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just bought a benz sl 600. hate to say it, folks, it's faster than the spider. no, it doesn't look or sound like it, but that twin turbo, v-12 is SICK. not sure whether to celebrate the fact or be depressed about it.
devastating revelation regarding my 360 spider
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You don't buy a Ferrari because it is practical or the fastest car on the planet. You buy it because it is a Ferrari. That would be enough for me. If it isn't for somebody else, doesn't bother me, but you shouldn't have bought it. It is the whole package, the design, souns, speed and that badge. Enjoy both of your cars 
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383 Posts
worst of all..dudes who don't know cars might think the SL is a Ferrari. Believe me it's happened quite a few times to a friend's SL55. He wasn't please. Lol.
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16 Posts
response
don't get me wrong, doc, i'm not returning the car. nor would i ever say that i shouldn't have bought it. i have always dreamed of getting a 360 and have absolutely no regrets.
the sl doesn't stop traffic the way the 360 does: and it doesn't look, sound, or feel like a ferrari.
but it's a beast. i didn't know it was as macho as it is: ignorance on my part. apples and oranges; i now know not to compare them but to enjoy them both what they are: different rigs.
don't get me wrong, doc, i'm not returning the car. nor would i ever say that i shouldn't have bought it. i have always dreamed of getting a 360 and have absolutely no regrets.
the sl doesn't stop traffic the way the 360 does: and it doesn't look, sound, or feel like a ferrari.
but it's a beast. i didn't know it was as macho as it is: ignorance on my part. apples and oranges; i now know not to compare them but to enjoy them both what they are: different rigs.
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16 Posts
sl 600 v. 360 spider
you have all helped me to see the error in my ways...understand my procession:
c-4
s500
s-55
360 spider
sl 600:
in other words, i bought the 360 before i fully appreciated the magnitude of the car. i am now getting there.
the sl is more practical, the panaramic moonroof which goes down is so cool, it's a joke and i can take it to work every day (unlike the 360 spider). but you are all right, IT'S NOT A 360 SPIDER. i needed that smack upside the head. thanks.
you have all helped me to see the error in my ways...understand my procession:
c-4
s500
s-55
360 spider
sl 600:
in other words, i bought the 360 before i fully appreciated the magnitude of the car. i am now getting there.
the sl is more practical, the panaramic moonroof which goes down is so cool, it's a joke and i can take it to work every day (unlike the 360 spider). but you are all right, IT'S NOT A 360 SPIDER. i needed that smack upside the head. thanks.
May be someone has already said this to the new owner of the sl600: I challenge you on a track and let's see which car is faster through the bends and under breaking then I believe you will start appreciating your Spider more than the Benz.
I gotta give it to the German's, at least the styling has improved to apeal to the younger crowd. Most SL owners were granmmas and granpas who wanted somthing sporty but didn't realy care about the sport itself. How many SLs do you see getting tracked? I love the looks and its drivability. But, how many thousonds of pounds does it weigh more than a Spider? CASE CLOSED! Enjoy your Benz and let Ferrari be enjoyed by the real enthusiasts.
Cheers,
I gotta give it to the German's, at least the styling has improved to apeal to the younger crowd. Most SL owners were granmmas and granpas who wanted somthing sporty but didn't realy care about the sport itself. How many SLs do you see getting tracked? I love the looks and its drivability. But, how many thousonds of pounds does it weigh more than a Spider? CASE CLOSED! Enjoy your Benz and let Ferrari be enjoyed by the real enthusiasts.
Cheers,
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776 Posts
But just imagine two turbos on a Ferrari 5.7 V-12! HOLY CRAP would that be some serious tire shredding power. :evil: :evil: :evil:Bob348 said:
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16 Posts
another response
granted, i can't buy my way into the "enthusiast's" club, but i own the car and i'm trying to get there.
as far as the grandma and grandpa blast on the sl's. it's true. i never would have bought one previously (i'm 40), but the car is fresh.
and yes, the 360 is much lighter. no, i haven't gotten them both out on the track.
looks like i started a virtual holy war!
granted, i can't buy my way into the "enthusiast's" club, but i own the car and i'm trying to get there.
as far as the grandma and grandpa blast on the sl's. it's true. i never would have bought one previously (i'm 40), but the car is fresh.
and yes, the 360 is much lighter. no, i haven't gotten them both out on the track.
looks like i started a virtual holy war!
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6,317 Posts
Re: another response
I think 4i2fly was saying the old SL models where a grandma, grandpa model. But the newer models, like you have, are more aggressive looking with the front lights and side.
Ahk :evil: now that I'm in post mode I can't see where you are. If you are on the west coast anywhere near the bay area in the coming months we'll be getting together. Come along (assuming you are near) and you can meet 4i2fly and some others that like to track their 360. They'll help you out on getting your car on the track.
No holy wars on Ferrari Forum. Just friendly good old fashion car talk.blkonblk360 said:
I think 4i2fly was saying the old SL models where a grandma, grandpa model. But the newer models, like you have, are more aggressive looking with the front lights and side.
Ahk :evil: now that I'm in post mode I can't see where you are. If you are on the west coast anywhere near the bay area in the coming months we'll be getting together. Come along (assuming you are near) and you can meet 4i2fly and some others that like to track their 360. They'll help you out on getting your car on the track.
I am going to Thunderhill on May 28th with NCRC. They have designated the day as Ferrari day. Get the horses out of the stables and let them run loose...
Thunderhill is a fun track for biginers like me. It is not as technical as Laguna Seca yet provides the excitement one requires to get adrenelin pumping. The Cyclone and oh, turn 9 are pretty scarey. I am going there for sure.
Cheers,
P.S. I don't want to beat this issue to death but I would refer Benz "lovers" to an article R&T published in August of 2003, "What's Fast... 0-100-0 ...What's Last". They tested both E55 and SL55 in two different car categories and I was surprised to see E55 beating SL55 in the numbers (lighter E55 beat its sister with less HP and torque). The online version is just photo galery. By the way, I always take BMW before even considering a Benz. BMW is much sportier and handles like a sports car.
Thunderhill is a fun track for biginers like me. It is not as technical as Laguna Seca yet provides the excitement one requires to get adrenelin pumping. The Cyclone and oh, turn 9 are pretty scarey. I am going there for sure.
Cheers,
P.S. I don't want to beat this issue to death but I would refer Benz "lovers" to an article R&T published in August of 2003, "What's Fast... 0-100-0 ...What's Last". They tested both E55 and SL55 in two different car categories and I was surprised to see E55 beating SL55 in the numbers (lighter E55 beat its sister with less HP and torque). The online version is just photo galery. By the way, I always take BMW before even considering a Benz. BMW is much sportier and handles like a sports car.
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16 Posts
i appreciate the invite
i'm in southern cal. might be tough to get up to the bay area. but if any enthusiasts get together here in southern california, i'd jump on that.
in the meantime, the biggest challenge now is getting this badboy out of the garage! that's still the biggest challenge.
i'm in southern cal. might be tough to get up to the bay area. but if any enthusiasts get together here in southern california, i'd jump on that.
in the meantime, the biggest challenge now is getting this badboy out of the garage! that's still the biggest challenge.
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473 Posts
Well as luck has it, my friend has just taken delivery of a AMG SL55 black/black. So I just had to take it for a drive!!
Firstly never buy a black car! Looks great in the showroom but it instantly shows every bit of dust and marks left from cleaning especially in the bright Californian Sun.
The initial impression behind the wheel are of a very well built powerful car. The engine really pulls hard (With 500hp on tap thats what u would expect) and the auto gear box is very smooth changing (The exhaust sounds very strange, very rough almost truck like) .
The SL is VERY heavy, and you really feel the weight when you head off the freeway onto smaller winding roads. I really pushed the car through a series of bends near where I live and while traction was ok, you could really feel the back of the car leaning out forcing me to be very cautious about applying power on exiting the bend.
The SL has a manual sequential gear box that can be switched on when needed.. What a disappointment! Not only are the shifts very slow but they are activated by two very small buttons on the back of the steering wheel that are almost impossible to find especially when turning (Its really easy to loose their relative position as they are fixed to the wheel not the steering column) This system is really unusable for track use which explains whey you will not see many of these cars out on the track in anything other then a straight line drag race. In contrast my 360 is amazing to drive using the F1 mode but a pain to use in the auto mode (I personally never use the auto setting)
The car is very good looking and I would love to own one for commuting and daily driving.. But despite the raw power it lacks the passion and sheer driving excitement of a Ferrari or any other real sports car for that matter!
These are clearly my own personal observations, and I'm sure there are people out there who will disagree with me so bring em on!!
Derm
Firstly never buy a black car! Looks great in the showroom but it instantly shows every bit of dust and marks left from cleaning especially in the bright Californian Sun.
The initial impression behind the wheel are of a very well built powerful car. The engine really pulls hard (With 500hp on tap thats what u would expect) and the auto gear box is very smooth changing (The exhaust sounds very strange, very rough almost truck like) .
The SL is VERY heavy, and you really feel the weight when you head off the freeway onto smaller winding roads. I really pushed the car through a series of bends near where I live and while traction was ok, you could really feel the back of the car leaning out forcing me to be very cautious about applying power on exiting the bend.
The SL has a manual sequential gear box that can be switched on when needed.. What a disappointment! Not only are the shifts very slow but they are activated by two very small buttons on the back of the steering wheel that are almost impossible to find especially when turning (Its really easy to loose their relative position as they are fixed to the wheel not the steering column) This system is really unusable for track use which explains whey you will not see many of these cars out on the track in anything other then a straight line drag race. In contrast my 360 is amazing to drive using the F1 mode but a pain to use in the auto mode (I personally never use the auto setting)
The car is very good looking and I would love to own one for commuting and daily driving.. But despite the raw power it lacks the passion and sheer driving excitement of a Ferrari or any other real sports car for that matter!
These are clearly my own personal observations, and I'm sure there are people out there who will disagree with me so bring em on!!
Derm
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16 Posts
that's what i mean!
exactly. it took me a week or so, and a few posts to stop comparing the two: while my sl 600 is heavy and not the 360, it is a phenomenal rig to cruise to work every day. a great, great car to drive the city streets with. the spider is still too involved a drive for that, but it is still the ultimate.
i wonder how the sl 55 compares to the sl 600: i'll probably have to jump to another forum to break that one down!
exactly. it took me a week or so, and a few posts to stop comparing the two: while my sl 600 is heavy and not the 360, it is a phenomenal rig to cruise to work every day. a great, great car to drive the city streets with. the spider is still too involved a drive for that, but it is still the ultimate.
i wonder how the sl 55 compares to the sl 600: i'll probably have to jump to another forum to break that one down!
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19 Posts
Ha ha very funny. Go to any track day, the P-car set are serious about tracking. The F-cars are generally driven such that a well driven Toyota Camry is faster around the track. Quit the Ferrari chest beating, on the road where 99.99% of F-cars are driven (on the rare occaisions they are taken out of the garage) the SL600 will kick its butt.
Edit: I forgot to add that on a fast track the SL55 is as quick as a Spider.
Edit: I forgot to add that on a fast track the SL55 is as quick as a Spider.
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