Clyde

Here are some Pro and Cons, according to a French review of the SL55. My French isn't that good; so is there someone who can translate it into English?

BIEN :-)
Look évocateur
Finition
Image
Technologie
Performances !!
Moteur V8 enivrant

PAS BIEN :-(
Prix exorbitant
Boîte auto imposée
Electronique castratrice
Réservoir trop petit

http://www.automobile-sportive.com/g...erformance.php

Tory S.

WELL :-)
Evocative Look
Completion
Image
Technology
Performances!!
<something> V8 engine

NOT WELL :-(
Price
Box imposed car
Electronic <something>
Gas Tank too small

Clyde

''Box imposed car'' ?? what do they mean by that..?

SL55406

You mean your SL55 didn't come in a box?

Mansoor 300

There are no cons.

Clyde

and what about ''Electronique castratrice'' ?? (whatever that means?)

blueSL

Love the attempts to translate. Here they are in English:

Good

Evocative look/appearance
Finish/Build Quality
Image
Technology
Performance
Intoxicating V8 Engine


Not Good

Exorbitant price
Non-optional automatic gearbox
Speed limiter (literally, electronic castrator - ouch)
Fuel tank too small

bollar

It's slang. It means "electronically castrated."

The "castratrice" is a woman who makes macro remarks with her vocabulary and her attitude.

carlosfernandez

I understand that most of the cualifications that's the magazine says are true. But the word castrate are a funny way to express that the speed limit are electronicly controled.

blueSL

Haven't seen the article but they may be also referring to the idea that the extensive use of electronics dulls the driving experience... steering, throttle, brakes and so on.

carlosfernandez

I found my car sporty to drive and I love the ABC.

Clyde

sporty? It still has an automatic gearbox....

Putting it in all other models is fine with me, but putting an automatic gearbox in a sports car like the SL.. that i dont get.

sprins

All is relative of course. You can also qualify it as a fat pig.
That's your opinion. Which is fine, but just your opinion.

I'd turn it around: An(y) SL with a manual would be a joke IMO. The SL should be driven with an automatic. And the automatic gearbox is very sporty, indeed.

Clyde

Yeah sure, the gearbox is Mercedes-quality and certainly much better + faster then other automatic gearboxen (agree on you on that); BUT why do you think a manual would be a joke???

A SL is all about staying on top of things. It is the most expensive + fastest MB sports model (practically); and lots of drivers would probably love a manual in their SL and having control over the gears.. (thats what sports cars are all about..)

That's seems like just another opinion of me, but I know its the opinion of a lot of MB drivers too. Some of them just dont wanna admit it, cos they dont wanna face the fact that it isnt a perfect machine (same as me i think). Nevertheless it stays a great car (one of the best), but some things must be changed in the future... putting in something like tiptronic or SMG were you can choose to drive automatically or manual would be great

carlosfernandez

Clyde you has to remember that the formula 1 car has the shift on the seering wheel and not on the floor (like the AMG) and you always could change the shift manualy by the gearbox.

Clyde

well; about speedshift... i have to agree on this comment:

https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....3&postcount=35

doltmo

At almost 4200 pounds, this car would never be considered a true "sports" car - even if it had a manual. But I don't care. If I wanted an M3 I would have bought one.

Clyde

A car doesn't have to be named Ferrari in order to have a manual gearbox. A manual gearbox can add so much pleasure to the handling and behavior of the SL

What you are basically saying is... okay; this isn't a sports car so let's strip everything out what a sports car is all about. That is the same as saying.... okay; this isn't a real Bentley, so lets strip everything out of the interior that makes it look graceful.

What does it matter that the car isn't a top line racer. You can still make it a very worthy combination between luxury and a sporty feeling. And again.... don't get me wrong: Mercedes AMG is still on of the best combinations between power and luxury and owning one is a beautiful experiencing; BUT the automatic gearbox is just crap... imho, they have to do something about it. And I don't mean buttons on the steering wheel. Just put in a real gearbox, something similar to SMG or tiptronic were u can choose between shifting or automatic on the gearstick; that will please everyone

doltmo

I think we're on the same wavelength here. I agree that a manual adds to the driving experience. If a good manual gearbox had been available on this car I certainly would have ordered it.

carlosfernandez

I respect your opinions.

Clyde

thank you

sprins

It just wouldn't be right, it doesn't fit the car. It's a cruiser, not a racer. You just have the ability to cruise very, very fast.

A manual gearbox in an SL would be like pinaple on a pizza: Just because it tastes good doesn't make it right.

carlosfernandez

Your welcome.

Clyde

It definitely would fit the car; 'cos it's not only a cruiser. It's more like a Swiss army knife: the car is excellent at so many things. Just has a lot of potential

ah well... lots of people, lots of opinions. Maybe that's the difference between Europe and America; lot of American cars are automatic too, cos of the cruise spirit over there

sprins

But I'm European! I just love to cruise: Low RPM, lots of torque, and knowing that if needed, there is a lot of potential under the bonnet.

Dude, there is no argueing about taste, that's for sure. Still we end up doing it a lot