but the SLC43 has a better power-to-weight ratio and was still described as underpowered
Probably any course that the SL400 beats the SL550 on, a new Miata beats the SL400.
The SLK isn't that much of a lightweight. At 3530 lbs or so the car is in the AMG GT weight class and only 300 lbs lighter than the SL450 which is 185lbs lighter than the SL550. The SL63 adds another 100lbs but a good amount of power.A Miata is literally 1100 - 1200lbs lighter than the SLK
Neither one of these is a track car but you can have a lot of fun on the track if they let you drive the car on it
Back when I owned a Z3 and was a club member I attended track events for the club that used the Houston, Texas Police department track north of Houston. Of the 23-24 Z3 members who used the course the vast majority showed up in used Miatas for the events as they cornered and handled much better than the BMW Z3’s....
but the SLC43 has a better power-to-weight ratio and was still described as underpowered
Probably any course that the SL400 beats the SL550 on, a new Miata beats the SL400.
Can you provide some context ? Underpowered for an AMG? Compared to a V8 or AMG V12 - I had a R172 SLK350 and by no stretch of the imagination could it be described as underpowered.
The discussion was SL vs SLC and the merits of the different SLs. The original mini cars used to thrash a lot of better cars but what is the relevance ?
Can you provide some context ? Underpowered for an AMG? Compared to a V8 or AMG V12 - I had a R172 SLK350 and by no stretch of the imagination could it be described as underpowered.
The discussion was SL vs SLC and the merits of the different SLs. The original mini cars used to thrash a lot of better cars but what is the relevance ?
He may have referred to my earlier comment that the SLK43 felt underpowered on the track...
Can you provide some context ? Underpowered for an AMG? Compared to a V8 or AMG V12 - I had a R172 SLK350 and by no stretch of the imagination could it be described as underpowered.
The discussion was SL vs SLC and the merits of the different SLs. The original mini cars used to thrash a lot of better cars but what is the relevance ?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wolfman
He may have referred to my earlier comment that the SLK43 felt underpowered on the track...
The relevance, @rorywquin, is pointing out that your comment was irrelevant. There are other, cheaper cars much better suited for tight courses.
The SL is a comfortable, fairly luxurious, fairly powerful Grand Tourer that also handles reasonably well. An SL450 loses a lot of power & torque and ends up with slightly better front-to-rear weight distribution. There is a large difference in power between cars that have trap speed differences of 10mph in the 1/4 mile. The SL450 & SL550 have fairly equal braking distance & skidpad g. There's a reason that the SL450 is the cheapest model and it's not because it's the best performer.
This is the same tired argument that people (and you were probably one of them) would make about the SLK350 vs the SLK55: if it's a tight track, they are similar. Maybe, but even if that is the case, who cares ... how often have you driven an autocross course in your SL or SLK? What about the vast majority of time when it's not a tight track? Do you normally accelerate in parking lots or on the highway?
The relevance, @rorywquin, is pointing out that your comment was irrelevant. There are other, cheaper cars much better suited for tight courses.
The SL is a comfortable, fairly luxurious, fairly powerful Grand Tourer that also handles reasonably well. An SL450 loses a lot of power & torque and ends up with slightly better front-to-rear weight distribution. There is a large difference in power between cars that have trap speed differences of 10mph in the 1/4 mile. The SL450 & SL550 have fairly equal braking distance & skidpad g. There's a reason that the SL450 is the cheapest model and it's not because it's the best performer.
This is the same tired argument that people (and you were probably one of them) would make about the SLK350 vs the SLK55: if it's a tight track, they are similar. Okay, maybe, but who cares ... how often have you driven an autocross course in your SL or SLK? What about the vast majority of time when it's not a tight track?
Apologies...seems that I touched a nerve.
I never said there was anything wrong with your car , I simply pointed out the fact that the V6 handles better than the 550 (which it does).
I never compared SLK to SLK or SLC. Nor Miata to SL, you did! .
Who in the real world really cares about 1/4 mile times or any additional power that you cannot practically or legally use (and rarely do) in what is supposed to be a GT? I don't race light to light, I go touring in Europe, Scotland and Ireland in mine. Did you buy your's to challenge the boy racers in their rice burners or for bragging rights? The 550 V8 is slow (and V6 slower) compared to a SL63 or SL65 so where do we draw the line?
I never said there was anything wrong with your car , I simply pointed out the fact that the V6 handles better than the 550 (which it does).
I never compared SLK to SLK or SLC. Nor Miata to SL, you did! .
Who in the real world really cares about 1/4 mile times or any additional power that you cannot practically or legally use (and rarely do) in what is supposed to be a GT? I don't race light to light, I go touring in Europe, Scotland and Ireland in mine. Did you buy your's to challenge the boy racers in their rice burners or for bragging rights? The 550 V8 is slow (and V6 slower) compared to a SL63 or SL65 so where do we draw the line?
Enjoy your ride buddy.
If you drive around slowly just touring, you won't notice any minor front to rear weight balance difference either, so why did you bring it up?
I don't have an SL550, btw, but regardless you have given no proof that the SL450 handles better than it. According to C&D, the SL550 has a higher skipdpad g, although they are close.
Those of us who drive on the highway without cruise control on care about power. Sure, I enjoy a quick acceleration on occasion beyond the legal limits.
If you drive around slowly just touring, you won't notice any minor front to rear weight balance difference either, so why did you bring it up?
I don't have an SL550, btw, but regardless you have given no proof that the SL450 handles better than it. According to C&D, the SL550 has a higher skipdpad g, although they are close.
Those of us who drive on the highway without cruise control on care about power. Sure, I enjoy a quick acceleration on occasion beyond the legal limits.
Enjoy your v6, buddy.
I don't drive around slowly & have had my car at 155mph several times on the autobahn and on a banked circuit. Have you ever had yours at top speed?
......The OP asked about the merits of SLK/C vs SL.He also mentioned that he was looking at both the 450 & 550. Everyone was pushing the V8. I simply mentioned the weight distribution (of the V6) making it a better balanced & more nimble drive.
OP might want one for touring or he might want it as a highway cruiser or even to show off with. Who knows? People buy cars for various reasons, from road trp cars to loud ostentatious cars to "compensate" for feelings of inadequacy. The only thing I know about teh OP is that he likes roadsters.
..................People buy cars for various reasons, from road trp cars to loud ostentatious cars to "compensate" for feelings of inadequacy..............
I live in the “bubble” better known as Newport Beach, California, where just SO MANY folks seem to consider their vehicles to be fashion statements first and transportation a distant second. You just cannot believe the number of high priced, incredibly over powered things there are, roaring around our streets. It would appear that the Porsche dealer sells nothing but Turbo S and GT3 models. Screaming Lamborghinis can be heard every night, as the idiot drivers broadcast to the world that THEIRS are MUCH bigger than YOURS. Soccer moms drop their spoiled brats off at school in their G63’s and if they happen upon another tootsie driving a G65, daddy will surely hear about it at dinner time.
I love finely built, luxury cars, but somewhere along the line, someone—most likely in Germany—figured out that the very well heeled would pay obscene prices for luxury vehicles with ridiculous multiples of more than enough power. I once saw two elderly women—you know, “blue” hair—who looked to be at least in their mid 80’s, park their $235,000.00, V12, S65AMG in the grocery store parking lot. They probably went to Fletcher Jones, saw it sitting on the showroom floor, liked the chrome air intakes and when the oily salesman said “it’s the best one,” they said “we’ll take it.” Crazy!
Anyway, ultra powerful vehicles belong on the Autobahn or on a race course. Most any use of their full capabilities on public streets & highways in the USA, is illegal. Unfortunately, with our abundant population of these types of vehicles here, we also have more than our fair share of truly horrific crashes. I just hope myself and my loved ones are nowhere near the next time one of these well endowed idiots decides to show everyone how big his are. The driver of this AMG GT won’t be bothering us anymore.
[QUOTE=Streamliner;8263278]
"Anyway, ultra powerful vehicles belong on the Autobahn or on a race course. Most any use of their full capabilities on public streets & highways in the USA, is illegal. Unfortunately, with our abundant population of these types of vehicles here, we also have more than our fair share of truly horrific crashes. I just hope myself and my loved ones are nowhere near the next time one of these well endowed idiots decides to show everyone how big his are. The driver of this AMG GT won’t be bothering us anymore."
I raced for about twenty years; sports cars, at Lime Rock, Road Atlanta, Sebring, Mid-Ohio, etc., and the overriding lesson that I took from those days was that high speeds and racing should always be done in a regulated and safety equipped environment. Every time I see something like the photo which StreamLiner posted, it makes me sad to know that same person could have taken the money spent on a high speed road car and gone racing in an environment designed to maximize that experience, or participated in a club event in a controlled environment. Most of us who have a passion for cars hold a similar passion for life, and a respect for both and for others. The memories of going fast, and faster than I should have at some points, on the race track are indelibly with me; I cherish that time in my life. So is the realization that getting to next red light before the Avalon to my left is just not that big of a deal. The enjoyment of a mountain drive, or a coastal drive, or a sun coming up morning drive, are just full of satisfaction, particularly in a great touring vehicle. Be safe!
Yes a couple of weekend track sessions convinced me that the only place to drive much above the speed limit was a racetrack where everyone is going in the same direction (most of the time )
I live in the “bubble” better known as Newport Beach, California, where just SO MANY folks seem to consider their vehicles to be fashion statements first and transportation a distant second. You just cannot believe the number of high priced, incredibly over powered things there are, roaring around our streets. It would appear that the Porsche dealer sells nothing but Turbo S and GT3 models. Screaming Lamborghinis can be heard every night, as the idiot drivers broadcast to the world that THEIRS are MUCH bigger than YOURS. Soccer moms drop their spoiled brats off at school in their G63’s and if they happen upon another tootsie driving a G65, daddy will surely hear about it at dinner time.
I love finely built, luxury cars, but somewhere along the line, someone—most likely in Germany—figured out that the very well heeled would pay obscene prices for luxury vehicles with ridiculous multiples of more than enough power. I once saw two elderly women—you know, “blue” hair—who looked to be at least in their mid 80’s, park their $235,000.00, V12, S65AMG in the grocery store parking lot. They probably went to Fletcher Jones, saw it sitting on the showroom floor, liked the chrome air intakes and when the oily salesman said “it’s the best one,” they said “we’ll take it.” Crazy!
Anyway, ultra powerful vehicles belong on the Autobahn or on a race course. Most any use of their full capabilities on public streets & highways in the USA, is illegal. Unfortunately, with our abundant population of these types of vehicles here, we also have more than our fair share of truly horrific crashes. I just hope myself and my loved ones are nowhere near the next time one of these well endowed idiots decides to show everyone how big his are. The driver of this AMG GT won’t be bothering us anymore.
Just proves once again that wealth and intelligence aren't necessarily correlated.
Yes a couple of weekend track sessions convinced me that the only place to drive much above the speed limit was a racetrack where everyone is going in the same direction (most of the time )
Agreed.
I've been fortunate that in my job (oil and gas industry) I got sent on many driver safety courses. I also did a MB driver training day in Australia where they disable all the safety systems on the cars and let you experience just how much the car is actually doing for the driver. Obstacle courses, skid pans etc.
When I retired, I decided to do a 2 day 'high performance" driver training course. It was a 1 on 1 session for two days at the Millbrook proving grounds which, (amongst other things) has a high speed banked circle, a tight circuit ( with stuff like adverse camber bends), mile long straight etc. It was a very intense two days. You soon learn (under safe conditions) how quickly things can go wrong.
Well, but less power doesn't equal a better car either.
Selecting a SL450 isn't a smarter choice than choosing a SL63 or visa versa. Different models are there for different customer preferences, that's all. Neither is better, only a better fit
I love the space in my 400.
I did not not move from the SLK, but had three smaller two seater roadsters.
Mini Cooper roadster soft top
Miata convertible hard top
Chevy SSR convertible hard top
They were all fun and different.
The 550 may have more of a V8 sound than the 400, it should since it is a V8. I did like the rumble of the Chevy.
We do take long trips on our cars and drove over 1000 miles one way to a rally in the SSR. There was very limited space in the interior, we are thrilled with the
space in the 400. Not just behind the seats, but the storage box behind the driver as well. Also we use the console bin in the back for trash. I fitted it with a trash
receptacle to keep things out of the floor.
Ours has adaptive cruise and Napa leather, love both features. I put 18" Mandrus 21 spoke wheels on it and Michelins, non runflats. We love the ride, to me its fast
enough. We live in the NC mountains, it handles well there and we spend a lot of time on the interstates, it's a great cruiser.
Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.
The discussion was SL vs SLC and the merits of the different SLs. The original mini cars used to thrash a lot of better cars but what is the relevance ?
......The OP asked about the merits of SLK/C vs SL.He also mentioned that he was looking at both the 450 & 550. Everyone was pushing the V8. I simply mentioned the weight distribution (of the V6) making it a better balanced & more nimble drive.
