14th April 2002, 20:13
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#8
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Senior Member (>500)
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Massachusetts
Garage:
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The new SL500 feels like it has some pep but is still hardly a rocket -- the Z8 will smoke it, and even putting that aside, the Z8 is just so much more fun. The SL55 should smoke the Z8, at least in a straight line, but probably will not be as fun and is not States-side until October. The top mechanism is awesome to watch.
Always thought the SL's, even the 600, were just too darn heavy. Hopefully, brute power in the 55 will compensate for the weight, as far as driving experience and enjoyment goes. The SL55 will be a very worthy competitor to the Z8 -- too bad there's no manual tranny for the 55. MB is never even a purchase thought because of this transmission situation. If the 55 had a real stick, or even a sweet paddle setup, it might make more sense on my end to go for it as a daily driver, simply b/c the top is so easy to deal with (glass window, no tonneau cover to deal with, 16 seconds and voila, all done), and there is some storage space with top down, even for a set of golf clubs.
The SL55 must be really heavy and piggish in the turns because the Z8 isn't too special in the turns -- good, yes, but surprising to see the turns could make up that much time for the Z8 against the SL55. Also, the brakes are good in the Z8, but not like a Porsche or anything. Maybe the MB's brakes got some fade after some deep and heavy braking during the circuit run, due to the sheer weight of the 55, which is about 500 lbs heavier than the Z8.
- A-Train
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