I wonder if MB has jumped the shark in regard to its exotic car development

Thanks UNOTAZ for your real world experiences and research in regard to SLS and MP4 driving experiences.

If I understand the stats correctly, the SLS has more lift than downforce which implies to me that the retractable spoiler if more a "gizmo" than practical use? Combined with 2011 model throttle lag issues, and 2012 model manual mode downshift problems (not to mention Bluetooth incompatibility with mobile phone contact downloads), one wonders if the barrel roll commercial money would have been better spent on more R&D as opposed to marketing spin before releasing product.

One has to give AMG credit in that it appears they have got the transmission issues right with the 2013 GT version. Also with Unotaz's postings many customers know that their dealers can upgrade the transmission software, but it takes prodding with service center. Also, in terms of performance and reliability many believe that AMG engines are among the best in their class.

Don't get me wrong, I do love my SLS as a GT daily driver, but MB's minimal success with previous "halo" SLR and inflexibility in handling customer requests for their halo car suggests that they don't understand or accept as necessary the try-harder ethic as McLaren does with their efforts to gain super car market share. Nevertheless, the production of the SLS gullwings no doubt garnered the publicity that was desired by the manufacturer.

Oh well, maybe the marketplace has/will sort out these issues since one of the recurring disappointments with AMGs is their rapid depreciation?

BTW thanks moderators for creating this forum as the source to learn about the experiences and observations of others as well as the ability to share candid views without being flamed by fanboys as in other forums.

This message has been edited by AV on 2013-05-27 14:58:04

Downforce (or lack of it)

By: unotaz : May 25th, 2013-20:06

So here is an interesting topic for all you car fans.......what is downforce and how much of it do you have on your car? This topic came across when I was reading the Sports Auto Supertest on the Ferrari 458. In Sports Auto Supertest, one of the testing c...

Good to know! Good research!

By: patrick_y : May 26th, 2013-11:55

Any Porsche 911 driver who has driven the car at high speed will notice that the car feels a little light in the front, especially through the steering. This is a common problem that Porsche needs to adjust and reduce. The Mclaren's numbers are impressive...

I wonder if MB has jumped the shark in regard to its exotic car development

By: AV : May 27th, 2013-14:54

Thanks UNOTAZ for your real world experiences and research in regard to SLS and MP4 driving experiences. If I understand the stats correctly, the SLS has more lift than downforce which implies to me that the retractable spoiler if more a "gizmo" than prac...

The SLS rear spoiler...

By: unotaz : May 27th, 2013-22:27

is actually functional, because there is 8kg of downforce in the back. The front end is where is the lift is happening (all 41kg lift @ 124mph). Getting actual front downforce is very difficult because that's where the wind hits the car first. It's always...

Thanks for clarification for the neophyte

By: AV : May 28th, 2013-00:52

Although I misinterpreted the implications of your prior post, my comment was intended to be tongue-in-cheek about marketing hyperbole, i.e., unlikely barrel roll commercial, and performance claims that remind me of over-inflated claims of monitor size ba...

Thanks, Unotaz, for the specs. Interesting note on the GT3RS...

By: ThomasM : May 28th, 2013-16:11

the WanderingPurist told me he specifically didn't want the front end lift because 1. long term reliability concerns 2. the added weight on the front end. Yet, an acquaintance, once national karting champion (and so, in his mind, qualifies him as a very g...

LOL!

By: unotaz : May 29th, 2013-22:07

No worries, your GT3RS is still one badass car! It's interesting though to see new sports cars that are coming out with "active aerodynamics" like the 991 Turbo. Of course, the Mclaren P1 and the Ferrari "LaFerrari" will introduce a new breed of active ae...

PuristS perspectives...

By: ThomasM : May 28th, 2013-16:07

Hi, AV, Thanks for being a supporter over all these years. Something that I find to be fairly unique (is that an oxymoron?) on ThePuristS and PuristSPro is that while we are fans of the brands and their products, we are not blinded fan-BOYS who can see no...

So the Aventador is the best performer.

By: marcelo : June 15th, 2013-19:45

Right? :)