leadfoot

How do these cars perform vs each other.What are the benefits of one over the other?Thanks

Addicted2Speed

You should do a search, there are a lot of threads on this topic. SL600 is potentially much faster, you only need a reflash to run low to mid 11's; I never saw SL55 break into 11's, even modden. Chipped SL600 will actually be faster than stock SL65. Handling wise, neither is a sports car and I haven't noticed much difference. In my opinion V12 bi-turbo > V8 kompressor any day

xecution

Key word is is potentially. personally, i've owned a few of mercedes v-12 cars, and i don't find them to be much faster on take off, but definately faster from 60-100 due to the high torque. Lets not forget the V-8 is lighter and the AMG SL55 also has other performance upgrades such as brakes, transmission, exhaust and suspension over the SL600. So in a straight line probably a tie but on twisties the SL55 has the S600 beat. One advantage of the SL600 over the SL55 is it comes fully loaded with all the bells and whistles. So it depends on what you are looking for. Also from a person who has owned a porsche 911 turbo, a ferrari 360, corvette Z06, and numerous other sports cars. To say the SL55 is not a sports car just because it is also a luxury car is outrageous. To each his own opinion, but I don't consider a go cart with a toyota 4 cylinder engine a sports car either, but thats just my opinion.

Addicted2Speed

SL55 has an SL600 beat through the twisties? Why is it faster than SL55 on several tracks then? Including 1.8 mile Bedford Autodrome, as tested by Evo magazine: SL55 = 1.30.05 vs SL600 = 1.29.95? SL600 is just as fast in the twisties as SL55, most people won't tell the difference in handling between the two. Acceleration wise, SL600 will absolutely dominate the SL55, just go to dragtimes.com and see for yourself the 1/4 mile times for both cars. Sorry, but so far, you haven't provided any data to support your claims. As far as a sports car comment, sure people have different views on what makes a "sports car", but most people would classify SL as a "GT", while almost everyone would classify elise as a "sports car" (which has nothing to do with the discussion anyway).

blazinginder

Given the choice, I'd buy the 600 and chip it and it's a wrap

jaevo

The 600 is a great car to buy your wife (in white of course). The sl55 is a greaty car to buy yourself (in black of course).

Addicted2Speed

If you want to buy your wife a faster car, sure. I personally wouldn't want my wife to be kicking my *** on the highway

jaevo

then buy a ferrari

xecution

My claims are supported by driving, not by racecar driver numbers. race car drivers numbers have just as much to do with the driver as the car. even Mercedes themself claim the cars are equal in 0-60 and i'm sure they've driven a few. And even though its off subject. most people i know wouldn't be caught dead in a lotus elise unless it was just their track car. so call it what you want sport car or not. Most people call it a very good handling go kart. How many times do you see anyone on here just dying to get a lotus elise oooooooh, yah right.

jaevo

Both of these cars are plenty fast for hwy use. It really is more about which style, image and feel fits you best.

Addicted2Speed

Nice tactic there buddy, you can't despute the fact that SL600 is much faster in the straight line and just as fast on track, so you resort to personal attacks. You say that SL55 will outperform an SL600 through the twisties, yet you can't back it up. Then you outright dismiss the fact that SL600 was faster on that particular track .It looks to me like you are in denial that SL600 is much faster than your SL55 and you need some way to justify your purchase decision. Here's something interesting I've found for you, a dyno of a Renntech chipped SL600 (1st pic) and a kleemann k2 Sl55 (2nd pic). Thats 200lb-ft more torque at the wheels difference between them. Even with mods, it looks like SL55 can't break 12-seconds in the 1/4 mile, while SL600 has no problem running low 11's all day (plenty of proof on dragtimes and other sources, see for yourself).

jmf003

Ahh, the endless SL600 versus SL55 debate.

If someone gave me an SL600, I'd sell it and buy an SL55. That is, if I didn't already own one. No few number of SL600 owners think the exact opposite. Both points of view have some merit.

The interiors are slightly different. Which is better is basically a matter of individual taste.

The SL600 has a slightly more powerful engine. It's heavier though, which adversely affects handling. Evo's tests at the Bedford Autodrome aside, in most track or slalom comparisons the Sl55 runs faster than the SL600.

For example, here's a compilation of lap times at Hockenheim: http://www.supercars.net/PitLane?vie...ID=0&tID=10306. Every SL55 run listed (1:15.9, 1:16.5, 1:16.524, 1:16.9) is faster than every SL600 run listed (1:17.488, 1:17.6, 1:29.524).

The only real solution is to test drive both at length and pick the one that suits you best. There really is no wrong choice. Have fun!

jmf003

Well, you weren't directing those comments at me and I posted after you so you probably weren't aware of the Hockenheim compilation in which the SL600 on its best day couldn't beat the SL55 on its worst day.

For whatever reason, there aren't many posted track numbers for the SL600. E.g. I've never seen an SL600 Nürburgring time to compare to the SL55's 8:06 and 8:12 times. However, in every comparable set of track or slalom numbers I've seen other than Evo's two runs at Bedford, the SL55 was faster.

That said, if you've seen and are willing to share data that shows otherwise, I'd be happy to stand corrected.

xecution

This is a german road test comparing the two that supports my claim that they are pretty equal on take off. It also shows that the SL55 wins in the Slalom and Braking. (just forward to the end where they show the numbers unless you speak German)but either way. it is a matter of preferance. but to me, there are things in the SL55 (such as sound, suspension and handling for example) that gives it the sports car edge over the the SL600 which as you must know, gives you confidence for more spirited driving. I have even heard people with an SL65 agree that the SL55 is the more nimble of the two cars.

http://videos.streetfire.net/categor...5832841dbd.htm

xecution

Okay, I think everyone on here knows that you can get more power out of a V12 than a V8, but we weren't talking about modded vehicles. We were talking stock. With the right amount of money spent any car can go faster and faster and faster.

Addicted2Speed

Fair enough. On one track, SL600 was faster. On another track, SL55 was faster. All this shows it that their handling ability is pretty even, without a single car having much advantage, which is what I said earlier. As far as cornering g's, C@D got 0.88G in SL600 and 0.91G in SL55, which had grippier tires than SL600... so again, the difference is very small. Braking wise, SL55 stopped from 70mph in 175 feet and SL600 took 178 feet. Again, no definitive advantage either way. However, acceleration wise, I think nobody will dispute that Sl600 is faster stock vs stock and absolutely destroys SL55 modded vs modden, which should be pretty obvious given the fact that its a bi-turbo V12. Again, referring to C@D, they got 3.6 0-60 and 11.9 in the 1/4 mile bone stock in SL600, which is faster than even the fastest modded SL55 on dragtimes (kleemann). If you look at modded SL600's, they run low 11's.

jaevo

0-60 in 3.6! Wow, I'm not sure my wife can hang on at that rate!

jmf003

Without meaning to get into a pissing contest, the SL600 tested by Car and Driver wasn't stock. JackStraw explains why that's the case in post #32 in this thread: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-sl63-amg-sl65-amg-r230/173409-sl600-vs-sl65.html So a modded SL600 ran the 1/4 mile in 11.9 for Car and Driver. And the best 1/4 mile for an SL55 with Renntech mods? 12.0.

The SL600 with multiple low 11 runs on Dragtimes has an Eisenhaus exhaust in addition to the Renntech mods: http://www.scottsdaleexoticcarclub.com/2004sl600rt.html There's no SL55 with a similar level of mods for us to compare. There are E55s with a similar level of mods, though, and they run mid 11s.

Also, the SL55 doesn't come with better tires than the SL600. OEM tires on the 55 are PZero Rossos. Sl600s come with the same tires or the slightly gripper Michelin Pilot Sports.

And it's not just Hockenheim where the SL55 is faster; it's everywhere other than the Evo tests. For example, I've attached a copy of Sport Auto's test results. Same driver, same day, head-to-head, the SL55 is faster in the slalom in addition to being faster at Hockenheim.

All that said, it's fine with me if you or anyone else likes the SL600 better than the SL55. There are plenty of good reasons to like an SL600.

BMS

I had an SL600 for about 4 days and hated the turbo lag accelerating and decelerating. Then I drove the SL55 and liked the feel at once. I got the SL55 and then modded it heavily. I am planning on having it dynoed this week when jmf003 gets his done. According to Satish at Motorwerks I should be well over 600 hp. It has Kleeman Stage 1 and 2 plus LSD and the throttle body done and I can tell you it's fast. I'll be taking it to Milan Dragstrip this summer and we'll see how fast. Granted, I have a lot of money in the car but I still prefer it over the 600. The sound with the headers is worth the price of admission.

ItalianStallion

Both cars are very fast but accelerate differently. The SL55 has an almost violent feel to it. The SL600 is very smooth but it is faster.

The 2 cars are styled different. The SL55 is much sportier and aggressive. The SL600 is more low key.

If you are into drag racing or modding, the SL600 is definitely the best option.
If you want a car that is still very fast, flashy, and aggressive then get the SL55.

After driving the SL55 for 2 years, it is a great car with pleasing acceleration and the handling on it is suprising for the weight. I'd personally get the 600 with sport package and RennTech it just because I can't pass up the fact that a luxury convertible can hit low 11's in the 1/4 mile.

BiTurboBenz

I heard most SL55 drivers think that the SL55 would be a perfect with a V12.

ItalianStallion

Thats why AMG created the SL65

Murtaza

Haha, yeah right

Thats faster then a 997 TT

SuperDave

Once again, if "maintenance-money" is a consideration over the long-
haul, the head of Sales at the Merz Dealership where I purchased my -55 indicated BEFORE I bought my car that a twin-turbo would break a rich man in maintenance costs once the warranty runs out............

I bought the -55 and Renntech modded it............it's a fun car......and so far, it has taken everything I can throw at it with a yawn and seems to ask me.........."Is that as fast as you want to go today, sir??"

Dave

xecution

every one uses that car and driver article as proof. but no one has ever ever matched that number on a SL600. no track, no magazine not even Mercedes. To tell you the truth, I find that 3.6 number very hard to believe. Oh and you weren't saying they were close, what you were replying was that the SL600 would blow the SL55 away, which is nonsense.