SL/R232: Worth the risk/used
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AMG G 63
I just purchased a 2022 SL 63. Has 1900 miles, was an owner demo. I love the car. It's not my daily and is one of 7 in the fleet, so we will see if any issues develop.
Very cool tech and awesome performance. Much better tech than the 24 Gwagon I traded for it.
Very cool tech and awesome performance. Much better tech than the 24 Gwagon I traded for it.
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GLC EQB GLS C300 convertible
Great idea. This is exactly what I did and have not regretted it . I purchased a 2023 SL43 after driving it with 2,600 miles on it. It looks and drives like a new car. I had a small issue with a door handle which was fixed by the dealer. The car was heavily discounted with a full warranty. Don’t listen to the nay sayers!!! It is a great car. As others have said, SLs regularly depreciate the first few years but let someone else take the hit. I am totally satisfied with the 4 cylinder. It has plenty of power and its sound is great. Go for it. You will love it.
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GLC EQB GLS C300 convertible
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
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From: Lewiston NY
2023 SL43, 2024 BMW IX50
It sounds great. Not at all like a 4cyl. I traded in a 2024 BmW Z4 M40 on the SL43 and it actually sounds better except the BMW did a lot of crackling and pop in sport + mode, if you like that.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 23
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From: Lewiston NY
2023 SL43, 2024 BMW IX50
Reaction to a 4 cyl SL
I think the reason people hate the 4 cylinder, or the thought, of an SL with a 4 cylinder is because they have never driven one. I have owned 8 cyl SLs, many 6 cylinder, and 4 cylinder sports cars and this 375 hp 4cyl is very fast and sounds great. Many 4 cylinders have valves and tappet noises that some people like. I don’t. The SL43 does not have any loud mechanical engine sound other than the exhaust. It may be how they tuned out those noises over the exhaust sound. I don’t know but it works. If anyone read numerous reviews of the 4 cylinder SL, it seems most reviewers are surprised by the power and overall experience.
I was also. That’s why I bought it. Maybe I just don’t get the need for an 8 cylinder engine.
I was also. That’s why I bought it. Maybe I just don’t get the need for an 8 cylinder engine.
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2023 SL63 + 2021 Cayenne e-hybrid
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From: DFW
SL63
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GLC EQB GLS C300 convertible
I am not a loud guy and know every neighbor, maybe SL43 would be an option
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I think the reason people hate the 4 cylinder, or the thought, of an SL with a 4 cylinder is because they have never driven one. I have owned 8 cyl SLs, many 6 cylinder, and 4 cylinder sports cars and this 375 hp 4cyl is very fast and sounds great. Many 4 cylinders have valves and tappet noises that some people like. I don’t. The SL43 does not have any loud mechanical engine sound other than the exhaust. It may be how they tuned out those noises over the exhaust sound. I don’t know but it works. If anyone read numerous reviews of the 4 cylinder SL, it seems most reviewers are surprised by the power and overall experience.
I was also. That’s why I bought it. Maybe I just don’t get the need for an 8 cylinder engine.
I was also. That’s why I bought it. Maybe I just don’t get the need for an 8 cylinder engine.
As for the smaller engines, after several SL’s with V8’s, I was absolutely sure my 2019 would be an SL550. But then I read two magazine reviews where they actually preferred the V6, so I did a back to back test drive of the SL450 and SL550 and was shocked at how much better the 450 drove. It felt so much lighter, more nimble and handled better. The ride quality was much nicer as well, so I ordered the SL450 and optioned it with ABC to boot. After dumping the run flats & going with 19” forged wheels, the result is “THE” best riding, most comfortable convertible I have ever driven. And, with 369hp, I have never wanted for more power or quickness.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 23
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From: Lewiston NY
2023 SL43, 2024 BMW IX50
That’s good to know. They must have improved the heck out of the 4. I recall walking in parking lots and an E300 with a 4 would drive by and it would sound like a bucket of bolts.
As for the smaller engines, after several SL’s with V8’s, I was absolutely sure my 2019 would be an SL550. But then I read two magazine reviews where they actually preferred the V6, so I did a back to back test drive of the SL450 and SL550 and was shocked at how much better the 450 drove. It felt so much lighter, more nimble and handled better. The ride quality was much nicer as well, so I ordered the SL450 and optioned it with ABC to boot. After dumping the run flats & going with 19” forged wheels, the result is “THE” best riding, most comfortable convertible I have ever driven. And, with 369hp, I have never wanted for more power or quickness.
As for the smaller engines, after several SL’s with V8’s, I was absolutely sure my 2019 would be an SL550. But then I read two magazine reviews where they actually preferred the V6, so I did a back to back test drive of the SL450 and SL550 and was shocked at how much better the 450 drove. It felt so much lighter, more nimble and handled better. The ride quality was much nicer as well, so I ordered the SL450 and optioned it with ABC to boot. After dumping the run flats & going with 19” forged wheels, the result is “THE” best riding, most comfortable convertible I have ever driven. And, with 369hp, I have never wanted for more power or quickness.
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
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MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,231
Likes: 6,284
That’s good to know. They must have improved the heck out of the 4. I recall walking in parking lots and an E300 with a 4 would drive by and it would sound like a bucket of bolts.
As for the smaller engines, after several SL’s with V8’s, I was absolutely sure my 2019 would be an SL550. But then I read two magazine reviews where they actually preferred the V6, so I did a back to back test drive of the SL450 and SL550 and was shocked at how much better the 450 drove. It felt so much lighter, more nimble and handled better. The ride quality was much nicer as well, so I ordered the SL450 and optioned it with ABC to boot. After dumping the run flats & going with 19” forged wheels, the result is “THE” best riding, most comfortable convertible I have ever driven. And, with 369hp, I have never wanted for more power or quickness.
As for the smaller engines, after several SL’s with V8’s, I was absolutely sure my 2019 would be an SL550. But then I read two magazine reviews where they actually preferred the V6, so I did a back to back test drive of the SL450 and SL550 and was shocked at how much better the 450 drove. It felt so much lighter, more nimble and handled better. The ride quality was much nicer as well, so I ordered the SL450 and optioned it with ABC to boot. After dumping the run flats & going with 19” forged wheels, the result is “THE” best riding, most comfortable convertible I have ever driven. And, with 369hp, I have never wanted for more power or quickness.
MBWorld God!
Joined: Dec 2019
Posts: 32,231
Likes: 6,284
I think the reason people hate the 4 cylinder, or the thought, of an SL with a 4 cylinder is because they have never driven one. I have owned 8 cyl SLs, many 6 cylinder, and 4 cylinder sports cars and this 375 hp 4cyl is very fast and sounds great. Many 4 cylinders have valves and tappet noises that some people like. I don’t. The SL43 does not have any loud mechanical engine sound other than the exhaust. It may be how they tuned out those noises over the exhaust sound. I don’t know but it works. If anyone read numerous reviews of the 4 cylinder SL, it seems most reviewers are surprised by the power and overall experience.
I was also. That’s why I bought it. Maybe I just don’t get the need for an 8 cylinder engine.
I was also. That’s why I bought it. Maybe I just don’t get the need for an 8 cylinder engine.
Last edited by W205C43PFL; Jun 7, 2025 at 10:51 PM.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 23
Likes: 14
From: Lewiston NY
2023 SL43, 2024 BMW IX50
The R232’s personality is much different from a 2004 SL500 that I previously had. It looks like you had one also. In comparison, the 2004 reminded me of a somewhat, floating 4 dr sedan that was extremely comfortable but not very hard core sports car feel. Of course my 2023 R232 has 20 years newer technology with numerous suspension tuning features from C to S+ to Individual while all being on a AMG platform. This is much different from the 2004 SL 500 I had years ago. Some of it missed while other aspects I did not. Time marches on. I think the one big issue with the current R232 line up is that there is no one basic model. It’s either an AMG or nothing. That may be your issue with the R232’s personality being the AMG personality. It’s somewhat hardcore.
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2023 E450 Cabriolet, 2019 F150 Platinum, 2014 Dodge Challenger R/T
Just started looking and noticed how cheap the used R232 is and was concerned, thanks for appeasing me, time to go take one out 
SL55 most likely...
SL55 most likely...
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From: DFW
SL63
Would you mind terribly if I reposted this in the thread “ What do you love about your MB” ?
