In Terms Of DESIGN, WHO Did It Better? The Mercedes-Benz 300SL OR SLS AMG?

When it comes to design, it is a very subjective thing. We all know this. But, every once and a while there's a product that's so good or bad, there's a systemic reaction. Take, for example, the Pontiac Aztek.

Even a blind person can see that vehicle is atrociously designed.

Here's where we get a bit interesting in our brief discussion. Recently photographed together were a vintage Mercedes-Benz 300SL and the modern equivalent, the SLS AMG.

There's no doubt that both vehicles have an allure to them, and systemically, people react. But, we want to know WHICH DESIGN is better? The vintage 300SL or the modern day SLS AMG?

I think it boils down to whether you prefer a more IN YOUR FACE look or a more subdued and sensual design. Looking at the rounded lines of the 300SL, it's pretty easy to fall in love with its look. The SLS AMG, on the other hand, is a bit more aggressive and brute-ish.

I wonder what a factory worker on the 300SL's assembly line would think of the SLS AMG...

So, what do YOU think? WHO did it BETTER? The 300SL or the SLS AMG?

**Make sure to see the FULL gallery of images by clicking "Read Article" below!

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benzforlife - 11/1/2014 1:07:07 AM

+1 Boost

the oldtimer is creative looking, the SLS is a product of lazy and too confident designers.

It's sad but today Benz has lazy designers who refuse to work on details, the details that always made Benz stand out from the rest of the world, but today they are blending in by watering down the designs.

For example W108/109, W116 and W126 VS W140 and all the way today, they look more ridiculous with every model.

The other 3 were near perfect executions, normal size from outside and very roomy inside, something Detroit was never able to do.

But W140 was too big, heavy and no details on the sides,

W220 had the doors wrapped up to the roof like all other cars and cost-cutting was screaming out loud

W221 looked like a dragon, bubbled out wheel arches were so hideous that they dumped that idea and never used it on any model ever.

W222 looks confused, especially the back, it's so fucked up and doesn't look finished

Also today's SL and up-coming SLS replacement, they both look terrible, unfinished, not good enough for the price and the name they carry

Vorana - 11/1/2014 6:17:03 AM

+1 Boost

benzforlife, - you pretty much nailed it.
After the W126, things got weird.
I prefer the richness of the older cars.
The cars do grow on me over time though, but there is always a few little details that makes me wonder, how on earth was this overlooked? The current model has these ugly crease on the side and yes, I dont like the steering wheel look. Nver mind the new CLA stuff..! Or the old ML 320...puke..!

MDarringer - 11/1/2014 9:59:18 AM

-2 Boost

The old one is sublime the new one is for rappers, ballers, and inner city pimps. The same is true about the 450SEL 6.9 versus the current S Class.

Car4Life - 11/1/2014 11:39:24 AM

+3 Boost

Lol wow, I'm sure Jay Leno, Donald Trump, Tim Cook, and Kaley Cuoco(Big Bang Theory Star) would beg to differ as they are all owners of the SLS.

Btw, I'm concerned about this group of rappers, ballets, and pimps you seem to always single out. It seems as if you are uncovering a deep insecurity within yourself. Does it bother you that those rappers and ballers beat the odds stacked against them and make more in a month than you would in let's say a year or 2, and match their lofty lifestyles with formidable charitable organizations and initiatives that make you question why you have so much time to hide behind your computer/mobile device and single them out often on a blog...Get a life sir.

P930 - 11/1/2014 10:47:48 AM

+1 Boost

I must agree with the previous comments. The original 300SL in both Gull Wing and Roadster versions is one of the most beautiful and iconic post WWII designs, right up there with the Jaguar E-type and Ferrari GTO. The design of the SLS, in my opinion, is not cohesive from the front to the rear as if they were designed by two people. Furthermore, after a close inspection, I thought all of the trim pieces looked cheap and tacked onto the SLS, almost as an afterthought.

benzforlife - 11/1/2014 12:35:31 PM

+1 Boost

I also forgot to mention that the SLS was not originally for Benz, that was a Dodge Viper design, when for some fucked-up reason or another Benz lowered themselves to shit level and merged with shit producer Chrysler, they brought in some weird unexpected changes and that design was tweaked here and there and became Benz SLS.

What's more sad is that the replacement is purely designed by Benz without anyone else's interruption and it looks terrible.

Why is the back of that car resembling Porcshe??? Why are the taillights of the new S-coupe copied from Audi??? is that the best they can do to design taillights??? Is designing taillights has become a huge dilemma at Benz design studios???

New and past C, GLK, the new GLA, CLS, ML, S, outgoing CL, new S-coupe and the SL, they all have fucked up taillights.

The taillights on GL looks good, that tells you if they want to they can do a good job, the GL is a perfection in very corner and it outsells the competition by 3-folds easily, great design, great car and everyone I've asked who owns one, they all had the nicest things to say about the GL, which means all those slow sellers who think they are a competition such as Toyota/Lexus Land Cruiser/LX, Range Rover, Audi Q7, Navigator, Escalade can all go and fuck themselves, GL is the king.

This why my 1990 black on black W126 560SEL still gets complements, 35 years after that model/design was first introduced to the world and it also carried lots of design cues from 1972-1980 W116. So the base of that design is actually 43 years old

Good things never die or get forgotten