SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Anyone ever run a track event in their SL55?
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
Anyone ever run a track event in their SL55?
I am going to pick up an SL55 this year I think.
Has anyone ever done a track event with their SL55?
How did it do? looking for feedback.
Has anyone ever done a track event with their SL55?
How did it do? looking for feedback.
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
haven't taken the SL55 on a track; but I have raced BMW's and so forth and been on track instructing for PCA, MB, BMW, Ferrari Club and racing with NASA GTS and BMW CCA CR since 2004. I can tell you that the SL55's weight would be it's biggest issue; this would effect understeer and braking (pad wear, fluid heating etc...). Also roll centers on corner entry, mid corner, and exit (which the SL should fair best in due to torque) will all be hampered by the cars weight. understeer on entry, heating up tires too much, and possibly power on oversteer on exit would be some things I would suspect from the car... no doubt it would be very fast on the straights though 
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G55, SLS, smart eq
I did an AMG Drivers Training with my SL55.
As for how it performs on a track? Don't worry, you're going to have fun. And good driving skills (and dry weather) really help handling the SL55's overweight.
As for how it performs on a track? Don't worry, you're going to have fun. And good driving skills (and dry weather) really help handling the SL55's overweight.
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
Thanks guys. It might get one or 2 events in its life. So just curious.
Sunir - you review is exactly what Tiff Needell had to say about it in his review of the car. It would do the vast majority of its life doing over the road cruising with me and my wife. We love to take road trips. Some how we always wind up passing thru Deal's Gap and Tail of the Dragon.
My CLK55 was a blast there. With an extra 125HP life should be a dream.
I am sure the handling will fine. I am not going to run it at 10/10ths ever.
Sunir - you review is exactly what Tiff Needell had to say about it in his review of the car. It would do the vast majority of its life doing over the road cruising with me and my wife. We love to take road trips. Some how we always wind up passing thru Deal's Gap and Tail of the Dragon.
My CLK55 was a blast there. With an extra 125HP life should be a dream.
I am sure the handling will fine. I am not going to run it at 10/10ths ever.
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
I have done several myself. Road Atlanta was my favorite!!
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SL55 AMG
you're in Indiana...start out at Putnam Park with the SL, that's a fairly flat track with lots of runoff...let us know how it goes? I'm thinking of taking my SL55 when I instruct at the Mercedes Club/BMW club event down at VIR in a couple of months; ussually I'd trailer my race car down but since it's not a race weekend I think I'd like to try the SL on that track....with a 3000ft or more back straight I could floor it each lap and not worry about the cops lol 
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
you're in Indiana...start out at Putnam Park with the SL, that's a fairly flat track with lots of runoff...let us know how it goes? I'm thinking of taking my SL55 when I instruct at the Mercedes Club/BMW club event down at VIR in a couple of months; ussually I'd trailer my race car down but since it's not a race weekend I think I'd like to try the SL on that track....with a 3000ft or more back straight I could floor it each lap and not worry about the cops lol
Yup that front straight should let the SL really stretch its legs. Just have to make sure I don't get 10 wrong LOL!!!!
How do you think it will do going thru Dead Bear?
That should be fun!!!
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
Now I am actually closer to Gingerman up in South Haven Michigan.
Not a lot of long straights but nicely technical. You don't over work the brakes too much. The 5/6 double left hand decreasing radius should be fun with that much weight and torque!!
Not a lot of long straights but nicely technical. You don't over work the brakes too much. The 5/6 double left hand decreasing radius should be fun with that much weight and torque!!
Last edited by rsr911; Mar 18, 2009 at 04:10 PM.
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From: Maryland
SL55 AMG
Raced at Putnam once at a BMW club race back in '04. Haven't been back in years...I'm in MD so local tracks for us are VIR, Summit Point, Thunderbolt in Jersey etc...
VIR will let the SL stretch it's legs up that very long back straight...my racecar, BMW e36 M3 Lightweight, is running 3.73 gears and tops out on the back and front straights there; entry speed is lower in the back and much higher on the front but at the brake zone both equal out. I don't know the gearing on the SL55 AMG but I'm guessing it will top out given 3000 or so ft?
VIR will let the SL stretch it's legs up that very long back straight...my racecar, BMW e36 M3 Lightweight, is running 3.73 gears and tops out on the back and front straights there; entry speed is lower in the back and much higher on the front but at the brake zone both equal out. I don't know the gearing on the SL55 AMG but I'm guessing it will top out given 3000 or so ft?
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I track my SL55 fairly regularly, and I am a chief driving instructor for the FCA, as well as several other clubs.
The last time I had it out in the instructor group with an NSX, 996 GT3 and a Z06, I had no problem dispatching the Porker and the Honda, and held station lap after lap with the Z06...... until I ran out of brakes!
Its really a very good car that cheats it's weight with electronics. You lose a little feel, but you end up adapting your sensitivity to what you have to work with. Have fun!
The last time I had it out in the instructor group with an NSX, 996 GT3 and a Z06, I had no problem dispatching the Porker and the Honda, and held station lap after lap with the Z06...... until I ran out of brakes!
Its really a very good car that cheats it's weight with electronics. You lose a little feel, but you end up adapting your sensitivity to what you have to work with. Have fun!
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From: Indiana
2003 AMG SL55, 2002 AMG CLK55, 2002 AMG ML55, 2005 ML350, 1995 S320 LWB - totaled
Excellent Guys!!! Thank you for all the feed back. This clinches it for me.
I have to get one....soon!!!
I have to get one....soon!!!
