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Comments
I'd rather have a M3 over the 5, though.
I recently purchased a Mini Cooper S, which only comes with a six speed. It is fun and reminds me of something I have lost from my driving experience in my automatic equipped vehicles. But I must admit, after two weeks of ownership, I am tired of shifting and will probably flip the car.
M
shoes,
What the hell do you do?
M
Pardon me? Please name a SINGLE non-AWD vehicle with more than 250hp that doesn't have serious traction issues when doing best-time launches... when you start to talk about 4-second 0-60 vehicles, controlling wheelspin means *everything*.
And yes, the wheelbase is a factor insofar as there is parasitic drivetrain loss in a front engine, rear-drive vehicle within the driveshaft. The impact is probably marginal, but it is there. For all we know, the SL uses a lighter, shorter, lower-friction driveshaft that saps less engine power than the longer, heavier driveshaft from the midsize sedan.
"Please name a SINGLE non-AWD vehicle with more than 250hp that doesn't have serious traction issues when doing best-time launches... when you start to talk about 4-second 0-60 vehicles, controlling wheelspin means *everything*."
Why would any carmaker publish a slower 0-60 figure based on seconds lost due to wheelspin? Lawd you can't really be that niave. And your wheelbase theory is about as weak, at a 3.6 inch difference between the two cars. Gearing, gearing and a slight hp difference!
M
Please lay off the personal attacks. Thank you.
M
Poor Einstein, smart guy but with you here rewriting the laws of the universe, who needs him.
M
Go ahead Merc1, prove it. What else can Mercedes do that nobody else can do? Turn invisible? Travel faster than the speed of light? I'm curious as to what other stories a fanatic can make up to prop his favorite brand.... but let me make some popcorn first....
whotheman
M
Oh, and what brand/model/grip rating tires do these two vehicles use? You write like you know, so maybe you can clue me in. Thanks again.
And for the record, I've backed up everything I've said while you've gotten snippy and sarcastic and defensive. Chill out Merc, it's just a car, not your unborn child we're talking about!! Yes, the SL55 could well be using a much lighter low friction driveshaft, given its shorter wheelbase and higher price point. Yes, differences in weight distribution, camber, center of gravity (which affects lateral stresses on the axle, impacting force distribution at the contact patch of the tires) and many other factors can and probably do result in somewhat different amounts of traction for the two cars on aggressive launches. Yes, the gearing is probably somewhat different. I've offered three perfectly reasonable explanations for why there might be a ZERO POINT TWO second difference on 0-60 times, and all you've done is whine whine whine. Instead of continuing whining, why don't you offer some explanations, facts, theories, ANYTHING of your own, rather than trying to pick a fight because someone suggested that a Mercedes might have wheelspin? Heck, some manufacturers intentionally brake-torque to force wheelspin to get their best auto tranny 0-60 times!! And you call ME naive!!
Even better question....why am I wasting my time(?)
M
I said: wheelspin might be a factor.
You said: Mercedes cars don't have any wheelspin.
Therefore, all Mercedes have identical wheelspin (namely none) regardless of launch method, engine, car design, etc., and I think it fairly follows that since all Mercedes apparently put down infinite gs on the skidpad in order to accomplish this incredible feat, we might as well say that they all Mercedes have the same (namely, infinite) traction.
Laws of physics? Who needs them when we've got Merc1 and AMG!
"Even better question....why am I wasting my time(?)"
Because you're a zealot. You can't help it.
M
http://www.germancarfans.com/News.cfm?NewsID=2020915.001
M
I would like to buy an SL55, however, refuse to get into a bidding war with dealers and individuals who order, wait for delivery and auction at higher prices. Please provide feedback on this topic.
Also, can anyone advise the planned number of units to be supplied?
hstei,
The SL55's here are going for 185K without even so much as an eyeblink from the salesman.
M
With high end limited production cars you have three choices: (1) get in 1-2 years in advance with a substantial deposit, (2) wait until they first arrive and pay a substantial premium, (3)or wait 1-2+ years for the hype and price to return to reality.
I was too slow to do (1), refused to do (2), so ended up doing (3) when purchasing a 2002 M5 this spring. I question those who paid a $20k premium to have the privalege of driving one 6-12 months in advance of me.
As for my associate, he has already been offered upwards of $40k cash not to take his SL55. His position is the same as with the 360. He doesn't want to make money by "flipping" a car, he just doesn't want to pay a premium to drive one.
completed on trade-in with the customers who had ordered and placed deposits. In August the dealer in Atlantic City had five units on the lot asking a $10,000.00 premium. I looked at him and turned around and left. These were SL 500s.
More of us in the market need to exercise our power and refuse the dealer and criticize the manufacturer.
M
EJEROD, can you provide MB Chairman's address/email address. I'll give him a piece of my mind regarding HIS dealer network.
To the other comments, thanks. I will continue to approach dealers in the area until SLs are plentiful and buy at my price not theirs.
Please continue on this topic. Maybe if we all send messages to MB headquarters they will start producing more units or increase allocations to USA.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Is there something wrong with this picutre???
Yes, obviously I'm in the wrong line of work:)
Good luck finding an SL. If the market stays strong, you can get the SL500 and probably flip it (for close to or more than what you paid for it) when the SL55 comes in (and you're willing to part with $200,000). Just a thought! The SL is a beautiful car!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
It seems now-a-days we need to predict what kind of car we will be driving in two years and plan for it now! Not knowing what cars different manufacturers may bring to the market, adds to the complexity.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
M
M
The price would be way too close to the CLK 55 AMG Cabriolet (now granted that car isn't for everyone). If you want something softer than a CLK 55 AMG, but not as expensive as an SL 500, I'm sure your locar Mercedes-Benz retailer (dealer, center, or whatever they're called these days) will be happy to point you to a CLK 430 Cabriolet (or a CLK 500 Cabriolet next year).
I don't know...just thinking out loud.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
M
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
Also, what are the ratings on this 3.5L engine? The SL is a very, very heavy car; what's going to make someone choose it over a SLK320 if the difference is nearly thirty thousand dollars? Yes, the SL would be a better car, but is it that much better? Plus, I remember reading somewhere that the old SL300 was dropped in part because it's higher availability was dragging down dealer premiums on the SL500.
Personally rather than a SL350 I'd like to see a redesigned SLK with the same powerplant.
sphinx99: I agree with you 100%. You make some excellent points!
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD