My relative is a Mercedes aficionado. He has been everything Benz for as long as I've known him. Unwavering dedication to the mark that's deserving of respect... Today was the cherry on top - SLS AMG!

The materials / fit and finish were excellent. It seemed as if it weighed a few tons, yet tipped the scales under 4K pounds. The power was simply incredible. Throaty monster AMG V8. Really something else. The brakes were excellent and tranny, although auto of course, was fast as lightning. It actually downshifts when braking (and in a flash).

Take notice of the space between the 6.3 V8 and the front fascia. What a beast!!!

 

Have you tried a PDK?

 

No. I don't do automatics so it's new to me. The functionality is neat (and certainly faster than a human) but nothing replaces a manual IMHO.

 

A PDK is not an 'automatic'. A prejudicial attitude goes against learning what it's possible.

Nothing replaces a manual, you say...

Starter motors replaced hand-cranks
Ignition systems replaced magnetos
Independent suspensions replaced solid axles

and so on...

Do you want to go back to those old, but perhaps driver-involved technologies?

 

you are a terrific porsche expert but you never let this stuff go.

 

I'm only having fun. As a regular driver 2 911s (one 6speed and another PDK) and another 5-speed car, I find it limiting to affirm that nothing beats a manual.

At the end of the day, it is great to have options.

 

Ok...have fun.

 

The OP did say IMHO, and in his opinion he likes the old school manual

 

What about interior comfort. I'm 6-2, 260 with long legs. Can a big guy fit in there?

 

Without a doubt. It was very comfortable width and legroom wise.

 

Nice Merc.............Still like Porsche since i was a kid

 

Yes--a PDK is an automatic. It can automatically shift for the driver, with no driver input.

Yes--I've driven one in a Turbo S. It's much faster and more efficient than I, but lacks the interaction I enjoy with my manual transmission. Maybe one day, but not anytime soon...regardless, we all may be forced to drive PDKs as the manual (upcoming 7 speed or not) seems to be going the way of the dodo.

Yes--I owned a DSG in a GTI (VW's PDK). I left it in drive 99% of the time; it was nice to be able to drink my coffee while driving, but I found it unnecessary in the traffic around here (relatively sparse) and it took away form driving excitement, especially because (like most of us) I rarely track the car where the functional (not necessarily enjoyable) aspects become more apparent. In other words, it's BORING. I can't use launch control every time I drive off.

...just havin' fun too, but I'm writing from the heart.

 

...nothing except for a transmission that shifts gears in half the time, does so with barely perceptible power loss, downshifts better than your perfect heel-toe, and knocks off 0.2secs from ur 0-60...what was it called again???

 

Yeah... what's its name? and it's not 02s faster, with SC it's 0.4s faster. And to discuss its launch advantage is a very small part of the story. But what do we know?

 

I think it was called "AFK" or something. Anyway, 0.4 secs is such a small difference, it's basically what you'd see between a base Carrera and a Carrera GTS, and those cars are pretty similar, as far as I'm concerned. And BTW, a carbon-fiber crank-starter handle will save at least 2 pounds off a heavy starter motor and gives you that manual hands-on feeling.