RE: Mercedes 500SL
Tuesday 18th December 2001
Mercedes 500SL
It's perfect, but a perfect what?
Discussion
Had an excellent review on the last ever Top Gear last night. Barlow seemed to like it. But I'm not cross-eyed over it.
I have to say, as a stylish coupe for a fat plutocrat it can't be bettered. It makes no pretence at being a sportscar really, it's a really good GT with a clever roof for posing and showing off the fact that you are fat of wallet.
70-80 grand is rather a lot of dosh though. I could buy an old 300SL Roadster (the sister of the Gullwing) for that kind of money. But I'm not really representative of your average merc driver (average age 55+)
Better than anything else they're doing right now though.
El Capitan
I have to say, as a stylish coupe for a fat plutocrat it can't be bettered. It makes no pretence at being a sportscar really, it's a really good GT with a clever roof for posing and showing off the fact that you are fat of wallet.
70-80 grand is rather a lot of dosh though. I could buy an old 300SL Roadster (the sister of the Gullwing) for that kind of money. But I'm not really representative of your average merc driver (average age 55+)
Better than anything else they're doing right now though.
El Capitan
Ever since Mercedes stopped overengineering their cars and became Americanized (where all that matters is an ever increasing stock price) there's just no point to them. What do they stand for? Sports? No, that's BMW. Engineering? Used to be, but Audi with their quattro and aluminium space frames are leading the way.
Ok, how about quality? I think Lexus have that cornered, with a higher JD Power quality rating year after year.
Luxury? That would be Bentley, or Rolls Royce or whatever the hell the brands are now.
If you don't stand for something, you're in big trouble in the saturated auto market
Ok, how about quality? I think Lexus have that cornered, with a higher JD Power quality rating year after year.
Luxury? That would be Bentley, or Rolls Royce or whatever the hell the brands are now.
If you don't stand for something, you're in big trouble in the saturated auto market
i think the new SL is a totally awesome car , but sports car i think not , its a great GT and the roof comes off and thats it .
My XKR cab is a great car but sports car not really,, too big , too heavy , its still a barrel of laughts on a nice day,but i fell for its looks , the SL is in the same mould, a very good looking car but not the most rewarding expierience , but it is (im sure) bullit proof and will last almost for ever
My XKR cab is a great car but sports car not really,, too big , too heavy , its still a barrel of laughts on a nice day,but i fell for its looks , the SL is in the same mould, a very good looking car but not the most rewarding expierience , but it is (im sure) bullit proof and will last almost for ever
I agree with stevenrt: Mercedes has lost its way.
Mercs used to be the "best engineered car in the world". 70's models like my Dad's 300SEL 6.3 and 450SEL 6.9 gave proof to the claim; they more like bank vaults than cars. Everything about the machines-- from the way the boot lid closed to the effortless shove of the V8-- was quality with a capital Q. And they featured breakthrough engineering, like the adjustable air suspension, crumple zones, etc.
It was build quality that established Merc's rep as expensive, but worth it. These days, even the top of the range models lack unassailable fit and finish. Witness the new SL's vanity mirrors and wind noise. (FYI: Unless you push the glovebox release HARD, nothing happens.)
Even if I'm guilty of considering older models through rose coloured glasses (we never did figure out how to work the 6.3's ventilation system), it's true that Lexus and Audi now do the build quality thing better, cheaper and more reliably.
And when you leave the S class, well, does anyone really think the C-class or SMART or entire Chrysler range are better engineered than BMW, Audi, Volvo or, gulp, Ford?
Mercedes used to stand for two things: build quality and technological innovation. They should return to these roots, even though the competition is now more fierce than anything seen at Tora Bora. And while we're at it, what's Porsche doing building an SUV?
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
Mercs used to be the "best engineered car in the world". 70's models like my Dad's 300SEL 6.3 and 450SEL 6.9 gave proof to the claim; they more like bank vaults than cars. Everything about the machines-- from the way the boot lid closed to the effortless shove of the V8-- was quality with a capital Q. And they featured breakthrough engineering, like the adjustable air suspension, crumple zones, etc.
It was build quality that established Merc's rep as expensive, but worth it. These days, even the top of the range models lack unassailable fit and finish. Witness the new SL's vanity mirrors and wind noise. (FYI: Unless you push the glovebox release HARD, nothing happens.)
Even if I'm guilty of considering older models through rose coloured glasses (we never did figure out how to work the 6.3's ventilation system), it's true that Lexus and Audi now do the build quality thing better, cheaper and more reliably.
And when you leave the S class, well, does anyone really think the C-class or SMART or entire Chrysler range are better engineered than BMW, Audi, Volvo or, gulp, Ford?
Mercedes used to stand for two things: build quality and technological innovation. They should return to these roots, even though the competition is now more fierce than anything seen at Tora Bora. And while we're at it, what's Porsche doing building an SUV?
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
SL55AMG Vs Lambo Murcielago, AM Vanquish, 911 Turbo and Ferrari 550
On this week's Autocar (UK magazine) there is the preview of next week's contest. They took the cars to Nardo (an oval track in the South of Italy) to test which was the fastest...
You will not believe it but the SL kicked everybody's ass. Without the speed limiter the SL reached 208mph (338km/h) and lapped at an average of 202mph. Nothig came close. The
suspension stability programme made it
possible to take the car to the limit without risking the dirver's life....
I have started saving to get one. List price in Europe is 126,000 euros to which u have to add the Comand, metallic paint and a stereo... So make it 130,000 euros... around $117k
On this week's Autocar (UK magazine) there is the preview of next week's contest. They took the cars to Nardo (an oval track in the South of Italy) to test which was the fastest...
You will not believe it but the SL kicked everybody's ass. Without the speed limiter the SL reached 208mph (338km/h) and lapped at an average of 202mph. Nothig came close. The
suspension stability programme made it
possible to take the car to the limit without risking the dirver's life....
I have started saving to get one. List price in Europe is 126,000 euros to which u have to add the Comand, metallic paint and a stereo... So make it 130,000 euros... around $117k
OK, you ARE talking about the AMG version. And that version does sound awesome: adding lots of power to a supremely capable (if slightly dull) chassis, steering and braking package. But...
For £117k, you're looking at RUF R-Turbo money. (See: review) There is no question in my mind which car I'd buy. No doubt. None. At all.
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
For £117k, you're looking at RUF R-Turbo money. (See: review) There is no question in my mind which car I'd buy. No doubt. None. At all.
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
Robert, I think there is a GBP/USD confusion in the last 2 posts, 126000 Euro's sounds a bit good for the R-turbo. but yeah I think most on this site would opt for the RUF
As for porsche making an SUV, I think they're making it to make money, they're just getting the hang of this. For years all they made was cars but now they've learnt to make money as well ! they may well make more profit per car sold than any other manufacturer
I think it goes something like this. Porsche research shows that 30% of purchasers of new porkers (I made this number up) already own or want to own a 4x4, I doesn't take much to guess if they had a choice this 4x4 would do 160mph and hace a P crest on the bonnet.
they have a captive audience
As for porsche making an SUV, I think they're making it to make money, they're just getting the hang of this. For years all they made was cars but now they've learnt to make money as well ! they may well make more profit per car sold than any other manufacturer
I think it goes something like this. Porsche research shows that 30% of purchasers of new porkers (I made this number up) already own or want to own a 4x4, I doesn't take much to guess if they had a choice this 4x4 would do 160mph and hace a P crest on the bonnet.
they have a captive audience
quote:
OK, you ARE talking about the AMG version. And that version does sound awesome: adding lots of power to a supremely capable (if slightly dull) chassis, steering and braking package. But...
For £117k, you're looking at RUF R-Turbo money. (See: review) There is no question in my mind which car I'd buy. No doubt. None. At all.
www.thetruthaboutcars.com
you've hit the nail on the head there.
No doubt it will sell in decent numbers to previous SL owners. But still, this is a car that goes nowhere. Too small a boot (with the roof down) to be a luxury limo, but that's what it is. It is not a sports car really - Markki has said that very well. For that sort of money there are a lot more interesting alternatives around. Why, if you want that style of car, buy an SLK for half the price (or less).
Rgds, WalterU
[This is simply not true. MB is inventor of the car - everyone else is just copying! Anyway, the others may be better in individual areas, but no one provides a package loke Merc do, and they're getting better all the time.]
Ever since Mercedes stopped overengineering their cars and became Americanized (where all that matters is an ever increasing stock price) there's just no point to them. What do they stand for? Sports? No, that's BMW. Engineering? Used to be, but Audi with their quattro and aluminium space frames are leading the way.
Ok, how about quality? I think Lexus have that cornered, with a higher JD Power quality rating year after year.
Luxury? That would be Bentley, or Rolls Royce or whatever the hell the brands are now.
If you don't stand for something, you're in big trouble in the saturated auto market
Ever since Mercedes stopped overengineering their cars and became Americanized (where all that matters is an ever increasing stock price) there's just no point to them. What do they stand for? Sports? No, that's BMW. Engineering? Used to be, but Audi with their quattro and aluminium space frames are leading the way.
Ok, how about quality? I think Lexus have that cornered, with a higher JD Power quality rating year after year.
Luxury? That would be Bentley, or Rolls Royce or whatever the hell the brands are now.
If you don't stand for something, you're in big trouble in the saturated auto market
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