German Car Zone

^ especially with more people choosing to downsize from V8s to V6s.

Do you think the days of Merc V8s are numbered?


I still think the SL is the most desirable model ....even with its less-than-successful face lift.

No, I think the Benz V8 will always have buyers, but it will have to become smaller, cleaner and more efficient. Mercedes without a V8 is like BMW with out an I6. Even if it has to shrink to like 3.8 liters (like in the days of the 380SEL W126s) Mercedes will always have a V8 IMO.

M

I couldn't get used to the new front end at first and now I'm in love with it. Once you forget about how seemingly perfect the pre facelift front was this one just grows on you.

I didn't feel any major changes in steering tightness at various speeds. It was as if this car wasn't equipped with the Parameterlenkung which is weird since it is my understanding that all newer MB's have this.

The steering was very responsive but the feedback was just very light. I wouldn't call the steering feedback totally uncommunicative but it wasn't very direct either.


No time for that sadly. I only had less than an hour to test the car so I only concentrated on the really important things like the way it drives and the pictures etc.


Nope. We still have a soon-to-be youngtimer R129 500SL at home which my dad won't register this summer so we really don't need a fourth car. The 300SE W126 is going to be sold to a neighbour of ours as soon as a former MB mechanic fixes the engine, which has some valve issues.




BY THE WAY, I moved this thread back to the MB SL forum because for some reason I kept getting errors when trying to reply in the Users Review thread. Weird.

Thanks.


I did apply at a few German car magazines and they never wrote back. Sent my CV, my car drawings and some of my best pictures and they never replied.

Thanks.


I might actually go for the newer SL just because it is newer and has a few more goodies onboard. I like the front now, it has grown on me quite a bit.

Thanks Jack! Those kind words mean a lot!


I think the GL suits you perfectly, Jack. Plus you can't argue with massive interior space, great offroading capability (in case you need it), towing capacity and of course the character of that V8.

The SL350 and GL550 are totally different cars but both very fun in their own way. I drove the GL320 CDI twice and I loved it!

As much as I love our E320, the engine underneath the hood just feels a little outdated in terms of refinement, smoothness and engine response although the power delivery and fuel economy are still great. Last Sunday my father got a stunning 6.9 L / 100 km (34 mpg) with the E320 while returning from Munich! There were no cars on the road according to him and trucks are banned from driving on Sundays so this mileage was pretty good for a 1.7-ton car and two adults (my mom) onboard.

But in terms of refinement the 272-hp 3.5 V6 and 316-hp 3.5 V6 just blow it away. And the 316-hp V6 feels much better and more advanced than the 272-hp V6 despite them being the same thing. I was really impressed with the engine response on this thing. Instantaneous response!

I've not driven a BMW I6 but I can tell you that the sound it produced when being hammered was worthy of being compared to the sound of a BMW I6.

I love the grille and overall the car looks fantastic ...but those lights still don't do it for me. Have you studied journalism Chris? Don't be disheartened, keep trying. Your passion for cars (particularly MB) is very evident in your writing. And beautiful pictures too.

Thanks thanks!

The only journalism I've studied is "reading automotive reviews" and seeing how they phrase and describe things. I also do a lot of language improvement readings. I have a book at home from Reader's Digest which is about "Improving Your Word Power" and I usually read and reread a bit of it before hitting the sack.