SL63 AMG - damned if you do, damned if you don't
Discussion
Just a few thoughts I've been having recently.
I've never really been 'into' Mercedes. I think by the time I reached automotive self-awareness in the late '90s their output was pretty mediocre compared to cars of old: nothing like the style of the old SLs for example, which are still fantastic, desirable things. Then came the start of AMG really going at it, turning somewhat dowdy, perhaps not particularly well-built cars into very quick motorway stormers. But still Mercedes were criticised for the usual things: gearbox, steering feel, etc. They weren't "drivers'" cars (although clearly occupying a niche of their own). Even the SLR was a disappointment.
But in the past few years I've really been turned on to Mercedes' output in general. I think the new C-Class is more desirable than any small saloon. I think the E-Class has matured into a very classy medium-large saloon and is set apart from the obvious Germanic rival. The CLS is, IMO, the best-looking saloon since... well, possibly ever. The new S-Class is a brilliant piece of engineering and contrary to most people's opinions I love how it looks compared to the melted front-end of the last one. The CL performs like nothing else (and again looks great), the A/B-Class are expensive but like a no-expenses-spared Honda Jazz (and I mean that in a very complimentary way), hell, I even rather like the R-Class, maybe because I'm mad.
And now we've had the 6.2 litre V8 introduced across the range. Tauter, more focused, higher revving, NA: a proper drivers' engine. The few Black series projects have been a great start, and in the revamped SL (which, somewhat predictably, I find looks better than the old one) it makes for a hell of a combination. Boulevard cruiser turned focused tourer with MB luxury/safety thrown in. It's a very, very complete car you could use every single day without a problem and still give it a good thrash on the weekend with the roof down. They've revised the steering so that it isn't lifeless anymore. Hooray! The gearbox is far less recalcitrant than before and allows greater driver control. Hooray!
Journalist opinion? 'Er, yeah, we actually preferred the slushier SL55'.
Come on guys, make your bloody minds up. It seems that MB are damned if they do, damned if they don't. They correct the SL's 'faults' that you've been moaning about for years and then get criticised in Evo for not appealing to its core customers! Somehow the SL63 received less stars than the SL55 despite being a better car! Talk about hypocrisy. Then we have 5th Gear last night with Tom Ford declaring that it handles really well but he prefers the engine on the less focused model it replaced. Here's what he needs to do: never pontificate about something being a "drivers'" car ever again. (Then again, that's why Tiff and Plato are on the show, I guess...)
No doubt when newer cars are introduced the weights will drop hugely, emissions will lower, engines will become smaller etc. and they'll be criticised for not having enough BHP. Even though every review of something to come out of Germany seems to start off with something like: "Is this too much power?"
I've never really been 'into' Mercedes. I think by the time I reached automotive self-awareness in the late '90s their output was pretty mediocre compared to cars of old: nothing like the style of the old SLs for example, which are still fantastic, desirable things. Then came the start of AMG really going at it, turning somewhat dowdy, perhaps not particularly well-built cars into very quick motorway stormers. But still Mercedes were criticised for the usual things: gearbox, steering feel, etc. They weren't "drivers'" cars (although clearly occupying a niche of their own). Even the SLR was a disappointment.
But in the past few years I've really been turned on to Mercedes' output in general. I think the new C-Class is more desirable than any small saloon. I think the E-Class has matured into a very classy medium-large saloon and is set apart from the obvious Germanic rival. The CLS is, IMO, the best-looking saloon since... well, possibly ever. The new S-Class is a brilliant piece of engineering and contrary to most people's opinions I love how it looks compared to the melted front-end of the last one. The CL performs like nothing else (and again looks great), the A/B-Class are expensive but like a no-expenses-spared Honda Jazz (and I mean that in a very complimentary way), hell, I even rather like the R-Class, maybe because I'm mad.
And now we've had the 6.2 litre V8 introduced across the range. Tauter, more focused, higher revving, NA: a proper drivers' engine. The few Black series projects have been a great start, and in the revamped SL (which, somewhat predictably, I find looks better than the old one) it makes for a hell of a combination. Boulevard cruiser turned focused tourer with MB luxury/safety thrown in. It's a very, very complete car you could use every single day without a problem and still give it a good thrash on the weekend with the roof down. They've revised the steering so that it isn't lifeless anymore. Hooray! The gearbox is far less recalcitrant than before and allows greater driver control. Hooray!
Journalist opinion? 'Er, yeah, we actually preferred the slushier SL55'.
Come on guys, make your bloody minds up. It seems that MB are damned if they do, damned if they don't. They correct the SL's 'faults' that you've been moaning about for years and then get criticised in Evo for not appealing to its core customers! Somehow the SL63 received less stars than the SL55 despite being a better car! Talk about hypocrisy. Then we have 5th Gear last night with Tom Ford declaring that it handles really well but he prefers the engine on the less focused model it replaced. Here's what he needs to do: never pontificate about something being a "drivers'" car ever again. (Then again, that's why Tiff and Plato are on the show, I guess...)
No doubt when newer cars are introduced the weights will drop hugely, emissions will lower, engines will become smaller etc. and they'll be criticised for not having enough BHP. Even though every review of something to come out of Germany seems to start off with something like: "Is this too much power?"
I think the biggest gripe with the '63 engines is that they're way down on torque compared to the '55s they replaced. So while some of the dynamics (gearbox/suspension) have been improved, the car is down on oomph compared to the car it superceded which isn't what you'd expect when spending the best part of £100K..
In my view, I'd give the '63 a miss (on the SL/CL/S) and get a '65 with a few miles on it..
I hear the '65 engine is to be replaced with a bi-turbo '63 which will be quite something.
In my view, I'd give the '63 a miss (on the SL/CL/S) and get a '65 with a few miles on it..
I hear the '65 engine is to be replaced with a bi-turbo '63 which will be quite something.
New Mercedes, especially the AMG variants, are horribly vulgar, with their aggressive, fashion-victim, form over function styling. They are dreadful compared to the wonderful cars of old. Add to the hideous "look at me" styling the raft of unnecessary "features" "electronic aids" and we see Mercedes aping Datsun.
Whither a true replacement for the ultra-subtle 500 E or SL73 AMG? where can we find the all seasons and all time quality and elegance of the 500 SEC? and who offers the sheer functional longevity of the w123 and w124 saloons? It seems no longer possible to buy a car for life. Except perhaps from Bristol, but the Fighter is a mere two seater.
Whither a true replacement for the ultra-subtle 500 E or SL73 AMG? where can we find the all seasons and all time quality and elegance of the 500 SEC? and who offers the sheer functional longevity of the w123 and w124 saloons? It seems no longer possible to buy a car for life. Except perhaps from Bristol, but the Fighter is a mere two seater.
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