thoughts on the SLR Mclaren | FerrariChat

thoughts on the SLR Mclaren

Discussion in 'Other German' started by GPM, Aug 6, 2016.

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  1. GPM

    GPM Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2015
    550
    Vancouver BC
    some love it and some hate it, that's what I've discovered, personally I like it, its rare, fast and sounds fantastic, however it probably cant compete with f12 or vanquish as a gt for long drives, this is an ongoing dilemma for me, brain says f12, heart says slr, am I crazy?, anyone have personal experience driving one? it is after all probably the safest gt on the road in a crash, any comments welcome,, thanks
     
  2. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Jun 3, 2006
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    The Mercedes SLR McLaren ended up as the unwanted love child between Mercedes and McLaren when the Germans owned 40% of the British firm.

    It seems that McLaren wanted to follow on the McLaren F1, whilst Mercedes was in unchartered territory to produce a successor to the iconic 300SL and decided to outsource the project.

    Mercedes imposed many parameters in the design that went against McLaren ethos. The relation between the technical teams wasn't easy, creating delays and forced Gordon Murray to walk away from it in the end. The production figures didn't match expectation either, so both parties were unhappy.

    The SLR is a bit of a monster, not at all in the McLaren mould, IMO. I saw many prototypes trucked at night from Woking to Stuttgart, so I knew the car well before it was unveiled. Visiting Woking a couple of years ago (in 2012 actually), I couldn't find anyone at McLaren wanting to comment on it!

    The SLR was at the origin of the divorce between Mercedes and McLaren, with the Germans reselling their shares and setting up their own racing team buying out Brawn. Ron Dennis took the lead at McLaren and launched their own sports car range.

    I cannot comment how the car feels, drives or reacts. Now that Mercedes has successively launched its AMG SLS, the SLR looks like an orphan.
     
  3. MM355

    MM355 Formula 3

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    I would take it over any new GT car as its an even to drive especially the roadster. The sound is intoxicating and it still feels scary fast and pulls hard at highway speeds.
     
  4. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    Or as we like to say in the US, "the red-headed step-child". :) Definitely rare and unique but not for entirely positive reasons.

    To the OP, if it's the SLR or the F12 then it's the F12 all day long. Similar money in the used market but the F12 is massively ahead in nearly every dimension.
     
  5. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
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    Where do yo go to have your SLR serviced? Parts ?

    No worry on that account with the Ferrari, at least.
     
  6. GPM

    GPM Formula Junior

    Mar 26, 2015
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    the slr can be serviced at most merc dealers, the dealer must have a specially trained slr tech or they wont touch it, small town dealers wont have one, but every sizable city in NA does have at least one dealer who can, making service much more available than Ferrari, not counting independent shops that is,,,
     
  7. Tcar

    Tcar F1 Rookie

    SLR is quite a bit heavier, I think. Almost 4k pounds I think I read.
     
  8. ARTNNYC

    ARTNNYC F1 Rookie
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    Jul 8, 2005
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    I have an SLR. Its my favorite car. Drives and sounds like a race car but has the elegance that many supercars lack. Most Mercedes dealerships in medium and larger cities can service it........and those doors!
     
  9. jvmax

    jvmax Formula Junior
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    as discussed earlier, the SLS AMG seems to be the hot modern Mercedes lately
     
  10. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    #10 Sandy Eggo, Aug 6, 2016
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  11. absent

    absent F1 Veteran
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    mark k.
    +1.
    Great and under appreciated car, most opinions are based on reading ignorant journos who spent maybe an hour "test driving" one.
    Built quality, fit and finish on a much higher plane then ANY Ferrari and that includes the F12.
    A 5k miles F12 already squeaks and rattles more then 40k SLR.
    Also, if you like the sound of a P51 Mustang flying low, you'll love the SLR.
     
    Natkingcolebasket69 likes this.
  12. william

    william Two Time F1 World Champ
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  13. ARTNNYC

    ARTNNYC F1 Rookie
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    I also have an SLS and think it is a great car. Actually more practical and usable than the SLR.
    Too me the difference can be summed up as such and take from it what you will.

    The SLS was built in Germany by AMG Mercedes.
    The SLR was built in England by McLaren Racing
     
  14. Jo Sta7

    Jo Sta7 F1 Rookie
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    I don't see how anyone could review a car better than he, May and Hammond. They just have "it".
     
  15. white out

    white out Formula 3

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    I absolutely love the SLR.
     
  16. ARTNNYC

    ARTNNYC F1 Rookie
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    #16 ARTNNYC, Aug 8, 2016
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  17. WJGESQ

    WJGESQ Formula 3

    Dec 30, 2004
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    Awesome looking, but at those prices it seems like fella could have a whole lot of lambo in the drive way.
     
  18. Sandy Eggo

    Sandy Eggo F1 Rookie
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    #18 Sandy Eggo, Aug 13, 2016
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  19. SupercarGuru

    SupercarGuru F1 Rookie
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    #19 SupercarGuru, Sep 19, 2016
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    We recently just sold two great Mercedes supercars.

    The Mercedes SLS AMG Black Series and the McLaren SLR 722S Roadster. Nothing is as impressive as the stealth look of the SLR 722S, but would have to agree that the SLS AMG Black Series is a more usable of the two.

    The SLS Black Series is just AS rare and definitely a cheaper option...

    We have seen a TON of modern day collectors pursuing the AMG Supercars and are always coming across great finds!

    [email protected]
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  20. cnpapa24

    cnpapa24 F1 Rookie

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    Ha!! I always thought that the M Coupe resembled Ace and Gary's car but you make a compelling argument with that example.
     
  21. Cobraownr

    Cobraownr Formula Junior
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    Donald Silawsky
    To the OP (GPM): You sent me a PM with questions about the SLR about a week ago. I tried replying, but got an error message that you have either blocked receiving PMs, or been a bad boy and been banned from receiving them. If you want to chat about the car, send me email.
     

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