Great review. I just got mine this week and body wise, I love that Carrera has made this car. But yeah, mechanically, it leaves a lot to be desired; even by Carrera standards. I'm wondering if they've changed the tyre compound to finally get over the "melting-goop-thing" that other Carrera tyres do, but time will tell. And that wheel setup... they've taken it to another level this time! Still, I absolutely love it though. It will be getting treated to a replacement aftermarket chassis in the future for sure
Thanks Harry. I've been looking forward to the Merc but a bit disappointed with the chassis design. Look forward to seeing what you come up with to improve it. Cheers!
WTH was Carrera thinking on the rear wheels? Being a cheapo I would get some pin stripping tape of the proper width and wind it around the inner rib until it matches (as close as possible) the ID and then use Sally Hansen clear nail polish to "glue" up the Paul Gage tire. And before that I would check the middle rib for "roundness" and spin it on your truer as needed. Glue and true the tire. Its been a while since I attacked the front stub axles, but your use of a notched shim/washer is the best way. My memory on popping off the front wheel from the stub axle is that there is a raised ring at the end that snaps into the plastic wheel and it was very hard to get it off. So if the wheel isn't round, ya gotta live with it. But definitely attack the rear setup and true them up
Thank you for the excellent review Harry! I got the car also, but haven't dug into it yet. Now I know this is a "toy" grade of slot car, but the wheel design is a bit baffling on this one, disappointing compared to most other Carrera cars. I agree with you about Carrera stock tires, to me they are the worst stock rubber tires of any slot car, way too hard. But still a very nice looking car and certainly not bad for the price.
No it's not just you or being picky. Thanks for the information on the car. Have got both the red car and yellow car on order , but some delays lately where I am. Also where I am a RevoSlot or NSR is not that much more expensive and much less frustrating.
I am in total agreement with wheel quality problems, there is just no need for the issues I have seen with my brand new cars, these are injection moulded parts that should be perfect out the tool,
If that is the goal, it can be done with a tire that works/provides grip. And I have plenty of Carrera models with original rubber that are many years old. ALL brands get harder and decrease over many years, depending on storage methods.
These are toy grade cars ,not racers for 100 foot wooden track. I'm sure that 3dp chassis will be available. Accuracy of shape and sharp lines is waaaay better than the slotified brands because it's not a racer. The Spa 24 hours in its touring cars period is fast becoming popular, the Belga Capri mk 3 coming from Scalextric this year, a Castrol CS 2800 Beemer from SRC later this year. An excellent choice from Carrera,there's probably a couple more coming next year I'd guess, the Silver car from Paul Ricard and the yellow car from Le Man's tests.
Oh my God, Carrera has reached a new low with their terrible designs, lack of quality control etc! I thought mine was a made on Friday or Monday problem but apparently it's all of them, then theirs the rock hard tires. Tanks for the great review as usual and looking forward to how you fix Carrera's blunders!
There's 0 problem with my red pig, no QC problem. It works just like carrera built it to work. Its not a car meant to go fast. Fixing it all up to make it go faster? Is literally putting lipstick on a pig. Im sure just like you, I have other cars to make faster.
It`s a shame that they fail so much in the wheel and tire selection . Those big notches in the center rib of the wheel are un called for and make the cars noisy and the sloppy front wheels remind me of the Cheetah ...
Interesting rear wheels they have come up with
Great review. I just got mine this week and body wise, I love that Carrera has made this car. But yeah, mechanically, it leaves a lot to be desired; even by Carrera standards. I'm wondering if they've changed the tyre compound to finally get over the "melting-goop-thing" that other Carrera tyres do, but time will tell. And that wheel setup... they've taken it to another level this time! Still, I absolutely love it though. It will be getting treated to a replacement aftermarket chassis in the future for sure
Just received mine for LEB a few days ago!
Thanks Harry. I've been looking forward to the Merc but a bit disappointed with the chassis design. Look forward to seeing what you come up with to improve it. Cheers!
WTH was Carrera thinking on the rear wheels? Being a cheapo I would get some pin stripping tape of the proper width and wind it around the inner rib until it matches (as close as possible) the ID and then use Sally Hansen clear nail polish to "glue" up the Paul Gage tire. And before that I would check the middle rib for "roundness" and spin it on your truer as needed. Glue and true the tire. Its been a while since I attacked the front stub axles, but your use of a notched shim/washer is the best way. My memory on popping off the front wheel from the stub axle is that there is a raised ring at the end that snaps into the plastic wheel and it was very hard to get it off. So if the wheel isn't round, ya gotta live with it. But definitely attack the rear setup and true them up
Thank you for the excellent review Harry! I got the car also, but haven't dug into it yet. Now I know this is a "toy" grade of slot car, but the wheel design is a bit baffling on this one, disappointing compared to most other Carrera cars. I agree with you about Carrera stock tires, to me they are the worst stock rubber tires of any slot car, way too hard. But still a very nice looking car and certainly not bad for the price.
Looks like a good deal and still worth adding improvements to.
Thank you for an outstanding review of this beautiful car!
No it's not just you or being picky.
Thanks for the information on the car.
Have got both the red car and yellow car on order , but some delays lately where I am.
Also where I am a RevoSlot or NSR is not that much more expensive and much less frustrating.
WOW, what...a...car!
Great car!!!
I am in total agreement with wheel quality problems, there is just no need for the issues I have seen with my brand new cars, these are injection moulded parts that should be perfect out the tool,
How do you get the front wheel off to shim the front axle?
I didn't. I cut a notch in the plastic shim and snapped it on.
Perhaps the new tyre compound will last longer & not melt/disintegrate as they get older like their normal compound.
If that is the goal, it can be done with a tire that works/provides grip. And I have plenty of Carrera models with original rubber that are many years old. ALL brands get harder and decrease over many years, depending on storage methods.
nice one
These are toy grade cars ,not racers for 100 foot wooden track. I'm sure that 3dp chassis will be available.
Accuracy of shape and sharp lines is waaaay better than the slotified brands because it's not a racer.
The Spa 24 hours in its touring cars period is fast becoming popular, the Belga Capri mk 3 coming from Scalextric this year, a Castrol CS 2800 Beemer from SRC later this year.
An excellent choice from Carrera,there's probably a couple more coming next year I'd guess, the Silver car from Paul Ricard and the yellow car from Le Man's tests.
Exactly, the Red Pig is a historic car, and nicely detailed. Wooden track means a whole nuther brand of car, lots of them are made.
Dear God.. why Carrera... why do wheels like this?
I know right?! And that's coming from a guy who generally likes Carrera 🙀 but those tire crimes!🤠✌️
Oh my God, Carrera has reached a new low with their terrible designs, lack of quality control etc! I thought mine was a made on Friday or Monday problem but apparently it's all of them, then theirs the rock hard tires. Tanks for the great review as usual and looking forward to how you fix Carrera's blunders!
There's 0 problem with my red pig, no QC problem. It works just like carrera built it to work.
Its not a car meant to go fast. Fixing it all up to make it go faster? Is literally putting lipstick on a pig.
Im sure just like you, I have other cars to make faster.
It`s a shame that they fail so much in the wheel and tire selection . Those big notches in the center rib of the wheel are un called for and make the cars noisy and the sloppy front wheels remind me of the Cheetah ...
It's the Scalextric Javelin all over again...There's several good documentarys about this car and the birth of AMG here on TH-cam,BTW.