Did they screw up the SLR ?

[1zippo1]

When I first looked at it I though it wasn't very nice and it would be just a fast cruiser... But I'm beginning to appreciate the looks more and more. That long bonnet, those nice styling thingies like those grills behind the front wheels, the way the doors open, ...

And if you look at the techy part, it produces 626hp, goes from 0-100km/h in 3.8sec, top speed of 334km/h. And that's pretty impressive don't you think.

So as I see it these are the pos & neg points:

Positive
- great engine & performance
- those looks...
- some original caracteristics (rear lights, doors, ...)

Negative
- plasticy interior
- no brake feeling at all
- automatique gear box (ok but not in a supercar common)
- the weight is much more then they announced & more the other supercars

BUT: can they restore it? Ok the gearbox will stay and the weight won't decrease much but can't they install hydrolics to give more feeling to the brakes & can't they change the interior?

http://users.pandora.be/csl/SLR-1.JPG

http://users.pandora.be/csl/SLR-2.JPG

http://users.pandora.be/csl/SLR-3.JPG

[oscargarza88]

i like this car but if i had the cash i would defenetly wont buy one, i would but a cgt anyday over this

[TT]

I hate to place a vote on the second option since if it's not really what I think...

I perfectly agree with Richard Hammond.. it's a good car, a good Mercedes, but it isn't what it pretend to be: a good supercar...
It's "just" the most powerfull Merc around.. fast but not that thrilling in the real word IMO

[Chingachgook]

I'd go for a CGT or an Enzo, or even a TVR Typhn, but I'll never buy the SLR.
The weight problem can be easily resolved. Mercedes says the SLR won't race, but, if someone want strip down it, it's very easy to lost weight.
Then the big problem is the gearbox...but, hey..you're so rich! You can always order a sequential gearbox...

[hemi_fan]

I would buy the car if the price was right, but for that much I'd have to be a hardcore merc fan. But its flaws are easily fixable IMO. you can get the interior redone real nice for like $20k, and the brakes could be fixed by some tuner im sure for a fairly cheap price (in comparison to the car). If you were going to spend that much on the car Im sure u'd be able to afford the upgrades, but I dont know if u'd spend that much on a car that needs upgrading.

[deth]

i think they did teh best they could while still sticking to design princlples and buold quality. But on the other hand its kind of disappointing that its not a no comprimise car like many of the recent supercars that have been produced. so in all, a good effort, but IMO missed the mark :roll:

oh...and i hate the plasticy interior...what a let down.

[aawil]

I think it looks horrible.But I'm not a fan of mercedes styling either.I don't think they have anything to worry about there are plenty of people with more money than good taste out there.

[st-anger]

unfortunately it`s too much MB, so it can`t be a real supercar like Enzo or CGT...
a friend of mine HAD an order on a SLR, but after the driving event he cancled his order...
of course he got the downpayment of 50k€ back...
sure it`s a very, very nice car and it`s a true beauty, it has a marvellous engine as well, but it`s too comfortable=too heavy for a real supercar, it doesn`t handle like e.g. a CGT...

that`s what he told me:
there were three cars available for driving, SL500, SL55 and SLR...
they were able to test drive all of them on their own on a handling course and on a oval were they reached speeds up to 160mph...
engine is simply great, steering is quite good, a bit too comfortable, some problems at higher speeds as well but on the other hand also very direct.
brakes are kinda difficult to dose, and on longer runs they`ve some problems with the weight...
handling: very good and neutral, also very good grip...
interiour: dissapointing...
but a nice thing they experienced, they got a ride on the hot seat with a pro McLaren test driver who pushed the SLR up to 205mph, definitely an experience...

BUT: a DIN weight of 1768kg.... :?

[godspeed06]

i like the hood, but that back of the car and the front of the car don't go together. i dont like it. its like they had two different guys working on the back and front without knowledge of what the other was doing.

[cho_888]

its a carbin fibre GT car with funky brakes and thats about it. This should compete with 575, vanquish ect.

[sikx5]

The interior is not a big problem. Sure its plastic, but who cares, it can be changed. The brakes on the other hand seem to be a problem or maybe not as the test driver didnt have much experience to it. once you begin to drive the car surely the brakes will become all but common and you should get used to it?

[Ziploc]

small wheels

automatic

bad braks (?)

mclaren? no way

therefore not worth the price

[deth]

small wheels

how are they small? it has 19 x 11.5 in. rear rims
19 x 9 in. front rims P295/30ZR19 rear tires P255/35ZR19 front tires

[Toronto]

it is good but no F1, very said i heard that Benz really stoped this car from going anywhere, they wanted it to b an auto, and they wanted a v8 with a blower, so this is really just a sl-55amg with a McLaren designed body

[levensnevel]

Shame it isn't a worthy successor of the Macca F1 :cry:
Suppose that Mercedes Benz will fix the teething problems and that it will sell well in their target markets. But when I had to choose between a Ferrari Enzo, a Porsche's Carrera GT and a Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren I know which one would be dropped immediately from that shortlist :roll:

[scubywrxr]

Its a pity that Gordon Murray did not have more freedom in the design of the car.. it could have been so much more.. Its a pity it ended being a pitiful GT rather than a true supercar.. as someone said- its an SL55 in a fancy suit!

[stradale]

A total mess are the exact words I'd use to describe this car. I hate the looks, it's tacky. And when the drive itself doesn't make up for that it's the end of the line for the SLR. Only if it was the last preformance car on earth would it end up on my list.

I pity McLaren and the original SLR (300)... This one shouldn't wear those badges.

[BADMIHAI]

heh...I'd still buy it! I just love it! It's so classy!

[1zippo1]

I voted for the third option. I do like it because it is something different. A supercar with the engine in front of the cockpit... there aren't many examples of that. And well I think it just looks good! Pitty it isn't a better car!

[ferrari550]

I do not think it is a screw up, it is a good car but it is not as racy as the CGT or ENZO, which a supercar should be i guess.
It is more like a super GT car, so i do not think they screwed it up but basically made a new car category.

[draak666]

I second st-anger: too much Mercedes. Definitely has nothing to do with the McLaren F1.

[jpatino03]

The Germans' recent automatic transmission and weight fetish really pisses me off. I mean, an auto in what's supposed to be a supercar...c'mon :(

[pimrusis]

Are you serious?! That car is amazing. Everyone should get the new issue of Auto Week and check it out. That car is hot. Better looking than the Maclaren or any Mercedes (which all look like hondas anyhow).

[user]

comparing the SLR with the Carrera Gt, and the Enzo Ferrari, the SLR seems to be the car most suitable for everyday driving. its an actual supercar that you can use everyday.

first of all the Enzo, yes its an amazing car, no doubt, and yes is a star on the track, but it's only a star on the track. its so low that if you want to driv on normal roads with downhills or uphills, you need to use the "raise nose" function each every time. second, the lack of airconditioning and a baisc radio means you'll boil in the sun or end up sliding across the road due to the rain that has fallen, which you probably did not hear cuz you had no radio. ah, and yes, inthe rain,,,, not a car to drive. indeed, it tries to achieve pure performance, and in that it certainly has succeeded but in the lives of mortals and normal roads, b-roads, you wont have the chance to put all the performance to use. and the price,,, well,, it sure is a very vivid display of wealth, and yeah does look beautiful and performs like lightning but pitty, that you wont be able to show all this everyday, as often as you would wish.

the Carrera GT. 6 speed manual transmission. a proper, proper manual. Ferrari seems to have placed the paddle shift to shorten track times, but the Carrera GT is all about driving envolvment, and the manual transmission is a clear symbol of Porsche's philosophy on a supercar. we all know that it has a racing inspired clutch, no sorry a clutch that's the closest to lemans. but being so it makes, stand still starts tricky, 1 st gear launches. according to many reviews, professinal road testers stalled the car in first gear. now manual transmissions are excellent, brilliant, but when things get out of controll, unless youve had professional driving training, youre better off with the paddleshift. the Carrera GT, is an astonishing car, according to some texts in CARmagazine, one the track, its even faster than the Enzo. the suspension is lemans inspired and nothing gets close to performance suspension than that. the engine is the epitome of Porsche engineering which says enough. but again, like the Enzo, you wouldnt be able to use all the attributes of the GT on normal roads and on wet surfaces, driving fast ina car like the GT might get frightening when things get out of controll.

the SLR, first, the drawbacks. it's weight, at 1680(topgear)1768(driver+fuel) its 300+ kilos more than the Carrera GT, and an estimated 400 kilos more than the Enzo. Does this mean that its performance is complete rubbish? no. first all, despite its weight disadvantage, its got the torquiest engine, at 750,ts got 100 newton meters more then the second torquiest engine of the 3, the Enzo, and the power of the SLR, well 626 bhp, is in the leauge of the supercar. second, car road testers say that the steering and handling arent quite as sharp and accurate as the Enzo's or the Porsche's, but the SLR's steering and suspension has been developed with Mclaren, the company who designed and constructed the F1, furthermore, the tuning of the suspension and steering rac has Mclaren's expertises all over it. so even on the track, it will match the Carrar GT, and Enzo's controll. its carbon fibre body, just like the other 2 cars, provide extreme rigidity and its cermaic brakes are race bred, even Mercedes engineers said the brakes were race oriente. according to Richard Hammond, top gear's road tester, the ride of the SLR was rock hard, but this is an attribute when performance driving is done. it means more stability better body roll controll, and its Mclaren tuned steering makes sure it can turn precisesly despite the tough suspension. in 0-100 3.8 and a top speed of 200mph +, its more than enough for anyone. so,,, despite weighing more than the Enzo andCarrera GT, the SLR has an amzing engine, carbond fiber contruction, whch means extreme rigidity, its steering has the precision technique of Mclaren, the suspension and brakes are race bred, and the acceration and topspeed is supercar territory. now in performance, its got nothing be ashamed about standing next to the GT and Enzo,. now the second best thing. its practicality. with all that performance, stability, agility, acceration and controll, you can drive it on all surfaces and use all the power due to the immense levels of grip, and take it wherever you want. you can actually use it to shop for sthings, the boot size is more than adequate enough forcross country luggage. the interior is comfortable, with aluminium, not plastic as Mr. hammond suggested, expensive leather, power windows, mirroros, and power seats, n steering column. its got a 7 speaker bose system and proper dual airconditioning. on top of all this its got airbags dual front, side/head, and dual knee bags.

so the SLR is the best car for the non race driver man, most of us. Sure, it wont out perform the Enzo and GT, but it has plenty of power and performance, doesnt fall short in that department compared to the GT and Enzo, and you can drive it on all surfaces and weather conditions. so it wont get its underbody scratched as often as the Enzo or the GT's, you'll be able to know the weather forcast, and still drive in the rain, and not get boiled in the sun and wont have problem in quick stand still launches or up hill starts. and you'll be able to carry luggage when you want to drive cross country, something the GT and Enzo are not so good at. so the SLR can play the Enzo's and GT's game of performance just as good as any of them, but the Enzo and GT will fall short in practicality, price, and,,, yes,, ah,, the best thing of the SLR, its reliability. you can absolutely abuse the SLR, one and off the track for as much as you want to, and it'll just be as good as new. on a recent articel of CAR magazine, the Enzo broke down in the middle of Manhattan, an gine part fell off. the Carrera GT has got the reliability but because its ability to go anywhere is not as good as the SLR's, the SLR is the most reliable car until proved otherwise. on the topgear website, American talkshow host Jay Leno drove the SLR and was impressed at how the car would not break even after being abused by members of the automotive press.

so,,, if you want le mans technology, pure involvment, the Carrera GT sets the bar, for formula 1 technology, the most known name in supercars, the EnzoFerrari is unrivaled, for formula 1 technology combined with reliability, everday use, performance that keeps up with the GT, and Enzo, the SLR is the standard. oh, and its absoluetely beautiful.

but,,, when it comes to choosing cars like these, whatever you're weapon of choice is you can't go wrong.

[Bilal786]

HAHAHAHA, THAT IS AMAZING!

DUDE YOU REALLY KNOW YOUR STUFF.

I couldn't have said better myself.

You can bet there will be soem idiot thats gonna reply and say" slr what a shit car"


And as for the auto argument, well the SLR has buttons behind the steering wheel that can shift faster than you can by hand, so next time do your research before you put down useless comments.

And you're all basing your arguments over the fact that the kid hammond who drove the SLR didn't like it.

Big expensive Merc, would you be ashamed if you had one of those?

Unbelievable arrogance!

[WhiteP]

user a great first post!! :D

[stradale]

Yeah, a great first post. But, I don't agree.

A debate on taste is virtually endless of course, but I can say with certainty that there are people who hate the looks of the SLR. Me, for instance.

If practicality is what we're after with supercars nowadays, then still the SLR needn't have looked like this. The McLaren F1 has aircon, radio and luggage space, but is also a car with a proper gearbox, stunning supercar looks and a normally aspirated V12 which sits in the middle. The SLR might have buttons on the steering wheel, but don't be fooled. It's not like the paddle shift gearboxes as on a Ferrari or Vanquish. It's got a torque converter like any other automatic gearbox. Which shouldn't even be in anything remotely sporty. The brakes have not only met critisism from Richard Hammond BTW. Read the evo article on the SLR (it's here somewhere), in which Metcalfe reports a total lack of feel in the brakes.

You stated that the Enzo doesn't have airconditioning. That is not true I'm afraid. It has a fully automatic climate control with a sun sensor. And if you're still wary about the CGT's clutch, just ask st-anger. He can tell you from his own experience that this clutch just needs a different approach. Do it like that and it's easy and no problem at all. The journos who stalled it in first were either not listening to the people of Porsche or did not follow their instructions.

The ride height is just something you have to live with IMO. Although it's not so bad that you can't drive roads with crests. It's there for a reason as well. That's why these cars deliver the thrilling drive they do. Besides, I doubt the SLR can take the speedbumps in my town any better than an Enzo or a CGT.

If you want a fast car you can live with every day, buy a Bentley Continental GT, a 911 turbo or a Ferrari 575M. Sure they're not as fast, but if you use it for everyday driving you're talking about a margin you wouldn't notice in regular traffic. If you want a true supercar, buy an Enzo, CGT, Koenigsegg, Murcielago, Pagani etc. The SLR is somewhere in between in some sort of no-man's land. But why? People who pay this kind of money for a supercar already have another car as their daily driver and intend to use it on special drives only.

[levensnevel]

Just read a very nice review here (http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=coverstory&loc_code=index&content_code=09281643)
The only fact which I don't understand is why companies who came up with the fabulous Macca F1 and thrashing Mercedes Benz CLK GTR joined forces and produced the SLR. The only explanation I can come up with is that the most important market for this car, like Porsche's Cayenne, is North America.

[1zippo1]

And as for the auto argument, well the SLR has buttons behind the steering wheel that can shift faster than you can by hand, so next time do your research before you put down useless comments.

And you're all basing your arguments over the fact that the kid hammond who drove the SLR didn't like it.

Big expensive Merc, would you be ashamed if you had one of those?

Unbelievable arrogance!

Fist, let me say: user, great first post and I must say I agree with you on most of the things you say.

Some remarks however: you forgot to mention on of the biggest negative points - the brakes have no feeling at all. Ok this may be sorted out pretty easily but it seems they won't do it before they release the car... and a supercar with big faults even if they're easily corrected isn't that appealing.

And Bilal I don't have anything against auto gearboxes and they may be faster then me but shifting myself is one of the joys of driving IMO.

Overall if we're talking about the Enzo-CGT-SLR (so we're forgeting the Koenigsegg & Zonda). The CGT biggest problem indeed is it's clutch, and I wonder if it's possible to use the car when you're stuck in a traffic jam and you have to roll the car forward for just one or two meters each time...

By the way, I didn't know the interior was from real aluminium, not plastics, so good point!!

And yes we do rely on Richard Hammonds oppinion but not only on his. I also saw a review of the SLR on Turbo.fr & Motorvision and read an article about the car in CAR & EVO. They all share the same opinion. A supercar with an auto gearbox = a bit weird / the brakes make it hard to feel how hard you're braking / it looks exotic.

That the ride was hard, ok that's indeed a pretty weird argument. They say the Enzo is rockhard but I doubt that Richard has driven in many supercars... (not sure so don't shoot me) and other reviewers didn't mention it so I don't take to much notice of that comment.

[1zippo1]

Just read a very nice review here (http://www.autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=coverstory&loc_code=index&content_code=09281643)
The only fact which I don't understand is why companies who came up with the fabulous Macca F1 and thrashing Mercedes Benz CLK GTR joined forces and produced the SLR. The only explanation I can come up with is that the most important market for this car, like Porsche's Cayenne, is North America.

Aha, thx, I'm going to read the review now!!

But you're right of course. The biggest market for supercars is North America so that's probably why it has that auto gearbox.

[Bilal786]

autoweek is all positive, nothing wrong with the car, who are we to believe now>?

[Ziploc]

small wheels

how are they small? it has 19 x 11.5 in. rear rims
19 x 9 in. front rims P295/30ZR19 rear tires P255/35ZR19 front tires

look at the rear body to wheel ratio

just doesn't look right :\

[crasherror]

I like the look of this car. sure the front needs some time to get use to the F1 nose in the hood. I feel that this is a more refined supercar. sure you could put your money down for a stripped out track monster, or you could buy a supercar with a little more refinement. I don't like to think of this car as a supercar but rather a super grand tourer. It has so much power and that engine is a true monster. but i feel that they are charging way to much cash for it. for a little more money you can get a CGT and that is the the best supercar on the planet .

[jpatino03]

Bilal:I knew that. It doesn't have a clutch and it uses a torque converter. Enough said.

Next time do you research before you put down useless comments.

[pimrusis]

Ahh, Jpatino is a purist...

[Bilal786]

See my post "german slr video" and see teh vid, see how quick paddleshift is. If the SLR is idiotic for being an auto, then so are all Ferrari F1 gearboxes, and the Enzo is a piece of crap.

[jpatino03]

It doesn't matter how quick the paddleshift is, a clutch is what makes the car fun to drive.

[oldsnail]

seems like mb slapped a bit of everything from their lineup to create this thing

[pimrusis]

After seeing the Top Gear review, I would have to say that I need to change my vote to : I like the looks, pitty it isn't a better car.
The engine sounds like an XJR-15 (or is that just me), and its terrible.
Plastic for that kind of money? No.
On/Off Brakes suck

[maalox]

I always was pessimistic about the SLR's chances and it unfortunately has met my low expectations. I discussed this some already in my review of the Top Gear vid, but I'll repeat: the car is too compromised--it's neither a sports car nor a complete GT car (crappy brakes, harsh ride)--and suffers because of this. I really think they should have stuck with the SL55 AMG / Maybach as the ultimate Mercedes, rather than further confusing things with another 500 hp+ super Benz. I'd take an SL 55 and buy a 360 with the change.