Mercedes Track Day - SLS, SLR, and every AMG you can think of!

[Maff]

I must admit I have had worse days!

I was invited along by Mercedes to Goodwood today, for a track day with a difference, a day driving round the Goodwood circuit, but in whatever high end Mercedes cars I wanted, and for as many times as I wanted too, with no restrictions on speed or any other element.

I had the pleasure in spending time in the following cars today:

SLR McLaren
SLS AMG
C63 AMG (Estate and Saloon)
C63 DR520 Saloon
SLK 55
E63 AMG (Estate and Saloon)
CL600
My CLK DTM

On top of this they also had the following cars present for a drive on the road:

SL65 AMG Black Series
Maybach Zepplin
G55 AMG
1960's SL300

All I can say is 'WOW'!!

A few of my best bits... getting the SLR sideways in a couple of corners, driving the new SLS AMG chasing a SLR driven by its owner and keeping up with him (the new SLS is a very good car indeed, much surpassed my expectations).

One for Palmball and the others regarding the C63 DR520... I could not tell the difference between my C63 AMG PPP and the DR520, really they seemed the same in performance.

Some photo's and video's from today, sorry of the quality they were all taken on my iPhone.

SL65 AMG, Maybach and McLaren

DR520 Saloon and Estate

G55 AMG

SLS AMG and my CLK DTM. SLS Minus its front star after an accident with a bird on track

And another G55 AMG

Bad video warning!
SLS AMG coming into pits, and SL63 AMG drive by
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Very bad video of C63 DR520 and SLS AMG on track
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The SLR McLaren was a disappointment to be honest, the steering is very twitchy, the car always feels a big car and it never felt natural which is a shame. However, I still managed 150mph down the straight and had a great blast in it, the noise alone makes up for some of its downfalls

The SLS AMG however was very different, the handling was excellent, much better than I expected, and for an automatic (of sorts) the gearbox was very good as well. The SLS certainly felt a lot more natural on track, and was able to hang on to the SLR in the corners and the straights (however the SLR driver may not have been trying to be fair), and the noise is the best I have heard from a the 6.3 engine so far.

I also took my DTM out for a few laps, but was black flagged for breaking the noise limit of 100dB. The DTM registered louder than the SLS and the McLaren! Still, the few laps I had the DTM felt very planted and flat, and put its power down very well indeed.

All in all not a bad day!

Matt.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Great pictures! -

I must add, those G55 alloys are shocking

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Sounds fantastic - not a bad day's work!!

Are they doing anything at hospitality-wise at Goodwood Festival of Speed?

 

[Rayny]

I thank you very much for inviting me along to enjoy the day.

I trust that you really enjoyed the day as I had to refuse the kind invitation and go to the office.

OK, I did not get an invite - but I'm sure that you had some fun.

 

[Palmball]

That sounds like a dream day Matt....what a fantastic opportunity!

Very interesting feedback on the SLS - that surely is one of the best sports cars on the road at present.

I'm disappointed you couldn't tell the difference with the DR520 as you'd hope a £5k+ modification would be noticeable....especially as the standard C63 to one with PPP has a tangible difference.

By the way...what was the Maybach like??

 

[LTD]

Cut to the chase.

What did you buy ?

 

[A-AvantGarde]

I saw one of those SLS AMG's on the way into work this morning. It was just coming out of London on the A40 just about to take the M25 exit.

It was dark blue like the one that Maff pictured and it looked awesome. Reg started KS10 couldn't remember the last three characters - I can say it has a LOT of presence.

So Matt, have you bought one yet?

 

[BlackC55]

WHY oh WHY was I not told about this! It was only just down the road from me.

Bugger!!!!

 

[s88]

Sounds a great day.


has anyone had any success with these SLS experience links/emails that are coming out?

just a black page with a clock in it. it does not work..

 

[greggster]

I'm not jealous in any shape or form. Nope, not at all, not a bit.

 

[LTD]

Incredible thing is that Matt was probably the only guy that turned up and got the official drivers head's turning

 

[Dynamics]

I always read the "Current cars" in your signature... It's like a dream you don't want to wake from...

 

[Soltan]

Wow, that is really fantastic, wish I'd been there!! Probably too nervous to take any of the cars out for a spin on the track though!

 

[GordonTarling]

WHY oh WHY was I not told about this! It was only just down the road from me.

Bugger!!!!

They didn't like your language?

 

[Simon_M]

Excellent, love the heavy breathing in the videos!!!

 

[e55]

Sounds like you had a great day.

Out of all the cars in the photos if I had to choose one to own it would still be the CLK DTM. I am not surprised about your comments on the SLR as the reviews have been mixed.

 

[stumpy1]

Sounds like you had a great day.

Out of all the cars in the photos if I had to choose one to own it would still be the CLK DTM. I am not surprised about your comments on the SLR as the reviews have been mixed.

Driving the SLR on the road only exacerbates its weak points. It is very darty and camber sensitive, yet always heavy to drive. Epic noise though :bannana:

I am still not a fan of the SLS and that opinion is based purley on looks as I haven't driven it. Have seen a couple round here now and it just looks a bit ordinary in and amongst everyday traffic. The SLR does look like a supercar at least.

 

[trainer]

That would have been my kind of day. Do I have to get a DTM to be invited? If so I will just watch the videos.

 

[AlanV2]

How did you get an invite to this?

or did you have to cough up a few readies for it?

Just curious (or should that read jealous?)

 

[Gridlock]

At a guess, drop a few hundred thousand via the Special Products Division at MB World?

This is how the other 'half' live