vitaman

A friend took delivery this week of a Silver/Black Porsche 997S. He knows that I have an E55 on order and asked which one of us would win in a race.
Havng only briefly driven an E55 and never a 997 I told him that it would be close but I really was not sure. Any thoughts?
BTW: For those that are going through the break in period, be thankful that you don't have to observe the recommended restrictions for 2,000 miles like my friend's Porsche.

04E55 AMG

Driver error would determine the winner if it was a straight line. 997S would win hands down once you hit your first turn. 997S performance numbers are close to the current 996TT.

Look out for the new 997TT, that will be a ROCKET

reggid

the e55 would be much quicker after 40mph but below the porsche has good traction and can beat the e55 from the line if driven well.

FThornton666

not true

a current 997S will run just about 03/04 Cobra times, so 12.6 or so, while an E55 can run consistant 12.4/12.5. A 911 TT can run an 11.87 with a good driver.

W210

If both cars are automatic, the E55 will be substantially faster.

Duane

Having owned a ton of Pcars and AMG's I would think the E55 would win this one. IMO

norb

In straight line, the E55 will win everytime. To get the times published in the magazines (I've seen it as low as 4.1) you have to beat the 977 like a dog. On the E55, with ESP on, you just mash it and go. That said, I really like the new 997, hmmm.

MB SF

Naturally aspirated versus forced induction, the MB of course. Once you hit the twisties the MB would be toast.

BoBcanada

I've see in the tests 997s runs lows 4 and mid-high 14s to the 200km/h and 12.6 1/4 so i think with a good driver it's gonna be very very close!!!

sshu930

I've been reading about E55's fending off 996 TT's so I'm pretty sure that the E55 will pull away from the 997 S. BUT if the 997 launches really hard, nails every shift and the E55 has a little traction problem it will be close.

Funny thing, I'm in the market for a new car in about a year and depending on my situation I'm actually considering getting a E55 or 997 S. It's a tough choice, choosing between my dream car and monster powered sport sedan.

04E55 AMG

If I did not need a 4 door sedan with trunk space for the family, I would go with the 997S in a heartbeat.

I love what Porsche did with the new look. Having owned a 996 TT I am waiting to see how much of a beast the new 997TT will be. It will have to fend of the new F430 from Ferrari, so it will be fun to see. The 996TT always hand the upper hand on the 360 Modena.

M5KILLR

C&D long term (if 20k is long term) has the 997 with a rms leak!!!!!!!!!!! plz, i thought my c2 was junk but if new 997's are having the same rms failures (which they are and which is why a c6 z06 is in order) whos going to put up with a genaration of problems 996's to 997's???

Nickerz

Hey, I just look at it this way...

A guy with a Porsche, A PORSCHE is worried about whether or not a Mercedes can take him! That in itself is truly great! MB has come so far that they have Porsche drivers looking over their shoulders, wondering what an MB can do to them nowadays. I love it!

I remember an article in MotorTrend that said it best about the E55...

"capable of sending a normally proud Porsche 911 pilot straight to a therapist."

I'm not knocking Porsche...just amazed at the level that MB cars as well as others have come to play with! :v

Nick

SergC

I would second that...

kimchiFLAVA

Funny i was just thinking about the E55 AMG vs. porsche 911.
Honestly i don't really care though if the e55 beats the porsche off the line there both beasts but i'd much rather have the porsche just in terms of owner experience and the sporty nature and refinement of the porsche cant be beat for what the price is. Now if i had a family or needed a car with some usable space i would grab the e55.

In terms of PIMP factor i would get the e55 throw on some Zauber Gettins.
But the porsche would be alot more fun to skate around town in busting crazy turns and playing with the manual transmission.

So my choice the porsche handsdown.

neutronium

Heh.

I traded a 993 4S on the '04 E55. Needed the space for the bigger family. E55 would probably win straight line, but yeah, say bye bye in the bendy bit.

norb

When did Car and Driver have a 997 for a long term test?

M5KILLR

december c&d, looked at the article b4 i wrote just to make sure. cant wait for the new z06 (yellow or black, still not sure) which is a giant killer!

Gid_E_Up

I traded an 04 996 4S Cab for an E55. BEST AUTO DECISION I EVER MADE. Twice as fun too.