I just got my new Passport device in the mail and ran out to conduct a 0-60 time measure on my 2005 SL500.

I had a bit of rear wheel slippage at launch, and still recorded a time of 6.25 seconds. Interestingly accurate, since Mercedes claims a time of 6.1 seconds, while some of the magazines were as high as 6.3 seconds (Jeremy from English Car Magazine).

I'll keep you posted but I'm sure I can get this time a bit lower on my next run.

For all the AMG owners (I used to own a C32) who claim this car is slow, I find it's acceleration to be quite sufficient. What's nice too is the torque, which makes the car alot faster on the highway, going from say 70-110 MPH.

Any additional thoughts out there?

 

If you want a broader power band, with power and tq., I can help.....

 

I'm all ears......

 

The 6.1 "official time" posted by MB was actually with the 5 speed tranny in 2003, and wasn't publicly updated for the 7 speed, if you've driven the two you'll feel a difference and I would be surprised if the 0-60 mark wasn't improved.

I'd agree that the power on the SL is very usable which makes it more enjoyable to drive than other cars that may be considered more performance-oriented.

Did you restrict the shifts by holding the lever to the left or just go with the default "Sport" mode shift?

 

I just went with the default sport shift......

After recording several other good launches I was able to get the car down to 6.1 seconds as reported by MB; so, no doubt a professional driver could do better.

I was unaware of the 7-speed tranny issue never being updated, and the potential of that having a positiveimpact, very interesting.

The other thing about this car that's absolutely phemomenal, and unexpected, is its cornering ability. I read 1 article back from 2003, and at the time apparently the only car to beat the SL500 in their slalom test was a Porsche 911 Turbo. In fact, I have a friend who is a total Porsche nut and he was shocked when I raced him through a sharp turn in my SL500. The spped at which we took the curve and lack of body roll blew his mind.

As someone who used to own a Boxster too (which I thought handled phenomenonally), I have bee truly amazed by this car.

In my opinion, while no car will ever be perfect, the SL500 comes as close to being perfect as possible. No other car does so many things and does so many of them well (i.e. retractable hard top, cornering, pretty good 0-60 time, looks, comfort, etc.)

 

If you think the SL500 is perfection, go test drive the SL55!

 

Try the SL 63. This car is perfectly balanced for the SL range.

You gotta love the ABC suspension that comes in the SL and for 2009 they have updated ABC.

 

Maybe there are some easy steps to make a car go faster, talking about SL500.
What are the steps to make it "by own hands"? Filters, chips and etc...

Such question is because in LT there are only 7 SL's, and all who are driving are from 50's... No help here

 

Try some green filters, Carbon Fibre Airbox from VRP, ECU tuning, and even TCU tuning.

 

Green filter, I guess this one I can find here.

 

Well, I posted a record 0-60 time of 5.9 seconds yesterday after a perfect launch on flat pavement (I was at a bit of an incline previously).

 

We have a very nice ECU tune for your car that gives ~10% increase in hp/tq. But beyond that, we broaden the power band to give better, more satisfying delivery. We also improve throttle response and get rid of that pesky speed limiter!

 

+1

I drove my friends SL550 the other day. Its like driving a slug compared
to my SL55. It gets up and goes.
But non of the "WOW" factor of the supercharged AMG.
The feeling of torque is not even close.