Mrdredd

You know an SUV is fast when it can almost keep up with an SL55 from a roll.
Haven't tried from a dig as of yet, but I'm thinking SL will get the win.

From a roll of about 65-70... damn its close, with the SL walking away at around 90+~...

SL55 is still a lot more fun to drive, and faster in the end

BoBcanada

video pls!

how many cars did you walk?

pinoyamg

SLs are'nt really intended for "speed". If it were the case, sl would be placed on a major diet and sit right around 3000lbs. It's a cruiser that is capable of spirited driving. I would say best convertible for the price, with regards to fit and finish as well as style points. You could almost say its a darn good looking coupe, with the roof up. (Astons are still sexy coupes) This is the reason why I often get confused, why would someone want a ML63, nor R63 if you really wanted a sports car ride? Ride height is too high for cornering at speed, not really "track" car other than quick sprints in a straight line. Don't get me wrong, MLs are good trucks, but still trucks non the less. Same goes for the R63, would you really like to drive at high speeds with your kids in the back seat? Of course, you could strap a GE jet engine on a truck and go faster that a Mclaren F1 but the experience is totally different, but surely amusing

BoBcanada

I want ml63 coz:

Its much much roomier than a normal car im a big guy and like to feel that i have space, i have a kid + i have to haul kid stuff it would fit in the normal car but in SUV loading stuff is much easier, I love speed and 500hp suv that can stay with m3 and rs4 is pretty cool. I dont see reason why not. Plus in Canada we have lots of snow and AWD is awesome to have. I mean i dont see a reason why not to have an awesome SSUV like that.

pinoyamg

I'm not saying its not nice to have, ML63 would be a nice ride, but I guess it all goes back to the age old question of whether to have a multipurpose ride, one that could be for quick sprints from stop light to stop lights, hauling kids and groceries and snow mobile all in one, or different cars for different purposes. Maybe an sl55 to cruise, range rover to haul kids around, and do so safely in snow. Probably a porsche or vette to beat around a track. Even miatas are good fun for autocrosses. I guess it just depends on which side of the fence you choose to be in. Just my .02

vraa

It also depends on how much room you have.
Not everyone can keep three cars around.

BoBcanada

ML63 + sl55/65 is the best combo you can ever have.

Mrdredd

I see someone getting the ML63 basically because they want an SUV, but also want a fast SUV... so why not get the one SUV that packages it together?

My buddy was the first ML63 in Texas when he got it - not sure if that still stands now, probably first in Houston still though.
Lots of people REALLY want it...

BoBcanada

Can you film another race between 2 of you! That would rock!

pinoyamg

I'm not saying that people won't like it. Its just whether some people choose to have specific cars for different things or just have the all around car, or truck in this case. ML63 is still a heck of an engineering feat. Though 63 engines have been suspect for lack of rear wheel hp. 150 - 200hp loss on dynos

BoBcanada

We need a video!

claudio

I am a "big guy", sorta (6'2", 200lbs). The first time I got into an ML, I bumped my head. Land Crushers (from Toyota/Lexus or Rover) are more comfy/spacious all around. Yeah, they wont keep up with a sports sedan or my SL, but they probably shuldn't either. If I want spirited performance, I know what tool to choose...

IngenereAMG

Not quite right!! SL55's actually make pretty good track cars. The last time I was instructing for a local car club, the instructor group went out in the following order.....Z06, GT3, SL55, NSX.

I held the same position with the Z06, lap after lap. I reeled in the GT3, until he spun off, and ran away from the NSX.

A lighter SL55 would be nice, but it really is impressive.

Mrdredd

Yup, ran 12.3 STOCK at the track last weekend

442RWHP/479TQ on the dyno

transferred

Sounds like you are a much better driver than the ZO6 and especially the one in the GT3.

I think the SL55 is a great car, but it has its limits. With equal drivers, a 996 GT3 or M3 CSL are leaving an SL55 in their wake on any twisty track. I'm sure you know this though.

Props to you though, you have some nice cars and obviously know how to use them

Sharkster

It is true that a SL 55 with equal drivers is beaten by a 996 GT3. However it is still faster on tricky tracks than a standard 996 and even slightly faster than a 360 Modena (non-CS).

As for the combination of cars: I don't think that a ML 63 and a SL 55 is a dream combo, since the ML doesn't do as good off-road, as the the SL 55 does on-road. That's why I picked the HUMMER H3 as my dream SUV. The H3 is a way better off-road vehicle than any ML (or Cayenne, Touareg, X5 etc.). It's not really fast on-road, but that's what I got the SL for.

Sure, there are cars that are better than an H3 off-road, but there are also cars that are better on-road than an SL 55. To me they have a perfect balance in specialized abilities.

Carl Lassiter

This is not meant to cause an argument so don't take this personally but...

While the H3 has a good wading depth (24in), Range Rovers, LR3s, Discovery's, Landcruisers and G-Wagens can go places the H3 cannot dream of reaching. After all, it is basically a rebodied Chevy Colorado. It's one thing fording a river, it's an other thing being able to climb the muddy bank once you reach the other side. Don't mean to come off as overly harsh, but it is a rather basic vehicle with a powerplant totally unsuited to off road applications.

Sharkster

Thanks for your input Carl,

I drive an H3 here in Germany and it almost causes as much attention as an exotic sportscar here. I had various MB Gs before I bought an H3, but the H3's offroad abilities come close to the MB G (thanks for calling it G-"Wagen"), while still offering a lot of an exclusive appeal here in Germany. While most of my friends stick to their Gs, I decided to drop my G (after owning 4 of them) because of the H3.

IMHO the H3 is the true successor to the Gs. It offers a "cubic" outer appearance design with the charme of a highly comfortable interior on the inside. To me (as a German) the H3 really is a modern vehicle with great offroad- (and also winter-months) abilities.

I know that most of the H3's tech-specs are based on the "Colorado",... but that's a car that almost doesn't have any appeal to German (or European) drivers, while the HUMMER brand delivers so much of what the "Mercedes G"-brand originally stood for.

To me (as a core-European ), the H3 is the first acceptable US vehicle and I highly prefer it over other offroad Euro-vehicles (such as ML, X3, X5, Cayenne, Touareg, Range Rover etc.).

See... that's one of the things you US guys cannot understand... I get approached at fuel stations and in inner cities by people who are asking me where I got that ride from... Since it's really kinda difficult to get an H3 in Germany. You can buy a Cayenne or a X5, X3, Range Rover etc. everywhere... but it's kinda tough to get an H3.

EDIT: Uh,... by the way... here are some pics of my customized H3... (kinda Black Ops style)... :
http://elcova.com/groupee/forums/a/t...1/m/6051001441

Carl Lassiter

I'm English.

Anyways, glad you like the vehicle as it's all about personal preference.

ten2 four

Wow man you love cars almost as much as I do..
Nathan

pinoyamg

I know the car is fast. I wouldn't have bought one if it weren't. But the fact of the matter is that if one were to ask what would be a good track car, the SL55 wouldn't be tops on the list. I don't really know anyone, other than yourself, that tracks their 55. Dragstrip not included. Besides, track performance is not merely a reflection of the car, driver skills are most paramount. Heck, I bet a track instructor like yourself could run laps around me on a skateboard! ML63 are great vehicles and I suppose if space is an issue, an all around car may be your best bet.