SLK55AMG

When you say not on the track they tested on and it wasn't even close thats because it was the old Boxster S (as I mentioned) not the new one.

Best lap times from the same track (Tsukuba) for the three cars:
Old Box S 1:09.21
SLK55 1:07.66
New Box S 1:06.40

The only other lap times I've seen for the 987S and SLK55 are the NBRing and Bedford Autodrome (EVO Magazines main test track) both of these have the New Boxster S as a second or so quicker.

dsb

Are you saying the Boxster S is only 1 sec quicker on an 8-min course? That's not much at all.

SLK55AMG

I was being conservative because I didn't have the actual times to hand...... the new Box S can do the NBRing in 8min 18sec IIRC the AMG does it in 8min 24sec

Another track is the Hockenheim Ring...... the AMG does that in 1:17.1 while the 987S does it in 1:15.7

This is not any sort of attempt to dis the SLK55 (I love the car!) just that the chap that started this thread wanted to know about the 55 compared to the 3.4 version of the 987...... hence when the video showing the old Boxster was posted as an example of the relative performance I pointed out that the 987S is much better than the 986. Also the thread starter said he's more into autocross than drag racing so hopefully this sort of info is what he was after.

P.S. all 987S times are the 3.2 version so the 3.4 is likely to be a fraction better.

SteveL

I'm surprised that the SLK55 is only 8:24 on the ring. That isn't much of an improvement over the SLK32, 8:26. However, I'd still get the SLK55 myself. The metal hardtop would be the deciding factor for me. Fabric tops will show age over enough time. Plus I have never love the styling of the Boxster. It looks pretty much the same coming or going.

However, if you autocross every weekend and that is the most important thing to you, the Porsche would be quicker.

MercedesFTW

DSB- yeah they are all the same...haha, but I will steal that idea.

SLK55AMG

P.S. As the Cayman S was also mentioned that can do an 8min 11sec lap of the Nurburgring. The new 997 Turbo has recorded a 7min 40sec lap!!!!!!

Yellow R1

And the SLK55 times you mentioned are the non 030 suspensioned/option. I'm betting on a large track (ie the ring), at limit....the Nurbergring suspension will drop the SLK's times below that of the Boxter S. The suspension is significantly more firm than a regular SLK55.

-Matt

cj323

I lost some, but hey, you only live once and you can't take it with you. If my garage was bigger, I would have kept both.

9moon

lol.. i couldnt and wouldnt disagree..

SLK55AMG

Thats not impossible...... the difference probably wouldn't be much mind you...... the 030 would probably be similar to the difference between the Boxster S and Cayman S suspensions..... the Cayman S is 7 seconds quicker than the Boxster S round the Ring but some of that 7 seconds would be due to the 3.4 engine and power advantage of the Cayman. My guess is that an 030 SLK55 would be very close to the 8:18 mark.

Anyone know if the 400bhp Black Series 55 has recorded any Nurburgring lap times yet?

outdrinking

Go with the benz. The boxter is a chick car. Your comparing apples and oranges. High end benz compared to a low end porsche. Believe me I'm a porsche guy. I've got a 1980 911 sc that I wouldn't part with for anything. Still love to take it out for a spin. Go with a 997 if you opt for a porsche. Just my 2 cents. By the way, the boxter is a fun car to drive. But, you have to be a chick or a little old man with his beeny hat on to get any respect in it.

transferred

word.

SLK55R

Boxster I'd agree ... its a no go for me but if you don't hvae to have a convertible the cayman is nice. Just image a RUF Cayman ... would be awesome.

Whats just so shocking for me is how much all the options for the Porsche are. Its just silly.

Test a 030 SLK55 and the 07 have paddles for shifters not buttons.

Regards

awai04

Hey All,

I haven't posted recently but I have been following the post. Keep up the insightful comments!

The image issue --fairly or unfairly --does seem to be an ongoing issue that the Boxster can't outrun. The used market isn't helping matters, either. That said, I've seen shady characters and big-haired women crawl about town in SLK's, and even in 996 and 997's too.

Not to change the subject a little, but what about comparing the '07 Boxster S with a similarly equipped SLK350: manual transmission, AMG sports suspension, nice wheels, trunklid lip spoiler, etc.? Now which is boss? The car still would have to be an occasional daily driver, so no wild 20k superchargers or racing cams, unfortunately.

MercedesFTW

Between a BoxterS and the non AMG SLK350, the Boxter should win hands down.

The Porsche is faster in this case (around corners and in a straight line!), so one of the +'s of the SLK55 is gone. You do get the benefit of a manual tranny in the 350 (although I've never tried one...the new BoxterS's 6 speed is probably my all time favorite and is hard to beat IMO). So then it's down to the soft top or the hard top...What's the weather like where you live?