My wife's new SL550, so different than my 996tt
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My wife's new SL550, so different than my 996tt
My wife just got an '08 SL550 last week (only the 3rd car she's had since 1982!). Feels very solid (as it should for 4200 lbs), and with the 5.5 liter V8 making 382bhp, pretty decent low end torque (which it needs, since it's so portly -- makes the 996tt seem like a lightweight in comparison). A very nice GT cruiser convertible type of car.
I had forgotten what the new car experience was like, as I bought my 996tt used a couple of years ago. Just like the 996tt, it has a full leather interior -- but feels much coarser than the Porsche leather -- and the visors are in cheap vinyl (just like my 996tt!). The "luxury" features are nice -- DVD Nav system, heated seats, "multi-contour seats" (many adjustments), dark wood trim. The trunk even has a power closing feature so that you just push the trunk closed to the latch, and it power closes it the rest of the way.
The power is very decent for this type of car, and with the V8, it moves off the line pretty well (I think C&D magazine clocked 0-60mph in about 5 sec, and the 1/4 mile in about 13 and-a-half seconds at around 105mph?). But I am reminded of something someone else said about driving the N/A 996/997 cars -- it's like having "infinite turbo lag", good steady power, but the turbos never kick in for that high RPM rush of power.
Riding in the SL reminded me of what the 996tt is for -- the rush of the turbo boost (even though I only have the UMW ECU flash and K16 turbos) and the far better road handling (but it is an unfair comparison, as nobody would clain a 4200 lb convertible was intended for sports car-like handling).
It's sometimes nice to have the contrast, to help you appreciate what you already have. Maybe a new 997tt cab would have been the "best of both worlds" (well, for me at least, but not for my wife since she's liked the MB SL for decades), but at well over %50 more cost the 997tt will have to wait.
I had forgotten what the new car experience was like, as I bought my 996tt used a couple of years ago. Just like the 996tt, it has a full leather interior -- but feels much coarser than the Porsche leather -- and the visors are in cheap vinyl (just like my 996tt!). The "luxury" features are nice -- DVD Nav system, heated seats, "multi-contour seats" (many adjustments), dark wood trim. The trunk even has a power closing feature so that you just push the trunk closed to the latch, and it power closes it the rest of the way.
The power is very decent for this type of car, and with the V8, it moves off the line pretty well (I think C&D magazine clocked 0-60mph in about 5 sec, and the 1/4 mile in about 13 and-a-half seconds at around 105mph?). But I am reminded of something someone else said about driving the N/A 996/997 cars -- it's like having "infinite turbo lag", good steady power, but the turbos never kick in for that high RPM rush of power.
Riding in the SL reminded me of what the 996tt is for -- the rush of the turbo boost (even though I only have the UMW ECU flash and K16 turbos) and the far better road handling (but it is an unfair comparison, as nobody would clain a 4200 lb convertible was intended for sports car-like handling).
It's sometimes nice to have the contrast, to help you appreciate what you already have. Maybe a new 997tt cab would have been the "best of both worlds" (well, for me at least, but not for my wife since she's liked the MB SL for decades), but at well over %50 more cost the 997tt will have to wait.
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My wife just got an '08 SL550 last week (only the 3rd car she's had since 1982!). Feels very solid (as it should for 4200 lbs), and with the 5.5 liter V8 making 382bhp, pretty decent low end torque (which it needs, since it's so portly -- makes the 996tt seem like a lightweight in comparison). A very nice GT cruiser convertible type of car.
I had forgotten what the new car experience was like, as I bought my 996tt used a couple of years ago. Just like the 996tt, it has a full leather interior -- but feels much coarser than the Porsche leather -- and the visors are in cheap vinyl (just like my 996tt!). The "luxury" features are nice -- DVD Nav system, heated seats, "multi-contour seats" (many adjustments), dark wood trim. The trunk even has a power closing feature so that you just push the trunk closed to the latch, and it power closes it the rest of the way.
The power is very decent for this type of car, and with the V8, it moves off the line pretty well (I think C&D magazine clocked 0-60mph in about 5 sec, and the 1/4 mile in about 13 and-a-half seconds at around 105mph?). But I am reminded of something someone else said about driving the N/A 996/997 cars -- it's like having "infinite turbo lag", good steady power, but the turbos never kick in for that high RPM rush of power.
Riding in the SL reminded me of what the 996tt is for -- the rush of the turbo boost (even though I only have the UMW ECU flash and K16 turbos) and the far better road handling (but it is an unfair comparison, as nobody would clain a 4200 lb convertible was intended for sports car-like handling).
It's sometimes nice to have the contrast, to help you appreciate what you already have. Maybe a new 997tt cab would have been the "best of both worlds" (well, for me at least, but not for my wife since she's liked the MB SL for decades), but at well over %50 more cost the 997tt will have to wait.
I had forgotten what the new car experience was like, as I bought my 996tt used a couple of years ago. Just like the 996tt, it has a full leather interior -- but feels much coarser than the Porsche leather -- and the visors are in cheap vinyl (just like my 996tt!). The "luxury" features are nice -- DVD Nav system, heated seats, "multi-contour seats" (many adjustments), dark wood trim. The trunk even has a power closing feature so that you just push the trunk closed to the latch, and it power closes it the rest of the way.
The power is very decent for this type of car, and with the V8, it moves off the line pretty well (I think C&D magazine clocked 0-60mph in about 5 sec, and the 1/4 mile in about 13 and-a-half seconds at around 105mph?). But I am reminded of something someone else said about driving the N/A 996/997 cars -- it's like having "infinite turbo lag", good steady power, but the turbos never kick in for that high RPM rush of power.
Riding in the SL reminded me of what the 996tt is for -- the rush of the turbo boost (even though I only have the UMW ECU flash and K16 turbos) and the far better road handling (but it is an unfair comparison, as nobody would clain a 4200 lb convertible was intended for sports car-like handling).
It's sometimes nice to have the contrast, to help you appreciate what you already have. Maybe a new 997tt cab would have been the "best of both worlds" (well, for me at least, but not for my wife since she's liked the MB SL for decades), but at well over %50 more cost the 997tt will have to wait.
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I bought an SL550 a few months ago for my wife and like it quite a bit. I really like all of the features in a car of that type. I think the best feature is the 7speed transmission. So smooth and seemless. We've had zero problems with the car and the service is terrific. The service is miles ahead of anything I've experienced with a Porsche.
I'll be a minority opinion but to me the uber SLs like the SL55 and SL600 aren't that neat. They are very fast to be sure but the extra power seems to accent how heavy the car is. It's just not a sports car, it's a tourer. For some reason I like the extra power in the big sedans.
Enjoy the ride.
I'll be a minority opinion but to me the uber SLs like the SL55 and SL600 aren't that neat. They are very fast to be sure but the extra power seems to accent how heavy the car is. It's just not a sports car, it's a tourer. For some reason I like the extra power in the big sedans.
Enjoy the ride.
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I won't be driving the SL550 much at all (wife's car), but I'll be riding in it from time to time. Nice touring convertible, but not a sports car. Heck, some would say that the stock 996tt is more of a touring car due to its weight, compared to say a GT3.
You know how the airbag warning light can be an issue with the 996 (poor original connectors and such)? Well, the car had 20 miles on it at delivery, my wife drove it home 7 more miles, and at 27 miles the "Supplemental Restraint Malfunction" warning came on (I think it's comparable to the "Aribag Warning" light). She drove it right back to the dealership, and a couple of hours later the service guys found that the connector under the passenger seat had become disconnected. I think it could be a record for low mileage needing service?
For me, I would have bought the SLK55AMG -- smaller and a bit more nimble than the SL550. AMG makes strong motors, especially the new versions, but it's hard to make heavy cars handle well. For what it is, the SL550 is good. My wife likes it, and that's really all that matters.
You know how the airbag warning light can be an issue with the 996 (poor original connectors and such)? Well, the car had 20 miles on it at delivery, my wife drove it home 7 more miles, and at 27 miles the "Supplemental Restraint Malfunction" warning came on (I think it's comparable to the "Aribag Warning" light). She drove it right back to the dealership, and a couple of hours later the service guys found that the connector under the passenger seat had become disconnected. I think it could be a record for low mileage needing service?
For me, I would have bought the SLK55AMG -- smaller and a bit more nimble than the SL550. AMG makes strong motors, especially the new versions, but it's hard to make heavy cars handle well. For what it is, the SL550 is good. My wife likes it, and that's really all that matters.
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I bought a beater 1993 Range Rover on ebay for less than my last clutch in the 996 (UMW LWFW too though).
Really makes me appreciate the 996 turbo.
When down because I cannot afford a 700hp monster stage 4zc system....I get in the Rangie.
No need to upgrade the turbo anymore. I have saved a ton of cash because of it. 0-60 is about 10 seconds I guess. Probably 12. In a souped up custom cam 4.2L V8!.
I have never timed it because I lose patience. It sounds awesome though. Hacked toyota exhaust....quite cool, stainless. Bars/lights/safari rack on the roof. Quite cool in a mud sense of things.
Got it for parking at "ding centers", need to haul "stuff" like top soil or new plants, and for salt in 10" snow storms. For that, it is amazing. Did my own valves, plugs, wires, distrib, tranny fluid, diff/viscous fluid, and leathe repair. Oil change without moving the car or jacking it: priceless.
Really makes me appreciate the 996 turbo.
When down because I cannot afford a 700hp monster stage 4zc system....I get in the Rangie.
No need to upgrade the turbo anymore. I have saved a ton of cash because of it. 0-60 is about 10 seconds I guess. Probably 12. In a souped up custom cam 4.2L V8!.
I have never timed it because I lose patience. It sounds awesome though. Hacked toyota exhaust....quite cool, stainless. Bars/lights/safari rack on the roof. Quite cool in a mud sense of things.
Got it for parking at "ding centers", need to haul "stuff" like top soil or new plants, and for salt in 10" snow storms. For that, it is amazing. Did my own valves, plugs, wires, distrib, tranny fluid, diff/viscous fluid, and leathe repair. Oil change without moving the car or jacking it: priceless.
Last edited by jcb-memphis; Dec 3, 2007 at 09:24 PM.
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jcb-memphis -- What have you decided to do with the wood in your car? I thought of it because of the wood trim in my wife's SL550. Looks nice in the MB, and I think yours looks good with the Natural Brown as well.
I have a '95 MB C220 to drive (had it seince new), 147hp 4 cylinder 0-60mph in "I can't count that high" seconds. I drive that for a week (or the SUV) as the cheapest way to make the 996tt feel quicker.
Different cars for different purposes. All better than walking or taking the bus!
I have a '95 MB C220 to drive (had it seince new), 147hp 4 cylinder 0-60mph in "I can't count that high" seconds. I drive that for a week (or the SUV) as the cheapest way to make the 996tt feel quicker.
Different cars for different purposes. All better than walking or taking the bus!
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jcb-memphis -- What have you decided to do with the wood in your car? I thought of it because of the wood trim in my wife's SL550. Looks nice in the MB, and I think yours looks good with the Natural Brown as well.
I have a '95 MB C220 to drive (had it seince new), 147hp 4 cylinder 0-60mph in "I can't count that high" seconds. I drive that for a week (or the SUV) as the cheapest way to make the 996tt feel quicker.
Different cars for different purposes. All better than walking or taking the bus!
I have a '95 MB C220 to drive (had it seince new), 147hp 4 cylinder 0-60mph in "I can't count that high" seconds. I drive that for a week (or the SUV) as the cheapest way to make the 996tt feel quicker.
Different cars for different purposes. All better than walking or taking the bus!
Red stripe with a natural interior and a metrolpol blue ring.....am I warped?
Interested?..pm me.
Custom idea is basically a techart in metropol blue, natural brown stiching (OEM natrual brown airbag is being kept...), red GT3RS strip up top to match the speed like the GT3RS yellow matches that speedo needle, and red stiching in the strip only.....
A bit more "race car" if you will.
JB
(voice a "don't do it if I am making a big mistake...basis is an ebay wheel for 100 dollars.....metropol blue...the rugs in my car are all metro blue as a factory option....so it should look cool)
Last edited by jcb-memphis; Dec 3, 2007 at 09:21 PM.
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, but I like the idea of the contrasting colors, especially since you have the blue carpets. What are you doing with the new shifter/E-brake -- CF, Alum-look?
I don't need anything else for my interior, it's already unconventional enough
.Post some pics when you're done with it. I'd like to see it.
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Going CF. Felt if losing wood wheel that just the shifter and brake in wood would be a bit odd. CF doesn't make me feel that way and the wing in back is CF TechArt type 1.
Part of me: the wood is classic, cool, more unusual than CF by far these days.
Part of me: CF rules, go sporty. It is a sporty car...
Anyone have a strong opinion either way?
I would save a lot of money if people said "leave it alone it is awesome" and I usually don't let others sway me, but I am on the fence and it's a few dollars.....for not "needed" things.
(images are lousy...dark garage, no flash, cell phone...)
JCB
Part of me: the wood is classic, cool, more unusual than CF by far these days.
Part of me: CF rules, go sporty. It is a sporty car...
Anyone have a strong opinion either way?
I would save a lot of money if people said "leave it alone it is awesome" and I usually don't let others sway me, but I am on the fence and it's a few dollars.....for not "needed" things.
(images are lousy...dark garage, no flash, cell phone...)
JCB
Last edited by jcb-memphis; Dec 3, 2007 at 10:11 PM.
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JB -- Well, here's my honest opinion. I like how the blue carpets go with the natural brown, knowing that the paint is dark blue it all fits together.
I know I'm in the minority opinion on this one, but I think the wood goes well with the natural brown (similar shades). I know that a Porsche is no Mercedes luxo-cruiser, and that almost all on this board think that the wood trim has no place in a Porsche, but I kind of like it. CF is nice, but can have issues with yellowing, cracking of the clearcoat, and delamination.
If it makes you happy, spend the $$ and get a new wheel, shifter and E-brake. I think it will look good. But I also think it looks good (and unique in its own right) the way it is.
I know I'm in the minority opinion on this one, but I think the wood goes well with the natural brown (similar shades). I know that a Porsche is no Mercedes luxo-cruiser, and that almost all on this board think that the wood trim has no place in a Porsche, but I kind of like it. CF is nice, but can have issues with yellowing, cracking of the clearcoat, and delamination.
If it makes you happy, spend the $$ and get a new wheel, shifter and E-brake. I think it will look good. But I also think it looks good (and unique in its own right) the way it is.
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JB -- Well, here's my honest opinion. I like how the blue carpets go with the natural brown, knowing that the paint is dark blue it all fits together.
I know I'm in the minority opinion on this one, but I think the wood goes well with the natural brown (similar shades). I know that a Porsche is no Mercedes luxo-cruiser, and that almost all on this board think that the wood trim has no place in a Porsche, but I kind of like it. CF is nice, but can have issues with yellowing, cracking of the clearcoat, and delamination.
If it makes you happy, spend the $$ and get a new wheel, shifter and E-brake. I think it will look good. But I also think it looks good (and unique in its own right) the way it is.
I know I'm in the minority opinion on this one, but I think the wood goes well with the natural brown (similar shades). I know that a Porsche is no Mercedes luxo-cruiser, and that almost all on this board think that the wood trim has no place in a Porsche, but I kind of like it. CF is nice, but can have issues with yellowing, cracking of the clearcoat, and delamination.
If it makes you happy, spend the $$ and get a new wheel, shifter and E-brake. I think it will look good. But I also think it looks good (and unique in its own right) the way it is.
I feel a whole exhaust richer. I was told that a host of European countries feel the wood is sportier, not just England. CF may be a fad....a long standing one though....as my 1993 or 94 Audi S4 had CF inside, then they went to wood.
I am getting quotes. If too much...no go. I am not rushing anyone....
The prior owner did a sort of Zen review
blue: ocean
natural brown: earth
wood: trees
Odd, yeah, but what I was told. In a weird way, it works. I would never have done it, but 99% of the cars I found that were clean were silver or black..in and out. This was the first clean "unique" car. It is very calming at speed. I bet it makes me smoother.
Ok, sorry about the thread hijack, but you saved me some big dollars.
On the cars, saving more: get a junker for the snow. Make the Pcar seem so so fast and smooth.
Alpha, thanks. Enjoy the wife's car. Key thing to remember, for a convertible, she'll be super safe. That is what really counts.
JB
Last edited by jcb-memphis; Dec 3, 2007 at 11:07 PM.
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i traded in my SL55 for my turbo - the SL was awesome and maybe a couple years down the line ill buy another to add - the power was insane and was ALWAYS there, never needed to spool like the 996TT does
The interior from the 55 to the 550 seems much different everything from the interior pillars, roof, and everything behind was lined in alcantara (sp?) including the visors - so thats part of the difference
The interior from the 55 to the 550 seems much different everything from the interior pillars, roof, and everything behind was lined in alcantara (sp?) including the visors - so thats part of the difference
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Yup the SL is a great car, I always find myself with one in the garage, its not a TT, but thats what I like about the car, Not everyone gets why we love out TT's as much as we do........the SL is a great daily driver.