SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 04 sl55 vs sl55 05?
#1
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Lamborghini Gallardo, Turbo, SLK 55, E350 4Matic, Xterra
04 sl55 vs sl55 05?
looking into getting a sl55 05 also considering a slk55.
is there a website that states the improvements or changes made each model year?
is there a website that states the improvements or changes made each model year?
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
The SL changes are pretty minor and, as lorinserbenz has discoved, progress is more to do with getting quality right first time. The most visible change to the car, inside or out, is the switch to DVD navigation, but that hardly affects how the thing drives.
A recent TV comparison between the SL55 and SLK55 on a track put the SL55 just ahead. It's a big heavy car but acquitted itself well. The SLK55 looked surprisingly untidy. If I was in the market for an SLK, the 350 would do it for me.
A recent TV comparison between the SL55 and SLK55 on a track put the SL55 just ahead. It's a big heavy car but acquitted itself well. The SLK55 looked surprisingly untidy. If I was in the market for an SLK, the 350 would do it for me.
#4
MBWorld Fanatic!
Yes, it was Fifth Gear this week and Vicky Butler-Henderson, who is quite easy on the eye, happens also to be a half decent driver and these took the two cars round their track in Anglesey, some pretty extreme handling (pity the tires). There's a lovely shot of her grinning back at a camera strapped on the side of the car (SL55) like a demon possessed.
About 50-odd seconds lap time with the SL55 marginally ahead. I think she liked the grunt of the SL55, made me think the SLK still looks a bit girly though better than the first effort which was for hairdressers only.
It would be interesting to see how the SL65 compared, I doubt that it would be much quicker than the SL55 because it is even heavier and just proves actually that the SL(K) are, as we all know, great GTs but they are not sports cars. Something like a Noble would comprehensively thrash the SL55 - an advantage on the straights does not compensate for excess weight on the corners.
About 50-odd seconds lap time with the SL55 marginally ahead. I think she liked the grunt of the SL55, made me think the SLK still looks a bit girly though better than the first effort which was for hairdressers only.
It would be interesting to see how the SL65 compared, I doubt that it would be much quicker than the SL55 because it is even heavier and just proves actually that the SL(K) are, as we all know, great GTs but they are not sports cars. Something like a Noble would comprehensively thrash the SL55 - an advantage on the straights does not compensate for excess weight on the corners.
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
My guess is power to weight is comparable for the two but it's clear a track like this is not the car's natural habitat. Still, as you say, an interesting comparison.