E90 M3 vs SL55 AMG

Robert B · 07-02-2010, 12:09 PM

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?

ChinoOrtega · 07-02-2010, 01:05 PM

If you put the same engine in different cars, you can't expect to have a perfect car

ss134 · 07-02-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoOrtega

If you put the same engine in different cars, you can't expect to have a perfect car

I know this is a BMW quote about Benz however 135i, 335i, 535i, Z435i............see any common denominators here?

bobbyd1961 · 07-02-2010, 01:58 PM

come on it cant be that bad.

assuck · 07-02-2010, 02:13 PM

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.

Robert B · 07-02-2010, 02:40 PM

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.

Leozap · 07-02-2010, 02:50 PM

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...

e1000 · 07-02-2010, 02:54 PM

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.

Robert B · 07-02-2010, 04:11 PM

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.

e1000 · 07-02-2010, 04:15 PM

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.

adc · 07-02-2010, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoOrtega

If you put the same engine in different cars, you can't expect to have a perfect car

Just wait until you've seen the new M5 and M6 sporting the engine from the X5M and X6M...

OMID INC · 07-02-2010, 05:11 PM

stupid pig boat merc

WillC310 · 07-02-2010, 07:49 PM

AMG Benzs are typically okay, it def. sounds like you just got a troubled car.

991GT3 · 07-03-2010, 02:42 PM

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).

ChinoOrtega · 07-03-2010, 04:08 PM

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

330CIZHP · 07-03-2010, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoOrtega

If you put the same engine in different cars, you can't expect to have a perfect car

My signature quotes that. Mercedes makes cookie-cutter engines that are put in minivans to so-called supercars with different power ratings. Just ridiculous.

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!

photogS · 07-04-2010, 12:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChinoOrtega

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

well, M seems to be following AMG so maybe Merc was right

Petlizard · 07-04-2010, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photogS

well, M seems to be following AMG so maybe Merc was right

It certainly look like they're doing just that.

stickypaws · 07-04-2010, 02:13 PM

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."

Quote:

Originally Posted by OMID INC

stupid pig boat merc

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

graider · 07-11-2010, 11:28 PM

i think the c63 amg engine is very good...not high reving, but put that in a lighter car and it would spank ass

Kiemyster · 07-17-2010, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adc

Just wait until you've seen the new M5 and M6 sporting the engine from the X5M and X6M...

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

adc · 07-18-2010, 08:44 AM

Quote:

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.

580 BHP is what is being passed around.

07-02-2010, 12:09 PM	#1
Robert B Observer 6 Rep 38 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Monte Carlo Bue Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	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?
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07-02-2010, 01:05 PM	#2
ChinoOrtega Captain 50 Rep 604 Posts Drives: 991 C2S Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Guatemala iTrader: (0)	If you put the same engine in different cars, you can't expect to have a perfect car __________________
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07-02-2010, 01:58 PM	#4
bobbyd1961 Banned 43 Rep 2,406 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 sedan LeMans Blue Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: new jersey iTrader: (0)	come on it cant be that bad.
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07-02-2010, 02:13 PM	#5
assuck u w0t m8? 13 Rep 123 Posts Drives: LMB 13' M3 Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (0)	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.
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07-02-2010, 02:40 PM	#6
Robert B Observer 6 Rep 38 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Monte Carlo Bue Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	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.
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07-02-2010, 02:50 PM	#7
Leozap Captain 58 Rep 954 Posts Drives: AW E90 M3 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: NY iTrader: (5)	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... __________________ 11 335is, KW1, M3 bits and what not 08 M3 Sedan 6mt, loaded, modded to the bone Old: 04 M3 SMG
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07-02-2010, 02:54 PM	#8
e1000 that's what SHE said! 75 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	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.
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07-02-2010, 04:11 PM	#9
Robert B Observer 6 Rep 38 Posts Drives: F10 M5 Monte Carlo Bue Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: San Diego iTrader: (0)	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.
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07-02-2010, 04:15 PM	#10
e1000 that's what SHE said! 75 Rep 1,163 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 M3 ZCP Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: OC iTrader: (1)	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.
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07-02-2010, 05:11 PM	#12
OMID INC Lieutenant Colonel 92 Rep 1,562 Posts Drives: E70 X5 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Chicago iTrader: (6)	stupid pig boat merc
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07-02-2010, 07:49 PM	#13
WillC310 Lieutenant 44 Rep 506 Posts Drives: A car Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Planet Earth iTrader: (0)	AMG Benzs are typically okay, it def. sounds like you just got a troubled car.
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07-03-2010, 02:42 PM	#14
991GT3 Captain 92 Rep 885 Posts Drives: Ford Raptor Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: North Dakota iTrader: (0)	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
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07-03-2010, 04:08 PM	#15
ChinoOrtega Captain 50 Rep 604 Posts Drives: 991 C2S Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Guatemala iTrader: (0)	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 __________________
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07-11-2010, 11:28 PM	#20
graider Colonel 35 Rep 2,406 Posts Drives: py/kiwi e46 m3 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: toronto iTrader: (0)	i think the c63 amg engine is very good...not high reving, but put that in a lighter car and it would spank ass
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