Hi Everyone,

Time to say goodbye !

I own a 2022 SL63 and like many of you I have lived two turbulent and at times frustrating two years, but to be in honest all in all have enjoyed this car.

In all probability I will be taking delivery of a 2025 Aston Martin Volante in Aston Martin Racing Green on Friday. She is a real beauty and I think the cabin and instruments are spectacular - less of a corporate ambience and more of an emotional and playful environment.

The engine is sourced from AMG and delivers 670 HP - overall performance is similar to the SL, but I understand the ride is a bit smoother.

The Aston Forum is not quite as active but it looks like the cars that were delivered the first year had/have many of the same issues as the SL, mostly glitchy software, battery drain etc.

I was truly surprised how much of a haircut I am taking on the SL with 5k miles - Carbon Ceramic Brakes - High End Audio and every bell and whistle - $ 100 k trade in -yikes.

On the other hand the dealer is treating us quite fairly the other end and is throwing in an extra year of warranty and a bit of a price break.

Please wish me luck, that with my new "baby" history will not repeat itself I am hoping that with the 2025's many of the issues have been solved.

Cheers!

PS: I wonder if double locking will also benefit the Aston - will give it a try.

 

Congrats! Do share pictures of both the R232 SL and the new vehicle and I wish you good luck with your journey : )

 

Out of curiosity, what was the trade in value of your SL63??? $100K???

The 670HP engine should have been in the SL63....................more evidence of poor product planning by the MB leaders.

Astons make spectacular cars!!!

 

yes - $ 100 k - and after checking I am not being ripped off - that’s what they are worth - just awful!

 

The sophist theory that some forum members were "bashing" should be fully discredited. Where are the defenders now?? The R232 problems are well known outside this forum. The MB solution is to bring out a pimp mobile version???? Giving a $2-4K voucher?? Clueless!!!!!

I'm glad I waited.

 

Is the New Aston Martin a convertible?
Also, will you be shaken, not stirred?

 

Although I don't see myself as being a "defender," I certainly am very, very happy with my 2022 AMG SL63. It puts a smile on my face every time I get in the car and drive it. I was a Philosophy major at UCLA. I don't see sophistry per se in thinking that there was some "bashing." At any rate, I say hooray for anybody who wants to get a new car that they believe will be a lot of fun and a joyful experience.

 

Cal John:
I probably didn't make myself clear ( Chem major that was forced to take philosophy classes!). I do not consider the term bashing to be valid. The R232 had/has way too many problems for a flagship model. Many forum members related myriad difficulties. I find it quite credible the problems were real, That's not "bashing".

Glad to hear to enjoy the car........I still want one but only after confidence in the MB products are restored.

 

Yes, convertible and for sure shaken not stirred.

I have quite a few good friends at MB and one of them I texted today telling him that I would be buying a DB 12 tomorrow and trading in my Sl.

I gave him the following summary - very short, but thinking about it is reflective of my sentiments.

Low value retention as a result of the most incompetent launch known by mankind.

An incredible competent car suffering from too many annoying issues.

Exceptional powerful engine and mind boggling performance, but at times jarring suspension.

Cabin is simply too corporate - almost the same look and feel and ambience as an S class '

Net, net it has proven impossible to make an emotional connection with the SL - I liked but never loved.

I loved my AMG GTS and wish I had never sold it.

 

Picked her up yesterday in Philadelphia and drove to DC - nice ride. The car is not run in yet, but I think she ultimately will not be faster than the SL. Ride in GT (C) mode is very comfortable. Sound is tremendous a little higher pitch than SL.
Seats and interior are extremely comfortable and nice to look at. The MB graphics are absolutely better and more vibrant but also the screen is much smaller. However, the car provides the information you really need. It's am early days but I am very much enjoying the DB 12.

I am sure some of you will get a kick out of this : AM recommends double clicking when locking the car to conserve battery power - lol!

I am attaching some photos I took this morning.

 

Amazing looking car. That color is brilliant.

 

Congrats again Car looks good with a good contrast with the interior and exterior. Enjoy in good health : )

 

Something I found special with the infotainment screen is, it is like straight down, definitely something to get used to.

 

probably a bad photo - screen is at an angle - no problem.

 

no no, nothing wrong with your photo, I mean in comparison to the R232 SL, the screen is like looking straight down on the Aston I am glad to hear there are not usability issues though.

 

I just explored the AM site, configured a DB12 and a Vanquish. I'm amazed at the ability to spec colors and options. Perhaps MB should take a look at the AM way that allows myriad possibilities.
My other observation is the engine power numbers. The DB12 sources the V8 4L AMG..........the AM version is 680HP!!!!

Might be time to reconsider the R232,,,,,,,,,,at least with an AM, one can pick a rainbow of colors for various aspects of the exterior and interior. MB is now offering a blue interior( maybe on the SL63Se???) but it has black dash and trim. Why not blue?? Why not offer a choice to the client??

Perhaps the Mensa candidates that run MB should speak with previous buyers to determine why sales of the R232 are terrible.

 

To be fair:

The torque of both cars is very similar: 590 AM - 560 SL and the zero to sixty numbers are better on the SL than on the AM, although the SL is a bit heavier.
Its early going, but my sense is, that the SL is the quicker of the two.
Just found out that MB is a major shareholder of AM, so that would explain that there is some exchange of DNA between the two companies.

Interestingly enough the center console with the various wheels and buttons is organized almost identically to the old AMG GTS, and it is important to remember that Tobias Moers, the legendary ex AMG CEO was the the CEO for Aston Martin during the main time of development of the DB12, and I am quite certain a lot of AMG made it into Aston Martin.

He only lasted 18 month and Lawrence Stroll famously said " I want less AMG and more Ferrari" and then they brough in an old Ferrari CEO, who also is gone by now replaced by the CEO of Bentley. I have a feeling Mr. Stroll's motto is " my way or the highway"!

One nice touch I just discovered - AM provides you with a battery tender which is attached to the rear of the car with a magnetic fitting and a super long cord - so it makes putting the car on a charger a real cinch.

 

I supposed the AM's transmission also helps.