SL600 VS E55 AMG...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,856
Likes: 4
02 C32 AMG
to start with, yes. SL600 would have major traction issues from a dig and the E55 isnt exactly slow. But as time progresses and the race goes on, the TTV12 will pull away (by how much, idk). This is obviously assuming everyone is stock and we are talking about the W211 E55 and newer body style SL600
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Morehead, KY USA
SLK55 AMG, E320 BlueTec, ML350, (formerly) C32 AMG, MR2 Turbo, HD-FLH-FSE, BMW R100RS, Ducati M900
SL600
Are you talking about the normally aspirated SL600? or the Twin Turbo SL65? or a turbo version of the SL600? I am not sure which car is in question.
I drove a 1998 SL600 which does not have the turbochargers. It was quick and smooth but my old C36 would spank it and a E55 was spank it hard. Now a SL65 or even a later turbo model of the SL600 would be another story. Your question asked if the SL600 could keep up with the E55 AMG? I guess the answer depends on which model we compare to and if the E55 owner has a pulley system? lol
Turbo cars are very fast and can potentially be real killers. The OP's siggy has TT at the end so, I would assume that his SL is one of the newer twin turbo models (2004 right?). If so, then he has a good chance vs the E55. The 5th gen SL's (2003 to 2008) have about 500 hp in the V12 model and are pretty quick. Just beware, the AMG horses are larger than regular MB ponies. AMG only uses big Bavarian steroid eating monsters, with large hairy hoves which shake the ground when they walk. They have large stainless steel and titainium balz that strike sparks when they drag the pavement, and they bite when you get too close, lol
They can be formidible opponents 
Irish
I drove a 1998 SL600 which does not have the turbochargers. It was quick and smooth but my old C36 would spank it and a E55 was spank it hard. Now a SL65 or even a later turbo model of the SL600 would be another story. Your question asked if the SL600 could keep up with the E55 AMG? I guess the answer depends on which model we compare to and if the E55 owner has a pulley system? lol
Turbo cars are very fast and can potentially be real killers. The OP's siggy has TT at the end so, I would assume that his SL is one of the newer twin turbo models (2004 right?). If so, then he has a good chance vs the E55. The 5th gen SL's (2003 to 2008) have about 500 hp in the V12 model and are pretty quick. Just beware, the AMG horses are larger than regular MB ponies. AMG only uses big Bavarian steroid eating monsters, with large hairy hoves which shake the ground when they walk. They have large stainless steel and titainium balz that strike sparks when they drag the pavement, and they bite when you get too close, lol
They can be formidible opponents Irish
Last edited by JG26_Irish; Apr 1, 2009 at 03:40 PM. Reason: typo
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: P'cola, FL
'03 E55
I stumbled into a chance highway run with one of our forum members a few years ago. His CL600 with ECU tune vs. my stock E55 from roughly a 70 MPH roll. He ran away from me very easily. Stock 600 should walk a stock 55, with it getting uglier as the speeds climb.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
7 Craziest Things AMG Gas Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 0
CLS55 AMG
I looked into the SL600 vs SL55 some time back on the SL forum, and what I found was this:
To me they're quite close, given that the SL55 is a bit heavier and thus the E55 should be a tad bit quicker than the SL55....I'd also think the E55's better Cd (if memory serves me, it's got a better one anyway! 
) and lower gearing would help to mitigate the V12's torque advantage up high.
But hey, you can always chip that TT V12 and you won't have too many worries about that sort of thing!
Here's all of the road test data I could find for the two cars on Einszweidrei:
SL55 tested in ams, 8/2002:
0 - 80 km/h 3,1 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,4 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,8 s
0 - 140 km/h 7,3 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,4 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,8 s
0 - 200 km/h 14,1 s
SL55 tested in Sport Auto, 4/2002:
0 - 80 km/h 3,1 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,3 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,6 s
0 - 130 km/h - s
0 - 140 km/h 7,1 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,4 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,2 s
0 - 200 km/h 13,8 s
SL55 tested in Sport Auto, 4/2003:
0 - 80 km/h 3,4 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,6 s
0 - 120 km/h 6,0 s
0 - 140 km/h 7,8 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,8 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,9 s
0 - 200 km/h 14,3 s
SL55 tested in sport auto 06/2006:
0 - 80 km/h 3,5 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,7 s
0 - 120 km/h 6,2 s
0 - 130 km/h - s
0 - 140 km/h 8,1 s
0 - 160 km/h 10,3 s
0 - 180 km/h 12,8 s
0 - 200 km/h 15,6 s
SL600 tested in Sport Auto, 4/2003:
0 - 80 km/h 3,5 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,6 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,9 s
0 - 140 km/h 7,6 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,2 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,4 s
0 - 200 km/h 13,9 s
SL600 tested in Autobild, 2003:
0 - 100 km/h 4,6 s
0 - 200 km/h 14,1 s
SL600 tested in ams, 8/2003:
0 - 80 km/h 3,0 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,1 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,4 s
0 - 130 km/h 6,2 s
0 - 140 km/h 6,9 s
0 - 160 km/h 8,9 s
0 - 180 km/h 10,8 s
0 - 200 km/h 13,5 s
With the exception of the last SL55 which must have had traction issues or a weak motor, cars are pretty tight, with the edge going to the SL600s. I'd estimate that the SL600 is probably putting out around 25-30 hp more stock from the numbers I've seen.
Of course, when you start talking potential hp modded, the turbo car always gets the nod! Chip those SL600s and all bets are off! 
SL55 tested in ams, 8/2002:
0 - 80 km/h 3,1 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,4 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,8 s
0 - 140 km/h 7,3 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,4 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,8 s
0 - 200 km/h 14,1 s
SL55 tested in Sport Auto, 4/2002:
0 - 80 km/h 3,1 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,3 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,6 s
0 - 130 km/h - s
0 - 140 km/h 7,1 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,4 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,2 s
0 - 200 km/h 13,8 s
SL55 tested in Sport Auto, 4/2003:
0 - 80 km/h 3,4 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,6 s
0 - 120 km/h 6,0 s
0 - 140 km/h 7,8 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,8 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,9 s
0 - 200 km/h 14,3 s
SL55 tested in sport auto 06/2006:
0 - 80 km/h 3,5 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,7 s
0 - 120 km/h 6,2 s
0 - 130 km/h - s
0 - 140 km/h 8,1 s
0 - 160 km/h 10,3 s
0 - 180 km/h 12,8 s
0 - 200 km/h 15,6 s
SL600 tested in Sport Auto, 4/2003:
0 - 80 km/h 3,5 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,6 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,9 s
0 - 140 km/h 7,6 s
0 - 160 km/h 9,2 s
0 - 180 km/h 11,4 s
0 - 200 km/h 13,9 s
SL600 tested in Autobild, 2003:
0 - 100 km/h 4,6 s
0 - 200 km/h 14,1 s
SL600 tested in ams, 8/2003:
0 - 80 km/h 3,0 s
0 - 100 km/h 4,1 s
0 - 120 km/h 5,4 s
0 - 130 km/h 6,2 s
0 - 140 km/h 6,9 s
0 - 160 km/h 8,9 s
0 - 180 km/h 10,8 s
0 - 200 km/h 13,5 s
With the exception of the last SL55 which must have had traction issues or a weak motor, cars are pretty tight, with the edge going to the SL600s. I'd estimate that the SL600 is probably putting out around 25-30 hp more stock from the numbers I've seen.
Of course, when you start talking potential hp modded, the turbo car always gets the nod!
Chip those SL600s and all bets are off! ) and lower gearing would help to mitigate the V12's torque advantage up high. But hey, you can always chip that TT V12 and you won't have too many worries about that sort of thing!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 53
From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
I looked into the SL600 vs SL55 some time back on the SL forum, and what I found was this:
To me they're quite close, given that the SL55 is a bit heavier and thus the E55 should be a tad bit quicker than the SL55....I'd also think the E55's better Cd (if memory serves me, it's got a better one anyway! ) and lower gearing would help to mitigate the V12's torque advantage up high.
But hey, you can always chip that TT V12 and you won't have too many worries about that sort of thing!
To me they're quite close, given that the SL55 is a bit heavier and thus the E55 should be a tad bit quicker than the SL55....I'd also think the E55's better Cd (if memory serves me, it's got a better one anyway!
) and lower gearing would help to mitigate the V12's torque advantage up high. But hey, you can always chip that TT V12 and you won't have too many worries about that sort of thing!
Tom
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 0
CLS55 AMG
Oh, is it? I was going by memory, hold up, it was a Car & Driver article I think....yeah, found it:
Although, now that I think about it, this may not be correct...OK, more checking...geez louise, has anyone else here had the urge to track down the folks who designed mbusa's "new, improved" website and administer a severe beating???....OK, can't find it there anymore; anyone know where to find it??
Mercedes claims the SL600 will waft to 62 mph in 4.7 seconds, which equals its claim for the snarling SL55 AMG that we prodded to 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. That car's supercharged V-8 is just 74 cubic centimeters smaller and is rated at an equivalent 493 horsepower, but its torque is, ahem, "just" 516 pound-feet. If the gearing were the same, the 12 would clearly be quicker, but a taller axle ratio (2.65 versus 2.82 in the SL55 and SL500) guarantees dignified throttle response in the SL600 and leaves some bragging rights to the AMG.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,146
Likes: 1
From: L.A., CA
'08 M5, '10 Land Cruiser
I looked into the SL600 vs SL55 some time back on the SL forum, and what I found was this:
To me they're quite close, given that the SL55 is a bit heavier and thus the E55 should be a tad bit quicker than the SL55....I'd also think the E55's better Cd (if memory serves me, it's got a better one anyway! ) and lower gearing would help to mitigate the V12's torque advantage up high.
But hey, you can always chip that TT V12 and you won't have too many worries about that sort of thing!
To me they're quite close, given that the SL55 is a bit heavier and thus the E55 should be a tad bit quicker than the SL55....I'd also think the E55's better Cd (if memory serves me, it's got a better one anyway!
) and lower gearing would help to mitigate the V12's torque advantage up high. But hey, you can always chip that TT V12 and you won't have too many worries about that sort of thing!
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
SL600
Improviz... I see all your stats, and going by experience, I have to say the mag is full of ***** or they didn't properly test the two. When I was debating which SL to let go of, I ran both of them numerous times under different circumstances with different drivers, and the 600 always came out on top. Had the 55 been faster, I would of ended up keeping the AMG. I don't know, maybe my 600 just won so I can come on here and disagree with you and get pwn'd again 
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 0
CLS55 AMG
Improviz... I see all your stats, and going by experience, I have to say the mag is full of ***** or they didn't properly test the two. When I was debating which SL to let go of, I ran both of them numerous times under different circumstances with different drivers, and the 600 always came out on top. Had the 55 been faster, I would of ended up keeping the AMG. I don't know, maybe my 600 just won so I can come on here and disagree with you and get pwn'd again
As to the mags: that was actually three different mags, not just one...so I'm kind of doubtful that so many different publications could screw up so mightily in only one car.
Side by side racing is more error-prone than something like a V Box due to reaction time, etc...but if you look at the numbers, you see that up high, the SL600 is a bit faster to xxx speeds, but not hugely so. I ran the numbers in that same thread, and it would pull a car, maybe a bit more above 125 (which is as high as those numbers go, unfortunately, so I couldn't run the numbers to see)....figure if you took it all the way up it'd be out front, but hard to predict how far without some numbers. Still, based on numbers I've seen, it should be a tight race with an edge to the 600, as I already stated.
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
SL600
Actually, if you read what I wrote I said that my numbers put the 600 ahead in the comparison I did...but I haven't run one yet, and so I'm not going to declare one to be the unequivocal winner until I do.
As to the mags: that was actually three different mags, not just one...so I'm kind of doubtful that so many different publications could screw up so mightily in only one car.
Side by side racing is more error-prone than something like a V Box due to reaction time, etc...but if you look at the numbers, you see that up high, the SL600 is a bit faster to xxx speeds, but not hugely so. I ran the numbers in that same thread, and it would pull a car, maybe a bit more above 125 (which is as high as those numbers go, unfortunately, so I couldn't run the numbers to see)....figure if you took it all the way up it'd be out front, but hard to predict how far without some numbers. Still, based on numbers I've seen, it should be a tight race with an edge to the 600, as I already stated.
As to the mags: that was actually three different mags, not just one...so I'm kind of doubtful that so many different publications could screw up so mightily in only one car.
Side by side racing is more error-prone than something like a V Box due to reaction time, etc...but if you look at the numbers, you see that up high, the SL600 is a bit faster to xxx speeds, but not hugely so. I ran the numbers in that same thread, and it would pull a car, maybe a bit more above 125 (which is as high as those numbers go, unfortunately, so I couldn't run the numbers to see)....figure if you took it all the way up it'd be out front, but hard to predict how far without some numbers. Still, based on numbers I've seen, it should be a tight race with an edge to the 600, as I already stated.
To clarify, I'm not so much doubting your mags but questioning my results based on the results of those mags...
Last edited by Akademiks; Apr 2, 2009 at 09:35 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,214
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Yeah, I hear those CL600's are quick.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 0
CLS55 AMG
I know that Treynor ran consistent 12.4x @ 114 times in his stock S600, and I recall seeing some guy recently posting a slip of a run he did in a stock S55 which was also a 12.4x at 114, two more snapshots, although without DAs and temp, hard to tell, but anyway I'd think that stock to stock it should be pretty tight...I'd really like to see the Vbox results for some of these cars in 50-xxx runs, or for that matter get in a few runs with one of them someday. One of these days!!
Banned
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 0
SL600
Yeah, I'd do a dyno...sounds like a pretty stout motor. Are you sure she's stock? Maybe she was modded in a previous life
I know that Treynor ran consistent 12.4x @ 114 times in his stock S600, and I recall seeing some guy recently posting a slip of a run he did in a stock S55 which was also a 12.4x at 114, two more snapshots, although without DAs and temp, hard to tell, but anyway I'd think that stock to stock it should be pretty tight...I'd really like to see the Vbox results for some of these cars in 50-xxx runs, or for that matter get in a few runs with one of them someday. One of these days!!
I know that Treynor ran consistent 12.4x @ 114 times in his stock S600, and I recall seeing some guy recently posting a slip of a run he did in a stock S55 which was also a 12.4x at 114, two more snapshots, although without DAs and temp, hard to tell, but anyway I'd think that stock to stock it should be pretty tight...I'd really like to see the Vbox results for some of these cars in 50-xxx runs, or for that matter get in a few runs with one of them someday. One of these days!!
). My 55 had the same thing plus K&Ns... Too bad your not local, I'd run the CLS
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 3,679
Likes: 0
CLS55 AMG
Equation for drag force is Fdrag = 0.5CApv^2.
C is drag coefficient
A = frontal area of the car
p = air density, which is about 1.2 kg/m^3 at sea level at normal temps.
v^2 is velocity in m/s times itself
That last part, the v^2, is why the drag force is such a large component at high speeds, and is why if two cars have the same power/weight ratio but one is heavier with more horsepower, it will still pull away at higher speeds (think Elise vs 370Z).
Anyhoo, as I recall the SLs don't have quite as good of a Cd as a 211 E, but I may be mistooken here, going by memory again!!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,895
Likes: 53
From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
Oh, is it? I was going by memory, hold up, it was a Car & Driver article I think....yeah, found it:
Although, now that I think about it, this may not be correct...OK, more checking...geez louise, has anyone else here had the urge to track down the folks who designed mbusa's "new, improved" website and administer a severe beating???....OK, can't find it there anymore; anyone know where to find it??
Although, now that I think about it, this may not be correct...OK, more checking...geez louise, has anyone else here had the urge to track down the folks who designed mbusa's "new, improved" website and administer a severe beating???....OK, can't find it there anymore; anyone know where to find it??
Tom
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 396
Likes: 3
From: Morehead, KY USA
SLK55 AMG, E320 BlueTec, ML350, (formerly) C32 AMG, MR2 Turbo, HD-FLH-FSE, BMW R100RS, Ducati M900
That was sort of what I was saying with my previous post. The turbo cars really respond to even minor mods such as open exhaust and more boost or opening the airboxes to let them breath more. It is pretty easy to get 20% more power without abusing them too much.
Irish
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,155
Likes: 20
From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
Improviz brings a wealth of Mag/drag force/gearing/data to the table, all I can add from an 05' 600's owners point of view is a sh_t load of street races all variables aside (2) encounters come to mind...
Ran JuiceBox 3 bmw 335i, Supercharged LS2 C6 Vette + stock E55 211, & stg 2 e55 211 after calabasas meet last year, long n' short (the stock 211 E55 admitedly had IC failure so omit this race) lost badly to all of us..
The bmw 335i-J3 ran ahead about 2 lengths of the stg 2 E55, then the Supercharged C6 LS2 Vette ran my 05' SL600 dead even door to door from about 30-135mph (2) races the 335i-J3 also lined up w/us but was left for dead....
Fast fwd to following wknd the w211 stg 2 & 335i-J3 & another healthy stock E55 211 met @ same place & re-ran the Supercharged C6 LS2 Vette, ALL were beaten multi-lengths by the Supercharged C6 LS2 (these results are also posted by the w211 E55 members who ran that day in the W211 forum archives 08' late summer time), the W211 stg2 E55 vs 335i J3 were dead even in multi races...MJ50 was the pilot of the sg2 beast
I was runing a mixture of CA 91 10 gallons + 1 32 oz can of Torco as was the bmw 335-J3. The OEM fact recomends 93 oct or better on many AMG & esp V12 TT apps, using 91 tree-hugger oct will give less than optimal performance to say the least (Many tuners ones name starts w/V in CA
told me CA 91 is pure garbage & will give sub-par perf on V12 TT) nuff said...
I'll be lining up SOON! w/Max's healthy stock E55 211 (AFE filters only) put down near 12.FLAT @ 118+mph in CA...Should be good
Ran JuiceBox 3 bmw 335i, Supercharged LS2 C6 Vette + stock E55 211, & stg 2 e55 211 after calabasas meet last year, long n' short (the stock 211 E55 admitedly had IC failure so omit this race) lost badly to all of us..
The bmw 335i-J3 ran ahead about 2 lengths of the stg 2 E55, then the Supercharged C6 LS2 Vette ran my 05' SL600 dead even door to door from about 30-135mph (2) races the 335i-J3 also lined up w/us but was left for dead....
Fast fwd to following wknd the w211 stg 2 & 335i-J3 & another healthy stock E55 211 met @ same place & re-ran the Supercharged C6 LS2 Vette, ALL were beaten multi-lengths by the Supercharged C6 LS2 (these results are also posted by the w211 E55 members who ran that day in the W211 forum archives 08' late summer time), the W211 stg2 E55 vs 335i J3 were dead even in multi races...MJ50 was the pilot of the sg2 beast
I was runing a mixture of CA 91 10 gallons + 1 32 oz can of Torco as was the bmw 335-J3. The OEM fact recomends 93 oct or better on many AMG & esp V12 TT apps, using 91 tree-hugger oct will give less than optimal performance to say the least (Many tuners ones name starts w/V in CA
told me CA 91 is pure garbage & will give sub-par perf on V12 TT) nuff said...I'll be lining up SOON! w/Max's healthy stock E55 211 (AFE filters only) put down near 12.FLAT @ 118+mph in CA...Should be good
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 9,155
Likes: 20
From: Southern, CA.
V12-Biturbo
That is a big deal. Opening up the exhaust on my old turbo car added more power than any other mod. It has alot less effect on the SC'ed or n/a cars. That change alone probably accounted for your SL600 walking on your SL55 AMG. My experience with the V12's was that they had really long legs and once in triple digits they really came into their own. They were set up as autobahn burners and were still loafing at 140+ AMG does not loose face since their SL65 is the car to compare to, lol.
That was sort of what I was saying with my previous post. The turbo cars really respond to even minor mods such as open exhaust and more boost or opening the airboxes to let them breath more. It is pretty easy to get 20% more power without abusing them too much.
Irish
That was sort of what I was saying with my previous post. The turbo cars really respond to even minor mods such as open exhaust and more boost or opening the airboxes to let them breath more. It is pretty easy to get 20% more power without abusing them too much.
Irish
I had multi-races w/SAME BMW 335i-JuiceBox3 pre-post my exhaust mod results were negligible...ONLY removing Cat's & adding down pipes from the Turbo's will change the HP dramatically, which wasn't done in either case...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,059
Likes: 342
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,059
Likes: 342
From: NJ
2009 SL63 AMG
