TT vs. SL55
03-10-2003, 11:39 PM
#16
Burning Brakes
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Just happened to visit BRABUS today and they claim with their mods to an SL 55 (pulley, modified intercooler and ECU) 0-60 in 3.9. Road and track should be doing a test soon.
Given the option of a 996tt tip or an SL55, I choose the SL. Already have a TT that will do sub 1:30s at Willow Springs.
I don't think that the SL will hold a candle to a 996tt on road course, but you better be in the right gear from a roll on the street.
Given the option of a 996tt tip or an SL55, I choose the SL. Already have a TT that will do sub 1:30s at Willow Springs.
I don't think that the SL will hold a candle to a 996tt on road course, but you better be in the right gear from a roll on the street.
03-11-2003, 01:55 AM
#17
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Just another data point---> Automobile magazine (Jul 2002) tested the SL55, 575M, Murcielago and Tip 996 Turbo.
The Tip Turbo was 0.5 sec faster than the SL55 to 60 mph (4.1 vs. 4.6) and 0.5 sec faster to 100 mph (9.5 vs. 10.0).
The 0-150 run was a different story though with the SL55 0.6 sec. faster (22.6 vs. 23.2). As a note, on a different day/test a 6-speed Turbo ran 0-150 mph in 21.6 sec.
If a driver likes the push in the seat that high longitudinal acceleration brings, the Automobile test above included peak acceleration g for the tested cars. The Tip Turbo had the highest at 0.90g. The SL55 was 0.68g.
The Tip Turbo was 0.5 sec faster than the SL55 to 60 mph (4.1 vs. 4.6) and 0.5 sec faster to 100 mph (9.5 vs. 10.0).
The 0-150 run was a different story though with the SL55 0.6 sec. faster (22.6 vs. 23.2). As a note, on a different day/test a 6-speed Turbo ran 0-150 mph in 21.6 sec.
If a driver likes the push in the seat that high longitudinal acceleration brings, the Automobile test above included peak acceleration g for the tested cars. The Tip Turbo had the highest at 0.90g. The SL55 was 0.68g.
03-11-2003, 03:06 AM
#18
It's just the parasitic drag that the 996TTs all-wheel-drive system runs into above 150mph. In my humble opinion, when are you driving at those speeds that you would compromise buying a more real-world sports car like the 996 over some german hotrod that can basically only haul *** in a straight line? Don't get me wrong, I've ridden in an SL55 and I'm amazed at how much of a badass car it is (it comes with its own phone for crissakes!), I just don't think it's Porsche turbo caliber.
03-11-2003, 03:44 AM
#19
Burning Brakes
It has the power to run 208 mph, but there aren't any tires rated for that speed in the sizes it needs:
<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2002/march/200203_preview_mercedes.xml?keywords=sl55" target="_blank">http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2002/march/200203_preview_mercedes.xml?keywords=sl55</a>
Car and Driver tested it last year: "0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds, 0 to 100 in 10.9, the quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat at 110 mph". So, not as fast as a 996tt in the quarter, but still a good performance bargain for a Benz.
<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2002/november/0211_roadtest_sl55.xml?keywords=sl55" target="_blank">http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2002/november/0211_roadtest_sl55.xml?keywords=sl55</a>
<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2002/march/200203_preview_mercedes.xml?keywords=sl55" target="_blank">http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/previews/2002/march/200203_preview_mercedes.xml?keywords=sl55</a>
Car and Driver tested it last year: "0 to 60 in 4.5 seconds, 0 to 100 in 10.9, the quarter-mile in 13 seconds flat at 110 mph". So, not as fast as a 996tt in the quarter, but still a good performance bargain for a Benz.
<a href="http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2002/november/0211_roadtest_sl55.xml?keywords=sl55" target="_blank">http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/roadtests/2002/november/0211_roadtest_sl55.xml?keywords=sl55</a>
03-11-2003, 01:52 PM
#20
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I dunno if I would call the SL 55 a performance bargain. Here used ones are still fetching above sticker. Dealers are advertising specials for $139K.
Of course a few months ago, they were $199K, so there has been a drop.
The SL is a very nice and sexy looking cruiser. The car will probably attract a lot of chicks too. The problem is a lot of chicks are already starting to drive it.
The SL 55 is very much a high speed autobahn cruiser, and it does it very well. Tuning options will be pretty good, as everyone from Renntech to Kleemann to Brabus is working on a 600+ hp package.
But the same Mercedes problems remain-- dead steering, dead suspension... Active Body Control only makes it worse!
Of course a few months ago, they were $199K, so there has been a drop.
The SL is a very nice and sexy looking cruiser. The car will probably attract a lot of chicks too. The problem is a lot of chicks are already starting to drive it.
The SL 55 is very much a high speed autobahn cruiser, and it does it very well. Tuning options will be pretty good, as everyone from Renntech to Kleemann to Brabus is working on a 600+ hp package.
But the same Mercedes problems remain-- dead steering, dead suspension... Active Body Control only makes it worse!
03-11-2003, 11:57 PM
#21
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I love AMG MBs- I own one (E55). However, comparing ANY, repeat ANY AMG MB to a Porsche is apples to oranges.
The AMG MB is by far the best comfortable high-speed highway gobbler that money can buy. The Porsche has the speed and has agility unmatched except by maybe the 360 and Z06. The best compromise with great handling/ great speed is the M5 (less comfort and less torque than the MB). When we road trip through rural Texas, nothing beats the Benz for cruising comfortably at 120-140mph.
The AMG MB is by far the best comfortable high-speed highway gobbler that money can buy. The Porsche has the speed and has agility unmatched except by maybe the 360 and Z06. The best compromise with great handling/ great speed is the M5 (less comfort and less torque than the MB). When we road trip through rural Texas, nothing beats the Benz for cruising comfortably at 120-140mph.
03-12-2003, 03:39 AM
#22
Burning Brakes
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Originally posted by Hamann7:
<strong>I dunno if I would call the SL 55 a performance bargain. Here used ones are still fetching above sticker. Dealers are advertising specials for $139K.
Of course a few months ago, they were $199K, so there has been a drop.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Okay, I hadn't kept up on the open market. The only guy I know that has one got it for sticker, but he's real tight with his dealer because of all the other cars he's bought from them.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><strong>The SL 55 is very much a high speed autobahn cruiser, and it does it very well. Tuning options will be pretty good, as everyone from Renntech to Kleemann to Brabus is working on a 600+ hp package.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That's crazy. The thing has enough power to run over 200 mph right off the showroom floor.
<strong>I dunno if I would call the SL 55 a performance bargain. Here used ones are still fetching above sticker. Dealers are advertising specials for $139K.
Of course a few months ago, they were $199K, so there has been a drop.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">Okay, I hadn't kept up on the open market. The only guy I know that has one got it for sticker, but he's real tight with his dealer because of all the other cars he's bought from them.
</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica"><strong>The SL 55 is very much a high speed autobahn cruiser, and it does it very well. Tuning options will be pretty good, as everyone from Renntech to Kleemann to Brabus is working on a 600+ hp package.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana,Tahoma,Helvetica">That's crazy. The thing has enough power to run over 200 mph right off the showroom floor.
03-13-2003, 07:42 AM
#24
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ZAMIRZ wrote:
It's just the parasitic drag that the 996TTs all-wheel-drive system runs into above 150mph.
The latest 911 four wheel drive systems sap very little performance - compare the standing km acceleration times for a 996 C2 and a 996 C4 - hardly any difference (and don't forget the C4 is heavier)
The SL55 on the Nardo shootout was faster than any subsequent test 100-200kph in 9 seconds -in rude health !
Ask your physics teacher about drag increasing to the square of speed - 996tt cd = 0.34 MBSL55 cd = 0.29
Keep going to those lessons
ZAMIRZ wrote:
when are you driving at those speeds that you would compromise buying a more real-world sports car like the 996 over some german hotrod that can basically only haul *** in a straight line?
When you are a bit older and get to travel in Europe, you will have the pleasure of seeing Mercedes Benz's of all types cruising at 130+ mph on the Autobahn - even the 2.2 liter oil burners - MBs are designed to be safe at these speeds because this is what they do on a daily basis -pre the 996 series 911 which car do you think is more stable and easier to drive on the Autobahn at 150mph, a 993tt or an E55 ?
It's just the parasitic drag that the 996TTs all-wheel-drive system runs into above 150mph.
The latest 911 four wheel drive systems sap very little performance - compare the standing km acceleration times for a 996 C2 and a 996 C4 - hardly any difference (and don't forget the C4 is heavier)
The SL55 on the Nardo shootout was faster than any subsequent test 100-200kph in 9 seconds -in rude health !
Ask your physics teacher about drag increasing to the square of speed - 996tt cd = 0.34 MBSL55 cd = 0.29
Keep going to those lessons
ZAMIRZ wrote:
when are you driving at those speeds that you would compromise buying a more real-world sports car like the 996 over some german hotrod that can basically only haul *** in a straight line?
When you are a bit older and get to travel in Europe, you will have the pleasure of seeing Mercedes Benz's of all types cruising at 130+ mph on the Autobahn - even the 2.2 liter oil burners - MBs are designed to be safe at these speeds because this is what they do on a daily basis -pre the 996 series 911 which car do you think is more stable and easier to drive on the Autobahn at 150mph, a 993tt or an E55 ?
