The British Motor Show is back and claimed to be a "live" event, but is it really true? JAMES BAGGOTT headed to Birmingham's NEC to find out what all the fuss is about.

THE British Motor Show is back after a two-year break, but in 2004 car lovers will have to really pay for the privilege of seeing the new machines in the metal.

It is with great regret that I have to report that, after months of hype and pre-show propaganda, the "all-new" Sunday Times Motor Show Live fails to live up to expectations, and is a costly experience too.

From the time you leave your motor in the £8.50-a-day car parks - which have shot up £2.50 since the Bike Show in November - to the moment you fork out £5 for a soggy baguette, you'll swear (probably quite literally) that you've been robbed.

Don't get me wrong, it's not all bad. There are some fantastic cars to see but, after shelling out £16 for a ticket, a tank of fuel to get you there and paying for an extortionate lunch, you'll be left in no doubt this year's show is priced for the well-heeled.

The real reason for heading to Birmingham is the cars. More specifically, the supercars. And if you're a dedicated fan, you'll be beating a path to Brum no matter what the cost.

There's not much in the way of all-new exotica, but fans of the £320,000 Le Mans racer-inspired Porsche Carrera GT and the all-new Ferrari 612 Scaglietti won't be disappointed.

Also on the Prancing Horse stand is the firm's, now ageing, 575, and the achingly-beautiful 360 Challenge Stradle, in menacing black.

If you do decide to shell out on a trip to the airport-like NEC, make sure you beat a path to the Mercedes SLR stand to see the McLaren-developed autobahn-slayer (pictured above).

You can peer at the 5.4-litre super-charged V8 engine and wonder just how the Formula 1 experts managed to squeeze 626bhp and 780Nm of torque out of the lump!

Motoring superpower Ford has taken over a whole hall with its brands, and fans of the Thunderbirds series will love it.

It's filled with machines from the forthcoming movie - there's even a replica FAB 1.

This pink monstrosity is certainly worth a look, not least because it's the only time you'll ever see what was originally a Rolls Royce sporting a Ford badge!

While you're in the mighty fourth hall, also take a peek at the Ford RS concept. The car is based on the current Fiesta and if Blue Oval execs don't sign it off for production, they deserve to go bust.

Talking of Rolls Royces, wander over to the firm's stand to see the huge £250,000 Phantom and marvel at its sheer girth.

It is also worth taking in the luxurious interiors of the rival £281,380 Mercedes Maybach, one of which, Mr Pop Idol himself, Simon Cowell, has just bought.

The other stands worth a mention are the Aston Martin, with its new DB9 and stunning £175,000 Vanquish, while Farboud offer the chance to take in Britain's latest supercar - the Farboud GTS (£78K and nought to 60mph in 3.6secs).

If supercars are out of your budget it's worth taking in SEAT's new Altea, the Vauxhall Tigra, complete with folding roof, and Renault's Modus mini-MPV.

But that's about it. The rest of the stands, I'd argue, are full of everyday machines.

Sure, if you want to jump in them all and test out the seats, you can, but you could probably do the same at any dealership and not get charged a fortune for the pleasure.

Much fuss has been made over the "live" aspect of this year's show. True, there is the chance to drive some off-roaders and some other machines from a select band of manufacturers, but you have to wait hours in long queues to do it.

There is also a "Live Action Arena", which, unsurprisingly, costs £7.50 to enter.

From what I could see on the big screens outside the arena, it was all one big advert for the makers that supplied the cars. I can watch those on TV for free, thanks very much!

The only live entertainment worth seeing - and yes, although you have to queue, it is worth it, and costs nothing - is the MINI Open Air Theatre.

Basically a 15-minute advert for the new convertible MINI Open, you get legendary stunt driver Russ Swift putting the feisty machines through their paces.

It's a melee of handbrake turns, two-wheel driving and screeching tyres, and is topped off with Russ jumping a MINI convertible 22ft through the air.

Sadly, it's a relatively small highlight in what was quite a disappointing day. Sure, you get to see some awesome cars, but I couldn't help feeling a little ripped off.

With the taxman, speed cameras and fuel prices all squeezing every last drop of cash out of motorists, it's a shame it feels like the British Motor Show is now doing the same.

The show runs until Sunday. Tickets cost £16 (concs £9) on the door.