do you think a cls 350 blueefficiency is too fast and too big for a new driver

[brucemillar]

As has been said in some form or another on here.

Feel for a car and the conditions can and will determine if you stay out of the trees and ditches.

Feel comes with practise and experience. Some people never acquire feel. This leaves them reliant on what they can see and belief in what they can do.

To get an idea of fell. Try a go-kart. Push it as hard as you think you dare before you exit into the grass. You will soon learn what feel is for how the car behaves to your input and that of the road.

The laws of physics do not change. Car Vs tree. Tree will be the winner. Car Vs Car. Car will be the winner. When the car stops your internal organs do not. Squashy bits travelling forwards at 50mph make a big mess.

To avoid brain damage some folks (young and old) simply leave the brain at home before setting off on the journey. These people are likely to survive when they plough into you on a blind bend.

Book some racing lessons. You will learn a huge amount about control and if you have a natural feel for the car. You will also have some of the best fun you can have with trousers on. This teaches you that racing is great on tracks and deadly on the public highway.

Have fun.

 

[boxbrownie]

If you want to learn a little about slippy RWD before jumping into too powerful a car, try buying 318 BMW (or even a 316) to give the the experience of back end looseness in tricky conditions and you won't need a lot of power to feel it either, even if you just try it for a month it'll be worth its wieght in gold the first time you go fast into a greasy roundabout in the CLS.

Something like a 2003/2004 MY 316/18 would be perfect learner RWD and even if you right it off it'll be cheaper than getting a CLS front wing repaired!

 

[rsk21]

If you want to learn a little about slippy RWD before jumping into too powerful a car, try buying 318 BMW (or even a 316) to give the the experience of back end looseness in tricky conditions and you won't need a lot of power to feel it either, even if you just try it for a month it'll be worth its wieght in gold the first time you go fast into a greasy roundabout in the CLS.

Something like a 2003/2004 MY 316/18 would be perfect learner RWD.

I agree with you, sounds like a sensible course of action as does the karting suggestion.

Not sure the OP is likely to be persuaded into a 10 year old second hand motor to cut his teeth though given that he's planning to treat himself to approx £90k's worth of weekday and weekend cars upon test completion

 

[MD5]

I've always thought that passion for cars and driving is in your blood from an early age, but as a curious late comer, getting a feel for a car and its power is easy enough. Concentrate on spacial awareness and the presence of everything around you, with all the challenges that can be presented to you, maybe from behind parked cars or side streets, and who knows where else. Drive defensively and as if everyone else is the idiot, and PLEASE learn good lane discipline, especially on roundabouts. Whilst you're at it, try not to promote the addage "where there's a Merc, there's a berk!"

 

[moff]

What about a Boxster over an SLK or S2000?, would definatly pick one over an SLK but havent driven an S2000 to compare them to and they have a pretty good rep, Honda build quality too.

S2000's are fantastic cars, but due to the low torque high rev range they need to be driven 'properly' to get the most out of them.

That means driven slowly (below 6000 rpm) they are easy to drive and traction won't be an issue, but use the engine properly and when VTEC engages between 6000 and 9000 rpm and all hell breaks loose

This can catch out drives, especially in the wet when the back end will break without any kind of warning. In bad weather you need to drive as if there are egg shells underneath the accelerator and only accelerate hard when all 4 wheels are straight.

The pre 2004 cars all had Bridgestone tyres that were track / summers compound and hated the wet and cold. Not sure if they make them now though.

S2000's have a tendency to aquaplane easily as well, hitting a big puddle above 55-60mph can cause major issues.

Back OT the best performance car for a newbie driver in my opinion would have 4WD and a tendency to understeer e.g. Audi S3.

 

[Bellow]

If a small coupe is required then surely it's the Toyota GT86 or Subaru BRZ that need to be considered.

 

[fredT]

I dont understand the question, seems more like 'look at me my first car is a semi expensive merc'

it's not like it's a crazy fast car, in fact they are pretty docile. you cant even provoke them out of line with all the electronic gash. you can go 100mph+ in pretty much any old hack if you want to, this is just gonna get you there slightly quicker

it's a safe easy to drive car, perfect for a beginner in my book.

 

[Carrsey]

I dont understand the question, seems more like 'look at me my first car is a semi expensive merc'

QUOTE]

That is how it comes across to me as well, there is only one person who can decide if its too big and too fast and thats the OP. Some new drivers will have natural ability and have no real problems (few and far between though) but there are other new (and not so new) drivers who a 1.0 micra with the handbrake stuck on is far too fast..

To the OP, honestly (and i do mean honestly) look at yourself / speak to your instructor and see how you are coming along, are you sensible and level headed. When you get your mates / GF in the car are you gonna try to impress..??

 

[st4]

I'm not sure a performance car is really what the OP wants, just a big, comfy stylish car.

The CLS ticks all those boxes and is not ageing like an E class. But I think a smaller engine that makes itself heard would be better, big large engines masked by lots of expensive sound deadening hide speed well and that's where I think a new driver may get unstuck is when they arrive at a bend on a 60mph road and 80, make it round buts theres a broken car not far from the exit of the bend....

 

[wemorgan]

Im 26 and just about to pass my drivers test.

Wait until you've actually passed your test then take some cars out for a test drive. You'll quickly know what's too fast for you and what's too big.

Personally after passing my test I quite enjoyed driving my small Fiesta. Over the years my cars became, bigger, faster, more expensive then smaller and slower and cheaper. It's nice to mix and match as time passes. If you start with something too nice will you ever want to 'down grade'?

What about a new A-class? Different enough to the SLK you're also getting.

ps. where did I go wrong in life? At 26 I had an old Citroen BX 1.9D with near 180k on the clock? Nice smooth ride and certainly not too fast.

 

[boxbrownie]

I agree with you, sounds like a sensible course of action as does the karting suggestion.

Not sure the OP is likely to be persuaded into a 10 year old second hand motor to cut his teeth though given that he's planning to treat himself to approx £90k's worth of weekday and weekend cars upon test completion

Yeah if only.....my first car after my test was a £50 1965 Mini......and it was used as a work car!

He's a lucky bugger for sure, just hope he is just as sensible

 

[wemorgan]

are we being duped?

is an slk 172 250 too powerful for a beginner driver - Mercedes Benz SLK World Forum

OP: the E-class only comes as an automatic. It's therefore not suitable for you.

 

[Oli]

The CLS ticks all those boxes and is not ageing like an E class.

I don't know, I think the new E Class looks pretty modern and good, it's definatly more understated than a CLS which isn't what I think the OP is going for.

 

[bade]

well actually im not duping anybody and i make no secret of the fact that i have posted the same question on different forums, two or three forums actually.

To the poster who thinks i am trying to brag and impress people by telling them my first car is an expensive one, i can guarantee you that im not trying to do that. Either way not everyone is going to hear or see all my actions objectively so i will just leave people to have their opinions.

When i do get both cars the slk and another bigger car to carry passengers in i will be sure to post pics, not to show off but just to share my enthusiasm for cars with other people.

 

[wemorgan]

I hope there was no offence taken. But it was a natural question for me to ask.

If you're uncertain whether a SLK is too large for you then you must be very uncertain whether the E-class is too large. It might be best to drive the SLK before looking at even larger cars.

Also, a quick search on MB website would have told you the E-class comes as an automatic only, which reading your other thread rules the car out.

One step at a time I suggest. Pass your test, then test drive a car and see where that leads you.

 

[Riverside Red]

My son is 23 and passed his test 6 months ago and has now done 10000 miles in a Corsa, would I let him loose in my CLS350, absolutely NO. Big heavy rear wheel drive car masses of torque with an automatic gearbox". I think my son will need to move up "through the gears" to a more powerful car and then probably only Astra size and front wheel drive. But hey, it's each to their own and there are top drivers out there in Formula 1 and other Motorsport who are only 23.

RR

 

[rsk21]

OP - forgive me but I'm curious as to how one gets to 26 without a licence but has such a passion for cars.

Have you had previous non UK licence holding driving experience ?

 

[Dieselman]

thats not where my heart is, its with the slk and il also be buying a 5 door hatchback so i dont want the c63.

im going to get an slk for the weekends but i want a bigger car for driving during the week so i can carry passengers around. Im 26 and just about to pass my drivers test.

are you making fun of me. question mark on my computer isnt working properly by the way.

I know I'm generally a suspicious type, but something doesn't ring true here.

The second car goes from a 5 door hatch to a CLS, money is no problem but it looks as though a new keyboard is pushing the overdraft, and punctuation is lacking, which definitely doesn't fit with Grammar school education.

p.s. It's a driving test...

 

[finisterre]

I suggested an S2000 thirty posts back...



Which was bad of me and I should offer an apology.

 

[Clkrichard]

Isn't it "take " your driving test ?
I am leaning towards the Dieselman view of this but if you have that sort of "passive income" I am all yours for fee based investment advice !
If I am being uncharitable I apologise. The new AMG A Class appears to tick both your car boxes ?