SL/R230: Top Speed of a SL500
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Rook
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
The only thing that will affect two objects in freefall s/t one falls faster is drag. If you drop a 1-inch diameter marble out of a plane at the same time as a one-ton polished concrete sphere they'd both hit the ground at the same time, just one with a louder thud and more force. Likewise two SL's dropped out the back of a plane will hit the ground at the same time. I wish I still had my statics notebook. FBD's were my favorite.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: orlando, florida. Dr.Phillips, UCF
04 CLK 500, 07 GSX-R 750, S 550, 09 Jeep GC
Yep, CLK Masters is right. Weight has little to do with top speed unless the vehicle is really heavy. Top speed is affected by a number of things, like: horsepower, transmission gearing, and Cd (coefficient of drag). Weight is a smaller factor in that unless you have stupid amounts of horsepower, you can't get a heavier car to go faster than a lighter one.
They say that the Veyron only needs about 300 horsepower to make it up to about 180-190mph. It takes the OTHER 700 HORSEPOWER to get to 254mph! This should give you a good example of what drag does to a vehicle. Beyond a certain speed, each additional 5mph of speed requires almost double or triple the horsepower of what the last 5mph required.
Part of the problem with the SL's top speed is that the gearbox isn't set up to do high speed runs. The top gear hits 4500+rpm at 155mph. Get much faster than that and you'll be hitting the redline quickly. And although the car itself is rather sleek, the Cd isn't the greatest so drag is definitely an issue at 150+mph.
By the by, F1 cars are geared so that their top speed is about 190-195 or so. This past F1 season in Singapore (the famous night race), they had a nice long straight in front of the stands (and between turns 5 and 7) where they topped out at about 191mph in 7th gear. F1 tends to lower their top speed so that they get better ratios for the low speed corners. I think they are limited by drag and gearbox to about 220mph (maybe 230mph) or so.
Rook
They say that the Veyron only needs about 300 horsepower to make it up to about 180-190mph. It takes the OTHER 700 HORSEPOWER to get to 254mph! This should give you a good example of what drag does to a vehicle. Beyond a certain speed, each additional 5mph of speed requires almost double or triple the horsepower of what the last 5mph required.
Part of the problem with the SL's top speed is that the gearbox isn't set up to do high speed runs. The top gear hits 4500+rpm at 155mph. Get much faster than that and you'll be hitting the redline quickly. And although the car itself is rather sleek, the Cd isn't the greatest so drag is definitely an issue at 150+mph.
By the by, F1 cars are geared so that their top speed is about 190-195 or so. This past F1 season in Singapore (the famous night race), they had a nice long straight in front of the stands (and between turns 5 and 7) where they topped out at about 191mph in 7th gear. F1 tends to lower their top speed so that they get better ratios for the low speed corners. I think they are limited by drag and gearbox to about 220mph (maybe 230mph) or so.
Rook
Cause at those superhigh speeds the F1 cars, make something like 2-4 times their weight in downforce, effectively compounding their weight by that much. causing a drop in the power to weight ratio. and like you said hitting the 20,000 RPM redline in 7th gear.
Rook3300, good imput though. finally someone on this thread who also knows something about factors effecting performance.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 1,746
Likes: 1
BMW F02 (750Li) F10 (550i)
WOW, so ur saying a Semi-Truck that weighs 60 tons, is gonna be faster top end than my car, cause it weighs more?
Weight is the ENEMY OF ALL PERMORMANCE!!!!!!! why do you think the 1001 HP Buggati isn't the fastest around the topgear track? CAUSE IT WEIGHS LIKE 4400 LBS.
If your refering to Downforce, YOUR STILL WRONG. Cause a F1 car does like 210 with 4000+lbs of downforce, if you were to adjust the aero work to reduce that, they could close to 300 MPH. although they couldn't corner at like 4G.
but then again. you're probally refering to my statement of the car being in free-fall. say yea MAYBE, if we got 2 planes and push your car and my car out at the same time from the same altitude, yes your's would probally hit the ground first.
Weight is the ENEMY OF ALL PERMORMANCE!!!!!!! why do you think the 1001 HP Buggati isn't the fastest around the topgear track? CAUSE IT WEIGHS LIKE 4400 LBS.
If your refering to Downforce, YOUR STILL WRONG. Cause a F1 car does like 210 with 4000+lbs of downforce, if you were to adjust the aero work to reduce that, they could close to 300 MPH. although they couldn't corner at like 4G.
but then again. you're probally refering to my statement of the car being in free-fall. say yea MAYBE, if we got 2 planes and push your car and my car out at the same time from the same altitude, yes your's would probally hit the ground first.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
The only thing that will affect two objects in freefall s/t one falls faster is drag. If you drop a 1-inch diameter marble out of a plane at the same time as a one-ton polished concrete sphere they'd both hit the ground at the same time, just one with a louder thud and more force. Likewise two SL's dropped out the back of a plane will hit the ground at the same time. I wish I still had my statics notebook. FBD's were my favorite.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Yea, it's just because I'm a dick.
F1 redline is at 19,000rpm. Oops, I'm being a dick again.
Rook
// jests because he loves...
F1 redline is at 19,000rpm. Oops, I'm being a dick again.
Rook
// jests because he loves...
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
The only thing that will affect two objects in freefall s/t one falls faster is drag. If you drop a 1-inch diameter marble out of a plane at the same time as a one-ton polished concrete sphere they'd both hit the ground at the same time, just one with a louder thud and more force. Likewise two SL's dropped out the back of a plane will hit the ground at the same time.
Though that brings up the big question, if you drop an R129 and an R230 out of a plane, which one hits the ground first?
That's only because they were sooo easy. I know you suck at physics, that's why you went into IT.
Or the money was better -- you can't use that one, that's my excuse!Rook
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
Absolutely.
Though that brings up the big question, if you drop an R129 and an R230 out of a plane, which one hits the ground first?
That's only because they were sooo easy. I know you suck at physics, that's why you went into IT. Or the money was better -- you can't use that one, that's my excuse!
Rook
Though that brings up the big question, if you drop an R129 and an R230 out of a plane, which one hits the ground first?
That's only because they were sooo easy. I know you suck at physics, that's why you went into IT.
Or the money was better -- you can't use that one, that's my excuse!Rook
Yeah, I liked that class because it made perfect sense to me. We started to build up some pretty complex FBD's by the end of it. The class that made little sense to me was the physics course that introduced magnetic fields and flux and all that horrible horrible stuff. Those were the exams that actually had me wondering how I could maybe get winged by a car on my way in, get injured just enough to get a medical excuse and not have to take them. THAT's what made me switch to CompSci. Then one of my first CompSci courses was doing natural language stuff using recursion and LISP. EEks. Sounds so much more simple than it is.
Oh, and the money IS better in IT.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
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
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: orlando, florida. Dr.Phillips, UCF
04 CLK 500, 07 GSX-R 750, S 550, 09 Jeep GC
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: orlando, florida. Dr.Phillips, UCF
04 CLK 500, 07 GSX-R 750, S 550, 09 Jeep GC
I own a 2005 SL500, with no performance modifications of any kind. I was alway under the impression that the top speed of the car was electronically limited at around 150 mph. I recently was able to open the SL up and pinned the speedometer at 160 mph, as shown in the attached photo. Additionally, even though the speedo had reached its limit, you could feel that the SL was still accelerating. Does anyone know the top speed (physical or electronic limit) of a 2005 SL500?
faster than i have the ***** for in any car without a cage.
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2010 G55
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Ultra-precise thought problems of physics are fun!
Rook
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
Likes: 0
From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: orlando, florida. Dr.Phillips, UCF
04 CLK 500, 07 GSX-R 750, S 550, 09 Jeep GC
Member
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 205
Likes: 0
From: Seattle, WA
2010 G55
While this is definitely true in a vacuum, the original supposition was that air drag was involved. The lighter vehicle would be more affected by drag, thus the terminal velocity would be ever-so-slightly lower. Granted, the difference in time between the impacts may only be hundredths, thousandths, or even tens of thousandths of a second, but they would impact at different times.
Ultra-precise thought problems of physics are fun!
Rook
Ultra-precise thought problems of physics are fun!
Rook
we can talk about it forever and not reach concensus
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 553
Likes: 221
19 X3, 24 Tacoma Trailhunter, 25 CLE53
Okay this might be off the "current" topic, but my SL550 is limited to 255kph (digital readout) and not the 150mph/250kph as advertised. Luckily, I did a European delivery and got to try it legally several times, same speed every time. BTW, the SL550 will do 255kph with the top down, but I would recommend raising the windows above 135mph (hard on the ears).
Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 202
Likes: 0
From: Vilnius, Lithuania.
Mercedes-Benz SL 500
My own speed record last summer is here. Unfortunately, there were road works, so I needed to stop. But I think that it can go more... It is a standard SL, no upgrades done on engine.
Super Moderator
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 10,542
Likes: 3,674
From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
This was my point of saying anything about the sports package. On my car the CLK, from my experience, there are a couple of different governers for speed, and these from what i can tell are based on the stock tires your car is equiped with (speed rating)
For instance on some but not all CLK 320's have H rated tires for the Non-Sport model, and are limited at 130 Mph, same as the tire is rated for. However i've been in a clk320 with the sports pkg, with pilot sports on it and that car did 140+, took forever to get there but it DID break the 130MPH barrier.
Now to my car. i have the CLK500, with the "spts Pkg" from the factory with ZY rated tires, my car is governed at 156MPH "tested". as is my cousins CLK500, his will also do 156.
Here's the kicker, before my mother purchased her S550, she had a 2005 S600 with the sports package and it did 155 MPH. My uncle had a 2004 S600 WITHOUT the sports pkg and it did 130MPH.
GO FIGURE.
Hence me asking if he had the sports package.
I KNOW THERE IS NO HORSEPOWER / TORQUE GAIN on the sports package!
Now, since you guys did not know this tidbit of info, it makes me wonder if you guys know what your talking about. Maybe, just maybe you guys shouldn't be so eager to jump the gun on something when you don't have all the info.
For instance on some but not all CLK 320's have H rated tires for the Non-Sport model, and are limited at 130 Mph, same as the tire is rated for. However i've been in a clk320 with the sports pkg, with pilot sports on it and that car did 140+, took forever to get there but it DID break the 130MPH barrier.
Now to my car. i have the CLK500, with the "spts Pkg" from the factory with ZY rated tires, my car is governed at 156MPH "tested". as is my cousins CLK500, his will also do 156.
Here's the kicker, before my mother purchased her S550, she had a 2005 S600 with the sports package and it did 155 MPH. My uncle had a 2004 S600 WITHOUT the sports pkg and it did 130MPH.
GO FIGURE.
Hence me asking if he had the sports package.
I KNOW THERE IS NO HORSEPOWER / TORQUE GAIN on the sports package!
Now, since you guys did not know this tidbit of info, it makes me wonder if you guys know what your talking about. Maybe, just maybe you guys shouldn't be so eager to jump the gun on something when you don't have all the info.
When it comes to S-class and CL-Class restrictions to 130mph it seems to be quite fuzzy what the criteria was. I remember it being more arbitrary and not related to the tirea mounted on it.
This was a US-only restriction that was implemented quite late (03-04) and later on removed again. Strangely I have seen S500's of those years without restriction and some with, including the sport package ones, especially 600's.
Go figure. Some bureaucratic knucklehead must have thought that one up
I do like that user-adjustable speed restriction for snow tires. Seen that in Europe, not in the US though...
Wolfman
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 92
Likes: 0
From: Spokane WA
E 500 4matic, MINI John Cooper Works
I've read this post and have a question - where can I get my 06 E 500 (4matic) uncorked - I know factually it cuts out at 135-137 and has repeatedly - I know it's the ignition retard cutting the speed at 135 which is limited by MB -
Anyone know of availability of either ecu mods or the like that will alter this to unrestrict it? I am not interested in changing to a K N Filter and differernt exhaust system etc - I've been through (and continue to always go through that) on my motorcycles but don't want to deal with it in my cars.
Thanks
Steve
Anyone know of availability of either ecu mods or the like that will alter this to unrestrict it? I am not interested in changing to a K N Filter and differernt exhaust system etc - I've been through (and continue to always go through that) on my motorcycles but don't want to deal with it in my cars.
Thanks
Steve
Newbie
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Looking to buy an sl500
No offense but the sport package is not only cosmetic. If it was, you wouldnt have an abc sport button to press when you wanna put it in sport mode.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
All ABC equipped SL's have a sport button for the suspension. The sport package is wheels/tires and ground effects. That's it.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 38
Likes: 14
From: Dayton, OH
2009 SL550, 2016 E350, 2019 AMG GT rdstr
A couple of points on this:
Most (if not all) modern Mercedes models are electronically governed. If they have H series radials, they'll be governed to 130 mph. That was the case with my 99 CLK320 and is the case with my 15 S550. However the sport package may include higher speed rated tires. My 09 SL550 has this package and is governed to 155 mph. By the way, although the ABC suspension has sport and normal settings, the sport package does add an extra transmission setting. Mine has comfort, sport and manual, and added the paddle shifters.
Most (if not all) modern Mercedes models are electronically governed. If they have H series radials, they'll be governed to 130 mph. That was the case with my 99 CLK320 and is the case with my 15 S550. However the sport package may include higher speed rated tires. My 09 SL550 has this package and is governed to 155 mph. By the way, although the ABC suspension has sport and normal settings, the sport package does add an extra transmission setting. Mine has comfort, sport and manual, and added the paddle shifters.
