How does the ML63 compare to a sports car?
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997.2 GT3, E90 M3
How does the ML63 compare to a sports car?
Hi guys, I am new to the MB/AMG and SUV world. Consequently I know very little about your cars. What I do know is that the ML63 has caught my eye and I am kinda keen to order one. How many of you are sports car drivers? How does the ML63 compare to something like a 997? I have always owned sports cars and am wondering if the ML63 could be a substitute or should I be keeping the sports car as well??? Thanks!
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From: mymbonline
mymbonline
i cant believe you asked this question
its not close to being a sports car, no matter how fast it is/gets it will never give you the feeling/satisfaction that a sports car can provide
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997.2 GT3, E90 M3
Fair enough. I seriously know nothing about SUVs as they have never interested me in the past. Ok so they are not sports car like, but is the ML63 like a well sorted sedan (say BMW 5 series) or are we talking none of the above?
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From: Vancouver Canada
07 ML63 Silver Dead at 85k, 14 RS5, 05 SL600
You might want to take AMG_55 with a little salt. This has been discussed before. See the following thread
https://mbworld.org/forums/ml55-amg-ml63-amg-w163-w164/176575-what-compares.html
For an SUV the ML 63 is about as much fun as you can have. It will keep up with a lot of very sporty cars on a real road.
https://mbworld.org/forums/ml55-amg-ml63-amg-w163-w164/176575-what-compares.html
For an SUV the ML 63 is about as much fun as you can have. It will keep up with a lot of very sporty cars on a real road.
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From: Vancouver Canada
07 ML63 Silver Dead at 85k, 14 RS5, 05 SL600
put this response in your crack pipe and smoke it!
Almost as fast as an porche 997 on the track. "quicker on track than the Lotus Elise S," "both ML63 and Cayenne lapped Bedford's west circuit as quickly as the latest M5" Faster than all other AMGs but the CLK that have been tested! I guess I wasn't on crack when I was saying that this vehicle is fun to drive and very capable. Much more so than people give it credit for. Taking one around the block doesn't give a good idea of its capabilities. Thank you Doctor D!
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'07 ML63
For those of us who own and HAVE driven the ML63 (not just a one-time driver or as a passenger), and can compare to other sports cars and/or sports sedans, this vehicle comes CLOSE to handling as a sports car. One does sit higher, and with the weigh distribution one cannot truly compare apples to apples, but it handles amazing well, better than MOST sedans, and nearly as well as sports cars. Certainly, the ML63 does NOT handle like an SUV.
As far as "giving you the feeling" well it depends what feeling you're after....
As far as "giving you the feeling" well it depends what feeling you're after....
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'06 C55 AMG; '07 ML63 AMG
I own both an ML63 and a C55, and I have owned many other AMG and BMW M cars as well. The ML63 is NOT a sports car, no matter how much some folks may want to believe that it is. However, in its own way it is equally exciting, namely, as a monstrously powerful sporty SUV that pulls like a freight train, stops on a dime, and handles extremely well considering its heft and high stance. Think of it as the Ferrari of SUV's. However, don't confuse it with a true lightweight short-wheelbase low-slung sports car.
If you're thinking about buying one, consider this: How do you feel about 12mpg?
If you're thinking about buying one, consider this: How do you feel about 12mpg?
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2012 C63 Black Series Coupe
It is only natural -- I think -- to want to defend our ML63s sporting character. However, when you look at the EVO test -- for example -- you have to figure that the ML63 gained huge chunks of time on the straights, due to it's fantastic power. The ML63 is a spectacular SUV; I bought mine because I wanted to have ONE vehicle to drive on a regular basis, haul my motorcycles, etc. -- that was still sporty and fun.
I think we need to define our terms here. To me, the primary qualities that define a "Sports Car" are:
1.) Good power to weight ratio, with a preference given towards lighter weight (see: Newton, Sir Issac).
2.) A great engine, powerful relative to it's displacement, with good torque characteristics and an enjoyable exhasut note.
3.) Superior handling: agile, good turn-in, good transitional performance in maneuvers like the slalom. Neutral with regard to oversteer/understeer characteristics. The lower the CG the better.
4.) Great brakes with a nice, smooth, progressive feel and short stopping distances with little fade during repeated track or panic braking.
By MY definition, the ML63 -- though a fantastic vehicle -- is not a sports car, and cannot approach the characteristics I look for in a sports car. It is limited by it's 5,000+ pound curb weight and high CG.
That being said, it is one SPECTACULAR SUV -- and I love mine!
I think we need to define our terms here. To me, the primary qualities that define a "Sports Car" are:
1.) Good power to weight ratio, with a preference given towards lighter weight (see: Newton, Sir Issac).
2.) A great engine, powerful relative to it's displacement, with good torque characteristics and an enjoyable exhasut note.
3.) Superior handling: agile, good turn-in, good transitional performance in maneuvers like the slalom. Neutral with regard to oversteer/understeer characteristics. The lower the CG the better.
4.) Great brakes with a nice, smooth, progressive feel and short stopping distances with little fade during repeated track or panic braking.
By MY definition, the ML63 -- though a fantastic vehicle -- is not a sports car, and cannot approach the characteristics I look for in a sports car. It is limited by it's 5,000+ pound curb weight and high CG.
That being said, it is one SPECTACULAR SUV -- and I love mine!
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From: Vancouver Canada
07 ML63 Silver Dead at 85k, 14 RS5, 05 SL600
I'll give you all those points brt3 as you are quite correct. It does handle as well as many sporting cars, but not as well as the good ones. But I definitly get a feeling of satisfaction from it, the high acceleration and braking. I think it is as close to a sports car as an SUV can get, and not right to intimate slapping someones face for asking the question. Im impressed that it can handle a somewhat twisty track as quickly as a SL65 and an M5.
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2012 C63 Black Series Coupe
I'll give you all those points brt3 as you are quite correct. It does handle as well as many sporting cars, but not as well as the good ones. But I definitly get a feeling of satisfaction from it, the high acceleration and braking. I think it is as close to a sports car as an SUV can get, and not right to intimate slapping someones face for asking the question. Im impressed that it can handle a somewhat twisty track as quickly as a SL65 and an M5.
BTW -- I assume you're referring to the second post on the thread (re: slapping someone's face) and not my post; I am just trying to define the terms I look for in a sporting vehicle. I'd like to hear how others define the term, and AFAIK there is no such thing as a stupid question or post. When people think differently it's usually a good policy to ignore the post and move on...
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From: Vancouver Canada
07 ML63 Silver Dead at 85k, 14 RS5, 05 SL600
Yes sorry! I was referring to AMG55's post to "way". Also indirectly to another thread where guys were slamming the ML and saying it couldn't keep up to a sports car. After driving the ML63 I felt they were wrong. My argument was that the accel and braking combined with its decent handling would enable a good driver in an ML63 to keep up with most other cars, including sports cars. Certainly at anywhere near sane speeds on a road. I think Doctor D's post does lend some credence to my argument.
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2012 C63 Black Series Coupe
...My argument was that the accel and braking combined with its decent handling would enable a good driver in an ML63 to keep up with most other cars, including sports cars. Certainly at anywhere near sane speeds on a road. I think Doctor D's post does lend some credence to my argument.
One thing about my E55 wagon; it accelerated AND handled well and -- though much heavier than a 911 -- it was incredibly predictable and tossable. It could be pushed to the limit without a great deal of worry.
I'm less sure when driving my ML63, but then I'm still learning the car. Turn-in is less distinct and the steering is more vague and remote. It will be interesting to really press the limits -- once I hit 1,000 miles and can open it up!
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From: Vancouver
06 CLS55, 07 997TT, 07 ML63, 10 X6M, 11 Alpina B7, 12 997TTS, 13 G63, 13 MP4-12C
ML63 is definitely not a sports car, not by a long mile, but, consider it's size, weight and purpose, it's sporty enough, at least for me.
Earlier today I had a drive up one of the best highways in North America, Sea-toSky Highway. I was kinda doing some spirited drving in the ML63 when out of nowhere this little Lotus Elise came weaving thru traffic and came right up behind me. He passed me a little while later with a big satisfying grin on his face.
So I decided to chase him down, right away he pulls away in the corners, but a up hill passing zone came up very soon after and man it was sooo effortless to pass the Lotus, it's almost like it was standing still and boy did his face ever changed, his grin was long gone and replaced with anger and defeat. There was no better feeling in the world, using all 500hp to pass someone like that, knowing he was trying his hardest to prevent me from passing him. The nest few km of single lane traffic with his face in the mirror was priceless.
It wasn't a fair fight, but it's the kind of victory I liked, blow-outs. Call me weird but I always prefer blow-outs than close fights.
Earlier today I had a drive up one of the best highways in North America, Sea-toSky Highway. I was kinda doing some spirited drving in the ML63 when out of nowhere this little Lotus Elise came weaving thru traffic and came right up behind me. He passed me a little while later with a big satisfying grin on his face.
So I decided to chase him down, right away he pulls away in the corners, but a up hill passing zone came up very soon after and man it was sooo effortless to pass the Lotus, it's almost like it was standing still and boy did his face ever changed, his grin was long gone and replaced with anger and defeat. There was no better feeling in the world, using all 500hp to pass someone like that, knowing he was trying his hardest to prevent me from passing him. The nest few km of single lane traffic with his face in the mirror was priceless.
It wasn't a fair fight, but it's the kind of victory I liked, blow-outs. Call me weird but I always prefer blow-outs than close fights.
