this is going to start a discussion in here!
Mercedes SL 55 AMG vs. Porsche 996 Turbo

Amazing! That's a pretty good article!

The cat among the pigeons, as they say...

based on that article the porsche kicks its *** and the other tests were a sham!

There is no way standard SL55 can stay with a GT2. As i said before Merc do a high power engine mod. This must have been on the test car at Nardo.

Its also down to the driver, i can not recall seeing a test any were that the standard 996tt hits 0.60 above 4.0 secs its always in the high 3s.

It also has a lot to do with the type of fuel used and air temp on the day. Any one ever driven a tubo car on cold wet morning feels like a extra 40bhp.

Auto car have just tested a 996TT with the X50 upgrade and hit the following. times.

0.60 3.4
0.100 8.4

Quciker then even a new lambo, My SL55 comeing next month has the upgrade. My GT2 was timed on a Laser gun at Buntingthorpe this summer at 204MPH. Standard engine 465bhp. with race exhaust and air filter

davidxxxx My SL55 comeing next month has the upgrade, what do u mean is this a option for US buyers or what

i've been saying this for the longest, sl55 is a monster, but its not beating a gt2 or mercy anytime soon.

The SL-55 does 4.5 seconds 0-60, it has 497 HP. That test was performed by Porsche people trying to degrade Mercedes-Benz.
It also depends on the driver! With almost 500 horses come on, this is a super car status!

Agreed the test was done by a Porsche website...


As for the 996TT it is an AWD car vs the GT2 which is just RWD it can EASILY explain a better 0-60 time.

The SL55 is no GT2 eater but is simply put the best DD supercar out there bar none.

I will still take the SL55 AMG over the 996TT, Thank You!

What makes the SL55 so special is its ability to do everything so great!

IMO the sl55 AMG is a much superior everyday supercar than the 996TT

To each his own!!

AMGBENZ
2000 ML430
2003 SL55 AMG (January 03 Build Date)

Another factor which should be carefully controlled is tyres. Were the tyres equally new? were they skimmed? how? how many heat cycles had each set of tyres done?

Last weekend we had our "King of the Mountain" hillclimb, and one of the GT2s performed badly due to tyres (Pilot Sports) that had gone through just a few too many heat cycles.

There are many factors which should be carefully controlled before shooting down a specific car.

Both GT2 and SL55 are magnificent cars, but the Merc is more luxurious, and it has that roof! And all the other goodies that make it 300-odd kg heavier!

Let's hear from someone who owns both cars!

Regards,

I have sold my 966tt in September for an SL55, that I have used for 5500 km. Subjectively speaking, the SL55 feel MUCH MUCH slower and less acceleration prone than the 996TT, to the point that once or twice I thought about having its bhp tested. In Switzerland we use premium gasoline rated at 98 Octane, so that should be no issue.

Returning to Auto Motor und Sport, interesting enough, last week's edition had an other comparative review between a SL55 and a 996TT with the 450 HP kit. The Porsche outdid the Merc in everything, Acceleration (0 - 100 in 3.8 seconds, versus 4,4) and handling. The SL was a restricted car.

Conclusion: Enjoy the SL 55 as the best everyday super sport car (until the new Bentley is available), which is also a convertible. On straights at high speeds (while overtaking) it can certainly out accelerate the Porsche.

If you are a lateral acceleration nut, and are prepared to loose in term of confort, build quality, electronics, gadgets, looks, then go for the 996 TT.

One last point: the new 996TT convertible, when it appears next summer, will cost at least 20% more than the SL 55, with a cloth roof. Is it going to be worth it? Then again a lot of Porsche drivers (I was one of them, having own 9 Porsches in 12 years) is not going to even toss a glance to the SL 55.

That's fine, I've had Porsche's too and gave them up because the 911 is a dreary 40 year old design which is well past its sell-by date. The constant stream of warmed over variants is just tedious.

I don't do track work any more so the ultimate in cornering G's is of no interest. On public roads, the SL55 can go round corners far faster than is safe to be able to stop in the distance you can see ahead.

The SL55 for me is the perfect blend of performance, technology, style, design, comfort and build quality and I'm very happy I have one.

Question is, David, are you going to dump your SL55 and plead for your 996 TT back?

I checked the Porsche 996 before buying my MB and it felt like I was in a VW bug, stripped. You are correct, the model is completelly outdated and I have never been able to convince myself to buy one.

Absolutelly not, bluesl, I'm sick and tired of poor quality and a design that cannot be overhauled. My MB vs Porsche question is: should I cancel the 500 TE order for a new Cayenne, as family car? I am going to test drive one tomorrow...

All I wanted to say is, a friend of mine promised me a vedio of SL55 overtaking a GT2... and am still waiting for him... he said that he saw it him self on a friends pc... so am still waiting, and I will keep you posted guys.

I totally enjoy switching back and forth between my Turbo and my '55 and would not give up either one of them as they both provide equal amounts of driving pleasure but in contrasting styles.

For there to be a true head to head between the Turbo and the '55, one should compare the tiptronic version of the Cabriolet Turbo against the '55.

I am looking forward to the new Bentley so that not only can I travel to 100mph in under 11 seconds, but my family can come along for the ride as well!

Merry Christmas all.
ps I don't think the RS6 is coming to Canada , has anyone else heard differently?

^^^^^thats quite a collection of cars. i envy you

Makes a lot more sense now..... The AMS car was too fast to be a 476HPer.

Not that big difference guys:

996tt 1000m 22.3 sec
sl55 1000m 22.4 sec

I take the SL-55!

THE PITTSBURHG TEST TRACK TELLS ALL!!!!!!!!

WE HAVE RUN THE NEW TWIN TURBO 996TT AGAINST MANY. 02 ZO6, ASTON V, 360 F1 550 MARRANELO, VILERS, ALL THE MERCEDES 55'S.

I'LL GATHER THE REAL SKINNY (ALL FACTORY INNORING A CHIP OR TWO)AND POST THE 0-60 AND TRACK TIMES LATER.

GENERALLY SPEAKING THE MERCEDES AND CORVETTES DID MUCH BETTER THAN EVERYONE ANTICIPATED.

IN A FEW MONTHS I'LL BE TESTING MY 03-SL55 AND INCLUDE IT AS WELL.