UPFRONT FIRST DRIVE B200 CDI BlueEfficiency

UPFRONT FIRST DRIVE B200 CDI BlueEfficiency
JUST THE FACTS
The B200 CDI is a quick little
people mover with bucket
loads of mechanical grip
Bi-xenon headlights part of Sport spec.
Appealing styling, a more rewarding drive and greener engines make the W246 a hit.
Mercedes-Benz B200 CDI
BlueEfficiency (W246)
ENGINE OM651 1,796cc 4-cyl turbocharged
POWER 134bhp@3,600-4,400rpm
Standard six-speed manual
has a nice action and it just
beats the auto on CO2 output.
TORQUE 221lb ft@1,600-3,000rpm
TRANSMISSION 6-speed manual, FWD
WEIGHT 1,475kg
0-62MPH 9.5sec
TOP SPEED 130mph
The diesel unit isn’t quiet, but it is pokey.
FUEL CONSUMPTION 64.2mpg
CO2 EMISSIONS 121g/km
YEARS PRODUCED 2012-on
OVERVIEW
There’s even more thrust in-gear, but the
B200 CDI doesn’t offer enough over the
B180 CDI to make it our favourite
Figures for car as pictured; fuel consumption
according to NEDC combined
Easy to read dials, if a little low on style.
The B200 CDI Sport’s stiffer
springs help cornering but
hurt rolling refinement.
A wide entry to
the B’s handy
486-litre boot.
Drop the rear
seats and get a
1,545-litre boot.
High on style,
quality, gadgets
and cabin space.
TOP OF
THE TREE?
The B200 CDI BlueEfficiency may be the range’s top diesel B-Class,
but can it fend off the highly capable, entry level B180 CDI?
WORDS KYLE MOLYNEUX IMAGES TERRY OBORNE
I
ALWAYS THOUGHT IT A
fashion no-no to put black
trousers with brown shoes,
and vice versa. But this
Cosmos Black metallic on
hazelnut brown leather B200 CDI
BlueEfficiency proves there are
exceptions to this rule, at least in
the automotive world.
Perhaps it’s to do with the new
B’s freshly taut styling, which
seems to be winning over more
people than the original car’s ever
did – in the UK Mercedes shifted
20
|
1,190 copies of its latest W246
B-Class in the first month alone,
2,658 up to the end of June.
Under those distinct lines lies a
more conventional chassis than
before, which has brought only
one main drawback – the new
B-Class swallows less stuff than its
predecessor. But with a boot
capacity of 486 to 1,545 litres, it is
hardly impractical. In fact,
Mercedes’ engineers have managed
to build in S-Class beating levels
of rear kneeroom – this in a vehicle
September 2012 www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk
that measures just 4,359mm from
nose to exhaust pipe.
The loss of the old sandwich
floor has dropped occupants
lower, allowing a more raked
profile that is barely noticeable
from inside. And, following the
advice of its customers, MercedesBenz has kept the old car’s upright
driving position that means your
feet fall down onto the pedals,
Sprinter van style.
The rest of the cabin, though, is
massively different from the old
car’s. There are hints of C-Class in
the steering wheel and switchgear,
something of the modern classic
R107 SL in the three central air
vents, and something completely
new in the fixed infotainment
display and vast, black ash wood
panel that covers much of the
dashboard (this trim is part of the
optional Exclusive Package that
also includes the brown leather
plus heated front seats with fourway lumbar support, £1,535 on SE
B-Classes and £1,055 extra on
Sport models such as this).
Going on appearances alone, the
old B simply doesn’t get a look in,
the new car is a staggering
improvement. And then there’s
the standard safety kit: ESP with
ASR, Attention Assist, new radar
based Collision Prevention Assist,
ABS with Brake Assist and a cabin
load of airbags.
FASTER AND FRUGAL
But what about the way it drives?
This Sport spec B200 CDI manual
(£24,710 OTR, £29,055 as tested,
the standard SE spec car starts at
£23,410) boasts 18-inch, bi-colour
alloy wheels, beefier brakes and
lowered sports suspension with
selective damping, as well as
various other style enhancing add
ons. Pumping out 134bhp and
221lb ft torque from its 1.8-litre,
turbocharged four-cylinder
engine, it is the most powerful
These low profile tyres and
sexy, 18-inch, bi-colour alloys
are standard with Sport spec.
diesel in the range, sitting above
the entry level B180 CDI. The
petrol powered B180 and B200
complete the line up.
The result is a quick little people
mover that has bucket loads of
mechanical grip, if not chassis
fluency, and an endearing urge that
claims a 9.5-second 0-62mph time
and 130mph top speed with this
car’s six-speed manual gearbox.
The steering is nicely geared
although errs towards ease of use
rather than feel, and the same can
be said of the six-speed manual’s
shifting action, which is almost
too light in operation, but
nonetheless easy and pleasant
enough to flick around.
As with other Sport spec Bs we
have tested, the only real negative
is ride quality. This was a problem
with the original, first generation
model and, at least in Sport spec,
little has changed with the new car.
What’s more, tyre roar can be
conversation killing on the
motorway. I would happily
exchange a bit of the Sport B’s
decent body control and
surprisingly good handling for
a more compliant ride.
Using a tweaked, 1.8-litre
version of Mercedes’ tried and
tested, 2.1-litre OM651 diesel
motor, the B200 CDI has
inherited an unmistakable diesel
chugging at idle and a drone under
load. However, the turbocharged
unit in the B-Class has an almost
petrol like response to throttle
inputs, is beautifully mute on part
throttle and returns quite
astounding fuel economy – even
though we couldn’t quite get this
B200 CDI manual up to the high
standard set by the B180 CDI
manual test car we had recently
(Mercedes Enthusiast July 2012).
That said, an urban best of
61mpg and motorway best of
63mpg are not to be sniffed at, nor
is the fact we regularly saw over
50mpg on our daily urban
commutes, where the B’s standard
Eco Start/Stop tech plays a part.
Mercedes quotes 64.2mpg
(NEDC combined) for this car.
As for CO2 emissions, this
B200 CDI’s 18-inch alloys bump
up the reading to 121g/km, this
6g/km more than the standard SE
on 16-inch alloys, but which is still
low enough to avoid paying road
tax in the car’s first year.
So, is the 134bhp B200 CDI
BlueEfficiency worth the £1,350
premium over the 108bhp B180
CDI BlueEfficiency? For some,
the extra power and 37lb ft torque
will be enough to justify the extra
outlay. But for me, the B180 CDI
is so accomplished (aside from the
Sport spec’s poor ride) that I’d
rather save the cash.
Only on the motorway in sixth
gear do the B200 CDI’s bigger
guts really show, and had I
brimmed it with luggage and
people, I am sure its extra grunt
would have come in handy then,
too. But there is no getting away
from the fact that, like with the
old range, the new B180 CDI is a
better all rounder than the B200
CDI and arguably the pick of the
entire new B-Class bunch.
www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk September 2012
| 21
TOP 10
Quarter-pounders
R107 500SL
PRICE NEW (1989) £44,800
PRICE TODAY £10,000-£15,000
A
BARGAIN
BRILLIANCE
Now selling for just 25 per cent of their price
when new, these 10 used Mercedes make
truly thrilling propositions
WORDS DAVID SUTHERLAND
IMAGES DAIMLER AG/TERRY OBORNE/IAN KUAH
DMITTEDLY WE
are playing with
Spotted
numbers here,
for sale
given that the R107
1985 500SL
SL’s last new price was
Champagne Gold,
leather/fabric seats,
23 years ago. But even
98,500 miles, previous
though it is now a
rebuild, £10,750,
private seller,
sought after modern
Northamptonshire
classic, the handsome
roadster can still be
considered inexpensive
compared to when new, a 500SL with
a few extras such as leather, air
conditioning and cruise control
costing nearly £45,000.
Clearly, £11,000 will not get you
anywhere near a pristine example,
but it will buy a largely rust free car
that with some TLC could be made
presentable. There is little difference
in values between the 500SL and the
six-cylinder 300SL, hence we think
the V8 represents better value. As
you probably will not cover a big
mileage, the heavier fuel
consumption should not put you off.
JUST
THE
FACTS
Engine M117 4,973cc V8
What to look for A cracked exhaust manifold,
a rattling timing chain, rust on the rear wings, boot
floor, jacking points and front bulkhead
Power/torque 242bhp/289lb ft
Fuel consumption 17.8mpg
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up A lovely modern classic, but at this price
care is needed to avoid the duds
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for a 1985-1989 500SL without a catalyst; fuel
consumption according to EEC urban
A124 E320 Cabriolet
PRICE NEW (1989) £52,250
PRICE TODAY £11,000-£14,000
A
S SOON AS A NEW CAR LEAVES THE DEALER’S SHOWROOM,
it begins to depreciate – quickly. That includes Mercedes, too. The
cast iron resale values the cars enjoyed in years gone by, when the
car maker’s sales were less ambitious in the UK, are no longer.
But one person’s write-down is another’s unmissable bargain.
After five years, a car is worth just a fraction of its new price, and
here we pick 10 Mercedes that today can be bought for just a quarter of their
original value. And they are not uninteresting, base spec models but pulse
quickening cars that you might have fancied buying new, if only the funds were
available. How does £18,000 for a CLS55 AMG that is just six years old sound?
As ever, we should add that the prices quoted are not the cheapest nor the most
expensive you will find. They are for cars in decent but not pristine condition, and
in the case of the two modern classics nominated – the R107 500SL and A124 E320
Cabriolet – money that commands a rust free car that is ready to drive, even if it
won’t win a concours prize. So, what are you waiting for?
Here we pick 10 Mercedes that today can be bought
H
Her
for just a quarter of their original value
ue
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September 2012 www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk
A
PART FROM THE VERY
rare E36 AMG Cabriolet, the
post 1993 facelift 124-series
convertibles came in two forms, the
four-cylinder E220 and the six-cylinder
E320. The E220 makes a good
argument for itself with its better fuel
consumption and lower maintenance,
but the latter’s silky, 3.2-litre,
unstressed engine makes it the
seductress here.
Spotted
By the end of production, its
for sale
equipment specification was
1996 E320 Cabriolet
comprehensive, including air
Sportline
con and leather seats, the
Tourmaline Green,
tan leather, memory seats,
price rising to over £52,000
54,000 miles, £12,995,
once a few of the remaining
independent dealer,
Channel Islands
cost options were specified
like Sportline suspension and the
(essential) electrically adjustable,
memory front seats. Most have been
well looked after and are usually second
cars, so although absolute numbers are
small (557 were imported, according to
figures from Mercedes-Benz), it is not
too difficult to find a good example.
JUST
THE
FACTS
Engine M104 3,199cc 6-cyl
What to look for Cylinderhead oil leaks, worn
engine mounts, a burnt wiring loom, rusty front
wings and jacking points
Power/torque 217bhp/229lb ft
Fuel consumption 19.2mpg
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up Refined and with genuine four-seat
comfort, this is a pleasant, practical, classic cabrio
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for an E320 Cabriolet with a 4-speed auto; fuel
consumption according to EEC urban
www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk September 2012
| 59
TOP 10
Quarter-pounders
C209 CLK200 Kompressor Coupe
C/W169 A200 Turbo
PRICE NEW (2005) £32,500
PRICE TODAY £8,000-£9,000
PRICE NEW (2006) £19,600
PRICE TODAY £5,000-£6,000
D
ISCONTINUED IN
2009 but not
Spotted
directly
for sale
replaced, the C209
2005/05
CLK is not only
CLK200 K Coupe
Elegance
elegant and practical,
Automatic, Cubanite Silver,
it now represents great
black leather, 60,000 miles,
£8,000, independent
value for money as
dealer, Croydon
well. A budget of £8,000
gets you into the entry
level model, the CLK200
Kompressor, from 2005, which will
be one of the first facelifted cars.
The update brought exterior and
interior styling tweaks, and the
money might stretch to a late 2006
car with the slight power hike
boosting the 1.8 supercharged petrol
engine up to 181bhp. But the earlier
engine is equally willing, and both are
more refined than the diesel in the
CLK220 CDI, which is slightly more
expensive. Part of the joy of a CLK
coupe from this generation is the
lack of B-pillars, not seen on the
preceding C208.
JUST
THE
FACTS
A
Engine M271 1,796cc 4-cyl supercharged
Power/torque 161bhp/177lb ft
Fuel consumption 32.5mpg
What to look for Broken suspension springs,
badly fitting side windows causing excess wind
noise, faulty wiring to the electric mirrors
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up Surely a future classic, so enjoy it now
while it is still affordable and widely available
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for a 2005 facelifted CLK200 Kompressor with a 5-speed
auto; fuel consumption according to NEDC combined
190BHP, TURBOCHARGED
engine under the bonnet of
the unassuming
A-Class? Unlikely as it
Spotted
might seem, Mercedes
for sale
offered this plus
2006/56
A200 Turbo
lowered suspension
Three-door, automatic,
and 18-inch alloys in
black, leather seats,
the three- or five-door
49,300 miles, £5,000,
independent dealer,
169-series body for
Surrey
four years until 2008.
The model didn’t click
with A-Class customers, but
enough were sold for there to be a
reasonable choice on the used
market, and from £5,000 to £6,000 at
independent dealers, it represents a
lot of hot hatch for the money.
What the A200 Turbo lacks in
terms of a sporty image it makes up
for in practicality, with excellent
sports seats, plenty of cabin space
and a quality feel in a different league
from the original, 168-series
A-Class. You can even have it in
Autotronic CVT form, too.
JUST
THE
FACTS
R230 SL350
C216 CL500
PRICE NEW (2003) £58,300
PRICE TODAY £14,000-£15,000
PRICE NEW (2006) £79,500
PRICE TODAY £20,000-£25,000
Y
OU READ THE ABOVE
correctly. You can buy an
R230 SL for under £15,000,
and not only with less than 100,000
miles but also with a comprehensive
Mercedes-Benz used car warranty.
Granted, it is the V6 engined
SL350 rather than the V8 powered
SL500, but as a used buy this is
arguably a better proposition as its
engine is more economical, and
the car does not have the
Spotted
Active Body Control
for sale
2003/53
suspension which is
SL350
standard on the SL500
Silver, anthracite leather,
and can be troublesome.
60,000 miles, £14,845,
Mercedes-Benz
The R230 has recently
of Exeter
been replaced by the latest
generation, R231 SL, yet it
does not feel at all dated, thanks
to its sparky performance and agile
handling that belies its size – and its
excellent folding metal vario-roof
that allows it to be either a
convertible or a cosy coupe. This is
one seriously tempting prospect.
JUST
THE
FACTS
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September 2012 www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk
Engine M266 2,034cc 4-cyl turbocharged
What to look for Cracked front suspension
springs, heavy wear on the front brakes, oil leaks
from the Autotronic CVT gearbox
Power/torque 190bhp/206lb ft torque
Fuel consumption 34.9mpg
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up Not the first turbo hatchback that comes to
mind, but very different and good value for money
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for a 3-door A200 Turbo with a 6-speed manual; fuel
consumption according to NEDC combined
I
Engine M112 3,724cc V6
What to look for Engine catalyst failure, water
Power/torque 242bhp/258lb ft
leaks in the boot, central locking failure
Fuel consumption 24.1mpg
Sum up The Mercedes-Benz R230 SL is a true
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
sports car – but also big on creature comforts
Figures for a 2002-2006 SL350 with a 5-speed auto; fuel
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
consumption according to NEDC combined
T IS A CURRENT
shape, has a 5.5-litre
Spotted
engine, is decked out
for sale
in luxury and packs
2006/56
CL500
more cutting edge
Iridium Silver, grey leather,
technology than you
65,000 miles, £21,995,
can take in. Yet this
independent dealer,
Sheffield
highly desirable, king
sized Mercedes coupe that
cost nearly £80,000 new back
in 2006 can, today, be yours for
around £20,000 – the price of a new,
mid spec Vauxhall Astra.
This is actually the most ‘basic’
CL, yet the V8 delivers not only a
torquey punch but also a drive of
extraordinarily silky calmness. There
is proper rear seat accommodation as
well, and the C216 has been
instrumental in getting Mercedes’
cabin quality back on track.
But remember that although this is
now a relative bargain to buy, you
must expect running costs in line
with the original price. It will not be
cheap, but it will be very rewarding.
JUST
THE
FACTS
Engine M273 5,461cc V8
What to look for A full service history is essential
and check that all the electrical equipment works
Power/torque 383bhp/391lb ft
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up The latest in a long line of Mercedes’
luxury, pillarless coupes is magnificently
engineered and a delight to drive
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for a 2006 CL500; fuel consumption according to NEDC
combined
Fuel consumption 23.3mpg
www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk September 2012
| 61
TOP 10
Quarter-pounders
C219 CLS55 AMG
V221 S500 L
PRICE NEW (2006) £74,000
PRICE TODAY £17,000-£20,000
PRICE NEW (2007) £73,500
PRICE TODAY £18,000-£22,000
T
HE CLS IS A STYLISED
version of the W211
E-Class saloon. But
Spotted
its ‘four-door coupe’
for sale
2006/06
configuration has proved
CLS55 AMG
popular, and soon after it
Metallic grey, grey leather,
was launched Mercedes
55,600 miles, £17,991,
independent dealer,
applied the AMG
Surrey
formula, installing a
supercharged, 5.4-litre V8,
uprating the suspension and
brakes, and fitting a subtle bodykit.
It is a wonderful combination of
Mercedes-Benz refinement (the low
roof does not appreciably curtail rear
headroom) and AMG muscle. But
used car valuers have not been so
impressed, posting the first, 2005
CLS55 AMGs at as little as £15,000.
However, we think it is better to
spend more to secure a car with a
solid history and 50,000 to 60,000
miles on the clock. The CLS55 was
built for just two years before the
CLS63 AMG took over, but it is not
hard to find in the classifieds.
JUST
THE
FACTS
F
Engine M113 5,439cc V8 supercharged
Power/torque 469bhp/516lb ft
Fuel consumption 20.8mpg
What to look for Faulty electrical equipment,
worn front suspension ball joints, check the
condition of the 18-inch AMG wheels
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up If you are looking for AMG performance
and distinctive styling, this bargain is hard to beat
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for car as pictured; fuel consumption according to NEDC
combined
EW PRIVATE INDIVIDUALS
buy new S-Classes, hence
those on the used market are
likely to have served as a chauffeur
driven car and covered a high
mileage, especially if it is a longwheelbase model. But that should
not put you off, because it has
probably been well maintained and
driven in a mature manner.
And what you are getting for
under £20,000 is the current
Spotted
generation of the ‘best car
for sale
in the world’. As with its
2007/07
S500 L
sister coupe, the CL500,
Silver, black leather,
also featured here, the
90,000 miles, £17,990,
S500 is simply an amazing
independent dealer,
Surrey
car, even if you feel its
looks are a touch brutal. The
5.5-litre V8 and the seven-speed
automatic gearbox give it exemplary
refinement, but at the same time this
limousine handles as though it is
much smaller. And the S-Class’s high
tech cabin is supremely comfortable
and wonderfully luxurious.
JUST
THE
FACTS
Engine M273 5,461cc V8
Fuel consumption 23.5mpg
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up The ultimate limo for relatively little money,
but a thorough pre purchase inspection is essential
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for a 2005 S500 L; fuel consumption according to NEDC
combined
CL203 C350 Sports Coupe
S211 E280 CDI Estate
PRICE NEW (2005) £29,500
PRICE TODAY £7,000-£8,000
PRICE NEW (2005) £40,100
PRICE TODAY Around £10,000
M
I
ERCEDES EVENTUALLY
concluded that a
hatchback configuration
didn’t suit its smallest coupe so
discontinued the C-Class based
sports coupe, which evolved into the
CLC. With its rather ungainly tail,
many feel it does not measure up in
the looks department, but it is
undoubtedly a very distinctive and
practical car thanks to its big
boot and load versatility.
Spotted
Many C-Class sports
for sale
coupes were diesels, but
2005/55
C350 Evolution
the best driver’s car is
Panorama AMG
the petrol C350 with its
Silver, black leather,
sweet, 3.5-litre V6. And
46,000 miles, £7,495,
private seller,
if you go for that model
London
you might as well look out
for the popular Evolution
Panorama equipment pack which
included the wide opening glass
sunroof, lowered suspension and
17-inch wheels (an AMG
supplement added an AMG bodykit
and further uprated suspension).
JUST
THE
FACTS
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September 2012 www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk
What to look for Check the condition of the
interior, especially the rear seat – your S500 L must
come with a full service history
Power/torque 383bhp/391lb ft
Engine M272 3,498cc V6
Power/torque 268bhp/258lb ft
Fuel consumption 29.1mpg
What to look for Electronic faults can affect the
automatic’s gearshift and electronic modules can
fail, affecting electrical equipment
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up For a Mercedes, the looks and image fall a
tad below par, but the V6 is ace and it is great value
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for a 2005 C350 Sports Coupe; fuel consumption
according to NEDC combined
F YOU REQUIRE CARRYING
capacity and a vehicle that is
a comfortable, quiet,
Spotted
for sale
luxurious and economical
2005/05
cruiser, and have around
E280 CDI Estate
£10,000 to spend, the
Elegance
previous generation
Black, grey leather,
86,000 miles, seven seats,
E-Class estate in its later,
£10,290, independent
six-cylinder turbodiesel
dealer, Kent
form is an ideal candidate.
The newer, three-litre V6
diesel engine was introduced in 2005
and used in both the E280 CDI and
the E320 CDI, but with different
power outputs, and is smoother,
punchier and also more efficient than
the straight-six engine it replaced.
The 211-series E-Class got off to a
poor start quality wise, but by the
time the E280 CDI arrived in 2005,
things had improved. Trim options
included Classic, Elegance and
Avantgarde, though the one that
stands out is Sport with its AMG
styling, 18-inch alloy wheels and
stiffer suspension.
JUST
THE
FACTS
Engine OM642 2,987cc V6 turbocharged
What to look for An inlet manifold fault can send
the engine into limp home mode, check the air
conditioning is not stuck on one setting
Power/torque 187bhp/324lb ft
Fuel consumption 34.9mpg
Performance ★★★★★ Practicality ★★★★★
Sum up A mid sized Mercedes that makes load
carrying a pleasure, especially at this price
Running costs ★★★★★ Star quality ★★★★★
Figures for a 2005 E280 CDI Estate; fuel consumption according
to NEDC combined
www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk September 2012
| 63
THE
BAC K
END
My Merc > R230 SL500
BLACK
MAGIC
Living the good life,
this SL is its owner’s
weekend V8 treat.
It might have been love at first sight, but for this
SL500 owner, it was more a case of good things
come to those who wait
WORDS LIZZIE POPE IMAGES OLGUN KORDAL
W
JUST THE FACTS
Mercedes-Benz SL500 (R230)
ENGINE M113 4,966cc V8
POWER 302bhp@5,600rpm
TORQUE 339lb ft@2,700-4,250rpm
TRANSMISSION 5-speed auto, RWD
WEIGHT 1,845kg
0-62MPH 6.3sec
TOP SPEED 155mph
This headlamp design was dropped in 2008.
FUEL CONSUMPTION 22.2mpg
YEARS PRODUCED 2001-2006
OVERVIEW
Quick and slick, sophisticated and
refined, it is not hard to see why owning
an R230 Mercedes-Benz SL500 brings
nothing but pleasure
Historic details are
given a modern twist
on Mercedes’ R230 SL.
Figures are for a 2002 SL500 as pictured; fuel
consumption according to NEDC combined; top
speed is electronically limited
Hasan Kordal’s patience has been rewarded.
Silver details sit in contrast to the black paint.
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September 2012 www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk
The swooping interior
lines and black leather
do not disappoint.
A long time Mercedes owner
HEN YOU LIVE
somewhere hot, it is and admirer with two CLKs – one
coupe, one cabriolet – as well as a
perhaps not
300E, a 190E and a C240 in his
unexpected that
ownership history, Hasan is no
your car is a convertible. And if
stranger to the three-pointed star,
Mercedes-Benz is the marque
but, like many, the SL was always
closest to your heart then surely it
his target. Now celebrating its
has to be the ultimate, the SL?
60th anniversary, the SL is an
Luckily for Hasan Kordal, he
has managed to not just achieve his automotive icon, the earliest cars
SL dream, but to tick the V8 box at commanding high prices and with
legendary status.
the same time with this 2002
To be able to call a car from the
SL500. And for him, this Mercedes
same illustrious tradition your
really is a dream car.
own is something pretty special.
“I fell in love with it when I saw
But of course the danger of finally
it, I always wanted one,” he tells
having the keys
us, “but at first they
It is smooth, fast
to that dream car
were pricey, so I
is that there’s a
had to wait a little,
and luxurious –
chance it might
until the time came
what else could
not live up to its
that I could afford
promise. We are
one.” However,
you want?
very pleased to
they say good
things come to those who wait and report this is not the case here.
“It is just a great car, I am in no
as Hasan has now been the proud
way disappointed with it, it is
owner of this chic, black roadster
everything I want and it does
for six years, it sounds like this
everything I ask of it,” Hasan is
Mercedes was most definitely
quick to reassure us. “In the time
worth the wait. It is just the ticket
I’ve owned my SL it has been just
for cruising along the sun kissed
wonderful and there have been no
shores of Cyprus, where he lives.
major problems. I had to have an
engine mount replaced. Another
time I noticed the boot became
very heavy and it turned out that a
motor or hinge in the boot was
worn, so that was fixed, but those
are just a few small things across
six years, they don’t concern me.
I don’t even think the running
costs are too bad, compared to
other big cars.” We think it’s fair to
say he’s smitten.
With a VW Polo on hand for the
hustle and bustle of everyday life,
Hasan reserves his SL500 for
evenings out, trips away or “a nice
The three-valve M113
V8 has 339lb ft torque
mountain drive”. Considering
and a fab soundtrack.
there is a 302bhp, five-litre V8
nestled under that long, sleek
bonnet with 339lb ft torque, we
think Hasan has most definitely
got the right idea. “It is cost
effective because we don’t use it
everyday, this is our special car, our
treat, that we use when we can
enjoy its style and performance,”
he considers.
HITTING THE SPOT
“Quite simply, this Mercedes is
magnificent,” continues Hasan.
“I love its style, I love its elegance.
It is smooth, fast and luxurious –
what else could you want? And it
is a lovely feeling to have people
admiring your car. When you drive
this roadster, you know it is
something special.”
In Hasan, Mercedes-Benz
clearly has one very satisfied
customer, a long time owner
happy with his SL500 and with no
plans to sell it. But as a true
petrolhead, of course he has his
eye on other models. “I really do
not expect to sell my SL soon,” he
reiterates, “but the SLS AMG with
the gullwing doors looks pretty
special, I think. But it might take
me some time to save up!”
As he discovered before,
patience can be rewarded and who
knows what Hasan will be driving
in a few years. But until then he is
more than happy to sit back, relax
and soak up the sun in his SL500,
accompanied by that awesome
M113 V8. It’s a hard life.
Ageing beautifully,
this V8 roadster still
turns many heads.
It takes 16 seconds for
the vario-roof to fold
away into the boot.
www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk September 2012
| 97
MOTORSPORT
SLS AMG GT3
OFF THE GRID
Join us behind the scenes as we find out what it takes to go racing
in Mercedes’ SLS AMG GT3
WORDS KYLE MOLYNEUX IMAGES TERRY OBORNE/JAKOB EBREY
N SEPTEMBER 2010, MERCEDES-BENZ
hurled itself into the cut and thrust world
of GT racing with its SLS AMG GT3,
a competition version of its 21st century
Gullwing developed and manufactured by
AMG together with HWA (Affalterbach’s
highly experienced DTM partner).
Mere months later, in March 2011, UK based
Team Preci-Spark received SLS AMG GT3
chassis number 8. With twins David and
Godfrey Jones sharing stints at the wheel,
strong results followed that year at Oulton
Park, Rockingham and Silverstone in the Avon
Tyres British GT Championship, which the
team won in 2009 using an Ascari KZ1-R GT3.
The outfit took delivery of its second SLS
(chassis 35) four months later to compete in
the Blancpain Endurance Series in Europe, its
I
most notable result being an excellent seventh
from 62 starters in the 2011 Spa 24 Hours
event. All the SLS needed from start to finish
were two sets of brake pads and brake discs.
Gut wrenching corners like Eau Rouge,
Cascades and Copse feel a million miles away as
I turn into an industrial estate in Leicestershire
and the headquarters of Team Pyro, the firm
tasked with storing, maintaining and – only
sometimes – repairing Team Preci-Spark’s SLS
AMG GT3s. Team Pyro was established in 2003
by Mark Hunt and has looked after Team PreciSpark’s cars since 2008. Mark’s father Tom
came aboard soon after the team was set up and
it is he who greets us at the workshop’s
unassuming front door.
Inside, both racing Gullwings sit side by side,
the Blancpain car up on benches, its wheels and
some carbon fibre bodywork missing, the
British GT contender balancing perfectly on its
integrated jacks with doors high in the air.
These silver machines could sell on looks alone,
but how exactly did Team Preci-Spark, with the
help of Team Pyro, go about buying them?
A DONE DEAL
“We looked at all the pros and cons of the GT3
cars available – weight distribution, after sales
service, reliability and so on,” explains Tom.
“Support from the manufacturer is a deciding
factor, especially since prices of GT3 cars are
pretty similar.” The SLS AMG GT3 cost a cool
397,460 including 19 per cent VAT (around
£310,000) at the beginning of 2011.
“We visited AMG in Affalterbach twice
before we purchased the first car,” Tom
Blown fuses are
illuminated so they
are easy to identify.
Team Preci-Spark
has been running SLS
AMG GT3s since 2011.
After eac
h event
the cars
stripped
are
and che
cked be
being re
fore
built for
the nex
t race.
Sitting
S
itti side by
id these
h
side,
silver
machines could sell
on looks alone
one
Over 45 SLS
AMG GT3s are
racing this year.
MOTORSPORT
SLS AMG GT3
Q&A
Team Preci-Spark driver
David Jones talks to
Mercedes Enthusiast
How does the SLS AMG GT3 differ
from the Ascari KZ1-R GT3 in terms
of how it drives?
“With the Ascari you sat at the front
of the car, so when the rear broke
away there was less feel in the seat.
However, with the Mercedes you are
very much at the back so you can
feel the rear end all the time. The
huge advantage of the Mercedes is
the paddle gearshift system, which
allows you to left-foot brake. This in
turn gives the car great balance,
especially in the wet.”
Factory support is key to keeping the cars competitive.
New carbon fibre doors and gearbox upgrades for 2012.
The large front splitter and
winglets enhance downforce.
Chassis number 8 competes
in the British GT Championship.
The in-car logger stores data
on a memory card for analysis.
A fan belt
change can be
done in seconds.
xxxx
The pedals
and helm are
fully adjustable.
HWA support is exceptionally g
HWA’s
good – that was
one of the reasons we chose the SLS
S
An LED gauge under the bonnet shows the V8’s oil level.
These pads provide a perfectly flat surface for car set up.
Purpose built jigs allow Team
Pyro to adjust suspension
settings quickly and easily.
continues. “We were taken round the test
track in prototypes and had the car explained to
us in detail. We did our homework on parts
pricing and that sort of thing, what it’s going to
cost to run over a season, the whole picture
including depreciation. I think the SLS AMG
GT3 will hold its price well.”
Depreciation is a less glamorous side of
racing cars, but for private teams who change
their machines quite regularly and race on
smaller budgets than full works outfits, it
cannot be overlooked. Helping teams who
want to sell their SLS AMG GT3s, HWA has a
web based log system that allows teams to
input work they’ve done to their cars, in effect
acting as a service history record.
So after buying the first SLS, what happened
next? “There are test days you can do that are
supported by Mercedes/HWA, and they
allowed us to familiarise ourselves with the
car,” answers Tom. “We did three days at
Portimão and three days at Silverstone. We also
spent two days at Paul Ricard. The car was
reliable out of the box. HWA gave us basic set
up recommendations for each track and we
went from there.”
Did Team Preci-Spark always plan to buy
two cars? Tom nods. “We take both cars to
races in our 35-tonne transporter, so we’ve
always got every spare part available. However,
should one car be destroyed in, say, free
practice one, in GT racing you’re not allowed
to change the chassis once the race meeting has
started, so you’re out of the event.”
Touch wood, this hasn’t happened yet, but
how is a piece of damaged bodywork dealt
with? “We’d send it to our carbon fibre repair
specialist, SC Solutions in Oxford. Stone chips
are all too common in GT racing, so we cover
the nose in plastic film to protect the paint.”
INTERNATIONAL SUPPORT
What about manufacturer support? “HWA is
exceptionally good,” says Tom. “That was one
of the reasons we chose the SLS in the first
place. HWA is in constant communication with
us, parts supply is very good [delivery direct
from Germany takes four days using a standard
delivery service, 24 hours with an express
service – and that’s for any part] and there is a
24-hour track support service.
“For all the Blancpain races, HWA sends a
truck with spare parts so you don’t necessarily
have to carry your own,” Tom adds. “It also has
technical people on standby. For British GT
Championship weekends, we call on an HWA
engineer that also offers support to the British
F3 teams that run Mercedes-Benz engines. But,
broadly speaking, HWA is always just at the
end of the phone and can help with technical
issues you’ve not come across before.”
There are over 45 SLS AMG GT3s racing
across the globe this year, all connected
through HWA and all helping each other
indirectly. If an SLS competing in the
Australian GT Championship experiences a
problem, for example, HWA may come up with
a solution that it could offer to Team Pyro
should it experience something similar.
HWA is also constantly upgrading the SLS
and packages have been available to purchase
since the car’s release. This year, the Team
Preci-Spark SLSs have had 2012 upgrades fitted
comprising modifications to the six-speed,
sequential transmission and new doors made of
carbon fibre rather than heavier aluminium,
which the cars were originally fitted with.
Although each GT3 racer must meet a weight
set by the FIA. In the SLS’s case, it is 1,340kg
without driver and fuel, according to Tom.
During our visit, the team is gearing up for
the next round of the British GT
Championship at the Nürburgring. Chief
mechanic Darren Bunce and mechanic Will
Dowden look chilled as they work on the cars,
but there isn’t any slack. Both are experienced
guys, Darren especially so – he’s an eight-time
Le Mans veteran who’s worked on Group C
racers plus various GT class machines and
several British touring cars.
“For our British GT effort, we have about
eight people in the team, including five full time
mechanics,” Tom tells us. The chief mechanic
oversees the car, allocating jobs to other
How great a part has the SLS AMG
GT3’s reliability played in your
championship campaigns?
“The Mercedes has had a perfect
record with us both this year and
last – so far! The only non finish last
year was when an Audi hit one of the
doors and we couldn’t close it after
the pitstop. We are hoping for the
same reliability for the remainder of
this year and again for the Dubai
24-hour race in January 2013.”
What do you think are the greatest
strengths and weaknesses of the
SLS AMG GT3?
“Its greatest strength is undoubtedly
the reliability, which comes from
good engineering. The only real
weakness is the size of the FIA’s air
restrictors on the engine, which is
not Mercedes’ problem. It is also
quite a heavy car. In both
championships we compete in, we
are the heaviest and generally the
slowest through the speed traps.”
How long do you anticipate you
will run the SLS AMG GT3?
“We’ll be racing it this year and next
for sure, and there is plenty of power
available to keep it competitive.”
What is it like racing with your
brother? Do you get competitive?
“We both want to do well and as
twins there has always been a
healthy rivalry. When we look at the
data, the lack of difference is
amazing and that helps considerably
with car set up.”
The digital instrument cluster features gearshift lights.
AMG’s M159 V8 has been both bulletproof and powerful.
www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk September 2012
| 55
MOTORSPORT
SLS AMG GT3
Eve
Everyone
E
is keen
tto affirm the SLS’s
dependability,
even in the longest
and most diffi
cult
fficu
lt
races
ace
es
Catch
Mercedes’ SLS
AMG GT3s
racing the
world over,
including…
New parts can
be delivered in
just 24 hours.
Team Pyro’s
Tom Hunt, father
of founder Mark.
UK
Avon Tyres British GT
Championship
www.britishgt.com
Germany
ADAC GT Masters
www.adac-gt-masters.de
Darren Bunce
is Team Pyro’s
chief mechanic.
Germany
Nürburgring VLN
endurance
championship
www.vln.de
International
FIA GT1 World
Championship
www.gt1world.com
Europe
FIA GT3 European
Championship
www.gt3europe.com
Europe
Blancpain Endurance
Series
www.blancpainendurance-series.com
Australia
Australian GT
Championship
www.australiangt.com.au
And with other SLS AMG
GT3s competing in Brazil,
Malaysia, France, Spain,
Portugal, Italy and more,
there are loads of
opportunities to see
these cars in action. Don’t
forget to follow their
progress every month in
Mercedes Enthusiast!
56
|
mechanics, and talks to the engineer – the engineer is
the first point of contact for the driver.
As race prep goes, Team Pyro’s approach is
straightforward and effective. In the British GT
Championship, two practice sessions give the guys time
to perfect the car’s set up, and as this is the team’s
second year with the SLS, achieving that is far easier
than in 2011. Depending on the circuit, the team might
go for a more aggressive set up in qualifying, which will
be dialled down for the race to preserve the Avon tyres.
“After the race, the car is brought back to the
workshop and stripped including the underfloor, and we
change the gearbox oil,” says Tom. “The engine oil is
changed every 5,000km [just over 3,100 miles], as
recommended by the manufacturer. With the air
restrictors, the AMG V8 is not a massively stressed
motor.” The restrictors are one of several ways the FIA
balances the performance of GT cars. Other methods
include setting a minimum ride height and minimum
kerb weight with the help of lead ballast.
“There is a recommended life of each component,”
Tom continues. “The gearbox, for example, is rebuilt
after 5,000km. The engine is rebuilt after 12,000km
The SLS’s carbon fibre
bonnet helps slash weight.
September 2012 www.mercedesenthusiast.co.uk
The engine air restrictor
with an unbroken FIA seal.
[around 7,400 miles], the suspension 10,000km [about
6,200 miles]. The latter involves crack testing, checking
joints, changing the uni balls and so on. The steering
rack is taken off and bench tested, as is the power
steering pump, and the suspension brackets are thrown
away after 10,000km.”
QUALITY THROUGHOUT
Talking to Tom and other members of Team Pyro, all are
keen to affirm the SLS’s dependability, even in the
longest and most difficult races. I am also told these cars
are very straightforward to work on thanks to clever
little features like the fuse box in the passenger footwell,
which illuminates any fuse that blows, making it easier
to spot, especially in the dark. You can also replace the
V8’s fan belt without breaking into the oil system,
saving an age during a pitstop.
It’s these perfectly executed details that matter most,
without which Team Pyro’s job would be made much
harder, and the Jones twins of Team Preci-Spark – and
the many other SLS AMGs racing around the world –
might not be quite as successful. It may be a GT3 spec
machine, but every part is up to Mercedes’ standards.
The left port is for fuel,
the other releases vapour.
Optional air con is absent – drivers report that SLSs
are well ventilated and it is just one more thing to fix.