SL-Class (R230) Last R230-Series Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Rolls Off The Line

[merc4]

SL never had a 10 year life period. Second generation was produced from 63 to 71. The third was produced 17 years 72 - 89. The fourth 89 - 01. Only the last one was produced 10 years and it is because the life of the cars generally gets shorter. Mercedes clings to 7 years time span between new generations only from the 90s. Even the 124 was produced 10 years.

 

[mini_cooper4]

From a Gallardo to an old SL, way to go!

I'm keeping the Gallardo till 2013 when the replacement arrives

 

[Centurion]

Bye bye R230. It has had a good run for the number of years it has existed. Just under 200k units for such an expensive car is pretty good.

 

[tennmb]

quirky headlights were an abomination to such a lovely classic car. I liked the newer grille, but the headlights looked like a crack addict gotta hold of the sketch pad.

 

[tennmb]

The buying public is way too finnicky to buy a 10 yr old design. Especially when all you do is screw up the head lights. The SL deserved a major facelift with significant interior upgrades. It is a 100k car. Our dealer hasn't even receieved a 2012 SL. Are they building them? For heaven's sake, they skipped a model year as well.

The 5th gen was produced for Model Years 2003 until 2012. This included a one year production vancancy. So technically this one was produced 9 MYs over a 10 year period. No way the next SL goes this long. I hope MB has learned you can't go that long w/out significant upgrades.