SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Supertest: SL 55 vs Z8 Nurburgring!

Old Apr 13, 2002 | 05:01 PM
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Talking Supertest: SL 55 vs Z8 Nurburgring!

the German magazine Sport Auto has published a "Supertest" comparison of the SL 55 vs the Z8...part of the test where track runs on both the Old Nurbergring the modern Hockenheim circuits
Below are some of the results...I will post more later.

In acceleration tests the SL 55 achieved:
0-100 km/h.....4.3 sec.
0-200 km/h.....13.8 sec.

Z8:
0-100 km/h....4.8 sec.
0-200 km/h....16.8 sec.




In cornering:

SL 55....1.15 g.
Z8 ........1.2 g.

Note how the SL kicks butt on the straights and high speed corners...Z8 controls low speed corners. SL weights 300 kg more than the Z8.

I got to look into either renting an SL 55 or shipping mine over there for a run on the Nurburgring!!!

Last edited by jco-amg; Apr 13, 2002 at 05:14 PM.
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Old Apr 13, 2002 | 08:15 PM
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I bet a lot of people didn't see this coming! I think a lot of people are going to be surprised that it handles just as well as a Z8.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 01:03 PM
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I heard the SL55 tested around the ring had the speed limiter on, thus preventing it from achieving even faster time. Remove the speed limiter and the car could potentially run low to sub 8 minute laps.

-G'day-
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 02:16 PM
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I think that is true...that it hit the limiter on Dottinger Hohe.
Again the issue appears to have been tires...they were running the P zero Rosos.
I also wonder if it had the recent HP upgrade...probably not.

Last edited by jco-amg; Apr 16, 2002 at 02:18 PM.
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Old Apr 16, 2002 | 02:44 PM
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hi

I´am going to germany(AMG) next month to remove the speed limiter.
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Old Mar 7, 2003 | 03:18 PM
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Angry



This wasn't intended to be a Z8-bashing fest. I happen to love the car, and despite some of the stuff posted herein, I doubt a single one of us would not consider buying a Z8 if the SL55 were not available. Actually, I do not consider them interchangeable cars.

I feel as though the Z8 is more of a raw sports car whereas the SL55 is more luxurious and maybe a bit soft.

For a few grand, you can Dinanize the Z8, removing the speed limiter, improving the HP and torque, put on 20 tires for better traction (run flats apparently just plain old suck). I think a chipped and improved SL55 would be very competitive with a Z8. But instead of doing any of this, I would have kept my 996tt with X50 package. 0-60 in 3.8 seconds.

I still dislike, detest and overall disapprove of the silly hard top on the Z8. Retractible is good.
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Old Mar 7, 2003 | 04:18 PM
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This wasn't intended to be a Z8-bashing fest
I'm not bashing the Z8...on the contrary I have alot of respect for the car. I think it is very interesting to see how closely matched they are but with their own srengths and weaknesses.

I posted this old thread to augment your very interesting subjective comparison with a very technical comparison.

I think it supports your viewpoint.
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Old Mar 8, 2003 | 01:01 AM
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The Z8 like yall have said is a raw sports car and the SL55 being a luxo-line sports car, buts its amazing that it can still keep up with the Z8 and still provide the luxo feel.
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Old Mar 8, 2003 | 04:16 AM
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they wrote in the first picture that the round-time (for a 2000kg car with automatic) ist nearly a miracle. and that in the "döttinger höhe" it runs stuttering into the 250km/h limiter for over one kilometer.
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Old Mar 8, 2003 | 09:41 AM
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WOW!

Thanks for the translation Felix...makes you wonder what the lap time would be with a fully delimited 55!
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Old Mar 8, 2003 | 09:44 AM
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hey Felix...I have a question for you:

Have you seen the Labrador Blue Pearl Stone trim in person in an SL?

Do you think it would look good with the Tanzinite Blue?
Do they match or will they clash?
Thanks in advance.

jco
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Old Mar 8, 2003 | 11:57 AM
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yes i have,

they had an SL55 at mercedes-benz in Kassel (120km for paderborn) it looks awsome! the roof was open and the sun shining on the stone-aplications. it looks much deeper than other surfaces like wood or aluminium. it has a lot of reflexes und sprakles, a great eye-catcher.
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Old Mar 8, 2003 | 02:28 PM
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Felix...sounds very cool
do you think it would look good with the Tanzinite exterior?
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Old Mar 9, 2003 | 02:03 AM
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2006 SL55 with 030 Performance Package
If you want to see what the Blue Pearl looks like go to a granite shop and ask for Blue Pearl GT granite sample that is the exact look of the stone trim.

It looks great I have it on my kitchen counter tops, Iam not sure if you can order this option in the U.S. yet.

I think its a $3000.00 option.

AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG
2000 ML430
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Old Mar 9, 2003 | 07:38 AM
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AMGBENZ

When can we see pictures of your new beauty?
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Old Mar 9, 2003 | 10:17 PM
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AMGBENZ's Avatar
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2006 SL55 with 030 Performance Package
I will post pics on Monday, I left my smart media adapter at work.

Had a guy in 2002 BMW 330CI hunt me down and pass me, I let him go past, saved me the 6 points and him the humility in front of his girlfriend or wife!

It was hard to hold back, but in this car sometimes you have too or you will be going 120MPH in a 45 zone and then behind bars!

AMGBENZ
2003 SL55 AMG (I love it)
2000 ML430
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