R231 - any feedback or help?

[SH0X]

Since you considered a 1 series, wouldnt you consider a 6 series or a 4 series?

The SL is a big car and the 1 seires is tiny. Yes its performance is great and they are priced well but thats a real switch up from grand tourer or sports roadster (whichever you want to call the SL) to a hot hatch everyday car (in terms of being able to get an m sport pack 1.6 1 series vs SL only for the big boys)

No dig at the 1 series, Im open minded and no fanboy but its not really the same as a facelift r230 or r231 IMO unless your all about the power?

E400 coupe https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-Mer...806609?hash=item41fc5cae51:g:ihUAAOSwnC1cf7r-

cl63 https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MERCEDES...266974?hash=item3fbcab0fde:g:NCoAAOSw84ZcMlsO

2009 sl https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Mer...317875?hash=item5d815d0e33:g:XEEAAOSw0Rlbqo1z 3.5L +7G

c63 coupe w204

Audi s5 2013+

6 series https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMW-6-Se...933689?hash=item4691fc2d39:g:IPMAAOSw9Gdci2uL

4 series https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2014-BMW...713383?hash=item3d871b3967:g:5WsAAOSwtx1cnb4E

Porsche 911 05 ish plate https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Porsche-...m3d8780af1d:g:FiQAAOSwcqtcmkaW&frcectupt=true

Boxster cayman 09 upwards pdk https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2009-Por...218421?hash=item1ef721fbf5:g:glwAAOSwIsdcN38S

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2012-Por...238968?hash=item1a774632f8:g:-AEAAOSwPEhccOi9

 

[John Laidlaw]

Or go SLK/SLC route?
SLC43 might be a good option
If you’d a garage I’d be suggesting an E Cab (E400 for example), but might be nervous on a rag top left out ...

 

[Nemo20]

Since you considered a 1 series, wouldnt you consider a 6 series or a 4 series?

The SL is a big car and the 1 seires is tiny. Yes its performance is great and they are priced well but thats a real switch up from grand tourer or sports roadster (whichever you want to call the SL) to a hot hatch everyday car (in terms of being able to get an m sport pack 1.6 1 series vs SL only for the big boys)

No dig at the 1 series, Im open minded and no fanboy but its not really the same as a facelift r230 or r231 IMO unless your all about the power?

Thanks for all your suggestions, you've done some work for me! In the past I've had a lot of cars but you're right there's no comparison between a 1 series and an SL and that was the idea really. I run my own business and actually carry quite a lot of gear on my travels so the SL was good in combining power with an amazing amount of space for a two seater. I've test driven the 1 series (I've had a 3, 5 and 7 series in the past) and enjoyed the 'fun' aspect, the boot/rear space has enough space for my gear; it's simply completely different to the SL. Funnily enough I preferred the manual to the auto but suspect I'd get fed up changing gear a lot on long journeys. I absolutely love my SL and suspect that many cars would simply feel like inferior substitutes. If I don't get another SL right now then I feel the interim car simply needs to be something radically different. I do like the power, so the 1 series was extremely responsive. The one thing it was obviously missing was electric seat controls so I would miss those, but everything else I could want, including a far superior sound system, was there. My SL must have the crappiest sound system on the planet for such an expensive car. I can't believe Merc thought it acceptable, but clearly they believed everyone would upgrade; whoever specced my car didn't!

There is almost too much choice out there and I don't have much spare time, so can't see me doing too many more test drives. I'll certainly have a browse of your suggestions. It's finding something that gives me a 'feeling' and not many cars do after owning an SL!

 

[Nemo20]

Or go SLK/SLC route?
SLC43 might be a good option
If you’d a garage I’d be suggesting an E Cab (E400 for example), but might be nervous on a rag top left out ...

SLK/SLC are too small sadly. I need a good boot space as per my reply above. I definitely don't want a soft top. I drive long distances and the joy of having what is effectively a hard top but where the roof comes down when the sun shines cannot be surpassed by the SL. I'd rather go without a convertible for a while if I can't find a suitable SL at the right price point.

 

[Blobcat]

SLK/SLC are too small sadly. I need a good boot space as per my reply above. I definitely don't want a soft top. I drive long distances and the joy of having what is effectively a hard top but where the roof comes down when the sun shines cannot be surpassed by the SL. I'd rather go without a convertible for a while if I can't find a suitable SL at the right price point.

I've been using a V6 SLK as a daily for not far off a year now, it's surprising the amount of stuff you can get in the boot (and still open the roof) - I can easily get enough in for a 2-3 week trip and I don't travel light...

I've also had a 43" TV in the boot which surprised me no end. I looked at SL's and have driven quite a few but my little SLK just fitted my current requirements better. (It also makes a great sound on full chat, that's my excuse osifer and I'm sticking to it )

 

[Nemo20]

I've been using a V6 SLK as a daily for not far off a year now, it's surprising the amount of stuff you can get in the boot (and still open the roof) - I can easily get enough in for a 2-3 week trip and I don't travel light...

I've also had a 43" TV in the boot which surprised me no end. I looked at SL's and have driven quite a few but my little SLK just fitted my current requirements better. (It also makes a great sound on full chat, that's my excuse osifer and I'm sticking to it )

I did have a look at the SLK at the time I bought the SL so unless it's been remodelled vastly it was definitely too small. I carry equipment and all sorts; clothes and personal effects make up a tiny proportion of what I need for my business trips! I also use the interior space and frequently the front seat too when I travel without a passenger. You'd be amazed what fits in an SL. I look at this huge pile of stuff in the house ready to pack and wonder how it will ever fit, but fit it does.

 

[rorywquin]

I drive long distances and the joy of having what is effectively a hard top but where the roof comes down when the sun shines cannot be surpassed by the SL. I'd rather go without a convertible for a while if I can't find a suitable SL at the right price point.

I agree - having owned a SLK (R172 - 350) we found it just a bit too small for touring and we travel light). The SL has way more cabin space and there is additional storage space between the seats, behind the left seat, and even in the door pockets which are massive (no speakers in the doors as they are in the floor). There is even an aftermarket travel bag that will fit across the width of the interior behind the seats.

My wife always complained that there was nowhere for her coat and handbag in the SLK.

 

[Nemo20]

I agree - having owned a SLK (R172 - 350) we found it just a bit too small for touring and we travel light). The SL has way more cabin space and there is additional storage space between the seats, behind the left seat, and even in the door pockets which are massive (no speakers in the doors as they are in the floor). There is even an aftermarket travel bag that will fit across the width of the interior behind the seats.

My wife always complained that there was nowhere for her coat and handbag in the SLK.

I did think about one of those interior travel bags, but as time has gone on, I've found a series of bags and boxes that just fit certain spaces. It's like a jigsaw, we pack certain things into their allotted spaces and then all the extra bits start to fit around. Coats just lay on the top of the back interior space once it's packed.

Here she is - a beautiful shade of silver that has blue or green tinges depending on the light.

 

[sl500amgsport]

I did think about one of those interior travel bags, but as time has gone on, I've found a series of bags and boxes that just fit certain spaces. It's like a jigsaw, we pack certain things into their allotted spaces and then all the extra bits start to fit around. Coats just lay on the top of the back interior space once it's packed.

Here she is - a beautiful shade of silver that has blue or green tinges depending on the light.

The storage under the boot lining on the R231 surprised me most, can fit many bottles of booze in such a way that they do not move or rattle.

Mercedes SL500 R231

 

[SH0X]

I've been using a V6 SLK as a daily for not far off a year now, it's surprising the amount of stuff you can get in the boot (and still open the roof) - I can easily get enough in for a 2-3 week trip and I don't travel light...

I've also had a 43" TV in the boot which surprised me no end. I looked at SL's and have driven quite a few but my little SLK just fitted my current requirements better. (It also makes a great sound on full chat, that's my excuse osifer and I'm sticking to it )

Ive had 4 18" bmw rims without tyres in my crossfire !

& I think a v6 sounds great with the right tweaks. V8 is rowdy but v6 is refined IMO.

Im usually always eyeing up my next purchase (wishlist more like) so it was not hard to link you to those cars !

 

[Triarii]

Coming late to this, I traded an R230 SL350 (didn't want ABC...) for a 2014 R231 SL350 as a weekend runabout on the basis that I saw one locally that we liked - silver with a black/red interior. It has airscarf, which was a plus but not a deal breaker and was via approved used. I think I'd like the V8 noise, having tried one at Benzworld, but the V6 @ <6secs to 60mph is enough for the opportunities to boy race that I get - in manual mode it's even more fantastic. It cruises well, surprisingly quietly even with the roof down at motorway speeds, and has enough boot space for a long weekend. I also like the look of it - it really stands out, even tough IMO the front view is the least pleasing aspect of its shape. They've cured the roof leaks and electrical niggles that bothered me on the R230, even to the point that not using it for a few months only means that the iPod battery may have gone flat.

 

[rorywquin]

The storage under the boot lining on the R231 surprised me most, can fit many bottles of booze in such a way that they do not move or rattle.

Mercedes SL500 R231

Unfortunately a big chunk of that storage has gone in the facelift due to the exhaust module!

 

[ajlsl600]

try the r230 Vdoz !!! glides along or, rips yr heart out ! dont like thinking on mine ,think it went to a good home tho.