New R231 SL

Soorena · 12-13-2011, 03:08 AM

Love the interior, Hate the CLS-like exterior. It's not elegant at all.

hks786 · 12-13-2011, 05:37 AM

Bigger pics

hks786 · 12-13-2011, 05:50 AM

I'm not sure about the front end. Looks better than spypics for sure but need to see on the road. It's bolder which is good but those headlights don't sit right with the squared off edge.

Side profile is ok and interior is good. Rear end is awful though. Those lights remind me of the CLS and they look so cheap. It's the only part of the CLS I don't like. I dunno overall this model isn't doing anything for me. Need to see it on the road. Maybe it's just because I really like the current SL which has aged well. Even the pre-facelift model I really like inside and out.

Soorena · 12-13-2011, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hks786

I'm not sure about the front end. Looks better than spypics for sure but need to see on the road. It's bolder which is good but those headlights don't sit right with the squared off edge.

Side profile is ok and interior is good. Rear end is awful though. Those lights remind me of the CLS and they look so cheap. It's the only part of the CLS I don't like. I dunno overall this model isn't doing anything for me. Need to see it on the road. Maybe it's just because I really like the current SL which has aged well. Even the pre-facelift model I really like inside and out.

Front consists of R230 front end with CLS+SLK/2 elements. It's really busy!
Side is good because it's the same as before, nothing is changed. it's more like a facelift than a new generation.
and Rear, it's hideous! but clearly you can see R230 original rear end, they just changed the lights and i don't like CLS lights.

Year's_End · 12-13-2011, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hks786

I'm not sure about the front end. Looks better than spypics for sure but need to see on the road. It's bolder which is good but those headlights don't sit right with the squared off edge.

Side profile is ok and interior is good. Rear end is awful though. Those lights remind me of the CLS and they look so cheap. It's the only part of the CLS I don't like. I dunno overall this model isn't doing anything for me. Need to see it on the road. Maybe it's just because I really like the current SL which has aged well. Even the pre-facelift model I really like inside and out.

This, basically.

Really don't know what to think about those headlights. At this point I've given all modern cars a chance until I see them in the metal because I can't count the number of times I've shot down a product before seeing it in motion; some really ugly ducklings end up looking halfway decent, and even grow on me over time.

Those headlights though...*shudders*. The taillights on the CLS aren't terrible to me IRL so I figure this'll be along the same lines. My problem is that the R230 aged so damn well. Looked great new, and held its own post-facelift. This already looks questionable.

Year's_End · 12-13-2011, 09:28 AM

Btw Soorena, looks like you're new here. :trololol:

Sylon · 12-13-2011, 09:38 AM

Is it me, or is this car getting fatter? The body looks...plump compared to the old one.

I love that interior though.

Garduna · 12-13-2011, 10:28 AM

looks like a really big car, will need to see this in person for final judgement >_>

Red Bread · 12-13-2011, 11:12 AM

I thought they were coming out with a new chassis that would be hundreds of pounds lighter? From these pics it looks like a reskin of the existing chassis, ie LCI refresh.

Year's_End · 12-13-2011, 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Bread

I thought they were coming out with a new chassis that would be hundreds of pounds lighter? From these pics it looks like a reskin of the existing chassis, ie LCI refresh.

It's a fresh chassis. A few blogs published photos of the bare-bones chassis. The R231 and 230 share a similar rear quarter panel and C-pillar, if that's what's throwing you off.

Red Bread · 12-13-2011, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Year's_End

It's a fresh chassis. A few blogs published photos of the bare-bones chassis. The R231 and 230 share a similar rear quarter panel and C-pillar, if that's what's throwing you off.

It was, thanks. I forget that MB can be painfully slow to evolve their styling. The R230 was around for what felt like forever and looked dated from the start, I was hoping this would be bigger move forward.

UltimateBMW · 12-13-2011, 12:36 PM

I like it.

Like the bolder designs Mercedes is coming out with lately. Not sure I like the style of the taillights, but the rest is nice. Maybe a touch too plush for me though.

Soorena · 12-13-2011, 01:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sylon

Is it me, or is this car getting fatter? The body looks...plump compared to the old one.

It's said the new chassis is 300 pounds lighter.
I love that interior though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Year's_End

Btw Soorena, looks like you're new here. :trololol:

Yep, kind of

Red Bread · 12-13-2011, 05:51 PM

It might help if they remembered the clear coat.

hks786 · 12-13-2011, 06:03 PM

More pics:

http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...#photo-4677558

I think the headlights/taillights = FAIL, but somehow the car stills looks ok. I dunno lol.

Boost Gomez · 12-13-2011, 08:10 PM

I think this will be a case of "looks much better in real life."

M3WC · 12-13-2011, 09:42 PM

Headlights are looking a little goofy. Need to see it in person for final judgement.

wisesoul · 12-13-2011, 10:55 PM

Looks great

325 Baller · 12-14-2011, 01:39 AM

Honestly, I love it! It certainly has some SLS styling cues minus that awful SLS rear. I think its a winner. Can't wait for more details

sbce90 · 12-16-2011, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Year's_End

... My problem is that the R230 aged so damn well. Looked great new, and held its own post-facelift. This already looks questionable.

+1 Previous design was so classic that this new one looks a bit too funky and not in a good way.

KB7 · 12-16-2011, 10:41 AM

Love it!

Davin · 12-16-2011, 08:00 PM

The headlights are so awkward

12-13-2011, 03:08 AM	#1
Soorena Captain 94 Rep 850 Posts Drives: M3 6MT Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Paris iTrader: (0) Garage List 2013 BMW S1000RR [0.00] 2013 Ferrari 458 [9.66] 2012 Jaguar XJ SWB ... [10.00] 2011 E92 M3 [10.00]	New R231 SL Love the interior, Hate the CLS-like exterior. It's not elegant at all.
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12-13-2011, 05:37 AM	#2
hks786 Major General 2276 Rep 5,364 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	Bigger pics Attached Images __________________
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12-13-2011, 05:50 AM	#3
hks786 Major General 2276 Rep 5,364 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	I'm not sure about the front end. Looks better than spypics for sure but need to see on the road. It's bolder which is good but those headlights don't sit right with the squared off edge. Side profile is ok and interior is good. Rear end is awful though. Those lights remind me of the CLS and they look so cheap. It's the only part of the CLS I don't like. I dunno overall this model isn't doing anything for me. Need to see it on the road. Maybe it's just because I really like the current SL which has aged well. Even the pre-facelift model I really like inside and out. __________________
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12-13-2011, 09:28 AM	#6
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1243 Rep 12,446 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	Btw Soorena, looks like you're new here. :trololol: __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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12-13-2011, 09:38 AM	#7
Sylon Brigadier General 199 Rep 3,435 Posts Drives: 2011 135i, SG/CR, 6MT, M-Sport Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Michigan / Ohio iTrader: (0) Garage List 2011 135i [9.20]	Is it me, or is this car getting fatter? The body looks...plump compared to the old one. I love that interior though. __________________ 2011 BMW 135i \| Space Gray \| ///M-Sport \| BMW CCA #450291 Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Twitter
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12-13-2011, 10:28 AM	#8
Garduna Brigadier General 165 Rep 4,013 Posts Drives: Sedona 1er\|Yellow S3\|NardoTTRS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Toronto iTrader: (5)	looks like a really big car, will need to see this in person for final judgement >_>
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12-13-2011, 11:12 AM	#9
Red Bread Major General 4458 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	I thought they were coming out with a new chassis that would be hundreds of pounds lighter? From these pics it looks like a reskin of the existing chassis, ie LCI refresh.
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12-13-2011, 12:36 PM	#12
UltimateBMW Brigadier General 425 Rep 3,287 Posts Drives: MP4 Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: South iTrader: (0)	I like it. Like the bolder designs Mercedes is coming out with lately. Not sure I like the style of the taillights, but the rest is nice. Maybe a touch too plush for me though. __________________
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12-13-2011, 05:51 PM	#14
Red Bread Major General 4458 Rep 9,160 Posts Drives: Smog machines Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Austin, TX iTrader: (0)	It might help if they remembered the clear coat.
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12-13-2011, 06:03 PM	#15
hks786 Major General 2276 Rep 5,364 Posts Drives: * Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: UK iTrader: (0)	More pics: http://www.autoblog.com/photos/2012-...#photo-4677558 I think the headlights/taillights = FAIL, but somehow the car stills looks ok. I dunno lol. __________________
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12-13-2011, 08:10 PM	#16
Boost Gomez Colonel 53 Rep 2,359 Posts Drives: C63 AMG Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Miami iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 BMW 335i [0.00]	I think this will be a case of "looks much better in real life." __________________
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12-13-2011, 09:42 PM	#17
M3WC Brigadier General 3850 Rep 3,312 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: ...location...location iTrader: (0)	Headlights are looking a little goofy. Need to see it in person for final judgement.
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12-13-2011, 10:55 PM	#18
wisesoul Savoir Faire 83 Rep 1,772 Posts Drives: 2013 BMW M5 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Los Angeles, Ca iTrader: (0)	Looks great __________________ Current: Alpine White F10 M5\|H&R springs\|12mm/10mm spacers\|Eisenmann Race Sold:Imola Yellow RS4-KW V3\|MTM 10mm spacers\|Hotchkis rear sway bar\|APR Stage 1\|Milltek Catless\|RNS-E\|Euro RS4 Flat bottom Steering Wheel Sold:E46 323i
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12-14-2011, 01:39 AM	#19
325 Baller Colonel 280 Rep 2,576 Posts Drives: X3 28i Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Boca Raton, Florida iTrader: (1) Garage List 2006 325i [0.00]	Honestly, I love it! It certainly has some SLS styling cues minus that awful SLS rear. I think its a winner. Can't wait for more details __________________ ----------------------------------------------------
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12-16-2011, 10:41 AM	#21
KB7 First Lieutenant 150 Rep 356 Posts Drives: 2023 M850 GC Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2023 BMW M850i GC [8.25]	Love it!
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12-16-2011, 08:00 PM	#22
Davin Lieutenant Colonel 56 Rep 1,721 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Trinidad & Tobago / NYC iTrader: (0)	The headlights are so awkward
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