Bilal

AMS of Germany have tested a deresstricted stock SL65 at Nardo in their latest issue and have achieved a true 215mph.

IngenereAMG

That is beautiful!! But expected...if my derestricted SL55 does 202-203, the 65 should do 215.

That makes the SLR even more reduntant....and the 65 a bargin...as I think that most tests show the SLR topping out at 208. You think they would have planned it so their top car would be the king......oh well!

Bilal

Yes, but the SLR will be glued to the road whereas the SL will be approaching takeoff speed.

Downforce is very important for any powerful car. Sorry to say Mercedes-AMG products are not very good in that area. True, some of their bodykits and rear spoilers ala CLK55/SLK55/CLS55/C55 provide no lift, but downforce is another story.

215mph, I think thats more bragging rights than anything else. But what a car to brag about

IngenereAMG

Well said....but....

All of my Ferrari's (save the F40, and the Indycar of course) have felt very unstable above 170mph. When I have driven the SL55 above those speeds and even to terminal velocity it was absolutely planted. It didn't feel like it was lifting at all. I think Merc has done a great job with the SL.

cte430

The "downforce" topic is very interesting. I was just thinking of this the other day. Since my Renntech upgrade has raised my limiter to 187 mph I was wondering (while doing 135) if the car could even approach top speed without taking off!

Bilal

I think Mercedes has done a very good job with making the SL achieve high speeds (aerodynamics) without producing lift at those speeds. But downforce is another story altogether. The reason Porsche/Ferrari and other super high performance cars feel unstable is because firstly their suspension settings are rock hard. The cars hardly weigh anything (1000-1500kgs) coupled with a very aggressive spoiler, you're being forced onto the road, making you feel everything, every little bump, but most importantly keeping you glued to the road. Very important at negotiating twists and turns at high speeds.

Mercedes cars will give you that feel of stability but don't forget that at higher speeds its a false sense of stability. Hence, its easier to drive fast because you think you're in complete control, but in reality you're not. That isn't to say that Mercedes cars will flip out of control at high speeds, on the contrary, Mercedes does a lot of high speed research, but to be glued to the road and negotiate high speed turns with invincibility and then shakeoff that speed with fade free brakes, thats something only the SLR can do.

mlg

i neeeeeed name and phoptos of the tires/////// i heard that tires did not exist to car 2 tons at that speed ie over 200mph impresssssive.

IngenereAMG

Like I stated earlier, and this is from experience....some of my Ferrari's have felt unstable at speed. I don't believe it is from the suspension effects as you state...after all my Indycar is seriosly stiff and actually makes downforce and feels planted. I am pretty sure that I know what downforce feels like. The TR and 348 actually feel like they are lifting at speed (over 165-170 you can turn the steering wheel with no effect). The F40 feels pretty stable. High speed instability does not happen in my SL. I don't know about the aero work that they have done....I can just tell you how it feels as a driver. As far as Merc's high speed research goes.....remember Le Mans a few years ago when they had a couple of cars lift off and go into the woods! I hope they haven't transfered that technology to the SL!

As far as brakes go ....the SL55 's are great...I've tracked the car and have never experienced fade. Neither have I with the F40 or the 348....the TR is another story.....3-4 laps and the brakes are going away.

IngenereAMG

Yes they do!! When I derestricted the car that was a serious concern as I didn't want to have a failure at that kind of speed. The company that did the work told me that unless I was planning on 'cruising' at those speeds, in the real world the stock tires would be fine.

None the less I switched to AMG 19" wheels and worked with a tire company to search out the right rubber. Those turned out to be Michelin Pilot Sports. I was told that there is weight ratings in parentheses on tires. We just went with the latest...heaviest rated tires. At speed (180-203) they were just fine. I kept the tire pressure monitor screen up and the tire's pressures only raised 1-2 pounds all around at these elevated speeds....so it was a non event.

Finnish C32

Ingenere, i would LOVE to see some pictures about your Ferraris. Im very bad Ferrari fan but i have no chance to get any..ive driven F355 Spider and that was my most exotic experience on the road. My E55 is NOTHING if we are talking feelings compared to F355 Spider.

Thanks,
Ville

IngenereAMG

Ville:

I would be happy to post some of my cars but I have tried to post pics on this site with no success. If you send me your email I will be happy to send you some shots.