| Author | Message | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1391 Registered: 11-2001 |
hmmm......... note that the angle on the 575 is from a higher vantage point, and it's not a perfectly perpendicular shot... doody.  | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1390 Registered: 11-2001 |
a few purportedly "final" pics of the SLR were just posted on MBWorld in the SLR forum. here are the relevant ones. i have to say, that first pic makes the beast looks like one mean MF. doody.   | ||
| RockStar (Remix)
New member Username: Remix Post Number: 44 Registered: 3-2003 |
The S600 can turn mid 12s all day long with an auto tranny and 4 doors. A little nitrous and this thing's in the 11s. The new E55 should be even quicker but I haven't seen any 1/4 times yet. Should be interesting. Be careful with that SL55 at high speeds. The limiter was there for a reason - the tires are NOT designed to handle that kind of speed with that kind of weight. You definitely don't want one of them going out on you. Road pizza. REMIX | ||
| Dan (Bobafett)
Member Username: Bobafett Post Number: 906 Registered: 9-2002 |
Kenneth: I think most of us do. Pressing them on, with a boss who cares about the road cars (thank you Luca), can only mean good things for everyone involved. My only hope is that they don't start mass producing the cars. MB is definetly doing amazing things (hence the SL55 - the 65 is just pure madness and probably not worth the premium over the 55), but one has to wonder if they can scale back on the weight. For all of the electrickery in the world, you can't ignore the fact that an sl55 with gas and passenger is 4400+ lbs. That's a big boy! --Dan | ||
| KCCK (Kenneth)
Member Username: Kenneth Post Number: 442 Registered: 10-2002 |
Whilst I am a big Ferrari fan, I have always thought that it would be such a good thing if Ferrari has to keep looking over its shoulders, and be truly worried about the competition. | ||
| Dr. Erik Nielsen (Judge4re)
New member Username: Judge4re Post Number: 21 Registered: 4-2003 |
For those that are interested, this link should get fairly interesting over the next few months: http://www.mercedes-benz.com/slr-unlimited | ||
| Jason (Arnaget)
New member Username: Arnaget Post Number: 47 Registered: 3-2003 |
Latest (Aug2003) Car and Driver has a pic of the SL65; specs are twin-turbo V12, 604hp, 738 ft-lbs of torque. Could this engine be more potent (at least torque-wise) than the supercharged V8 in the SLR?.. granted, the SLR is a much lighter car. seems the S65 is also slated to be produced.. but still no word on a US release.. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1352 Registered: 11-2001 |
it's not like the US should get all of them  , right? 60% of production seems high. i've heard the 500/year number from two dealers and numerous magazine articles. if that's not the number, lots of people are going to be annoyed. doody. | ||
| Erik (Teenferrarifan)
Member Username: Teenferrarifan Post Number: 291 Registered: 2-2003 |
I think that only a few select mb dealers will get one. I heard a rumor that only maybe like 300 will come to the states and the other 200 will stay in Europe. This is from the owner of a local mb dealership that said if he gets one he is keeping it. I will see if I can get more info. Erik | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 406 Registered: 3-2002 |
One other thing. This McLaren / MB will fall below sticker sooner than most people think. See what the value will be one year "after" the cars have been released. I never understood people who had to be the first one in town with the "new" sports car. | ||
| Ralph Koslin (Ralfabco)
Member Username: Ralfabco Post Number: 405 Registered: 3-2002 |
MB is really turning up the heat. They have not had a "real" sports car since the 300 SL Roadster. Now if they only put six on the floor ? and went on a DIET. | ||
| Jim Schad (Jim_schad)
Intermediate Member Username: Jim_schad Post Number: 1518 Registered: 7-2002 |
Downright ugly. Same reason I don't like the Enzo. Anyone see any similarities in this photo?  | ||
| Frank Parker (Parkerfe)
Advanced Member Username: Parkerfe Post Number: 2633 Registered: 9-2001 |
Bart, what's an MD ? | ||
| Brian C Thenhaus (1day)
Junior Member Username: 1day Post Number: 74 Registered: 3-2003 |
It is a bit odd looking (esp. the nose), but the car has been developed with w/ all kinds of help and input from Gordon Murray (developer of the McLearn F1), so performance wise, it should be one heck of ride. | ||
| William H (Countachxx)
Advanced Member Username: Countachxx Post Number: 2702 Registered: 2-2001 |
it is a bit odd looking. I like the SL55 & SL 65 twin turbo better. the SL55 is a better car than the 575 at 1/2 the $. I have a friend who traded a 550 for an SL55 & he says Ferrari cant justify their car being so much more than the MB but then again what else is new | ||
| Dr. Erik Nielsen (Judge4re)
New member Username: Judge4re Post Number: 17 Registered: 4-2003 |
It will sell, and probably quite well. Don't forget, Schuie had Ferrari buy him an SL600 a couple of years ago as his "while in Germany" car. There are alot of MB fans out there that will pay stupid money for this car. I'd reason to be that a lot of us have a Benz as a more practical car. Sure, its not going to be as collectable as a 60's Ferrari sportcar, but is anything that is coming out of the factory now? As far as build quality goes, MB made a mistake and went down market with vehicles like the M-class and C-class, but these were designed to bring new buyers to the table. Drive a "real" Benz (read E-class and up) and you'll see a noticable difference in the "fit of the kit". Something has to justify the prices they're charging. And remember, Americans like slush boxes. The shift-it-yourself crowd doesn't have the buying numbers these companies are interested in to justify developing and building these things. Before I get flamed, I like my Benz and I like my Ferrari, but at the end of the day, they're both just cars, regardless of which path the design team chose. And I am excited about having a chance to drive the Maybach at the dealer this Thursday. | ||
| Faisal Khan (Tvrfreak)
Member Username: Tvrfreak Post Number: 420 Registered: 3-2003 |
Dino, I really enjoyed reading your post. Thanks! -Faisal | ||
| Todd (Tkrefeld)
Junior Member Username: Tkrefeld Post Number: 206 Registered: 11-2001 |
Wow..that's the ugliest car I've seen in a while...and I just saw a Cayenne... Doors are cool though would prefer gullwing.. | ||
| Dino Micalizio (Ingenere)
Junior Member Username: Ingenere Post Number: 69 Registered: 12-2001 |
WOW!! This seems like a touchy topic. Here's my 2 cents....Nobody could be more of a diehard Ferrari fan than me....I have had 308's, TR's, 348's, Mondial's, and an F40 (only car I wish that I never got rid of). I drive them hard and bring them to the track...and constantly get scolded by my FCA buddies for driving too fast (I doubt if they would know because when we leave on drives...I don't see them again until we meet at the destination). Anyway..... I have never had a Benz before but I bought an SL55 AMG...and I gotta admit it is an amazing peace of kit....slushbox and all. I have never driven it in the auto mode...I have always driven in the manual mode and used the paddle shifts behind the wheel...and it is about as good as the F1 gearbox...it shifts amazingly quickly...both up and down. It doesn't upshift in corners...it does what you tell it to do. It just won't let you do anything stupid like overrev the engine on a downshift. If you go to redline it's like hitting the rev limiter...it doesn't upshift. It shifts much better than Porsche's tiptronic. When I had it at the track....the only two cars that it didn't humiliate were two heavily modified cars: a 993 turbo and a C5 Corvette...and both were on slicks...and I had some seriously complaining street tires! With the 2 pedal setup it's great for left foot braking! In fact it's set up to naturally do that. For performance for the price there is no comparison...the SL55 emarasses 360's, 550's, Vanquish's, Porsche Turbos, and comes damned close to the Murcielago for top speed....I had the speed limiter removed....and it will do just under an indicated 210! (hard to tell since the speedo calibration 'just' goes to 200)...probably 205 in reality. Pretty amazing considering the price....and the major service will cost $700!! AND....no Ferrari dealer 'attitude'.....MB treats one like a valued customer, not like they are doing you a favor. I think that MB has moved the game on (I don't know if the SLR will be considered a value but I am sure it will be good)....so has Lamborghini with the Gallardo...Ferrari has some catching up to do. I know they will...you gotta love the red cars from Maranello! I know I do! | ||
| PSk (Psk)
Member Username: Psk Post Number: 658 Registered: 11-2002 |
Hmmmm, interesting I thought exhausts had to exit past the drives head for obvious gassing oneself reasons. That is why all saloon race cars have them just past the driver and sticking out the side. Thus what happens when you are stopped ... you gas yourself with your own fumes ... how can this be legal. I know you would not be able to register ANY OTHER car with exhausts like that in Australia and New Zealand???? Pete | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 634 Registered: 6-2002 |
According to the dealer, there will only be handfuls of the cars available. | ||
| Bart Duesler (The_bart)
Junior Member Username: The_bart Post Number: 170 Registered: 1-2003 |
Ranking of autos by the Germans 1 - Audi 2 - BMW 3 - MD Hummm.............. | ||
| Jeff (Jeff_m)
Junior Member Username: Jeff_m Post Number: 169 Registered: 9-2002 |
That car looks great and with the reliability of the benzs and the performance numbers on this car, Ferrari needs to step it up big time. Changing the headlights on the 550 aint going to cut it.The SL55 has all the performance for half the money of Ferraris offerings.The Gallardo is also going to put the pressure on. The only thing Ferrari has going for them is that they make so few cars, people will buy them all up for the name alone at this point. | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1337 Registered: 11-2001 |
allan - what data do you have on production volume? i've seen the 500/yr figure repeated now for a couple of months - including in reviews where the reporters were at MB being "handled" (eg: AW) by MB. 500/yr is a very "limited run" vehicle for MB. i've heard 6, 7, and 8 years prorjected production - so 3000 to 4000 cars total. doody. NB: i just did some googling, and while i didn't immediately find any official MB data on production, i have found authorized MB dealers that quote that number. maybe it's a universally accepted error, but i'd be surprised given that it's perservered for so long. | ||
| wm hart (Whart)
Intermediate Member Username: Whart Post Number: 1390 Registered: 12-2001 |
I just wish the starter button, hidden in the top of the shifter knob, could be used for nitrous activation. As to Benz build quality, its certainly not what it used to be, at least for the production cars. But they do have a heritage and i don't find the car ugly. The trick will be to pull performance drivers into it, since the 300 slr is the last real sports car MB made, right, almost 50 years ago.... | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 456 Registered: 9-2002 |
LOL Tim!! Grace and poise only goes so far. If Ferrari or Lambo could build a car with half the realiabilty of a Benz then I think they could have something to comment on. But the reality is they don't and they hate it if something comes along that is better, faster, and does everything their cars can't and be reliable at the sametime. I think more than a few get pissed off. | ||
| JT (Mightymagician)
Junior Member Username: Mightymagician Post Number: 116 Registered: 11-2002 |
im hoping its going to be one of those cars that looks better in person than in the pictures, the pics dont give a favorable impression. 600hp v8 is impressive, but why all that on a auto tranny? and for $400K, i want a 12 cyl. in that long front end. | ||
| Tim N (Timn88)
Advanced Member Username: Timn88 Post Number: 3230 Registered: 6-2001 |
But Tom, it doesnt have "grace and poise". im so sick of all the 'soul' crap that ferrari owners use to justify the ferrari being slower. Benz had a racing history too! | ||
| Tom Bakowsky (Tbakowsky)
Member Username: Tbakowsky Post Number: 455 Registered: 9-2002 |
Ha ! You guys make me laugh!! It beats the Ferrari and Lambo hands down, costs more, and will more than likly outlast, and out perform these same cars at at 200,000 miles with just doing normal maintenance. You probably won't have valve guide issues, chain tentioner issues, general things breaking before they should. Who cares!! If you don't like it don't buy it!! Don't even look at it!! If one pulls up beside you and then leaves you in the dust..don't cry and don't make excusses!! | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 628 Registered: 6-2002 |
Dave, i agree that i would not purchase this car for the amount of money they are asking for it. But in terms of performance, it will win. In terms of style, i like the Murcielago much better, but if it were in the same price range as the Ferrari 575, id take the Benz. For the money, id take the 575, although i do like the style of the Benz. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2201 Registered: 1-2002 |
Allan, it ain't gonna destroy ANYTHING. The Murcielago & the Ferraris have grace, poise, and beauty. And manual transmissions. The SLR just has bling-bling. Different markets, different customers. And anyone who is willing to spend $1 million for that POS deserves to be separated from their money in a spectacularly sado-masochistic fashion. IMO, of course... | ||
| allan fiedler (Allanlambo)
Member Username: Allanlambo Post Number: 627 Registered: 6-2002 |
I was at the Benz dealer yesterday inquiring about the SL-R. It will be very low production, not 500 cars a year. There are offers of close to 1,000,000 for them already. It will destroy the 575,360 and 456, and even the Murcielago for that matter. Base price, according to the dealer is 425,000. | ||
| Ben Cannon (Artherd)
Member Username: Artherd Post Number: 516 Registered: 6-2002 |
Not with a friggin automatic it isn't. (even if the current SL55 has a faster top speed than the 360, and is even competitive with it on a track. It wouldn't WIN mind you, but it'd be close.) Just Say No to Slushboxes!!! | ||
| Mr. Doody (Doody)
Intermediate Member Username: Doody Post Number: 1329 Registered: 11-2001 |
the side pipes are actually like that in order to keep the undertray fully engineered for lift management. with the exhaust out of the way "early on", they can apparently do stuff in the undertray design that helps airflow management. according to the AW article i read, i inferred that this car is only coming with a slushbox, believe it or not. you can apparently manually change gears up and down, like all their cars et. al., but the only potential saving grace is that there's a tranny mode where the car won't shift automatically for you at all. so you can hit redline or stall it. but my read was that it's still an automatic tranny - not an automated-manual. furthermore, it appears that the dealers are being allowed by MB to be dopes about this car. a friend of mine wants one. the dealer said he had to put down a big, non-refundable deposit and that deposit got him the right to buy the car upon delivery at "market rate". hello?!?!?! i can buy a car at "market rate" without putting any deposits down! very silly, imo. note that they're claiming they'll build 3500 or so of these (500 per year over seven years). i don't see how they'll hold their value - that's not "limited production" in the high-end market. doody. | ||
| Dave (Maranelloman)
Intermediate Member Username: Maranelloman Post Number: 2199 Registered: 1-2002 |
IMO, ugly & overpriced. Too long up front. And what's with the lake pipes??? | ||
| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 542 Registered: 10-2001 |
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| Mark (Study)
Member Username: Study Post Number: 541 Registered: 10-2001 |
Looks like the 550 456 cars? Designed and engineered in cooperation with Mercedes� F1 partner McLaren, its mission is to steal thunder from the likes of Aston Martin, Ferrari, Porsche and Lamborghini. 600 hp 0-60 3.9 sec 3500 pounds V8 $350k 2004   |