SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL65 handling
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 110
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From: Los Angeles
06 SL65, 08 S550, 08 Range Rover SuperCharged
SL65 handling
For canyon driving, I was wondering if someone who has driven a 997TT or a Lambo Gallardo, or F430 would comment on the difference in handling from the SL65.
Also, what improvments could be made to the stock SL65 suspension to make it a better canyon runner?
Thanks for the input.
Also, what improvments could be made to the stock SL65 suspension to make it a better canyon runner?
Thanks for the input.
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Joined: May 2007
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From: Southern California
09' Ferrari Scuderia 16M Spider, 11' Mercedes SL63 AMG, 09' Mercedes S550
From a handling perspective, the F430 wins hands down. The AMG tuned suspension allows the SL65 to out handle most daily drivers, but can't begin to offset the race-like Ferrari's 30% lighter weight advantage, mid engine layout, and Formula One driven technology. In straight line acceleration, they are similar. Although, with a simple ecu upgrade (Kleemann, RennTECH, etc.), the SL65 is the faster accelerating car. That said, the F430 is much more stable at high speed as a result of the Formula One derived negative lift (vacuum like ground suction). I hope this quick summary is helpful!
Tim
Tim
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I have spent a fair amount of time in all the cars you mention, both on the road as well as the track. The Sl65 has a different overall purpose than the Ferrari, Lamborghini or the Porsche.
The SL65 is more of a GT car. That's not to say that it doesn't handle, because it does. But you have to keep in mind that all the electronic gadgets in the world can't totally hide that it is over 4000 pounds. The electronics also are part of the character of the car. The brake and steering feel have a bit of an artificial feel to them. Whereas the Porsche and Ferrari give you more feedback through the wheel and pedals.
The Ferrari may handle better than the Lamborghini, but the 4WD gives you heroic confidence and makes it almost impossible to put a foot wrong. While the steering doesn't have the feel of the Porsche and Ferrari, it is very good. I personally prefer the way te Lamborghini drives.
All of this is extremely subjective and cars are very much driver dependent. I have out run everything from Porsche GT3s, 360 CS, 430s, and Z06's at the track in my SL55. Most of today's car's abilities far exceed the talents and skills of the average driver. Just go drive variety of the cars you are considering and get a feel for what YOU like, and consider what your intended use is. Whether its an all around daily driver, or a weekend track day toy.... then pull the trigger. Take a drivers school, and go have fun!
.... and when you have exploited all the power that these cars have, and you are bored..... I can 'liven' things up a bit!
The SL65 is more of a GT car. That's not to say that it doesn't handle, because it does. But you have to keep in mind that all the electronic gadgets in the world can't totally hide that it is over 4000 pounds. The electronics also are part of the character of the car. The brake and steering feel have a bit of an artificial feel to them. Whereas the Porsche and Ferrari give you more feedback through the wheel and pedals.
The Ferrari may handle better than the Lamborghini, but the 4WD gives you heroic confidence and makes it almost impossible to put a foot wrong. While the steering doesn't have the feel of the Porsche and Ferrari, it is very good. I personally prefer the way te Lamborghini drives.
All of this is extremely subjective and cars are very much driver dependent. I have out run everything from Porsche GT3s, 360 CS, 430s, and Z06's at the track in my SL55. Most of today's car's abilities far exceed the talents and skills of the average driver. Just go drive variety of the cars you are considering and get a feel for what YOU like, and consider what your intended use is. Whether its an all around daily driver, or a weekend track day toy.... then pull the trigger. Take a drivers school, and go have fun!
.... and when you have exploited all the power that these cars have, and you are bored..... I can 'liven' things up a bit!
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 314
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From: Malibu, Ca
SL65, 427 COBRA (CSX-3127)73 911S, 246GTS (DINO SPYDER), CORNICHE,1962 PORSCHE TWIN GRILLE ROADSTER+
SL65 Weight is not all in the front! Bigger Brakes,Limited Slip,Stronger drive train
I had an SL55 and can tell you that the handling in my SL65 is very similar even though the SL65 is 240 lbs heavier. I drive very aggressively through the famous Malibu canyons (Malibu,Latigo,Mulholland etc) and actually like the SL65 handling better!
The SL65 can be pushed much harder into turns because the brakes are SOOO much better and the suspension is much stiffer on the SL65 plus the 65 has the limited slip. With wider wheels and tires (like the SL65 BLACK) the SL65 would be even better on a fast road course. I upgraded to the optional 10X19 rear wheels with 295 RE050 and this helped a little but 305 or even wider is really what the SL65 needs.
The SL65 does weigh 240 lbs more then the SL55 but not all of the extra weight is in the front with the V12 engine. The entire SL65 drive train is much stronger (20-30 lbs) and the huge SL65 brakes probably add at least 50-60 lbs. The SL65 limited slip and larger axles add around 20-30 lbs. The SL65 also has larger 19 inch wheels adds 10 lbs. The V12 engine is heavier by around 100 lbs but the extra 140 lbs is pretty evenly spread around the rest of the car and the stiffer suspension helps.
Not to say that either is on par with a Ferrari or a Porsche in handling because of the 4,400 lbs weight penalty. But with wider wheels and tires the race would be very close!
The SL65 can be pushed much harder into turns because the brakes are SOOO much better and the suspension is much stiffer on the SL65 plus the 65 has the limited slip. With wider wheels and tires (like the SL65 BLACK) the SL65 would be even better on a fast road course. I upgraded to the optional 10X19 rear wheels with 295 RE050 and this helped a little but 305 or even wider is really what the SL65 needs.
The SL65 does weigh 240 lbs more then the SL55 but not all of the extra weight is in the front with the V12 engine. The entire SL65 drive train is much stronger (20-30 lbs) and the huge SL65 brakes probably add at least 50-60 lbs. The SL65 limited slip and larger axles add around 20-30 lbs. The SL65 also has larger 19 inch wheels adds 10 lbs. The V12 engine is heavier by around 100 lbs but the extra 140 lbs is pretty evenly spread around the rest of the car and the stiffer suspension helps.
Not to say that either is on par with a Ferrari or a Porsche in handling because of the 4,400 lbs weight penalty. But with wider wheels and tires the race would be very close!
Last edited by EXECMALIBU; Feb 16, 2009 at 06:07 PM.
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Need to also factor in ABC (and steering) was revised for MY07...and presumably for MY09 (IIRC, throttle response was adjusted for MY09 for better traction)
Had '07 SL65 and 997TT at same time back in Summer '06...enjoyed 65 more in twisties; no contest in tq deliv on fast fwys...997TT had poorly sorted PASM vs bumpy/camber change mtn twisties...PCCB pedal feel in twisties is one of world's best....SL65's brake pedal feel is one of world's worst among perf cars....in wet, would much rather have 65 brakes vs any PCCB/CCM
Agree, in twisties w/poss oncoming cars, etc, need to leave much room for error, in which case cars like latest AMG/P/F are far above most amateur drivers' driving skills....physical abilities of these cars w/a pro driver on a dry, smooth, empty track are different (and arguably academic) discussion....
That said, if face an unavoidable collision on a mtn road, would much rather have AMG active/passive safety engineering vs any F.....respect P's safety engineering, but view P as a couple steps behind AMG in safety
Had '07 SL65 and 997TT at same time back in Summer '06...enjoyed 65 more in twisties; no contest in tq deliv on fast fwys...997TT had poorly sorted PASM vs bumpy/camber change mtn twisties...PCCB pedal feel in twisties is one of world's best....SL65's brake pedal feel is one of world's worst among perf cars....in wet, would much rather have 65 brakes vs any PCCB/CCM
Agree, in twisties w/poss oncoming cars, etc, need to leave much room for error, in which case cars like latest AMG/P/F are far above most amateur drivers' driving skills....physical abilities of these cars w/a pro driver on a dry, smooth, empty track are different (and arguably academic) discussion....
That said, if face an unavoidable collision on a mtn road, would much rather have AMG active/passive safety engineering vs any F.....respect P's safety engineering, but view P as a couple steps behind AMG in safety
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Joined: Sep 2004
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From: Dallas
SL65
I think everyone is going to have a different opinion on this. For roadsters I went from an SLK55 to an SL55 to an SL65. The SLK55 handles head and shoulders above any of the SLs, then again it does have a 1000lb weight advantage. The SL55 in my opinion handles a good bit better than the 65 does. I can feel the extra weight of the 65 which feels portly going into any turn. The 55 felt much more nimble and confident.
I can't comment on the other cars as I've never driven any of them.
I can't comment on the other cars as I've never driven any of them.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 110
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From: Los Angeles
06 SL65, 08 S550, 08 Range Rover SuperCharged
Thanks for the feedback.
I've owned a modded SL55 and now a modded SL65, IMO the 55 felt more exact when turning. The 65 handles relatively well especially when pushed but does not feel as exact as the 55 did. Running 305's on the rear has helped as well. Brake fade was a problem until I installed Renntech pads, it grabs better now and I'm not experiencing much if any brake fade.
My diemma is whether I keep the 65 with its insane acceleration or move onto another car that may not accelerate as well but may perform better in the canyons. I guess its time to rent the Porsche, Lambo, and Ferrari and take them up to the Bu for some spirited canyon runs, all in the name of research, of course.
I've owned a modded SL55 and now a modded SL65, IMO the 55 felt more exact when turning. The 65 handles relatively well especially when pushed but does not feel as exact as the 55 did. Running 305's on the rear has helped as well. Brake fade was a problem until I installed Renntech pads, it grabs better now and I'm not experiencing much if any brake fade.
My diemma is whether I keep the 65 with its insane acceleration or move onto another car that may not accelerate as well but may perform better in the canyons. I guess its time to rent the Porsche, Lambo, and Ferrari and take them up to the Bu for some spirited canyon runs, all in the name of research, of course.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,498
Likes: 1
From: Dallas
SL65
Thanks for the feedback.
I've owned a modded SL55 and now a modded SL65, IMO the 55 felt more exact when turning. The 65 handles relatively well especially when pushed but does not feel as exact as the 55 did. Running 305's on the rear has helped as well. Brake fade was a problem until I installed Renntech pads, it grabs better now and I'm not experiencing much if any brake fade.
My diemma is whether I keep the 65 with its insane acceleration or move onto another car that may not accelerate as well but may perform better in the canyons. I guess its time to rent the Porsche, Lambo, and Ferrari and take them up to the Bu for some spirited canyon runs, all in the name of research, of course.
I've owned a modded SL55 and now a modded SL65, IMO the 55 felt more exact when turning. The 65 handles relatively well especially when pushed but does not feel as exact as the 55 did. Running 305's on the rear has helped as well. Brake fade was a problem until I installed Renntech pads, it grabs better now and I'm not experiencing much if any brake fade.
My diemma is whether I keep the 65 with its insane acceleration or move onto another car that may not accelerate as well but may perform better in the canyons. I guess its time to rent the Porsche, Lambo, and Ferrari and take them up to the Bu for some spirited canyon runs, all in the name of research, of course.
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