I had a friendly encounter today with an SL55 while I was on my way to pick up my son from an SAT prep class.

I had just entered the 101 freeway going north bound when I noticed a fast approaching silver SL55 on my rear view mirror. I had a definite hunch that he was coming after me for a little race so I kept my pace at around 90 MPH and checked the traffic condition ahead of me. Fortunately, it was wide open for quite a distance and I felt that I would not be putting anyone else or me in danger.

Sure enough, as he was about to pass me he slowed down a bit to be even with my car. At this point, he was really asking for it and it would not have been polite to turn him down so I simply slammed down on the gas without doing anything else(mine is a tiptronic) and I could tell he was doing the same also.

Let me tell you, with all these talk about the sl55 being faster at higher speeds than the tt, I did not expect much from my car because already we were starting out at around 90 MPH.

It took a fraction of a second for the tiptronic to shift down automatically(I don't know whether it was to 4th or 3rd at that speed) than I was off and within a few seconds I was looking at a fast dissappearing SL on my rear view mirror. It was simply a no contest and the SL55 was not even close. I slowed down to regular speed when he was about 1/8 of a mile away and waited for him to pass by. A distinguished looking middle eastern gentleman was driving the SL and he gave me a big smile and a wave as he passed by.

I just have the regular Upsolute, modified stock exhaust, and K & N filter on my car and I must say that I was pleasantly surprised at the tt's performance.

 

What do you do to modify the stock exhaust??

 

Did you notice the worst traffic EVER on the 101S today. If you were on the 101 within the last 3 1/2 hours you would see bumper to bumper all the way to the 405. I am in calabasas right now at Bob Smith BMW looking at it crawl.

There was some kind of horrific accident on the 101S, a tanker truck exploded I heard.

 

Matt,

I normally go down south on 101 fwy but due to the traffic, I decided to take 101 north, than 23 north, than 118 east just to get to Balboa and Roscoe area. Do you remember tha last time a fuel truck spilled fuel all over the 101 near Agoura hills? That was the worst. Completely closed down the freeway for hours to clean up the spill and the area smelled like fuel for days.

 

I have a modified stock exhaust from NR Auto. The cost was around $1000 with the trade-in of my stock exhaust. When I installed the exhaust, I could feel the increased HP and better response and the sound is great but the modest amount of resonance it has around 2000 to 2400 rpm is really starting to bother me. Because my car is a tip, those rpm is the most used rpm range whether I am on the street or on the freeway. Arling at Lucent test drove my car and he noticed the modest resonance and said that if that bothers me I have to stay stock, as that amount of resonance is present in most aftermarket exhausts. By the way, very nice guy, Arling. I don't think this would have been a problem for cars with the 6 speed. If I put the tip in manual I can easily stay out of that rpm range, but it is a hassle to do that constantly.

I am probably going back to stock exhaust if I can find a 2003 or 2004 stock exhaust for a reasonable amount($300 to $400 seems to be the going rate)

 

Sorry, but I am one of those guys who still thinks the E55 is quicker after 40 or so compared to a STOCK TT. I have both cars, so I am unbiased. Actually, my bias is in favor of the p-car.

In all fairness, your car has over 100HP more than a stock TT. That makes a HUGE difference at speed. Plus, the SL55 is unqestionably slower than the E55. I am about to go stage 2 with my TT to ensure that I don't get toasted. I am still glad you won!

 

Jlee,

PM "Tuuner" he has a stock 2003 exhaust he might sell.

~Rob

 

hmmm...might be willing to part with mine for a small fee...

T

 

With the Upsolute, a stock SL55 doesnt even stand a chance!

 

my dad keeps saying how my sl55 feels faster than his 996tt; while i still say that the turbo is faster

i guess only one way to find out

 

Modified versus stock (if he was stock) is apples to oranges.

Also, are you sure he was max. performing his car the whole time?

 

Modified versus stock (if he was stock) is apples to oranges.

Also, are you sure he was max. performing his car the whole time?


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Dock,

I am in total agreement with you on the issue of modified vs. stock. As for the other driver not giving his best, only he would know!

 

I agree with JK. E55 is faster than a tt from about 40 on up. No one ever said they will beat upsoluted tt.

 

Sure saw that traffic on the 101. Luckily I was heading the other way. I actually took topanga back from malibu! BTW I was behind a Blue Viper. The older body style with white racing stripes. Those things might be crude and rude, but they sure a freaking lookers!

 

Did the same when I had my K16s/upsolute and I didnt even have to down shift....