SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: New Guy Here!!
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
'04 Porsche GT3, '11 BMW 335d, '12 VW JSW TDI
New Guy Here!!
I'm a new guy. In fact, don't pick up my '03 SL55 until tomorrow morning. Just surfin' to get acquainted.
I'm retired. Retired from the US Army after 23 years of service (Lieutenant Colonel, Special Forces), 2 tours in Nam, and trips to assorted other delightful places. 12 years were on active duty, 11 in the Reserves.
I worked in the corporate world from 1976, mostly in finance (I have no idea how I went from jumping out of airplanes and running around the woods to finance). I worked at GE, Burroughs/Memorex, and Sun Microsystems.
I have a BS (earned while in the Army) and an MBA (night school after I got out).
I also drive an '04 Porsche GT3, an '01 Audi S8 (for sale now), and a dog-hauling '99 BMW 528iT.
I'm retired. Retired from the US Army after 23 years of service (Lieutenant Colonel, Special Forces), 2 tours in Nam, and trips to assorted other delightful places. 12 years were on active duty, 11 in the Reserves.
I worked in the corporate world from 1976, mostly in finance (I have no idea how I went from jumping out of airplanes and running around the woods to finance). I worked at GE, Burroughs/Memorex, and Sun Microsystems.
I have a BS (earned while in the Army) and an MBA (night school after I got out).
I also drive an '04 Porsche GT3, an '01 Audi S8 (for sale now), and a dog-hauling '99 BMW 528iT.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
'04 Porsche GT3, '11 BMW 335d, '12 VW JSW TDI
Yes, got it, and have been driving it as much as I can. Frankly, if I had bought it before I bought the GT3, I might have saved myself some $ by keeping my '96 993 TT, and not buying the GT3. Oh well, life is tough when you have a GT3 and an SL55 in the garage. My kids think I'm going nuts. Wait until they see the F430 when it comes in (which is a couple of years away).
No pics yet. Nothing different than other SL55s I'd guess.
No pics yet. Nothing different than other SL55s I'd guess.
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Hello, and congrats' on the SL55 ltcjmramos.
I'm just curious as to what your first impressions are on the SL55 when compared to the Porsches? I know "two different birds," but its nice to hear from someone who has experience in both vehicles.
Thanks,
I'm just curious as to what your first impressions are on the SL55 when compared to the Porsches? I know "two different birds," but its nice to hear from someone who has experience in both vehicles.
Thanks,
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Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 948
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From: Irvine, California
'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by emvanderpol
Hello, and congrats' on the SL55 ltcjmramos. I'm just curious as to what your first impressions are on the SL55 when compared to the Porsches? I know "two different birds," but its nice to hear from someone who has experience in both vehicles. Thanks,
My first impression of the 55? STUNNED. It's a beast in a tuxedo. In the 911, you can feel the speed... maybe it's a combination of feeling the road and the sound, but I generally could tell how fast I was going without looking at the speedometer. With the AMG I get pushed back in my seat, hear the AWESOME growl of the V8 (which comes at almost all speeds) and then can only guess where I am in terms of MPH. It's a refined acceleration.
Else? Well while the 55 can boogy through the turns, I liked the 911 in the twists better and the braking response was certainly more sporty. The AMG doesn't give enough response back to the driver to be really fun when driving hard into curves. That said, long drives (say Soto Grande near Gibraltar up to Barcelona) where back breakers in the Porsche. While the utility of the SL is diminished, it still beats the Porsche by a country mile (just try fitting your clubs into the 911).
Said and done, both are terrific machines that are fun to drive. Having driven and owned both, my heart belongs to the SL55... though I do see a 911 again in my future.
~ Ian
Arn't they all like that?
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 37
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From: Half Moon Bay, CA
'04 Porsche GT3, '11 BMW 335d, '12 VW JSW TDI
Originally Posted by emvanderpol
Hello, and congrats' on the SL55 ltcjmramos.
I'm just curious as to what your first impressions are on the SL55 when compared to the Porsches? I know "two different birds," but its nice to hear from someone who has experience in both vehicles.
Thanks,
I'm just curious as to what your first impressions are on the SL55 when compared to the Porsches? I know "two different birds," but its nice to hear from someone who has experience in both vehicles.
Thanks,
The SL55 requires 60% involvement to get to 8/10ths. I haven't taken it out to the real open road, but can see where at 10/10ths, you better pay attention. Its comfort level is unparallelled. Its safety features as good as any. Its power better than most. A long or short range cruiser!!!
The other day, I was parked waiting for a friend. A beautiful woman tapped on the window to compliment me on the car. We're going to dinner on Saturday. (I'm a widower, BTW.) 5 minutes after she left, a much-too-young lady (younger than my daughter, that is) tapped on the window to say what a neat car. I thought what the hell; we're going to dinner tomorrow night.
The GT3 demands your attention 100% of the time. You must respect it. You want to change lanes; don't even think it until you're committed because it moves with your thought. Took it to Sears Point on Sunday. Fantastic turn-in, power; it's a complete package. Comparable drivers, the SL55 doesn't even belong on the track with the GT3.
The car attracts all kinds of car-guys, and some looks from the opposite sex, but nothing like the response I got from the SL55. In fact, I like the looks of my since-sold '96 993TT over the GT3, but much prefer the work of art that the SL55 is.
