone who is selling a car that is unsold that comes from the factory with a known invoice and retail price who cannot tell you instantly what he is willing to sell it for is telling you he hasn’t completed his process of price collusion with other dealers.

While we are at the candy store here talking about Mercedes, other less fortunate folks who can only afford one car and who need one are being asked to pay over MSRP for a Hyundai, Toyota, Kia, etc in the $20-$35k range (and all the way up past Mercedes and Porsche). I was at a Genesis dealer two days ago looking to sell in my 2023 Genesis with an MSRP of $66k with 4600 miles. The dealer is asking $5000 over MSRP for a new one but offered me $53k for my car. That’s a joke. If the market were truly $71k, then he would offer me $62k, ask $69k for my used one, and leave himself enough cushion to make about $3-5k on the car. That’s the car business. But the market isn’t $71k — that’s the dealer’s unethical predatory selling artificial market. Buy low, sell high. Dealers don’t partner with customers anymore. We are living through a period of big time auto Dealer revenge against the consumer for the previous 100 years of consumers out-witting car Dealers. Buying a car these days is the little consumer versus the billionaire-owned auto dealer. The exceptions are hard to come by, and I am happy for anyone who has a local car dealership that is family owned with the actual owner working at the dealership.

It’s especially unethical to sell over MSRP it when you know the car you’re selling is overpriced at MSRP. Therefore I bash the R232. I’m sure it’s a suitable alternative to a 911 at several tens of $thousands under MSRP.

I wish the worst for Mercedes and their dealers with respect to their losses from this vehicle. They screwed those people who paid $.01- $50k over MSRP. I say this as a true Mercedes fan, as my ownership history proves that. They should never do this to anyone again.

 

If a buyer is willing to pay over MSRP for a new SL that is the premium he/she is willing to pay for immediate satisfaction of getting it on the spot (buying from dealer inventory) or he/she is not willing to put in the effort to shop around or negotiate. This is no different from what dealers and buyers have done forever. Any car above $150k is an indulgence or a purchase that has an emotional “I want it” component. Price is something that can get fuzzy when that happens. I will never pay above sticker for a car. Back in November when I ordered my 2023 SL, I found three dealers who were willing to let me order a new SL at MSRP. My local dealer was $25k over list, but after a little game of who will blink first, the dealer blinked and I ordered it without a markup. Eventually because of MBUSA’s unwillingness to release the 2023s including mine from the VPC, I purchased a new 2022 SL. It turned out to be a better outcome for me. My dealer traded a very valuable allocation (it wasn’t a SL allocation) with the other dealer to get me a particular SL I found online. My dealer paid for the transportation cost to ship it from PA to GA. I got it below sticker, got the 3.99% MFS financing, and saved a ton of sales tax because of the Taycan I traded into the dealer back in November. As far as pricing for the new SLs, I think the SL 55 is at a fair price point. Having owned several cars that were more expensive than The SL 55 or the SL63, I have no issues with the SL 55 at around $160 which is more than the cost of most of the SL55s in the wild. The SL63 is also not out of line for all of the standard equipment that would be extra in a 911 or an Aston Martin Vantage (which uses the AMG engine). I had a very positive experience with my MB dealer especially as a new customer for this particular dealership. MBUSA’s mismanagement of the launch of the 2022 and 2023 SLs is a totally different story that I clearly expressed in my post purchase customer satisfaction/dissatisfaction survey.

 

@348SStb so if it’s unethical to sell a car over MSRP, is it also unethical to ask for a discount below MSRP? lol MSRP is manufacturer’s SUGGESTED retail price

 

The R231 is long in tooth. If you like it that’s great, but to say is superior sounds like someone shaking their fist for walking on their lawn.

Mercedes wants and needs a younger demographic to jump on this car just like the R129 and R230 (Sport and SL55/63) did for them.

They needed to make a drastic change. Once the new GT comes out, as long it stays as a coupe it will push R232 sales up.

 

Yea the GT won’t sell well either.

Especially now that buyers know the SL is a a poor seller.

Younger demographic? If that’s what they wanted they might have built an SL that doesn’t look bland; doesn’t have back seats which make the car larger and heavier; and the list goes on. The SL63 for example just doesn’t look like a car that costs $200k in the context of all of today’s cars that cost $200k.

Younger demographic aren’t ponying up $150-$200 large for an SL. Affluent middle- and upper-aged people are buying these cars. Younger demographic is buying the best BMW variants they can afford (whatever M variant) or else the best 718/911 variants they can afford.

 

Ummm ok lol.
I got one and love it, and I have a new 911. Just because you don’t understand something doesn’t mean you have to talk down on it.

 

It makes sense to me that you have one if you already have a 911. I’m not being wise. I also like variety. I understand this topic and the R232 just fine. Have many many cars including a 911 and various AMG Merc cars and softop convertibles.

Otherwise the SL mostly suits people who can’t buy a 911 (not on the list, none available, etc). Most people who have the budget for just one such car would choose a 911 if a 911 were available.

 

Hope the GT is a slow seller so can pick one up in 2026. Otherwise will get a W214 AT Wagon.

Haven't heard "Deadweight Loss" since Econ Class in 1979. Hated that Samuelson Textbook...

 

Haha. Pulled that right out of my college economics class also.

 

There are threads here from ex-911 owners who chose to replace their Porsches with SL’s. Just because the R232 is not what you desire does not make your statement correct.

 

Can you provide links?

 

Sometimes the best judge of whether or not a car is a hit is the reaction from kids. I have two children, my daughter is 30 and married. My son is 6 and finishing 1st grade. Both are car nuts. Both really like the new SL. The best was last week when I picked up my son from school in the SL55. Two girls also in 1st grade saw my son get into the car. They had their fingers pointing and mouths wide open. He and the car were big hits. If nothing else, it was worth every dollar I paid for the car to see the big smile on his face.

 

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...ring-cars.html

 

Thank you.

 

Thanks.

After a quick peruse of the link below, the user who started that thread already had a 911. He gave a great writeup by the way. Useful information. I like variety also and he chose to order a new SL after selling his 911. Makes sense.

I didn’t say ALL people. I used the word “mostly.”
I said “the SL mostly suits people who can’t buy a 911 (not on the list, none available, etc). Most people who have the budget for just one such car would choose a 911 if a 911 were available.”

I firmly believe most people in the market who aren’t “Porsche 911 Rejects” (someone who can’t obtain a 911, someone who is mad at Porsche because he cannot obtain a 911, or someone who is a downright hater of the 911) would choose a 911 over the new SL if he or she had a budget for just one 2+2 car.

I use the term “Reject” in jest and do not wish to offend anyone. It’s a joke. And I doubt anyone here would admit to fitting the definition. But obviously anyone who has a specific bias against the 911 or the Porsche brand will tend not to buy one; and anyone who wants a 911 but who isn’t able to find an available allocation or dealer stock unit isn’t going to buy one.

Lastly, someone who already has a 911 or previously owned one might be looking for variety and might buy a SL, and that’s understandable. It’s even understandable if some folks buy a SL who are the exceptions to my suggestion of “most.”

Many of us have all kinds of cars that complement the other cars we own. For example: I chose to buy a BMW Z4 recently. “It’s not a Boxster” is what every review says. You bet it isn’t. It’d be crazy in most cases to buy an Z4 over a Boxster. But I own two Boxsters already. And the Z4 does a few things better than the Boxster which makes it a different experience.

Let’s remember: this discussion is mostly conjecture based on experience and knowledge. Different people can disagree while having similar levels of experience and knowledge. Just having a fun discussion here. It’s me against a barrage of R232 fans. Obviously I am going to be flamed. Nobody has ugly children, and few people predisposed to the R232 or who already own one are going to disparage the R232 and agree with me.

The new SL is not a piece of crap. It’s a German-made fine machine. Period. I do not doubt it’s a great driving car. To me, a great many compromises were allowed for its development which I would not allow and which do not permit me to like the car. Further, a great many questionable design decisions were made that resulted in the final product. For me the car is a step backwards in many ways** and therefore I do not like the car.

=====
**Interior quality, overall quality, softop vs hardtop, ergonomics (rearward and lateral visibility, natural light in the cabin, trunk space, ease of use of interior functions), no soft close doors, no ABC suspension, longer car, heavier car, bland exterior appearance.

 

SHARMAATL cancelled his 992 GTS Order, deetee328 had a 991.2 Turbo S, and 992 GTS before his SL, dgrek had a 992 cabriolet, mkraft3003 has a 992 Coupe with his SL, jaws12 had 8 911's before his SL and cancelled his 992 order, e350wagon1 had 5 911's, and sold his 992 cab for his SL, wem considered a 911 and has other Porsches. There will likely be even more as time goes on. Most R232 owners on this board so far have posted about either having owned/considered both 911's and AMG GT's.

 

If today, I had a choice between a 992 911 or a 232 SL assuming that both were readily available without any silly markups, I would still get the SL. I am a big Porsche fan, and definitely not a big MB fan (I never thought I would go back to the brand), but I am really enjoying my new daily driver. I bought the SL without seeing or driving one in person. I liked the aggressive looks, the fabric roof which made it clear it was a rag top, the all wheel drive, the 2 back seats, and of course the AMG engine and throaty exhaust. If it was not an AMG car, I would NOT have purchased the SL. I don’t mind that they are selling slowly. It just means I won’t see myself coming and going unlike the 911s that are fairly commonplace where I live. I am amazed by new things that I discover in the SL that are great as a daily driver. This is the first convertible I have owned that has a sound system that still sounds great with the top down and the windows down at highway speeds. For local twisty driving, I can take turns in the SL as fast (I have the performance trim) and as flat as my Boxster. The weight of the SL is nicely hidden. I will always own at least one Porsche, but the new SL does not disappoint.

 

That pretty much echoes my sentiments. Maybe it's because it's something new, and I've had many 911s. I do agree with 348SStb that most car enthusiasts would choose a 911 over an SL. But for me, at this time and for the driving I do, the SL is a better choice.

 

 

I heard from a little bird Brabus should be coming out with a program for the R232 SL63 next month….. I can’t wait to see it!

 

What color is the 992? I can't tell if it's black with light reflections making it look green, or some kind of PTS green.

 

Plain ol black GTS.
I wanted the fastest RWD Cabriolet they offered. Contemplating 991.2 Speedster, but I’ve gotten used to the new 992 platform.

 

As always, each to their own. I have a 992 GT3 and an R232 SL63. They are different in many ways, but both are interesting, involving, and exciting, at least to me. If I could only own one of them, I'd get a 992 Turbo S, which is somewhere between the two cars in my eyes.I have other cars (Taycan, Raptor, '66 Shelby) and, if I didn't, I'd still pick the 992 Turbo S for my only car; the Taycan would be a close second. The 992 GT3 will be replaced by a 992 GT3RS as soon as Porsche build it, making the contrast between the Porsche and Mercedes even more pronounced.

I suspect that many other potential or actual SL63 owners have it as their 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc car, and so go through the same ranking process that I do. In that case, the calculus is different for almost everyone and, one would hope, Mercedes has taken that into account in specifying and pricing the car.

 

If this isn't the biggest Bs if heard all month.. im in germany and i can buy whatever the €€€ i want and still choose the sl63.. I find it to be a stunning looking car and at 170k Euros you wont find another German v8 convertible ..