As an offshoot branch of the RU-vid channel ''HSG Automotive'', you can here find on-the-road reviews of both new and used cars (and occasionally motorcycles) as well as showdown matches between various vehicles, long term ownership reviews, and more!
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Bought a 2015 MSport 640D recently. Agree its a brilliant car - huge amount of car for the money. Though the 60mpg you talk about is never going to happen. I'm getting 42mpg , still great for a 3 lite 6 cylinder beast! I'm 6'4" tall so zero leg room in the rear seat behind me. One thing I've noticed is it's an insanely long car..almost 5 metres, so it is pretty much as long as a UK car parking bay, be prepared to stick out a bit! The sound in Sports mode is great. I was pleasantly surprised by the ride quality on 20inch wheels...ditch the RFs tyres btw. Road tax is now £210.
One of the best open and honest reviews I have seen on this car. I absolutely love the R171 SLK55, and after having my previous 07 R171 SLK55 totaled in a head-on collision, I'm having a hard time finding another car that is anywhere near comparable to what this offers. More than likely I will get into another one. Just no comparison to anything else out there! - 2+2 with hardtop convertible - lightweight & physically small - EXCELLENT and super reliable + easy to work on M113 V8 - Great MPG for all that power potential under the hood - The list goes on....
Amazing design design on the R171, true enough. I have the smaller engined SLK R171 in a super charged non AMG derivative, and it does me just fine. With top end around 150MPH and 0-60MPH in under 7 secs. Yes, I know, these are still fast cars. It handles adequately and is really quick enough! BUT the the 55AMG is the penultimate in my book for a cost effective demi super car experience! I have considered a Boxster S or Cayman. However the 55AMG and the 'apparent' practical running costs might be a future option - as the 'extra' vehicle for me. There's other vehicular responsibilities to family relatives needing MY additional Audi 'Q' SVU at the moment. SO, it is a case of:- if / when I decide to graduate from my beloved (standard) R171 SLK. This ultra reliable & economical SLK, I have had for many years, what a car it is. Thought I would share before I make the leap to a retro 55AMG or Boxster / Cayman. This is a dilemma indeed, I have had for a few months now. . . Either a Porsche or another Merc SLK (as I have had 6 'contigual' Merc cars over the past 25 years.) No better than the devil you know, one might say? ? ? A battle of the Germans within my head! Please know I've worked very hard in life to earn my guilty pleasures over the past 30 years! Any first hand Porsche 'experiental' info would be much appreciated. Many thanks. . . Dr. Rob.
I have always had a love affair with AM. It has always been the dream. Never did I consider that actually getting one for sub 40k, I can actually do this. And with young kids, this just makes sense! Super dad car! Just need to watch 100 videos on how to buy a 10 year old super car and what costs I might need to prepare for!!
I had a DB9 2005 for 5 years, loved it. But now I have a Rapide 2011 and like it better. Better ground clearance, bit more driver space and rear seats that are useful though a tight fit. Just enough to pick friends for dinner and short day trips. It is a gorgeous car that people love. Overall performance is about the same as a DB9. Aston only built 4979 Rapides but it shares so many parts with the DB9 that parts will not be an issue. I agree the Rapide is a fantastic car at a good price point currently. I think as the years go by it will hold a fair value and be somewhat collectible.
Another Great video, completely agree with you on the column shift gearbox, My 2015 Mercedes ML W166 as the gears in the same position & every car should have it
Love my Gen1 turbo - proper Porsche engine, unlike the 2nd generation cars, and a solid all rounder daily. Oh, and my one has got Sports Chrono and a Pano roof, which the one in this video appears to be missing - if you're looking out for a Macan, spec is everything and the more of it the better!
I'm Aussie, and yes, the second generation Toyota Celica liftback was popular. In fact, though my budget in 1978 only stretched to a Toyota Corolla coupe (which also was pillarless), I would have loved to have a Celica liftback. My Corolla coupe was only a 1.2 litre. I would also have liked a Corolla liftback, but they were hard to get. The Toyota T-18 would have been good too (1.8 litre). Those would be very rare these days.
The car plays in a totally different league compared the 4 Porte or the ugly duckling Porsche Panamera. At least the Maserati gives you emotions as well but not on that leve as this Aston. The Aston is built as solid as a tank. The huge sills and the way the doors open... the frameless side windows and the absense of wind noise.... The used materials and the attention to detail make it so much different and by far more individual especially compared to the mass production and low emotion Panamera. The V12 engine is highly emotional and it is very quick. The sound is breathtaking. In S mode it stretches it´s muscles. Reasonable driving on long distances make you wonder that there is a 6.0 V12 under the bonnet. The latest "S" models have the ZF 8 speed auto box which is simply superb. Ultra smooth in automatic mode. At 100mph it only revs at about 1.800rpm!!! The Bang & Olufsen sound system plays in it´s own world. By far the best sound system I ever had in a car. This system should be fitted to all cars with shitty sounding engines (more than 95% nowadays!). In a V12 Aston you never can decide wether to listen to the engine sound or the music.... one of these luxury problems...
The E30 M3 needs to be taken in the proper context. Being the homologation street version of a spectacular racing car on a track it remains the benchmark for a wonderfully fun responsive magnificent driver's car. On the street it rides rough, the engine is harsh and the high narrow power band will have you constantly working the gears to keep it on the boil. Meanwhile the 325i handles and stops just as well, is just as responsive, is basically as fast, has a smooth engine and rides much better.
Great review - A balanced thoughtful approach looking at the real-world use of the car. They are “to die for” beautiful and I agree that they are a pure thing - NA V12 with limited electronic interference. A GT drivers dream.
The 2005 CLK 55 Avantgarde Coupe I drive doesn't have that steering deadzone at all, not sure if the older CLK's were different or the similarities with the C55
God that left side driving, I'm pulling right into the damn van. I was like 'look out' :) Great video. 1996 993 cab owner here. It's such a fun car and so drivable. I sue it as my daily right now.
