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06-04-2009, 05:40 PM | #46 | |
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Plus some people fail to realize that the heritage and image of the 3 pointed star goes well beyond any of the mass-produced marques. The reason is because they have made products like the old 600-series sedan of yester years, which was compared recently on topgear with the rolls royce corniche. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_600 There is a certain brand preference and attachment with the mercedes brand. Although in the recent years, the partnership with chrysler has tarnished that image somewhat, but merc has been improving since and trying to go back to its old ways of being the best. Now, dont get me wrong. BMW and Audi also make great products. Audi has gained some of that appeal that merc has sustained for so long by launching there R8. However, to be called as perfect substitutes of each other mercedes=/= bmw or vice-versa. Put simply both brands have an enormous portfolio, however mercedes can sell cars like the BS, SLR, 65AMG cars with stratospheric price tags, because people are willing to pay for it Mercedes can easily compete with the exotics. BMW had a few exotics if you will. The M1 which died off in the 70s (a one-off partneship b/w lambo) & then the Z8 (in the early 2000s) which also died off. BMW has the potential to develop similar exotic products and perhaps in the future it will, but at the moment it doesnt have anything to compete with BS, SLR, 65AMG series vehicles. My 2 cents..... P.S. I have owned several BMWs, but only 1 merc which was a R230 SL600 |
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06-04-2009, 05:51 PM | #47 | |
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How did you like that SL600? I have been curious (since price and performance seem to be close) whether the quieter seemingly more refined V12 SL600 is a better vehicle than an AMG tuned loud V8 SL55 or SL63. |
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06-04-2009, 07:11 PM | #48 | |
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The SL55 I drove for the first time felt quite nimble and made the right noises. I mean we all think that with 493bhp and 516lb/ft then once i started the mighty V12 TT SL600, I suddenly realised that this is a wolf in sheep's clothing. definitely the sleeper of the group, with 493bhp as well but 590lb/ft torque. Its a monster off the line and actually quicker off the line too. With Renntech's package (ECU and TCU retune) it put 625bhp and 738lbft torque. MOre then the SLR and SL65 at the time Plus the SL600 had the likes of being a grand tourer and was very very fast, and it had the power whenever you needed it. Would overtake 20 cars at once on country roads! In comparison to the 55 it had no lag, and its turbos were always ready. SO the supercharged V8 vs TwinTurboCharged V12, I would pick the V12 anyday. I know yours is a black series and its tuned differently, but specific to my example SL55 vs SL600....SL600 in a heartbeat. Now the SL63 is a new beast altogether (MCT, 6.2 L V8 etc.) and after I do a thorough test, I will make my judgement then |
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06-04-2009, 08:13 PM | #49 |
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Can't imagine why it has the gas guzzler tax???
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06-04-2009, 08:58 PM | #50 |
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