2021 SL - a step forward or backwards?

JBell

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C350 CDi Estate (GAD Edition)
Mercedes%20SL%20exclusive%20image.jpg
Mercedes%20SL%20exclusive%20images.jpg

That is stunning!!!!!!!
 

peterws1957

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sl350 /2004/3.7 and CL65/2009/6.0
Probably just me, but the angle of that screen looks a touch too severe to me.
 

John Laidlaw

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Land Rover Discovery 4
Liking it but agree with the comments viz soft top, much prefer the look of a Vario when it’s up, soft tops to me personally look a little stuck on
 

Blobcat

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R171 SLK280, Smart R451, Land Rover 110 County SW, 997 C2S, R1250 GSA TE 40th, CBR600FP
Liking it but agree with the comments viz soft top, much prefer the look of a Vario when it’s up, soft tops to me personally look a little stuck on
Never been a fan of detachable hard tops either.
 

flowrider

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SL500 (R230)
I like it, a step up from the existing model. I think with a few tweaks here and there the new SL will be a stunner but sometimes when you see a car in the flesh it doesn't live up to its photos.
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Agree the rag top/tin top argument. Had both, and prefer the rag top over the tin top for other reasons also.
Somehow, on a convertible, it just fits the whole experience.
Unfortunately the rag top wears faster and is not so yob proof.

My rag top on the 129 is now 27 years old and aside from new plastic windows (about the only real drawback to rag tops aside from vandalism - which can just as easily happen to vario by keying or smashing glass) is trouble free. It probably has another 5 years life in it which if you consider many cars are dead by 20 years has seen through most of an average cars life.
 

Conor

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2010 S212 350 CGI // 2004 R230 500
My rag top on the 129 is now 27 years old and aside from new plastic windows (about the only real drawback to rag tops aside from vandalism - which can just as easily happen to vario by keying or smashing glass) is trouble free. It probably has another 5 years life in it which if you consider many cars are dead by 20 years has seen through most of an average cars life.

Yessss... I love it. When did you buy the car? I really like the 129 but they seem kind of pricey these days :(

I would rather a 129 as my forever car over the 230 due to ABC... but then again.. good maintenance and averaging the cost out over many years, isn't that bad.

I still love the 129.

And let's not forget the 129 is 2+2 which is also a major advantage.
 

flowrider

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SL500 (R230)
Yessss... I love it. When did you buy the car? I really like the 129 but they seem kind of pricey these days :(

I would rather a 129 as my forever car over the 230 due to ABC... but then again.. good maintenance and averaging the cost out over many years, isn't that bad.

I still love the 129.

And let's not forget the 129 is 2+2 which is also a major advantage.
It's only 2+2 if the rear passengers have no legs!
 

LostKiwi

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'93 500SL-32, '01 W210 Estate E240 (RIP), 02 R230 SL500, 04 Smart Roadster Coupe, 11 R350CDi
Yessss... I love it. When did you buy the car? I really like the 129 but they seem kind of pricey these days :(

I would rather a 129 as my forever car over the 230 due to ABC... but then again.. good maintenance and averaging the cost out over many years, isn't that bad.

I still love the 129.

And let's not forget the 129 is 2+2 which is also a major advantage.
Hmm not sure the 129 should really be called a 2+2 - maybe for a family of leprechauns but not in the real world.
Whilst it technically has 4 seats the rears are pretty useless as for even children to get in the front seat is so far forward as to make the drivers seat too close to drive.
They are a superb car though and very different to a 230 - much more leisurely feeling but actually quicker than a 230 due to having more power and less weight (especially if the hardtop isn't fitted).
 
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McDonald

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SL500 2004
I may be alone in thinking the R230 is a much better looking car. I like the 107 & of course the Pagoda and everything earlier.
 

davemercedes

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Glos
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2007 Merc 220 CDi Est Auto Av (s203)
I think I'm in lust!

There's few cars that get me excited at my age etc but that's quite gorgeous! You can see it's got a soul - it's a car I would love to talk to on a nice long drive. And MB's marketing dept know exactly what they're doing releasing pictures in this particular model and colour combination... If I had the dosh I could honestly (and easily) fall for the biggest impulse purchase of my life!
 

Conor

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2010 S212 350 CGI // 2004 R230 500
I may be alone in thinking the R230 is a much better looking car. I like the 107 & of course the Pagoda and everything earlier.

I hear you... I don't disagree with you.. but I still have a soft spot for the R129. I don't know what it is.
 


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