I have a GTS. I also have an SL500. The R129 is not a sports car it is a grand touring car and as such is a great drive but not performance at all.
Overall has it been a good experience? It's been a blast to drive. It took me several months to get used to the power and handling.
Purely a car for enjoyment so ease of use and driving experience is important as we will share this one.
Despite being a performance car it is also a comfortable car to drive locally as well as long trips. It really shines when you get on a back winding road and will blow you away there. Race mode it handles the automatic up and down shifts quite well, though you can add use of paddles when needed. The sound is extraordinary! The snarls and barks are sheer delight.
Forward visibility ? Very long nose. When you park next to a car line up yourself with the back seat of the car next to you and watch the proximity sensors closely. It doesnt see a single post very well, but does see most parking blocks but not all. When in doubt park further away so you dont hit the front spoiler!
The front outer edge of the front fenders you cannot see so there is a likelyhood you will drive too far to the right of a lane.
Rear visibility with top up? I have coupe. a bit hard to see your corners, but the mirrors and warning system are very good.
How small is the trunk ?
Can you pack soft weekend bags for two? It's small. 2 carry on size plus a soft bag or two. put a towel on top of them so you dont scratch in inside panel. There are companies that make custom fit bags that would be worth it as they are made to fill all available space.
What to watch for ? Spinning the rear tires constantly until you learn that about 1/4 throttle is max if you dont want to. Everyone complimenting you when you go somewhere.
Value of Ceramic brakes ? Probably only if you race.
Value of Burmester upgrade ? I have regular and it is lackluster, but I dont drive it to listen to music. The radio controls are poor in selecting station you want to listen to. default setting is HD radio - turn that off or you will only see a few stations. Accessing saved stations is bad interface.
What else am I missing ?
Aluminum skin. Park away from everything! Get film installed at least on front of the car. Ceramic coat the paint.
Dont punch the throttle half way thru a curve in race mode.......DAMHIK.
You will think your SL is slow after driving the GT.
Overall has it been a good experience? It's been a blast to drive. It took me several months to get used to the power and handling.
Purely a car for enjoyment so ease of use and driving experience is important as we will share this one.
Despite being a performance car it is also a comfortable car to drive locally as well as long trips. It really shines when you get on a back winding road and will blow you away there. Race mode it handles the automatic up and down shifts quite well, though you can add use of paddles when needed. The sound is extraordinary! The snarls and barks are sheer delight.
Forward visibility ? Very long nose. When you park next to a car line up yourself with the back seat of the car next to you and watch the proximity sensors closely. It doesnt see a single post very well, but does see most parking blocks but not all. When in doubt park further away so you dont hit the front spoiler!
The front outer edge of the front fenders you cannot see so there is a likelyhood you will drive too far to the right of a lane.
Rear visibility with top up? I have coupe. a bit hard to see your corners, but the mirrors and warning system are very good.
How small is the trunk ?
Can you pack soft weekend bags for two? It's small. 2 carry on size plus a soft bag or two. put a towel on top of them so you dont scratch in inside panel. There are companies that make custom fit bags that would be worth it as they are made to fill all available space.
What to watch for ? Spinning the rear tires constantly until you learn that about 1/4 throttle is max if you dont want to. Everyone complimenting you when you go somewhere.
Value of Ceramic brakes ? Probably only if you race.
Value of Burmester upgrade ? I have regular and it is lackluster, but I dont drive it to listen to music. The radio controls are poor in selecting station you want to listen to. default setting is HD radio - turn that off or you will only see a few stations. Accessing saved stations is bad interface.
What else am I missing ?
Aluminum skin. Park away from everything! Get film installed at least on front of the car. Ceramic coat the paint.
Dont punch the throttle half way thru a curve in race mode.......DAMHIK.
You will think your SL is slow after driving the GT.
