WOW.....the end is near for the R230. I'm gonna miss this design. It has been my favorite Mercedes for most of its production run. Not until the CL came back into focus in recent years did the R230 SL lose its #1 spot in my favorites of favorites at Mercedes-Benz. M
So what exactly does this package offer? R230 is such a timeless beauty. Just a graceful, well done car. I prefer the later facelifts, as the early one looks too W203-front end to me, but otherwise, what a perfect SL design. Aged incredibly gracefully, and never really got stale even after being on the market for about a DECADE!! Bravo Designers. Even the R129, as beautiful as it was/is to me, got old and tired toward the end.... Mainly because it lacked the fluid and streamlined grace of the R230. The R230 isn't as dominating a look at all, but just has what it takes to never get "old".
I think the SL is strictly a Frankfurt affair. But, your guess may be accurate since we haven't seen yet prototypes that are thinly disguised, which is usual before official unveiling, which would make me fear that September 2011 may be too close. The R230 has been the favorite Mercedes for me as well for most of its life. It is only after the 221 came that its age started showing in the telematics and a bit in the design. There is a lot that has been 'promised' with the pending new generation, such as a lighter weight, tons of new technology and a bruising lineup of engines.
Gosh, you think they could at least try. Like offereing the new steering wheels? And how bout moving the keyless go off of the shift knob. Talk about retarded. I see they put in the little cover. How many people inadvertently turned off the ignition after trying to push the button to shift into gear. How the hell that makes it to market tells me someone at MB had their head up their arse.
I was about to ask the same question. That aside this version of the SL has enjoyed a very successful career with good sales, excellent quality charts and awards. I`m going to miss this one. Cheers...:t-cheers:
The current SL used to be my favorite MB before the unfortunate 2008 redesign. Anyway, the interior is really starting to show its age. :eusa_thin I wonder if the next generation SL will have a shorter lifecycle.
Sometimes I wonder if you realize what you're saying. Why on earth would they spend the money to move the Keyless GO switch on what is an run-out model/edition? A new steering wheel for a car that doesn't sell anymore? What sense would any of these changes make for the SL in its final moment man? M
Yeah, it would be ridiculous for them to do that. The car is of an older era of M-B (than what we have coming out now), so the interior is obviously a sister of models that have already been phased out for a while now, including the Keyless Go location, etc.
