SL-Class (R231) [Official] Mercedes-Benz SL (R231)

[K-A]

From the other Thread:

I sat in an SL today. Very solid, mature and proper interior. The design is nice, reminiscent of other M-B's, and the build quality is OUTSTANDING. I was literally banging buttons and compartments open and close, to try and generate even a little vibration or "stress tests".... these things ALL feel like they're made of iron and welded in place. Very sturdy (the only ones that felt a little flimsy were the door mounted seat adjustments). Closing the door was the same, I slammed it shut several times, and not a vibration in that state of the art chassis or frame. The Dealer people probably were wondering WTF I was doing.

Only thing about the interior I didn't like is the A-Pillar material which is the same "decent" plastic that is in my Dad's 2005 CLK Convertible. This is pronounced especially since this car had a staggering $120-130K price tag and should have alcantara at the least in that area. At even the very very least, not sure why they wouldn't use the classier velour material used in other M-B's.

The exterior, I like, maybe like a lot, but not sure if or how much I love just yet.

 

[Merc1]

The car is a winner. It has that same renewed build quality that Mercedes has been injecting into everything lately. I think this is key for Mercedes, a quality product above all else. Clearly the styling isn't going to be a knockout anymore, so kill the other details. I think thats the era we're entering at Mercedes. Stupifying levels of build quality and technology, but no longer all the pretty to look at. Then again the SL63 AMG's different nose works beautifully. Wait until you see the S-Class.


M

 

[Tarek]

I believe the looks will be KO when the full LED headlights is introduced.

 

[Wolfgang]

The new SL is supplied as the first Mercedes-Benz vehicle from the factory with transportation mode enabled. In this condition, numerous vehicle functions are restricted or modified to achieve the best possible delivery quality in the vehicle delivery to the customer.

Transport mode is revoked only at the time of customer delivery.

 

[Yaz]

That's awesome. That means no more stealer employees abusing your car before you get it.

 

[sinbat]

I just took delivery of the US version of the SL550 in Sindelfingen last Wednesday. Magic Sky Control is one of the option of the vehicle. The headliner is a cheap white plastic as suppose to the faux leather or cloth that they usually have in the Mercedes cars. Can you guys tell me that with the US spec SL550, this is standard....white plastic headliner? Also, I got black leather interior. Thank you

 

[Human]

I just took delivery of the US version of the SL550 in Sindelfingen last Wednesday. Magic Sky Control is one of the option of the vehicle. The headliner is a cheap white plastic as suppose to the faux leather or cloth that they usually have in the Mercedes cars. Can you guys tell me that with the US spec SL550, this is standard....white plastic headliner? Also, I got black leather interior. Thank you

Sorry I can't assist, though I am very intrigued. If possible can you post an image/photo of the headliner? Sounds to me exactly how you put it.... white plastic headliner? Not good

This video is just too dark/poor quality.

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[sinbat]

Hello,
I forgot to take a picture of the interior/headliner of the vehicle when I took the delivery last week. This SL550 won't be here at the Baltimore port until 6 weeks from now (early-mid June). However, the headliner is indeed white plastic just like the ones in the SLK. It is pretty disappointing for a $100K+ car. My co-worker's 2003 SL500's headliner was at least faux suede. When the car arrives, I will post many pictures. Thank you.

 

[K-A]

I said the exact same thing about the headliner! It was totally unbecoming of a Mercedes period, especially the most expensive one. It's the EXACT same plastic/vinyl piece that my Dad's CLK Convertible has.

 

[Merc1]

I need to see what you all are talking about. I just can't believe that.


M

 

[klier]

I need to see pics to see what you guys exactly mean

 

[K-A]

It's the same material that M-B have used on some of their Verts for a while now. I don't remember how the R230 has it material wise up there, so can't compare, but the R231 has the same plastic-vinyl substance with a "grain pattern" that the recent gen CLK convertible (maybe Coupe as well?) has. It's definitely less classy than the fabric material even on my E-Class, and obviously much less classy than alcantara or what you'd expect an SL to have up there. The material is noticeable right in front of your face as itss what lines the A-Pillar.

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

That's disappointing to hear. The SL is still an amazing car. Enjoy it in good health.

 

[K-A]

The good news is that it was the only interior material that I found subpar. Everything else in there is pretty much top notch, and fit and finish is incredible. Just about everything feels iron-solid and like you can take a bat to it, un-fazing it. Just like a true Merc should be.

 

[Human]

It's the same material that M-B have used on some of their Verts for a while now. I don't remember how the R230 has it material wise up there, so can't compare, but the R231 has the same plastic-vinyl substance with a "grain pattern" that the recent gen CLK convertible (maybe Coupe as well?) has. It's definitely less classy than the fabric material even on my E-Class, and obviously much less classy than alcantara or what you'd expect an SL to have up there. The material is noticeable right in front of your face as itss what lines the A-Pillar.

Thanks for the details K-A, now I have a good idea what sinbat meant. For some (unexplainable) reason it happens on more Premium products of late. Be it on a larger scale or more obvious or just 'there' it's still mind boggling. One wish you could confront the final decision makers and those who signed-off on it, directly and in short ask: WTF?

IMO covering recycled plastic that has been treated with chemicals etc. to conform to set standards with a piece of alcantara for example, is it really that unachievable in today's day and age? I do believe that Suppliers has much to do with convincing the OEM on the piece of trim for production, and as Martin mentioned before an OEM will not make any profit if I had the final sign-off

Here I am on my visit to the UAE (this in Dubai), I studied this Phantom Drophead Coupe's interior thoroughly. My conclusion: You have to pay this money for 0% cheap plastics.

 

[Wolfgang]

Different headliners are available, for example Edition 1 comes with the black DINAMICA/nappa leather headliner.



2013 SL550 Edition 1 Launch Package
-- designo Crystal Silver paint
-- designo Classic Red Exclusive Leather
-- designo Black Piano Lacquer Wood
-- Premium 1 Package
-- Driver Assistance Package
-- Illuminated Door Sills
-- Black Dinamica Headliner
-- 19″ AMG 5-Spoke Wheels with special finish

http://www.germancarforum.com/community/threads/official-2012-mercedes-sl-r231.41565/page-29

 

[martinbo]

Heh heh - there's the Naas-man right there... Still a stickler for interior quality eh?

 

[Human]

Different headliners are available,

Yes, yes! Let's not forget PREMIUM = OPTIONS (the clever Linguistics has to ad this to the urban dictionary!)

Premium is all about choice = you pay extra, so my question for the people who signed-off on the cheaper plastics is irrelevant and rather stupid, sorry! It's like asking:



That's what it's about folks! $ and more $.

 

[Jabba]

Hi!

My last post, well, thats a long time ago!

But i want to say something about my experience with the "new" SL...
Start with "new": Sorry, thats ridiculous! There is absolut nothing new!
I am soooooo disappointed with this SL Generation.

First: Don´t get me wrong: The car itself is very nice!
But i am talking as an old SL driver, i used to have the Sl500 R129 and i still got the SL500 R230. If you own the R230, there is really NOTHING thats better in the new SL, even the outer apperance is nearly the same.
What have the merc engineers done in the last 10 years??????
I was always wondering the time before the R231 was coming up, that everybody talks about that crappy new wiper... no wonder: There is nothing else to talk about!

The best thing about the new SL is the 435hp engine, thats it!
But that is not a big thing, more power, that is just normal progress.
I was able to drive the new 500, pricing starts at 117T Euros in Germany. What can i say: This car was not very well equipped so at elast, this was a degression compared to my wifes SL! The seats had no air fan, so i startet to sweat on the leather at my back, there was no ABC suspesion (this was standard in the old 500!!!!!!!!!!!), you can use betwenn soft and hard. But you have to use hard, because the front feels extremely heavy.
I mean, you got 435hp, so you need a suspension that fits. Why pay extra more than 3000 Euro for the ABC? This has to be included.
The car seems to lift up a bit while acceleration and for me it feels, that you got no good grip, you feel the wheelspin. But the breaks are ok.

The interior? I do not understand, why they place this small navigation system from the SLS (for the SLS it is ok)! AUDI, BMW have way bigger screens, even in my "old" 2008 CL the navi is much bigger. And they still have this shitty crappy command panel. I mean, the function ok, but the plastic knobs should be replaced immediately.

So, as i said in the beginning:
If you proudly own a 230 you will be really be dissapointed with the 231. And the 500 is not very well equipped, you have to buy many extras.

The sales figures will show up. I will definitely not buy this version of the 231. For the 10 years of development, there is nothing really visible.

Will the SL go 911?????

The better choice is the AMG SLK, better equipped, faster, way cheaper and at a first glance looks like the SL

Like to see pictures?

cuuuuuu
Claus

 

[Pagani]

Hi!

My last post, well, thats a long time ago!

But i want to say something about my experience with the "new" SL...
Start with "new": Sorry, thats ridiculous! There is absolut nothing new!
I am soooooo disappointed with this SL Generation.

First: Don´t get me wrong: The car itself is very nice!
But i am talking as an old SL driver, i used to have the Sl500 R129 and i still got the SL500 R230. If you own the R230, there is really NOTHING thats better in the new SL, even the outer apperance is nearly the same.
What have the merc engineers done in the last 10 years??????
I was always wondering the time before the R231 was coming up, that everybody talks about that crappy new wiper... no wonder: There is nothing else to talk about!

The best thing about the new SL is the 435hp engine, thats it!
But that is not a big thing, more power, that is just normal progress.
I was able to drive the new 500, pricing starts at 117T Euros in Germany. What can i say: This car was not very well equipped so at elast, this was a degression compared to my wifes SL! The seats had no air fan, so i startet to sweat on the leather at my back, there was no ABC suspesion (this was standard in the old 500!!!!!!!!!!!), you can use betwenn soft and hard. But you have to use hard, because the front feels extremely heavy.
I mean, you got 435hp, so you need a suspension that fits. Why pay extra more than 3000 Euro for the ABC? This has to be included.
The car seems to lift up a bit while acceleration and for me it feels, that you got no good grip, you feel the wheelspin. But the breaks are ok.

The interior? I do not understand, why they place this small navigation system from the SLS (for the SLS it is ok)! AUDI, BMW have way bigger screens, even in my "old" 2008 CL the navi is much bigger. And they still have this shitty crappy command panel. I mean, the function ok, but the plastic knobs should be replaced immediately.

So, as i said in the beginning:
If you proudly own a 230 you will be really be dissapointed with the 231. And the 500 is not very well equipped, you have to buy many extras.

The sales figures will show up. I will definitely not buy this version of the 231. For the 10 years of development, there is nothing really visible.

Will the SL go 911?????

The better choice is the AMG SLK, better equipped, faster, way cheaper and at a first glance looks like the SL

Like to see pictures?

cuuuuuu
Claus

Pictures, yes please! Very insightful, and this type of opinion (multiple MB owner) is the most revealing. I haven't seen the new SL in person yet (not shopping anytime soon). I have seen the SLK and I have a hard time distinguishing between the two. Why do they stick the SL with last generation S technology, I wonder. The r230 (whom I owned) had 220 era tech well until the end of life of 221 (S being the standard-bearer for the MB line), and now r231 will keep us 221-tech bound for another ten years. And optional ABC is bullocks - it is the suspension that MAKES the ride in the SL irresistible. Cannot even imagine what an Airmatic SL feels like.

I priced one in the MBUSA website for fun. Without any optional extras except ABC and drive assist package, it toppd $120k. (I know, in Europe that is less than start price, sorry - but still expensive).