SLS AMG Gullwing (C197, R197) 2010 - 2014

SLS/R197/C197 AMG: Expensive Flop II

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Old 11-25-2010, 02:14 PM
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SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
Originally Posted by Ifari
Interesting thread....may I add my 2 cents pls.

IMO, the original SL, that was designed with Gullwing doors was a Mercedes 'sportscar' for the times. The SL Roadster from that period was also a Mercedes 'sportscar' for the times, but the 'roadster' was just that, a 'roadster', which in the european vernacular, 'roadster' refers to a a sportscar with a convertible top.

Fast forward to the 80s and 90s, when a Mercedes SL is more of a GT (Grand Touring) car than a 'sportscar'. Most automotive journalists then and now, regarded the MBZ SLs or Sport-Light cars of that and the current era, as far from 'light' and too heavy, plus far from 'sport' and too comfort laden to be considered 'real' sportscars, but fine GT cars.

ALL MBZ SLs of the 80s and 90s came with a convertible top and if a car from the 80s had a hard top, it was called SLC.

Now in the millenium, we have AMG, the performance division of MBZ, designing and building a new SL(S) or SL Sport, but this new AMG built SLS Sports car addresses the complaints about the previous generation SLs (plural SL) and makes the new SLS a 'true' Sportscar. It is a fact as the engine is being unrestricted up to its top speed potential and the SLS is capable of taking on most, if not all, current 'serious' Sports cars of this era.

Just as the original SL of the 50s was a benchmark sportscar, both in design and performance, the new SLS AMG is too, but knowing that the times have changed and because the previous generations of SLs before the new AMG built SLS were more GTs and not particularly 'serious' Sports cars, they designated the new car - the SLS, or SL(S)port and then in order to pay tribute to and acknowledge the origins of the original MBZ SL (Sport Light) sportscar of the 50s, that has since become a very expensive and highly sought after prized collectable automobile, they designed and built the new SLS with Gullwing doors.

The Roadster version of the new SLS, will be just as equal in performance and serious Sports car behaviour as the original SL roadster in comparison to the original SL that came with gullwing doors.

The new MBZ AMG SLS and SLS Roadster, should not be confused in style or performance, with a GT like performing SL (or..lol..Speed Limited) car, of this, or any previous era of MBZ SLs, excluding the original SL with Gullwing doors....imho.

I hope I made sense.
Thanks for your extensive post
My point is because the SLS will gradually be synonymous with gullwing and
you can't have gullwings on a roadster. When somedody asks you what car
do you drive what will you say, just SLS, or SLS roadster or just a merc
gullwing, has one got more status, I guarantee the majority of people
will think the gullwing as the better ,more expensive of the 2, hence my
concern about charging the same.
I thought the SLK was the first with tin roof.
Old 11-25-2010, 04:52 PM
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It was my pleasure reading the thread and I was surprised that the Mod Squad had left it alone and not threatened to ban ppl...or perhaps they have...idk.

Re: the SLS...Gullwing or Roadster...Imo, they are equal status hyper cars that are seriously hard core bad *****! As far as which would look more expensive, well, those in the know - would know and I don't care anyway, because the thrill is in the driving experience.
So it would be no dilemma for me, to pick one or the other. I would likely choose the Roadster, because I'm tall and wide in the shoulders and it would be strictly a fair weather ride anyhow.

My personal problem is to decide between the SLS or the McLaren SLR. I'm a big F1 fan and of British birth, so I'm leaning to the SLR, but some have said the Macca is not as comfortable as the SLS. Furthermore, I'm torn between the SLR Coupe and Roadster too.

What do you think about the comparisons between SLR and SLS?

Re: SLK -- You're right, it was the first folding hardtop convertible, but I was referring to the SL and SLC from the 80s. One had to choose between either hardtop Or convertible, just like now, with the SLS and SLR.....oh well...lol
Old 11-25-2010, 08:42 PM
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Originally Posted by Ifari
It was my pleasure reading the thread and I was surprised that the Mod Squad had left it alone and not threatened to ban ppl...or perhaps they have...idk.

Re: the SLS...Gullwing or Roadster...Imo, they are equal status hyper cars that are seriously hard core bad *****! As far as which would look more expensive, well, those in the know - would know and I don't care anyway, because the thrill is in the driving experience.
So it would be no dilemma for me, to pick one or the other. I would likely choose the Roadster, because I'm tall and wide in the shoulders and it would be strictly a fair weather ride anyhow.

My personal problem is to decide between the SLS or the McLaren SLR. I'm a big F1 fan and of British birth, so I'm leaning to the SLR, but some have said the Macca is not as comfortable as the SLS. Furthermore, I'm torn between the SLR Coupe and Roadster too.

What do you think about the comparisons between SLR and SLS?

Re: SLK -- You're right, it was the first folding hardtop convertible, but I was referring to the SL and SLC from the 80s. One had to choose between either hardtop Or convertible, just like now, with the SLS and SLR.....oh well...lol
I'm 6'4", 210lbs and SLR is definitely roomier and more comfortable then the SLS.
I was hoping the Roadster would be better but from the pics already on the Net,it doesn't show any free space behind the seatback.
That means no possibility of reclining that thing if the seat is moved all the way back.
Old 11-25-2010, 10:32 PM
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Good to know. Thanks.

How is the ride comfort, after say, 3 hrs behind the wheel?
Old 11-26-2010, 12:54 AM
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My sls is insanely comfortable, but I am only 5'8"
Old 11-26-2010, 09:26 AM
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Originally Posted by Ifari
Good to know. Thanks.

How is the ride comfort, after say, 3 hrs behind the wheel?
From Milan to Berlin,a little over 5 hours,some of it in stop and go traffic.
No more tired then I was after identical drive in 560SEC about 16 years earlier.
Old 11-26-2010, 09:44 AM
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Now that is REALLY good to know!

Were you in a Coupe or Roadster?

Thanks again.

Last edited by Ifari; 11-26-2010 at 09:56 AM.
Old 11-26-2010, 03:46 PM
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SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
Unfortunately I done my back playing squash, then I had radio therapy in
the lower regions, now the seat and the ride are a matter of definity, not
choice. Sometimes even my 63 feels too firm, I absolutely love the SLR and
would pick this above all the others, but seat and ride would stop that, I'm
afraid, what to usual people is firm is crippling to me. Plus when I gave up
the squash , I think you call it hard ball, but Ifari probably knows it as squash,
I put on 70llbs and being into body building I have very big shoulders. The SL
AMG seats are awesomely comfortable, hoorah.
I was looking at the SLS in the showroom picking up my car from another
wallet busting service and I am beginning to like some aspects of the car,
definitely the back and around the side, I hate the full on front though.
Funnily I shut the doors as it's always got them open and again, not bad.
I still think at 180k it's too much, and the roadster is crazy at the same price.
I am waiting for what the new SL has to offer, 5.5 TT for instance, but will
it still sound as good, and have the MCT gearbox.
Old 11-26-2010, 04:52 PM
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'22 Alpina B7,'21 G63 Renntech obviously (wife), Wrangler(kids)
Originally Posted by Ifari
Now that is REALLY good to know!

Were you in a Coupe or Roadster?

Thanks again.
That was back in 2006,Roadsters were not out yet.
Old 12-03-2010, 11:37 AM
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Originally Posted by sound 8
Unfortunately I done my back playing squash, then I had radio therapy in
the lower regions, now the seat and the ride are a matter of definity, not
choice. Sometimes even my 63 feels too firm, I absolutely love the SLR and
would pick this above all the others, but seat and ride would stop that, I'm
afraid, what to usual people is firm is crippling to me. Plus when I gave up
the squash , I think you call it hard ball, but Ifari probably knows it as squash,
I put on 70llbs and being into body building I have very big shoulders. The SL
AMG seats are awesomely comfortable, hoorah.
I was looking at the SLS in the showroom picking up my car from another
wallet busting service and I am beginning to like some aspects of the car,
definitely the back and around the side, I hate the full on front though.
Funnily I shut the doors as it's always got them open and again, not bad.
I still think at 180k it's too much, and the roadster is crazy at the same price.
I am waiting for what the new SL has to offer, 5.5 TT for instance, but will
it still sound as good, and have the MCT gearbox.
Ouch...I know what you mean. 30 years ago I played american/canadian style (3 down) football in university and I was also into martial arts. Then 10 years ago I was also into body building and weighed 215 lbs. I wish I had the discipline to keep with it, because now I also weigh much, much more...(Let's just say I got you beat by about 10-20 lbs)...I'm working on it, but it's not easy when you're older.
Furthermore I find that I tense up a bit more frequently now and my back will spasm sometimes after an intense adrenalin rush. Regardless, when my 'ship comes in' -- I want a 'kick ***' ride and I think the SLR Roadster will be the one and if my bones or muscles can't take it -- then I can go for the SL!

Last edited by Ifari; 12-03-2010 at 11:46 AM.
Old 12-03-2010, 11:42 AM
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Originally Posted by absent
That was back in 2006,Roadsters were not out yet.
At 6' 4", how did you find the head and leg room?

I'm 6' 2" now, but maybe if I lose some inches off of my waist, I may stand your height also.
Old 12-03-2010, 03:52 PM
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Originally Posted by Ifari
At 6' 4", how did you find the head and leg room?

I'm 6' 2" now, but maybe if I lose some inches off of my waist, I may stand your height also.
I had enough wiggle room between the recliner and seat movement to get fairly comfortable.
Not SClass comfortable but 100% better then in the SLS.
Old 12-30-2010, 06:30 PM
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Originally Posted by LZH
1954 gullwing - I did not misquote.



1957 ROADSTER




And if you can't fit in an SLS, then why do you care and continue posting these ridiculous threads??? Sounds to me like you're just too fat and bummed you can't fit into it. Hence the reason why you think the SL63 is better....
I'm pretty slim, 6" 1" 190 lbs, and I can't fit into an SLS either. It was ridiculous how small it was.
Old 12-30-2010, 09:23 PM
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You know, it's odd to me that Jeremy Clarkson loves the SLS calling it a personal favourite of his and he is 6' 5" and weighs about 235lbs.

I guess when a person is in love with something, they will make sacrifices.
Old 12-31-2010, 01:54 AM
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I dunno - I'm 6,1 185 and I fit in it perfectly.
Old 12-31-2010, 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by LZH
I dunno - I'm 6,1 185 and I fit in it perfectly.
I'm about your height, but weigh lets say, just a bit more and I had no problem either. It did seem a bit more snug than my SL. I actually liked the snugness while running it through the corners at Road Atlanta.

Hey LZH, although I loved the SLS, the CLK 63 BS stole my heart. What an awesome machine to drive on the track!

Last edited by cal1; 12-31-2010 at 11:23 AM.
Old 12-31-2010, 03:40 PM
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Hesitation issue SLS - that would be a flop to me....

Is this a real issue with some or all of these cars? Full second hesitation on initial acceleration?

Sounds like ECU programing issue IMHO that should have been caught during testing before the launch?

That would be the flop for me.......
Old 01-03-2011, 09:20 PM
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Originally Posted by sound 8
Oh dear wish I hadn't started now.
You can't make things synonymous, they just become that way. In the review
I just read it said they said the SLS being synonymous for gullwing will have
to remain just SLS for obvious reasons. Nothing lives in my head! there are
many synonymous things, like eating spaghetti is synonymous with a stained
shirt, or banging your head against a wall is synonymous with getting a headache, sorry let's get serious. once the SLS has established itself, gullwings will be synonymous when you mention SLS, this is my point.
It should be called something else to save the confusion. Maybe just drop
the word SLS and call it a Mercedes Gullwing ,.much nicer
Agreed. Nothing but
Old 01-04-2011, 06:40 PM
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Originally Posted by austinholloman
Agreed. Nothing but

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