norb

The reason for that is because the computers in SMG won't allow you to destroy your clutch (even with launch control on) at start up, whereas on a manual M3, you can vaporize your clutch all you want. And yes the SMG can change gears faster than any human, its a proven FACT. It really shows it on a track.

jkrutch

Good point!

jkrutch

On 2nd thought, I double checked C&D's web site and found the comparison between the SMG and the 6 speed manual....Here's some interesting food for thought: Even the 5-60 street start has the 6 speed maunal ahead of the SMG (and by a wider margin tha 0-60)...how do you explain that? There is not clutch dropping there....

The manual tranny car was always way ahead and the gap widened with speed.

Please see below: (SMG is left, fully manual is right)
Zero to 60 mph 5.0 sec 4.8 sec
Zero to 100 mph 12.2 sec 11.6 sec
Zero to 130 mph 21.0 sec 20.3 sec
Zero to 150 mph 32.5 sec 27.8 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph 5.4 sec 5.0 sec

Standing 1/4-mile 13.6 sec 13.4 sec @ 106 mph @ 107 mph

eclou

jkrutch,

any car with a peakier torque curve will "feel" faster than one with a flat torque curve. For instance, compare the sensation of accelerating on a runway in an airliner compared to your 996tt. The tt of course will feel faster since you might experience a peak acceleration g-factor that is higher than the jet, but the jet of course is going to be much faster.

That's why my 944turbo which is about 230 rwhp feels faster than my 97 M3 which is 260's rwhp. The M3 of course is faster by G-tech and straight-away top speed at the track, but the monster peak torque of the 944 at 2-3000 rpm makes it like a slingshot.

Dr Chill

W211 E55 rear end-2.65:1
911 TT rear end-3.44:1

W211 E55 curb weight-4087 lbs
911 TT curb weight-3388 lbs

W211 E55-lightning quick
911 TT-lightning quick

W211 E55-4 door family car (Apple)
911 TT-2 door sports car (Orange)


Actually, I think the 911 TT would be faster if it had the 5.5 liter kompressor.

Dr Chill

W211 E55 rear end-2.65:1
911 TT rear end-3.44:1

W211 E55 curb weight-4087 lbs
911 TT curb weight-3388 lbs

W211 E55-4 door family car
911 TT-2 door sports car

W211 E55-lightning quick

jkrutch

The 911TT with the MB motor would be insane!!!! As with the E55, the 911TT is a bit on the heavy side given its dimensions and purpose. If the GT2 had a backseat, I would probably have gone that route, but I need to occassionally have a kid or 2 with me in the Porsche.

I agree with the apples to oranges comparison, but it had been brought up so many times that I thought I would add my comments. This last cold front made driving a lot more exciting...What a difference in the colder weather!

EDWARD CONROY

How does the power to weight compare? My 86 930 with 500 HP and in the 3,000 pound range must have had an incredible 0-60 and 0-100 potential. It felt so much faster than my E55 I can't even describe it. Just frightening acceleration when I held the peddle down. I was going up a hill once and passed this guy on a straightaway who was doing 45. I just wanted to get past him because some twisties were coming up and I didn't want to be stuck behind him. My daughter was with me. I looked down and I was doing 100. I instantly backed off and we couldn't believe it.

jkrutch

The 996 Turbo has a much better power to weight ratio than the E55 (8.14 vs. 8.74) ...it also has a much more favorable gear ratio for lower end acceleration. I guess that is why I think the 996 Turbo feels much quicker....probably because it really is. Your 500HP 930 should be much quicker as well....

Blocktrader

You could compare the power to weight ratios if the car was always at it's peak power. They are not. The E55 likly has a much larger area under the powere curve than the Porsche. Also, as the cars go faster wind resistance becomes increasingly important. This is probably why the E55 performs so well against the Porsche in real world tests. If you lined them up I bet the race would go something like this. 996 pulls a car length by 30 mph. E55 gets back half car during 9961-2 shift. 996 puls a quarte car through second. E55 gets back half car during 996 2-3 shift. Neither car gains any ground while the 996 is in third. E55 pulls a third car during 996 3-4 shift. I bet neither car would ever pull more than a car or so. I am talking about average cars though. I bet a strong running E55 would beat a weak 996 and vice-versa.

Here's the thing though. You can easily modify the 996 and make another 100 HP. You can modify the E55 but there is not nearly the gains to be made.

anerbe

at higher speeds, i believe that the e55 pulls (after 100) harder than the 911 up until it's limiter. weight doesn't play as big a factor on the expressway. i think the 911's drag coef. is around .3, while the e55 tends to be a bit more slippery at .27. i did a write up on this thread about weight vs. drag.....

https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...threadid=54561

jkrutch

I completely disagree about the power band...the Porsche has a very wide and flat power band. The turbo motor isn't as rev needy as the normally aspirated 911...above 2k RPM it has good power....even in 6th gear. That said, I intend to find out soon. I will have a buddy of mine (who can really drive) in the E55 and me in the Porsche. A good real world test will be from a 5mph roll...and we will go up to around 100. I will report on the outcome.

I will say this (as I have said before)...there is too much torque for the rear tires in the MB. I ended up on someone's tail instead of in front of them because of the traction control intervening...a right turn with a Infiniti G35 Coupe (with a Stillen exhaust) in front with about 300 yards until the highway on ramp...he punches it and so do I. The road is 2 lanes and he's left and I'm right in hopes of passing before the highway entrance....The traction control kicks in and I can't get around him. That sucks! I should have left him as if he were standing still and passed without issue, but I couldn't because of too much torque for the rear tires. By the time the computer would 'let' me go, it was too late.

W210

You applied way too much gas! If you eased in instead of punching it, you would have passed with ease!

EDWARD CONROY

I think the C32 is worse, believe it or not. Getting off the line quickly became a project requiring an annoying and fun robbing amount of skill and preparation.

jkrutch

You're probably correct, however, the car wasn't completely straight from the turn and any amount of gas (in even a slight turn) given those skinny tires, heavy weight and massive torque = computer intervention. That is why I hate auto trannys. I still have to learn this car....Also the weather here in S. Florida is crazy....85 on Wednesday and 68 on Thursday...it makes a big difference in how the car performs/reacts and how much throttle can be applied without the computer screwing things up. Next time is traction control off, shifter held left and easing into the gas. It wont happen again.

EDWARD CONROY

Yeah, when you aren't working with a lot of distance, those first couple of seconds can pretty much determine the outcome. Oh, funny story. The very first day I drove the car to work it's two lanes about to go into one. A guy in a TRUCK floors it. He was moving pretty good, but I got into it just enough to leave him behind. I was thinking, you CAN'T be serious.

W210

Yes, launching the E55 is not the easiest sometimes, the power is addictive, but then if we overdo it, the computer will always kick in too much.

I wonder for the bullet proof maximum acceleration run say from 0-60, which will be faster, between a 996TT tiptronic or a RS6?

krispykrme

The brakes itself it's okay. You had same problem as I did. I.E. brake pedal response is weird and non-linear.

Nothing you can do except getting used to it. However, My e55 is finding more time in the garage rather being driven. I am taking out the M3 more and more during the weekend. Still not used to E55.