SL-Class [Official] Mercedes-Maybach SL Monogram Series (R232)

[Yaz]

THIS is simply absolutely SILLY:

Sprinkling Maybach logos everywhere on a car is what posers used to do.

Now the factory does it for you.

Who approved this?

 

[Merc1]

I think it's less the Japanese and more the moneybags American shareholder mentality.
As soon as the bean counters started running the brand, it lost its way.

I don't think using Maybach as a trim level to be a more affordable Rolls Royce alternative is necessarily bad. However the brand needs more money, more obviously injected into it. Bespoke front apron, rather than just a spiffy grille. Unique headlamps and tail lights. Perhaps even one or two different bodywork pieces. Totally unique interior.

I also think that should apply to the flagship AMGs too.

I get that but it was the arrival of the Japanese that caused that change in their business model either way. When someone offers a 420SEL level car for the price of a 190E 2.6 something has to give.

M

 

[AbsoluteUnit]

I get that but it was the arrival of the Japanese that caused that change in their business model either way. When someone offers a 420SEL level car for the price of a 190E 2.6 something has to give.

M

Didn't they react to that with the W140? I.e what is commonly considered the greatest S class ever?

 

[Merc1]

Didn't they react to that with the W140? I.e what is commonly considered the greatest S class ever?

They did, but the car as great as it was, it was met with a mixed reception. The W140 was an attempt to run upmarket from the new competition with mixed results. Then true to form the W220 was an over correction with a vastly cheaper, but inferior, cheaply made car.

M

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

W140? I.e what is commonly considered the greatest S class ever?

Not at all

 

[Rolf]

Except for the white patterned seats the exterior with the Maybach logo bonnet and intakes is not luxury at all. The SL680 badge is a disgrace when this car has the same engine and power outputs as the SL63. Otherwise certain parts of the car look good and has potential. I like the wheel design both as multispoke but even more with the gorgeous monoblock design.

I like the instrument design, for a digital cluster the dials look classy.

 

[Matski]

You know what...

I actually don't mind it.

1) I don't mind body graphics. It is a bit lame when it's the logo, especially one as bad as the Double M, but in principle, if I ever bought a new Alpina, it's getting the deco set. If I bought an M3, it's getting the Darth Maul M Performance paint job, if I buy an M2, it's getting the orange and black line thing paint job thing, if I buy a Rolls-Royce, it's getting coach lines. Mercedes have been going overboard with Star motiffs recently, if you don't call it out, this is what you get.

2) The chrome accoutrements do lift the car. Those wheels on the white one above are spectacularly better than the 36 spoke ones on the red car.

3) Fundamentally, I don't find the SL appealing.. it may as well be an SLK, but in this case - the 'unique' flavour of the car definitely does add to the appeal.

4) Yes to the V12 comments, but would it even fit?

 

[GTA45E]

"it was the only car for sale" clearly was hyperbole. But in the sports car class there sure as hell weren't a bazillion supercars from 25 different brands on sale, like there are now. With one or two new ones coming out every single year!
So yeah a dying segment combined with a plethora of competition (where most cars are better than the Mercedes) brings us where we are now.

If the SL was handmade and unique like it was in '91, it might be a different story. However the current SL can be seen as a modded C class. Or E class. Or whatever standard other Benz. Now try to market that against bespoke unique sports cars which cost the same or not much more.

The reverse is true.

The R129 SL was actually based on a modded W124 E-Class platform and was not handmade.

The current R232 SL sits on a unique AMG-engineered platform. It's not even shared with the previous generation GT or SL. This is one of the reasons it is so expensive. It is said to have a body structure that is 40-50% stiffer than that of the outgoing GT.
I can tell you it absolutely delivers on the driving end. Calling mediocre is just trash talk until you actually experienced it. It is just another expensive toy for the rich.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

That part and beyond a handful of models, there is very little of that left today. I often wonder where they would be if they hadn't changed course after the Japanese arrived. Would they be like Bentley, true and expensive and lower volume or out of business.

M

I've often thought about this. But I think ultimately the German Industrious culture drove their automotive industry to expand into these 'mass luxury' manufacturers.

I am still digesting my disgust with this 'Maybach'.

 

[GTA45E]

I am totally not into the Maybach SL. That package is pure luxury and should be reserved for the S-Class. It just clashes with the sporty roots of the SL IMO.

Mercedes should have reserved the Mythos brand for the top-end AMG models instead of a one-off model. AMG Mythos should be what Brabus is doing for the AMG models and what the Maybach package does to enhance the S-Class.
Supersport ultra high-quality materials, Engine power upgrades and other performance enhancements that expand the roots of AMG.
AMG Mythos seating options and materials (replacing the black piano) exotic wheel opinions etc.. just a thought.

 

[Centurion]

You know what...

I actually don't mind it.

1) I don't mind body graphics. It is a bit lame when it's the logo, especially one as bad as the Double M, but in principle, if I ever bought a new Alpina, it's getting the deco set. If I bought an M3, it's getting the Darth Maul M Performance paint job, if I buy an M2, it's getting the orange and black line thing paint job thing, if I buy a Rolls-Royce, it's getting coach lines. Mercedes have been going overboard with Star motiffs recently, if you don't call it out, this is what you get.

2) The chrome accoutrements do lift the car. Those wheels on the white one above are spectacularly better than the 36 spoke ones on the red car.

3) Fundamentally, I don't find the SL appealing.. it may as well be an SLK, but in this case - the 'unique' flavour of the car definitely does add to the appeal.

4) Yes to the V12 comments, but would it even fit?

Same here. I think it’s ok. Remove the monogram on the bonnet, spec it in black, and it will be a looker with an emblem and chrome along the spine of the hood to accentuate the length.

 

[Design FIRST]

Same here. I think it’s ok. Remove the monogram on the bonnet, spec it in black, and it will be a looker with an emblem and chrome along the spine of the hood to accentuate the length.

Yep.

Offer the black hood ONLY AS AN OPTION. Ditch ALL silly logos on the hood and soft top. Offer windscreen frame in brushed, matte aluminium as well as in body color as options. Offer extensive variety of colors including Designo/Manufaktur paints and various tones of leather/cloth/alcantara interiors. Scrap the tonneau cover and keep a 2+2 configuration.

 

[Rolf]

It looks a whole lot better with these night shots

Like a supermodel with handbag on the runway.

White with the monoblock wheels looks quite appealing.

 

[bmwz4coupe]

What a patethic looking car.

 

[Pagani]

I have no clue what so many of you are complaining about. This car looks tasty. So it is not for you… it is for some people, and it is a grower.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I have no clue what so many of you are complaining about. This car looks tasty. So it is not for you… it is for some people, and it is a grower.

I'm going to swallow my tongue when in 6 months time by which my disgust will have evolved into love.

I've already moved from 'it's revolting' to 'it's quite pretty and market savvy' overnight.

 

[empower77]

It’s a f#cking handbag on wheels. Disgraceful.

Mercedes Benz has completely lost sight of what once made them the best carmaker in the world. Mercedes' substance was their style, their image and recognition underpinned by reputation.

They seem to be in desperate need of a crown jewel to compete with BMW’s spot-on custodianship of Rolls Royce but they’ve been at sea with what to do with the Maybach brand.

This! On a separate note there is a video of a converted W124 with the V12 bi-turbo motor doing its round of the inter webs and I’m not going to lie, probably the best Benz I’ve ever ever seen. I’m sure if a Singer type boutique shop made a few of those, they would find the buyers.

 

[Merc1]

I think in the right spec (regular hood, million spokes wheel) it will look good. The problem then becomes there is very little customization available. Mercedes is really stingy with their top colors now and some reviewers are saying you can only get the white interior for the first year. That is really stupid and defeats the purpose.

M

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Ok. I think we need to accept the fact that Maybach is just a 'pretty' trim for Mercedes that also gets some engineering enhancements in terms of sound deadening, etc. They have no intention of making 'bespoke' Maybach products, as they do with AMG, and that is a pipe dream we can dwell on for another 10 years.

They throw us concepts every 2 years not to indicate that anything bespoke is coming, but that these are the design elements that you are going to see on the 'Maybach' vehicles in the next 1-2 years.

If you look at it this way, the SL Maybach makes sense. It's very 'on trend' with the embossing of the motif on the hood etc. Nearly every mainstream fashion design house is plastering their products with motif fabrics and leathers these days.

They also have undertaken some engineering, involving the removal of the rear seats to improve cabin comfort, NVH and give it a different profile to the standard SL with the outwards bulging hood and unique rear parcel design. It probably costed them little to bring out this variant and they should make a decent return on it.

It's a shame we haven't seen more interior trim options though. The Satin trim on these cars is just not special enough IMO.

Ultimately Mercedes either lacks the corporate confidence to take Maybach to the next level, or the business case just isn't stacking up for the capital inlay they would need for bespoke sheet metal, custom paint shops, hand craftsmanship etc. to compete with Bentley and Rolls.

 

[kiki voinea]

If you look at it this way, the SL Maybach makes sense. It's very 'on trend' with the embossing of the motif on the hood etc. Nearly every mainstream fashion design house is plastering their products with motif fabrics and leathers these days.

NO. Absolutely no.

In a world of Gucci , Balenciaga and other Z gen brands , yes.

But if MB has become synonymous with them , than this brand it's lost.

There are plenty of luxury brands that stay under the radar, and they are mainstream without putting 20515 logos on it ( like Bottega Veneta, Loro Piana , etc )

Trends die fast. Legacy remains.