Swapped cars with a neighbor for a quick drive today and was really kind of impressed by his SL 550. It's reasonably quick, corners well, the brakes are not bad, and it's pretty refined. It had the sports package so paddle shifters and I think a stiffer setting on the ABC suspension. Biggest let down is the steering though - too numb after a 911.

Anyone here try one or the SL 55 AMG? Curious.

 

new for 07'?

 

The Sl550 is new for 07. It replaces the Sl500. Not to be confused with the AMG 55 which has a supercharged V8 and is in the same league as the 911 performance wise.

The base SL500 is a beautiful boulevard cruiser, nicely appointed, very luxurious but a different animal than the 911.

 

The new SL550 has almost 400hp and 400lb ft of trq, both a big step up from the 06 Sl500 306 hp and 339 trq. The car also has a 7 speed auot box and as mentioned above now with paddles. The 911 and Sl are kind of apples and oranges comps, but the Sl has that amazing looking and functioning folding hard top.

 

Yes but did MB ever fix that amazing but leak prone hardtop on the SL?

 

Hell, the SL550 is not even close to the base Carrera in terms of driving the two. Plus the Carrera is lugging around those superfluous rear seats ... : )

But yes, the current SL is a gorgeous and luxurious GT. It's heavy on electronics and laden with seemingly insignificant features (you know, the variable, programmable timed fade for the cup-holder illumination based on GMT and humidity ...) but when the blower grits its teeth, the SL55 is a lot of fun.

The SL badge might have it on the Carrera for "wealthy toy" cachet -- arguably -- but I'd still rather a 997 and the 997 has that "I just signed up for a track day this weekend" potential.

 

Yes begining with mid 04's although some 03's never had this problem. The car is pretty much as good as it gets right now and as I mentioned previously 911's to Sl's are apples-oranges, but since Porsche stopped making the 928 it's the next best thing...kind of.

 

gotcha, thanks
and the new amg version is known as the SL63 now.

 

Yeah they keep putting bigger and bigger engines in their cars. MB's approach to performance is to put the biggest sucker they can in there and when that's not enough supercharge or turbocharge it. Not exactly a model of refinement although their 600 series engines are awsome. Few manufacturers can make a good 12 cylinder engine nowadays. Ask BMW.

 

My E55 owes me nothing, I love the car, never an ounce of trouble and darn quick for a 4 door with that much comfort. It will never be a P-Car, but it was never intended to be.

 

boolala so true, they seem to be doing what american cars were doing in the 60's...

 

I came very close to buying that car because of the big jump in power.

 

The SL500 will have lack road feel in the steering because the typical driver of this type of car doesn't want to feel the road. However, move to the SL55 and you will notice a significant tighter steering and suspension. All AMG models are sent to a different factory where the engines are hand built and the suspension is different. The suspension parts are thicker (capable of withstanding more torque), the engine larger (bored & honed), the exhaust big and throaty. The only thing they share is the face. I love them both, but they are so different to the Porsche. The SL55 is probably the most incredible convertible on the road. I love my Porsche, but drive one of the SL55's and you will be a believer, too.

 

Well said. I'm seriously looking at an 05 CL55 since I just sold my 99 996. Not a P-car but not suppose to be. Something about 500 hp makes me smile. Sounds like a perfect daily driver for me. I've had several AMG's and have been very happy w/ every one of them.

 

I drove an SL55 for a 45 min extremely spirited drive ... highways and side roads. The SL55 (w/SC) was a beast off the line; the rear tires struggled to put down the power. That is a car that needs a LSD for sure! The MB traction assist would let the car yaw to the left about 25 degrees before clamping on the brakes. Eventually the sled would take off like a rocket. The drive on the highway was a bit too firm. My 997 C4S rides better on the highway on the regular setting. The big thing about that car was the cruising power. On the highway it just felt like a 996 TT. Push the pedal and you are instantly catapulted to your next desired speed. Pure magic.