|
|
07-02-2010, 12:09 PM | #1 |
Observer
6
Rep 38
Posts |
E90 M3 vs SL55 AMG
I need to vent here. I'm stuck driving my wife's SL55 AMG for a couple of days and that car positively sucks compared to my current M3 and every one of the other BMW's I've owned (E46 M3, M Roadster, 535i). We've had it for a few years now and it just seems to get worse and worse. The SL55's reliability sucks, it leaks oil like BP, its ride is terrible, the handling is worse, the stereo is horrible, the acceleration is very non-linear due to the supercharger, which does not come on smoothly at all -- worse than turbo lag, and the exhaust sounds like someone banging on a bass drum. When I bought it for my wife, I realized that SL's are for posers and the gold chain set, but thought an AMG would be a driver's car; wrong! How can MB put out such a crappy product for so much money?
|
07-02-2010, 01:53 PM | #3 |
Brigadier General
232
Rep 3,899
Posts |
I know this is a BMW quote about Benz however 135i, 335i, 535i, Z435i............see any common denominators here?
__________________
2014 AW F80 M3 DCT
2011 AW E90 M3 DCT - Sold 2010 JZB E90 M3 DCT - Sold 2009 6MT E90 LCI 335i M -Sport - Sold Last edited by ss134; 07-02-2010 at 04:13 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2010, 02:13 PM | #5 |
u w0t m8?
13
Rep 123
Posts |
I can't imagine the car having lag worse than a turbo. I thought that was one upside to superchargers? Especially since it's a pretty big engine with lots of tq down low.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2010, 02:40 PM | #6 |
Observer
6
Rep 38
Posts |
That's what I thought and had been my experience with turbos. However, the boost from the supercharger is not there or very low off idle and then it comes on like an on-off switch. In fact, you can hear the SC belt slip when the clutch on the SC disengages.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2010, 02:50 PM | #7 |
Captain
65
Rep 956
Posts |
At least it has a name, people know the SL55 AMG is an expensive car though. So you got what you paid for in a way hahahah...
__________________
2022 M8 Comp
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2010, 02:54 PM | #8 |
that's what SHE said!
75
Rep 1,163
Posts |
What year is it? Earlier models have issues with the SC clutch.
Really though, the SL55 and M3 are just very different. The M3 was built with being nimble and sporty versus the SL55 is just a high horsepower roadster. |
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2010, 04:11 PM | #9 |
Observer
6
Rep 38
Posts |
It's an '04. Bought it as a CPO. It lives part of the time at the MB Dealer's service dept. Once the boost comes on, it pulls as if it has afterburners -- which, of course, is great. And, while I did not expect nimble handling, a well sorted out ride was expected. Indeed, this particular bitch about the car is provoked by (i) the car having just spent more than a week in the shop for 3rd time and (ii) noticing how much the the ride is deteriorating since I have had to drive for the last two days. It has started a nasty habit of slipping to the side when going over rough pavement at moderate speeds -- sort of like my Ford F150 FX4 -- but worse.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2010, 04:15 PM | #10 |
that's what SHE said!
75
Rep 1,163
Posts |
Yeah, they updated the SC clutch in 06, and also have a kit to update some pullies to help the engagement. Sounds like you just have a bad apple there. There's no way it's going to handle anywhere near like an M3.
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-02-2010, 04:49 PM | #11 |
Major General
2790
Rep 6,783
Posts |
Just wait until you've seen the new M5 and M6 sporting the engine from the X5M and X6M...
__________________
2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i |
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2010, 02:42 PM | #14 |
Captain
97
Rep 885
Posts |
I had a CLS55 and never had the troubles you're describing. The engine is a monster (McLaren uses a tuned version of it in the SLR).
__________________
-2016 Macan Turbo(GF vehicle) -2017 Ford Raptor |
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2010, 04:08 PM | #15 |
Captain
50
Rep 604
Posts |
the quote was from M division to AMG not BMW to Mercedes it was a discussion about performance wise, before the 4.4TT that would be in the X5/X6/M5/M6, we all know it won't be the exact same engine, I know the all share the same engines, 135,335,535, every manufacturer does it, but they where talking M VS AMG, c63,e63,s63, instead of a V10 for the M5/M6, V8 M3, well you get the point, this was before the M X5/X6
__________________
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-03-2010, 05:27 PM | #16 | |
Major
65
Rep 1,211
Posts |
Quote:
There was a time when BMW was putting a different engine in every M variant according to what the chassis needed (S54 for Z4 M, S65 V8 for M3, S85 V10 for M5/M6). Unfortunately, BMW is turning into another AMG by making cookie-cutter turbo engines that will be put in just about every car from M models to regular cars. SUCKS!
__________________
""A great sounding, responsive, high-revving, naturally aspirated engine is part of the DNA of a thoroughbred sports car. No two ways about it."
- Lamborghini on turbocharging |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2010, 12:11 AM | #17 | |
Private
5
Rep 96
Posts |
Quote:
well, M seems to be following AMG so maybe Merc was right
__________________
'08 M3
'10 X5 35d |
|
Appreciate
0
|
07-04-2010, 02:13 PM | #19 |
Dictator
55
Rep 1,811
Posts |
Sounds like the OP has a bad sample and made a bad buy. Just like the thousands of bad samples of BMWs (or any brand) and bad buys out there. Too bad. They should probably sell it.
But aside from that I find it bizarre how people constantly compare totally different cars built for different purposes and different demographics and then demean the one they don't like. It's like a "my car against the world" sort of thing. It reeks of insecurity. "Yo, dude, that Aston DB9 is a pig. It doesn't handle anything like my Exige. Yo, it's a piece of shit." And people wonder why there's the BMW owner stereotype phenomenon. Come on, if you're really that brain dead at least fake some intelligence for the sake of the brand and its owners |
Appreciate
0
|
07-17-2010, 09:30 PM | #21 |
Bimmerpost Resident Marijuana Consultant
475
Rep 3,202
Posts
Drives: 320i, 325xi, 335Xi, 335i, M3
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Queens/NYC
iTrader: (4)
Garage List 2010 BMW 335i [0.00]
2011 BMW X335i [0.00] 2006 BMW E90 325xi [0.00] 2011 BMW E90 335xi [4.00] 2011 BMW M3 E90 [7.00] 2006 E90 320i [0.00] |
is it save to expect a 600hp + M5? thats what i really want to know. I cross my fingers that they make it happen.
__________________
"AMG What! S-Line Who? If you ain't got that M I got no respect for you!" '06 Alpine Weiss E90 320i | '06 The Green Machine E90 325xi | '11 Alpine Weiss E90 M3 ZCP | '10 Silverstone X5M | '11 Alpine Weiss E90 335xi |
Appreciate
0
|
07-18-2010, 08:44 AM | #22 |
Major General
2790
Rep 6,783
Posts |
580 BHP is what is being passed around.
__________________
2018 F80 Santorini 2019 Z4 3.0i 2022 X2 M35i |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|