E90 M3 vs SL55 AMG

[Cdnrockies]

Originally Posted by adc

580 BHP is what is being passed around.

Agreed, but it will be only moments before someone offers a tune for the turbos that will push it over 6.

[cw0974]

I honestly don't think mercs are to be owned for more than 2-4 years. If the sl55 is an 04, it should already be dying. From my experience, my 03 e320, 05 c230, 06 ml350, and 07 e350 were all returned/sold back before they hit 2-3 years of driving. They all went down with problems. My latest was a slk350 which i still have, but i just bought an '10 X5 to switch to bmw.

[alms211]

That "pig" runs the same damn 'Ring time as the E92M3. I test drove a couple of them and found them to be phenominal cars.

[BlancM3]

Originally Posted by Kiemyster

is it save to expect a 600hp + M5? thats what i really want to know. I cross my fingers that they make it happen.

I doubt it! However if the twin turbo engines are tuned thats another story!

[djimenez]

Those weird handling caracteristics are caused by worn out rear toe arms. they case the rear wheels to toe out when hitting small bumps on the road. It's amazing how stupid MB dealerships have become. simple mod. you'll even find upgraded parts on the aftermarket.

a lot of 55K engines suffer from intercooler waterpump failures which only present themselves when driven HARD. you should upgrade to a johnsson cm30 pump and you'll notice a big improvement. It's a hell of an engine with great tuning potential PLUS it's just a torque monster.

d

[amgeater]

Originally Posted by Robert B

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?

wow wow this guy hates AMG cars period

I have a 04 S55 AMG that I bought brand new and never had any of those problems but then again it looks like you have a bad apple there. My S55 is a fast and very luxury sedan that I will buy again hopefully soon S63 baby !!! I love both Mercedes and BMW they are both very good cars, but very different at the same time, keep that in mind..

[Kiemyster]

Originally Posted by adc

580 BHP is what is being passed around.

im satisfied with that figure. throw in an air filter and a flash and your killin it

[phusion974]

Im not a big fan of the SL55's.
The C63 and CLK63 black series on the other hand is a different story.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by cw0974

I honestly don't think mercs are to be owned for more than 2-4 years. If the sl55 is an 04, it should already be dying. From my experience, my 03 e320, 05 c230, 06 ml350, and 07 e350 were all returned/sold back before they hit 2-3 years of driving. They all went down with problems. My latest was a slk350 which i still have, but i just bought an '10 X5 to switch to bmw.

Agreed.

Heavy depreciation, expensive to keep up.

[Herms]

Does your wife like it at least? Seriously, why buy such an expensive car if you (or your wife) aren't in love with it.

Anyway, engine in that car is sweet, but definitely not intended to be a pure sports car like the M3.

[alms211]

Originally Posted by Herms

Does your wife like it at least? Seriously, why buy such an expensive car if you (or your wife) aren't in love with it.

Anyway, engine in that car is sweet, but definitely not intended to be a pure sports car like the M3.

Really?

[bobbyd1961]

Originally Posted by Robert B

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?

Really? wow im surprised . i figure any AMG would be similar to an M.

[Herms]

well, m3 is perhaps not a pure sports car, but certainly intended to appeal to an enthusiast base of people interested in tracking and performance beyond just torque. The merc's have always seemed to me like luxury cars with lots of power and not something a person looking for handling and dynamics would choose (recent exceptions in the amg line perhaps notwithstanding).

[991GT3]

Originally Posted by bobbyd1961

Really? wow im surprised . i figure any AMG would be similar to an M.

I was surprised by the nonlinear comment. I had that engine in my CLS55. I thought it pulled pretty evenly.

[saeedg48]

Originally Posted by Robert B

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?

BhahahhahahahhahahHahahahahhahhahhahhh BMW FTW!

[Robert B]

My SL55 is the only AMG or Merc I have owned. I do not know about other MB/AMG cars and am pleased to learn that others have had better experiences with their AMG's. However, I understood that the SL55 is a big, heavy, luxo-roadster and did not expect it to be as nimble as any of my M cars. But, I did expect a decent ride and reliability.

If I had know the car was or would be a POS, I would not have bought it. I thought that because it was a CPO, it could not have been a lemon -- wrong (lesson learned). The nonlinear power delivery is real. I've owned a turbo car, motorcyle and boat and the SL55's power kicks in like the turbo bike did. The poor ride/handling is undeniable and I appreciate the tip on the suspension mod. That said, my wife loves the way the car looks and it certainly gets many more second looks than any BMW I have owned. I only wish the car worked as well as its reputation. Finally, I have to commend MB San Diego. The SM stepped up to the plate and fixed the latest round of oil leaks at no charge even tough the car is out of warranty.

[IFX]

Originally Posted by saeedg48

BhahahhahahahhahahHahahahahhahhahhahhh BMW FTW!

get off you're BMW high horse.. please.

[drvai]

Originally Posted by Robert B

the car having just spent more than a week in the shop for 3rd time.

How much have you paid in service?