Kev04C320

Anyone bought an '06 SL55 with the 030 and care to comment on the car? I'm looking to upgrade my ride. Thanks!

amgrocket

Hey Kev,

I think my sl55 is great. It handles and sounds much better than my 04 e55. The exhaust sounds really cool especially with the top down. The e55 is a relative pig compared to the sl55. Im not sure if its because of the sl55 being a superior handling car (abc vs adsII) or because of the 030 package. The only thing I don't love about it is the payment.

Kev04C320

The payment is only thing that I'm concerned right now. I'm in love with the car. Hopefully they will be discounted more since the new SLs are coming in a couple months.

lkirchner

I have both an SL55 and an E55. While I agree that the SL handles better I would not go as far as saying that the E55 is a pig. In terms of acceleration the SL is a pig in comparison to the E55 but the sound of the SL is far superior.

If you truly want to get the most out of your SL, you should consider an upgrade by either Renntech or Kleeman. I have the ECU upgrade, larger pulley, larger throttle body and carbon fiber airbox from Renntech on the SL. The difference between stock and the upgrade is phenomenal and does make the stock 55 feel like a real "oinker".

Kev04C320

Thanks. I'm planning of getting the K4 treatment once I get the car. If not, I would get K4 for my E55.

amgrocket

The handling feel of my two cars is actually very much different. On my way home there a couple of twisties and I know the sl is much more planted and Im good for about about 60mph (sl)vs 52mph(e55). I definately feel more confident with the sl. I can't feel the acceleration difference between the two though. The handling difference is probably because of the 030 package but I'm not sure that the rear diff. has much effect on straight line acceleration though. Im sure the upgraded parts you have make the car scream even louder

cappuccino

I got my 06 SL55 with performance package for few months. The handling is good. Since I didn't drive a non-proformance package one, I can't compare with it. I have driven an E46 M3 Convertible before, and I feel the handling of SL55PP is as good as the M3. just my thought~~

rroberts

I was very impressed with the handling of the SL55 and CL55 over the E55 when I drove them all last year. Personally, after that I agree with IKichner that the E55 is a pig.

I went to the event unsure whether to replace my CLK55 with an E55. Based on weight, I had not even considered the SL/CL. But I just could not get comfortable in the E55's handling at speed (got two different ones semi sideways at 80mph+ way too easily). In contrast, the SL did not feel much heavier than the SLK55 and I always felt 1000% in control of the SL and the CL that I drove.

Anyway, my ultimate purchase decision will be after the Challenge at Calif. Speedway in May and I hope some of the cars there this year have to 030 pgk on them.

rroberts

I was very impressed with the handling of the SL55 and CL55 over the E55 when I drove them all last year. Personally, after that I agree with IKichner that the E55 is a pig.

I went to the event unsure whether to replace my CLK55 with an E55. Based on weight, I had not even considered the SL/CL. But I just could not get comfortable in the E55's handling at speed (got two different ones semi sideways at 80mph+ way too easily). In contrast, the SL did not feel much heavier than the SLK55 and I always felt 1000% in control of the SL and the CL that I drove.

Anyway, my ultimate purchase decision will be after the Challenge at Calif. Speedway in May and I hope some of the cars there this year have to 030 pgk on them.

rroberts

!

lkirchner

Re-read my post. In terms of acceleration the stock SL55 is a pig versus the E55. Keep in mind regardless of AMG tweaks you are comparing a luxo tourer with a sedan and then take the dollar for dollar difference. For roughly $40 big ones there sure as hell better be a difference.

I also have a CL55 and compared to the 2 others it is somewhat of a slouch. The weight difference of the SL and CL will definetly make the cars feel better at speed but you surely must have done something wrong to get the E sideways at 80. The last time I did something like that was in a 60's series stingray.

HLG600

The $40K difference is the model. You are comparing an SL to E Class.

IanSL55

I have both a 2005 E55 and SL55. My qualitative assessment here... just what I feel.

IMHO, the E55 feels faster and more nimble on the highway at normal driving speeds... though I give the nod to the SL55 in the turns. As far as stability at high speeds, the SL wins out. I think this has a lot to do with the ride height and where you sit in the vehicle.

The E55 is twice as comfortable on long drives...

The SL55 exhaust note is something special...

~Ian

Wolfman

I think there is no doubt that the ABC suspension is superior to the airmatic, even with its latest revisions.

The one thing I am not clear about is why you would spend the money on a SL55 with the performance package and then upgrade to the K4 upgrade. This will easily cost you as much as a heavily discounted 06 SL65 or one with a few thousand miles on it, especially if you load the car up with other options.

With the SL65 you get the performance package anyway and a much more tunable engine than the V8.

The SL55 does sound better though

Wolfman

Wolfman

Btw, does anybody know if the speed limiter is moved up to 186mph also on the US spec'd SL's? Anybody test that yet?

Also, keep in mind that the performance package has been created for speed, not handling. All of its features are primarily designed for safer driving over 155mph (engine cooling, better wheel and brake ventilation and better brakes).
Something you may not be able to take advantage of.

If its for looks, I have to admit that I almost like the look of the new 07 SL standard AMG bumper better than the performance package bumper, but that's just me

Wolfman

amgrocket

The 030 package does increase the limiter to 186mph. As I understand the 030 package also includes an unique "nurbingring" abc tuning for better handling. As for the bumper?... just total personal preference. though I wouldn't mind the extra 17 horses of the 07.

Wolfman

You are right, there are small adjustments made to ABC, including ride height, but there isn't a reworked suspension per se. The adjustments focus on improving high-speed stability.

If I recall correctly, the performance package is simply the "civilian version" of the SL F1 pace car, minus special engine tuning.

Re. the Bumper design; the performance package bumper is all about cooling. The SL is a very heavy car and tires/wheels/brakes are getting extremely stressed during extended high-speed driving.

In the US, most AMG SL's will never have that issue and the people I spoke with like the package really for looks/differentiation.

Wolfman