The slider looks like an add, because each image is completely different. (different fonts, colors, etc.) You need to have each one be a smooth transition, and I'd stick with the same font for each, same layout for each. I think I'd make the slider also take up the whole width, and just add a thick border around it, if you don't want it too big. It needs to feel like the focal point, not an ad. Also, if you do end up making the site less wide, like the first one, you probably wouldn't have to re-size your images too much.
The first one is cleaner, but I like your new nav bar a lot. I'm not an expert yet, but that's just my 2 cents!