dbs600old
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What the front end should have been...
While MB's new headlamp design is not all that photogenic, it certianly look good in person, think: CLS. However, from what I've seen so far, the SL facelift looks pretty good. It gives the car a more aggresive character: similar to the transition from the last to current gen CL. Although, I wish they would have done something more like the picture attached (no photoshop expert here, so someone please take on the honor of doing a propper rendering - thanks!). This I feel makes the car look even more mean, more German in its lines (think: current day Audi), and less SLK/childish. To top it off - no doubt, at an additional retooling expense (rear quarter panels, trunk lid, etc... redesign) - MB should have sharpened the lines of the tail lamps to match. Overall, it would have made for a nice blend between the last gen SL, current gen SL, and current CL. Also, as for the new CLC: IMHO, not bad at all. Only problem is that the rear lights are way too tall. If they would have been 2/3'rds the height, it would have been perfect.
What the front end should have been...



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lexusis350lexusis350 - 1/31/2008 5:29:54 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
It's okay. It's not great. It's definitely better than the last model, but it could be better.

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Homer008Homer008 - 1/31/2008 10:51:45 PM
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No, its not okay..would you rather have the face of this thing on your car? Heck no.


GTR35GTR35 - 2/1/2008 2:00:21 PMView My AgentSpace
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Hell no, it looks like a Mustang's nose.


MonkMonk - 1/31/2008 5:40:00 PMView My AgentSpace
0 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
these photoshopped headlights are too boring - just straight lines. Headlights of the actual car are a bit weird, but at least they had some style.
Style doesn't mean beauty

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golfer38golfer38 - 1/31/2008 6:04:28 PMView My AgentSpace
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I think the photoshop looks better, although the actual new lights are better then the outgoing.

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KemicKemic - 1/31/2008 6:04:44 PMView My AgentSpace
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Did you do this in MS Paint? And it doesn't work; the headlights look dwarfed by the grille.

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EL34EL34 - 1/31/2008 6:08:49 PM
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I don't like it :-(

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RupertRupert - 1/31/2008 6:52:41 PMView My AgentSpace
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I like it - a bit like the CL.
Could be a bit bigger though.
My biggest gripe is with the rear of the car - doesn't match the front.

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Threepoint1415926Threepoint1415926 - 1/31/2008 7:29:21 PM
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That's exactly what I think. The classic and curvaceous lines of the old car still remain and then the awkward lines that make up the new front look like they were just smashed in for updating. I say if it aint broke...


LarryLarry - 1/31/2008 9:03:11 PM
-2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
I don't like this it too conservative, mercedes got it right

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TalliTalli - 1/31/2008 10:09:39 PM
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wow, the above comment, just wow. like merc cant make a mistake?

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nathan_putlandnathan_putland - 1/31/2008 10:34:27 PM
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They should have simply pulled across the lights & grill from the CL.

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TauronB2GTauronB2G - 1/31/2008 11:01:35 PM
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Not bad the grill is the real problem though. The lights are okay but the one bar groll throws me off.
T


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LexusKindaGuy12LexusKindaGuy12 - 2/1/2008 12:17:26 AM
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those are bmw 3 series headlghts...lol

and yes, its the grill and not the lights that makes the car ugly

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dbs600olddbs600old - 2/1/2008 2:36:27 AM
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Thank you for the comments. Yes, I used MS Paint. A quick job – to get the idea out.

As said, I do not mind the new design. I know that it will work in person to the same extent the CLS lamps do. However, there is something a little less refined about the new SL ones as there is a definite squared off / straight lined portion (lower part) that meets a completely rounded / bowed portion (upper part that was chopped), making for a less fluidic / natural look. To me, it looks as if the actual photos of the facelift appear to be, themselves, a Photoshop rendering.

In all, I am one for innovation. Yes, this is on the conservative end, but playing it conservative doesn’t necessarily mean that there is no style, or that there is no innovation: take a look at the Audi S5 headlamps, absolutely stunning (great in pics, the most amazing thing ever in person). Also, I do not believe that a squared off headlamp design makes for something more conservative than the current SL front end – just different. All the current SL has is a pretty face, this - or - the actual facelift has some attitude. In my opinion, the squared off headlamps design make the car look more German (a la Audi A8, and more Brunno Sacco like), and gives it a wider stance.

From what I’ve seen the trend is smaller lamps with oversized grills. It’s a very modern look. The possibility of such, I feel, is in part due to lighting technology by means of Xenon and LEDs that can emit greater intensity via smaller units. Cars exemplifying this trend include the Ferrari 612, Rolls-Royce Phantom, BMW Mille Miglia Concept, and others. While I concede that the lamps are very conservative, I do not believe they look any more boring than that of the actual photos. What’s boring about them is not the squared off housing, but the fact that MB did not effect use of sort of stunning LED design.

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dbs600olddbs600old - 2/1/2008 2:47:58 AM
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I wonder how much money making this conversion in real life would be!? Hmm... Also, after all of the speculation, strange that MB didnt offer up the SLR front end!? Guess the SLK is where that nose design will end...

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JUGNUJUGNU - 2/1/2008 8:26:29 AMView My AgentSpace
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I always knew once Mercedes will move from twin oval lights they'll have problems.
(Twin Oval lights on Mercedes cars: C Class, CL, SL, CLK, E,...etc nearly all their cars have/has twin oval lights)

I mean this shows that MB designs are not that strong say BMW or Lexus. Once they moved from one theme/language they are facing problems (C Class's headlights, SL headlights, GLK headlights, even S Class headlights are too common...Accord, Camry, Civic, Lancer...etc had those)

I am very dissapointed MB couldn't hide there weakness for long. My advice back to drawing board and stcik with old, safe theme.

JUGNU

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JUGNUJUGNU - 2/1/2008 8:28:22 AMView My AgentSpace
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nearly all their cars have/had twin oval lights. Even SLR got twin oval headlights.

JUGNU


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jahrhajahrha - 2/1/2008 11:24:19 AM
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the 4 round lights were the trademark for the benz! they should have given those an update instead of going back to the old square looking headlamps from the mb's of the 90's.

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SHOWTIMESHOWTIME - 2/1/2008 12:24:38 PMView My AgentSpace
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exactly what i was gonna say...they should've stuck with the 4 round lights...makes it look so much sportier that way.


dbs600olddbs600old - 2/1/2008 12:42:43 PM
+2 BoostDrop the Boost Up the Boost
good point. and, if i recall correctly, the 89 - 02 r129 never received such an extensive facelift. all they did for that model during is 13 year run is switch up the door panel insides, the seats, the lower exterior panels, and the front and rear lights (but not to the extent of changing their shape - as they have done here). overall, its become more and more difficut to immediately recognize any given mercedes model as a mercedes - each model has too different of a look.


RupertRupert - 2/1/2008 7:07:42 PMView My AgentSpace
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On the old SL, all they did was literally a facelift in 1996 - new colours, slightly different lights and grill, new interior door panels, new seats, new gearbox and a light interior refresh, then in 2001 they changed the dials a bit and made the steering wheel different.
Why can't they just do that now?! Ok, make the SL edgier - more traangular lights in the rear or a bigger star emblem, and a light interior re-do...but this mish mash doesn't work!


jt716jt716 - 2/1/2008 9:05:50 PMView My AgentSpace
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I am just wondering what is happening with Mercedes. I loved how they were just classic and luxurious, but now it just seems that they are trying too hard to be like BMW. The C is very controversial, the S they got right, the CL was okay, and they just screwed up here. We have to wait for the E and see how it looks. The GLK is one of the most awkward looking vehicles by the way. I just miss the classic Benz look. This new grill from the CLS isnt doing much. Deboost me all you want, but its my opinion.

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rnsazarnsaza - 2/11/2008 1:03:45 PM
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"What the front end should have been..." agreed

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