SL/R232: Bashing R232
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Joined: Feb 2024
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2023 SL63 + 2021 Cayenne e-hybrid
I also think the disdain for the R232 is a little overblown, but this is what these forums are for, lots and lots of confirmation bias! 
The real failure of the R232 is the lack of interest for the marketspace. These just are not cars that folks buy anymore! I am also of the opinion that with information being so readily available folks tend to buy what is considered "the best" without really considering what is " best for me". I loved my Porsches and will end up in another one; I will still say that my 911s were "better" cars in some aspects. For what I care about now, I am thrilled with my R232 and it is "better" for the things I care about now. As I have documented in other posts, I have always put my cars on a trickle charger, so this is of zero burden to me. I also can appreciate the airport parking comment, but I have other cars for leaving at the airport or having adopted Lyft as my main source of airport transportation, this is not a big deal for me either. Put me down for a +1 on a great car, yeah depreciation sucks, but no worse than an Aston . . . KH
The real failure of the R232 is the lack of interest for the marketspace. These just are not cars that folks buy anymore! I am also of the opinion that with information being so readily available folks tend to buy what is considered "the best" without really considering what is " best for me". I loved my Porsches and will end up in another one; I will still say that my 911s were "better" cars in some aspects. For what I care about now, I am thrilled with my R232 and it is "better" for the things I care about now. As I have documented in other posts, I have always put my cars on a trickle charger, so this is of zero burden to me. I also can appreciate the airport parking comment, but I have other cars for leaving at the airport or having adopted Lyft as my main source of airport transportation, this is not a big deal for me either. Put me down for a +1 on a great car, yeah depreciation sucks, but no worse than an Aston . . . KH
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Joined: Feb 2023
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From: Chicago and Palm Springs
2025 BMW Z4 M40i (Manual); 2025 Lexus NXH Luxury; 2021 Porsche Macan S; 2023 Audi Q5
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SL65(R231), SL65(R230), 600SL, 560SL(86), 560SL(89),250SL(68),250SL(67), 190SL, 300SL(GW)
Although I do not own a R232........I'm waiting to place a SL63Se order at least until the beta testing is over. I have 2 friends that own the R232. The commonly reported problems seem rather common. The aforementioned 2 owners have both experienced myriad issues consistent with those reported on this forum. Both friends state this is the last MB they will own. Consumer Reports surveys place our beloved MB next to last.......BMW is near the top. The CTEK charger remedy for the battery/electrical is insulting. Talk to a dealership owner about the R232, the owner I'm friends with describes it as the problematic car he's ever sold!!
I have several other SL models..........bought new starting with the R107, followed by R129, R230 and R231. I consider the older SL models to be engineering marvels. I don't recall any of those models having R232 reliability.
Labeling the difficulties as confirmational bias may not be entirely accurate. I'm putting on my Nomex.
I have several other SL models..........bought new starting with the R107, followed by R129, R230 and R231. I consider the older SL models to be engineering marvels. I don't recall any of those models having R232 reliability.
Labeling the difficulties as confirmational bias may not be entirely accurate. I'm putting on my Nomex.
Last edited by Mike P; Mar 21, 2024 at 09:49 PM. Reason: incomplete
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I’m happy for all of you who spent around $150K to $250K for their R232 cars and can easily & happily live with the “idiosyncrasies” of these cars. You must all be “half glass full” types. As a life long member of the “half glass empty” portion of society, I just couldn’t do it. In my opinion, most all new models launched by MB from MY21 on, have all had similar issues. To make matters tremendously worse, the issues—some of which are very serious—have continued from one model year to the next, without being addressed by the manufacturer who still touts the motto “Mercedes-Benz: The Best or Nothing.” I sincerely hope you all continue to enjoy jumping through the hoops you must to drive these cars. For me, if the car is not right, I want the manufacturer to make it right in short order, or I want my money back. These are not thoroughbred horses with a mind and living body, these are machines, designed and engineered to operate properly—at least one might hope. If they do not operate properly, they are defective.
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From: Chicago and Palm Springs
2025 BMW Z4 M40i (Manual); 2025 Lexus NXH Luxury; 2021 Porsche Macan S; 2023 Audi Q5
I’m happy for all of you who spent around $150K to $250K for their R232 cars and can easily & happily live with the “idiosyncrasies” of these cars. You must all be “half glass full” types. As a life long member of the “half glass empty” portion of society, I just couldn’t do it. In my opinion, most all new models launched by MB from MY21 on, have all had similar issues. To make matters tremendously worse, the issues—some of which are very serious—have continued from one model year to the next, without being addressed by the manufacturer who still touts the motto “Mercedes-Benz: The Best or Nothing.” I sincerely hope you all continue to enjoy jumping through the hoops you must to drive these cars. For me, if the car is not right, I want the manufacturer to make it right in short order, or I want my money back. These are not thoroughbred horses with a mind and living body, these are machines, designed and engineered to operate properly—at least one might hope. If they do not operate properly, they are defective.
Has this car had more than the usual amount of teething problems? Probably, but I can’t document that with numbers, just the complaints reported here.
*RANT ON*
Honestly, this forum has become tiresome because of the complaints repeated by those who have never owned the car and likely never driven one. I can’t imagine spending so much time on the internet commenting on things that have no impact on my life. You no longer like MB? Fine, your opinion is likely grounded in comparative experience over the years. But the never ending bashing of the R232 would be the equivalent of my going on the R231 forum and frequently expressing my opinion about the design. There would be nothing constructive in my doing so and nobody would (or should) care.
*RANT OFF*
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SLS
@drgek very well said! My SL63 has been great after 1300 mi or so. Obviously some people have had some issues no doubt but there are some here that have become a bore although I agree with some of their points…..but over and over and over has become tiring
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2023 SL63 + 2021 Cayenne e-hybrid
Know how often I spend in forums of a car that I do not own? NEARLY zero
I do occasionally go to forums of cars I used to own, because I still enjoy some of those conversations and find that I can still help from time to time. There is an avatar or two that I immediately identify as a response I will ignore, as I find their input of little help and can expect only negative commentary. I am always amazed at how much time they must have on their hands to have so much passion about a car they have never owned and will never own (fair choice). We can talk about wasting money on cars, but wasting time that you will never get back . . . Well, that's just silly
I do occasionally go to forums of cars I used to own, because I still enjoy some of those conversations and find that I can still help from time to time. There is an avatar or two that I immediately identify as a response I will ignore, as I find their input of little help and can expect only negative commentary. I am always amazed at how much time they must have on their hands to have so much passion about a car they have never owned and will never own (fair choice). We can talk about wasting money on cars, but wasting time that you will never get back . . . Well, that's just silly
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From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
I also occasionally go to a forum for cars that I no longer own. I had a 2016 AMG GTS and when the lease was up, I went to an AMG-GTC convertible. So it is nice to visit those forums and occasionally I will have a little something to offer.
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From: DFW
SL63
So far, my 232 is not like a boat, or an airplane, or (heaven forbid) a helicopter.
Those usually only get 2 days of happy ownership.
So far I have gotten at least double that, and counting.
Those usually only get 2 days of happy ownership.
So far I have gotten at least double that, and counting.
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From: GA
‘24 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo;'22 AMG SL55;'23 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe;'13 Porsche Boxster S
Even though I have unresolved issues with the battery, I still thoroughly enjoy my SL. It looks awesome sitting still, and is even better whenever I drive it. The engine noises, the handling, all wheel drive, and the two little back seats are still highlights for me after a year of ownership. The fact that the two front tires are down to the wear bars after 6800 miles is proof that I enjoy taking it through the curves. With the warmer days fast approaching, I'm looking forward to the Burmester cranked up with the top down and wearing down the new set of front tires.
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SL63 AMG (R232)
I live in Germany and got myself a SL63 (built end of March 2023) who was sitting around at a German dealership for almost a year. Got it through the Mercedes Online Store in Germany with a whopping 26% discount. Only around 16 cars were available and they were gone in 2-3 days, I was lucky.
These were cars which were standing almost 12 months at German dealers and they had to get rid of them because after a car has been delivered from the factory to the dealership, they need to sell it within 12 months if they want sell it as "new". After the 12 months period, the car isn't really new anymore according to German laws (of course the dealer and Mercedes Online can still offer the factory warranty if they want to).
That said, I am very happy with my car. So far. It is worth 215k EUR but the price after discount was 160k EUR. For 160k EUR a very good deal in my opinion. Mercedes SL pricing was wrong from the start.
I configured a new SL63 AMG E Performance and after doing it, the Mercedes Online Configurator provided 9% discount from the start. Without even asking. Mercedes Germany introduced the so called "agency model", meaning that dealers are not selling the cars anymore but Mercedes directly and dealers only get a certain amount of money for delivering/servicing the cars (or something like that).
Do I care about depreciation? Not really. I got a fantastic car for "little" money and I do not plan to give it away any time soon.
I feel sorry for those who paid over sticker or even sticker but this is how business and demand (or not) work.
One reason I am a big fan of LEASING a car...if the offer is good enough.
These were cars which were standing almost 12 months at German dealers and they had to get rid of them because after a car has been delivered from the factory to the dealership, they need to sell it within 12 months if they want sell it as "new". After the 12 months period, the car isn't really new anymore according to German laws (of course the dealer and Mercedes Online can still offer the factory warranty if they want to).
That said, I am very happy with my car. So far. It is worth 215k EUR but the price after discount was 160k EUR. For 160k EUR a very good deal in my opinion. Mercedes SL pricing was wrong from the start.
I configured a new SL63 AMG E Performance and after doing it, the Mercedes Online Configurator provided 9% discount from the start. Without even asking. Mercedes Germany introduced the so called "agency model", meaning that dealers are not selling the cars anymore but Mercedes directly and dealers only get a certain amount of money for delivering/servicing the cars (or something like that).
Do I care about depreciation? Not really. I got a fantastic car for "little" money and I do not plan to give it away any time soon.
I feel sorry for those who paid over sticker or even sticker but this is how business and demand (or not) work.
One reason I am a big fan of LEASING a car...if the offer is good enough.
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From: Miami/Washington DC
2022 AMG SL63, 2015 Ferrari 458 Spyder, 2021 ALPINA B7
You lucky dog - !!!! You go the seats many of us wanted and are not available in the USA.
As a matter of fact the car that you have is equipped as I originally ordered and then was denied and never received, so I bought another one here.
Grey, red roof, micro fiber/leather seats.
Good for you - drive with best of health!
Viel Spass - ich bin Düsseldorfer
As a matter of fact the car that you have is equipped as I originally ordered and then was denied and never received, so I bought another one here.
Grey, red roof, micro fiber/leather seats.
Good for you - drive with best of health!
Viel Spass - ich bin Düsseldorfer
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Hmmm, I will just share this video. Please don't get me wrong, I am not trying to start drama or anything neither do I exactly agree with what the video says or their opinions but since this thread is called um... "Bashing R232", I believe this video is appropriate since it is the same topic as the thread title:
youtube.com/watch?v=2yKbpCFM9hY
Comments are welcomed on their opinions though, that is what the forum is about after all.
All disagreements or agreements from owners and non-owners are welcomed. Feel free to point out why they are wrong or right.
youtube.com/watch?v=2yKbpCFM9hY
Comments are welcomed on their opinions though, that is what the forum is about after all.
All disagreements or agreements from owners and non-owners are welcomed. Feel free to point out why they are wrong or right.
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Thread Starter
Member
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2024 Audi RS6 Avant. 2022 AMG SL63
I have no idea? If MB had seen this before it hit the web I don't think they would be too happy seeing this. This was only my take on it, it can't bold well for MB and a 2024 model that has seen so many issues that haven't been resolved to date. I could care less I'm in over my head with mine. Lesson learned.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jan 2020
Posts: 99
Likes: 10
2024 Audi RS6 Avant. 2022 AMG SL63
I would assume MB may have some sort of rights to the review but I guess I'm off base with that assumption. I don't care one way or another I just thought it was a terrible bashing of the 2024 SL.
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Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Irvine, California
2022 AMG SL63
It is like reviewing a book. The author and publisher have nothing to say about it really. It doesn’t matter if they sent you a review copy or not. When the Apple Watch first came out it was little but hate and failure reviews. Ditto for iPhone and iPad. The manufacturers/publishers would love great reviews but it is up to the reader to see if the review has any relevance to their life.
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2022 SL63, 2020 Porsche Taycan
It wasn't even a press car, it was a loaner from a dealer. If that's what the 2024's are looking like, I'm so glad my 2022 for all it's minor first year issues was bolted together and painted a lot better then that. I've got the obsidian black over red, and yes, all modern water based paints have a touch of orange peel, but mine is no-where near as bad as that. I've also seen other cars with mis-alignment from the door to dash trim, and other issues similar to that mis-aligned trim piece between the rear seats seen in the video. Mine has none of those issues. It's too bad they're putting out some substandard product, the car doesn't deserve it.
Member
Joined: Feb 2023
Posts: 184
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From: Chicago and Palm Springs
2025 BMW Z4 M40i (Manual); 2025 Lexus NXH Luxury; 2021 Porsche Macan S; 2023 Audi Q5
It wasn't even a press car, it was a loaner from a dealer. If that's what the 2024's are looking like, I'm so glad my 2022 for all it's minor first year issues was bolted together and painted a lot better then that. I've got the obsidian black over red, and yes, all modern water based paints have a touch of orange peel, but mine is no-where near as bad as that. I've also seen other cars with mis-alignment from the door to dash trim, and other issues similar to that mis-aligned trim piece between the rear seats seen in the video. Mine has none of those issues. It's too bad they're putting out some substandard product, the car doesn't deserve it.
