SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL55 R230 vs Carrera S 997 and SLR body kit
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland at the moment
XKR
SL55 R230 vs Carrera S 997 and SLR body kit
Hi everyone!¨
Choosing between preowned SL55 R230 and Carrera S 997. Anyone been throught similar kind of tough choice? What was your verdict?
Also, any expert SL-enthusiast views on the SLR body kit from Expression Motorsports (bar the scissor doors, naturally)?
Thank you in advance...
Choosing between preowned SL55 R230 and Carrera S 997. Anyone been throught similar kind of tough choice? What was your verdict?
Also, any expert SL-enthusiast views on the SLR body kit from Expression Motorsports (bar the scissor doors, naturally)?
Thank you in advance...
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 5
From: Sin City
2005 E55 AMG - - 2005 SL55 AMG - - - - - - 2006 SLK55 AMG - - - - - - 2013 Ducati Diavel AMG -
I don't like the SLR body kit from Expression Motorsports. If you want an SLR, then go buy one, but don't convert an SL55 into a want-a-be SLR. The SL55 AMG is a great looking roadster and to add body kits and modify it's looks is just wrong. BTW, scissor doors are for the cars that come with them.
I say go with the SL55 AMG. Good luck with finding your choice!
I say go with the SL55 AMG. Good luck with finding your choice!
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland at the moment
XKR
Thanks for your comment, Havoc!
I agree that any "would be" coversion is a flawed idea by the very principle.
However, I just happen to love that sharp "shark nosed" SLR/SLK look.
Nonetheless I have the same reservation hence my question to ther public: testing people's perception.
On a different note: you seem to have modded your engine quite heavily. How does the powertrain and suspension cope with all those extra HPs? Is'nt there a risk of turning SL into a drag strip rocket uncapable of anything else but straight line acceleration?
I agree that any "would be" coversion is a flawed idea by the very principle.
However, I just happen to love that sharp "shark nosed" SLR/SLK look.
Nonetheless I have the same reservation hence my question to ther public: testing people's perception.
On a different note: you seem to have modded your engine quite heavily. How does the powertrain and suspension cope with all those extra HPs? Is'nt there a risk of turning SL into a drag strip rocket uncapable of anything else but straight line acceleration?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,566
Likes: 7
'14 ML BT
Is the roof mechanism on the 997S hydraulic or ... oh wait, never mind.
Might be as simple as that, it's one advantage that the SL has over the 997. Unless you go to the 997 cab, which changes the nature of the car. Then it's the SL without reservation.
Ride quality is another advantage to the MB, but if you're often up on 2 wheels the 997 is the answer.
The body kit? I'd take it if the discount on the car was big enough. Otherwise, no way.
Might be as simple as that, it's one advantage that the SL has over the 997. Unless you go to the 997 cab, which changes the nature of the car. Then it's the SL without reservation.
Ride quality is another advantage to the MB, but if you're often up on 2 wheels the 997 is the answer.
The body kit? I'd take it if the discount on the car was big enough. Otherwise, no way.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,862
Likes: 5
From: Sin City
2005 E55 AMG - - 2005 SL55 AMG - - - - - - 2006 SLK55 AMG - - - - - - 2013 Ducati Diavel AMG -
Thanks for your comment, Havoc!
However, I just happen to love that sharp "shark nosed" SLR/SLK look.
On a different note: you seem to have modded your engine quite heavily. How does the powertrain and suspension cope with all those extra HPs? Is'nt there a risk of turning SL into a drag strip rocket uncapable of anything else but straight line acceleration?
However, I just happen to love that sharp "shark nosed" SLR/SLK look.
On a different note: you seem to have modded your engine quite heavily. How does the powertrain and suspension cope with all those extra HPs? Is'nt there a risk of turning SL into a drag strip rocket uncapable of anything else but straight line acceleration?
BTW, I like the sharp "shark nosed" SLR/SLK look as well.
My build is in the process of being completed. I haven't driven it yet. VRP offers beefed up trans to handle the additional power. Not sure how the suspension will respond, but it should be fine. The SL is one heavy car and can benefit from the additional power. The question is , how much is too much? I should be adding around 250hp with this build. We'll see how she performs.
Last edited by Havoc; May 26, 2008 at 10:07 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 381
Likes: 0
CLK63 Black Series
My $0.02
Since you asked for opinions . . .
Saw one of these kits installed on an SL in Europe, last year.
Didn't care for the look, at all. It reminded me of the sort of thing that kids seem to be doing by adding after-market panels to their cars to make them look as though they are race cars. The side vents located on either side behind the front wheels were rather crudely designed, and did not seem to fit in with the rest of the design.
The idea might have looked different in brochures, but this real world example left me feeling that the owner had not improved the car.
But, in the end, the decision to get one of these kits has to be yours. You want to personalize the car for your own tastes. Make it be something you like, and something you are proud of. If others don't like it, so what?
The important thing has to be that you really enjoy your car!
JDB
Saw one of these kits installed on an SL in Europe, last year.
Didn't care for the look, at all. It reminded me of the sort of thing that kids seem to be doing by adding after-market panels to their cars to make them look as though they are race cars. The side vents located on either side behind the front wheels were rather crudely designed, and did not seem to fit in with the rest of the design.
The idea might have looked different in brochures, but this real world example left me feeling that the owner had not improved the car.
But, in the end, the decision to get one of these kits has to be yours. You want to personalize the car for your own tastes. Make it be something you like, and something you are proud of. If others don't like it, so what?
The important thing has to be that you really enjoy your car!
JDB
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 5
From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
Thanks for your comment, Havoc!
I agree that any "would be" coversion is a flawed idea by the very principle.
However, I just happen to love that sharp "shark nosed" SLR/SLK look.
Nonetheless I have the same reservation hence my question to ther public: testing people's perception.
On a different note: you seem to have modded your engine quite heavily. How does the powertrain and suspension cope with all those extra HPs? Is'nt there a risk of turning SL into a drag strip rocket uncapable of anything else but straight line acceleration?
I agree that any "would be" coversion is a flawed idea by the very principle.
However, I just happen to love that sharp "shark nosed" SLR/SLK look.
Nonetheless I have the same reservation hence my question to ther public: testing people's perception.
On a different note: you seem to have modded your engine quite heavily. How does the powertrain and suspension cope with all those extra HPs? Is'nt there a risk of turning SL into a drag strip rocket uncapable of anything else but straight line acceleration?
Another option would be to install a modded 55K engine into an SLK. That would be a seriously fast car. If I recall correctly, Sunil at Motorwerks in Houston is doing that exact conversion with a CLK.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 0
From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
Carrera handles ten times better, SL55 will leave it for dead on the hwy. SL is also more luxurious.
Fake SLR kit is a joke.
Fake SLR kit is a joke.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland at the moment
XKR
Thanks everyone a million for your opinions on the SLR kit! My very special thanks to JDB for sharing you impression from seeing it in flesh: you saved me trip to Belgium as I would have not ordered such a dramatic makeover without seeing it first. The very idea now seem to become redundand.
Saying that SL would have bettered Carrera on the highway do you mean speed or ride quality? Honestly speaking I am fit enough not to care much (or even not to notice for that matter) of the latter, but do appreciate the former. And also love the gadgetry where SL looks a clear winner. So is it speed/pick-up or ride?
Also, anyone here lives in the mountains (meaning narrow and twisty roads)? How is SL faring in that kind of environment? I am sort of Alpine-based at the moment and what I am mostly seeing around are Porshes 4, Audis of all flavours and Imprezzas, not so many SLs. Anyone's driving their SLs in similar kind of places?
Saying that SL would have bettered Carrera on the highway do you mean speed or ride quality? Honestly speaking I am fit enough not to care much (or even not to notice for that matter) of the latter, but do appreciate the former. And also love the gadgetry where SL looks a clear winner. So is it speed/pick-up or ride?
Also, anyone here lives in the mountains (meaning narrow and twisty roads)? How is SL faring in that kind of environment? I am sort of Alpine-based at the moment and what I am mostly seeing around are Porshes 4, Audis of all flavours and Imprezzas, not so many SLs. Anyone's driving their SLs in similar kind of places?
Last edited by jag07; May 26, 2008 at 03:45 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 0
From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
Thanks everyone a million for your opinions on the SLR kit! My very special thanks to JDB for sharing you impression from seeing it in flesh: you saved me trip to Belgium as I would have not ordered such a dramatic makeover without seeing it first. The very idea now seem to become redundand.
Saying that SL would have bettered Carrera on the highway do you mean speed or ride quality? Honestly speaking I am fit enough not to care much (or even not to notice for that matter) of the latter, but do appreciate the former. And also love the gadgetry where SL looks a clear winner. So is it speed/pick-up or ride?
Saying that SL would have bettered Carrera on the highway do you mean speed or ride quality? Honestly speaking I am fit enough not to care much (or even not to notice for that matter) of the latter, but do appreciate the former. And also love the gadgetry where SL looks a clear winner. So is it speed/pick-up or ride?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Switzerland at the moment
XKR
Thanks, Transferred, that matters, 
.
Just out of curiosity: based on your ownership experience how would you compare M3 against SL? My girlfriend has been pushing me for the former as she finds SL a bit on the "brash" side (just her own feminine perception of things, do not take it too seriously). To no sucess, though. But would be great to know.
.Just out of curiosity: based on your ownership experience how would you compare M3 against SL? My girlfriend has been pushing me for the former as she finds SL a bit on the "brash" side (just her own feminine perception of things, do not take it too seriously). To no sucess, though. But would be great to know.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 11
Likes: 3
2007 Mercedes SL55
I have an 04 M3 Cab and an 07 SL55 030. The M3 is clearly the more nimble of the 2, even in the cab version, and is a lot less tail happy on quick accelerations, but the SL is my car of choice for longer cruises (so long as I don't need the back seats), and on a straight away at highway speeds, is in a whole different league than the M3.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 2,318
Likes: 0
From: OC, SoCal
08 S65, 06 M3 CS(stick), 02 BMW X5 4.6iS, 07 R1 Raven, 08 F-450 4x4, 08 CooperS JCW
Thanks, Transferred, that matters, .
Just out of curiosity: based on your ownership experience how would you compare M3 against SL? My girlfriend has been pushing me for the former as she finds SL a bit on the "brash" side (just her own feminine perception of things, do not take it too seriously). To no sucess, though. But would be great to know.
.Just out of curiosity: based on your ownership experience how would you compare M3 against SL? My girlfriend has been pushing me for the former as she finds SL a bit on the "brash" side (just her own feminine perception of things, do not take it too seriously). To no sucess, though. But would be great to know.
The M3s biggest flaw is the young "fast and the furious crowd" that lease them or buy second hand. Apart from the image, they're a great car and the new poster above summed up the comparison well.
