So I haven't posted a highway story in ages, so here goes. I follow some guy in a Brilliant Silver SL 55 with tinted windows in my GT3 on the freeway, as he sees me coming he guns it. We are approaching a short series of turns followed by a tunnel then another stretch of highway.

Bottom line: SL 55 sounds mean in a straight line, but it's no faster than a 996 GT3, even from a roll on. My windows were open and we were pretty much even, with the edge going to the GT3 if anything at higher speeds. Funny thing is, I even had my windows open.

However, once we approached the turns, it wasn't even funny how much faster a GT3 can carry speed through the corners than the piggy SL 55. By the time I went through two corners and the tunnel and then nailed full throttle on the next stretch of highway, it wasn't even close.

The guy wasn't too friendly when we got to the next stoplight. So I just shook my head at him and laughed.

Whoever thinks the SL is a sports car is truly delusional. What a waste of money... I'd rather take a 997 Turbo Cab any day if I had to have a suntanning cruiser.

I only wish I had the GT2 so I could have annhilated the fool for even trying to step to me. The GT2 easily walks an SL 55 from what I saw tonight.

 

I remember an highway encounter with a SL55AMG while I still had my 500+ hp Supercharged M3. I pretty much destroyed the MB. We took off from about 70-80, he got a good jump on me first but I started gaining him immediately and by the time I got to 160ish, the MB literally hit a wall.
I flew past him and shut it down at around 180ish and it was not before a half an hour later when I realized that he had run to his top speed governer at 155...



Of course all this happened on a closed circuit and the speeds were km/h...


Now, the 996 GT3 IS faster than a 500hp M3, that I've proven as well, on a closed circuit too of course!


And then, I was just talking about straight line. Throw in some nice bends and the MB better not try to keep up!

 

I guess you might be right, I figured the GT3 would get pwned

 

I think it's the driver. anyone is foo if they step up to you. you da man.

 

You need a mercedes. mad torque!

 

I really need a GT800. now that is mad torque. when are you selling yours?

 

hehe... nah, I've settled down some. I really like the way my car is. I don't need anymore power than it has (low 700s to the wheels). With our 3.8 kit it spools up nicely. It's not the right set up for the track though, that's for sure;(

 

sharky, wow that's a revelation coming from you. is it because too much of a good thing?

 

I had a chance to drive a SL55 around the track .. The car handles like a shopping cart with a broken wheel.

However .. it was a very comfortable ride, had great straight line performance and the folding hardtop is priceless for facing year-round weather.

 

nah I just realize I don't need any of that power at the track and certainly not the violent way it comes on in the turbo Gimme the RS or Cayman with no turbos and a ***** like me is happy at the track

 

shopping cart with a broken wheel! I've never heard that before but it's HILARIOUS!!!

 

I had both an '03 SL55 and my '04 GT3 at the same time. Depended on my mood which I took out for a run. Behaving my age, I took the SL55. Wanting to kick ***, I took the GT3.

Going cross-country or even down to LA from SF, the SL55 would be my choice. Driving the track, or any set of curvies, no question the GT3.

When I became a bit more sensible (if that's at all possible, but considering I now have a hybrid), and I decided to get rid of one, the SL55 was sold. IMO, a great GT, not a sports car, and certainly not as involving as the GT3. And I love getting involved.

 

Hahahaha... where you been oak? Haven't seen you around for a couple of years!

It ain't the driver... it's the car. Lucky that I'm smart enough to pick some good ones.

I don't know what the deal is with Mercedes. The comfort level isn't much better than the BMWs, but the E55 is perhaps the worst handling car I've ever bought... But it's got decent pickup.

 

stop pickin on all of the slow benzes

 

I've seen some fast Benzes in my time... I wouldn't even be surprised if the one I ran against had an ECU tune. I've pulled the GT3 against my E55 as well as my other friend's SL 55 and the GT3 usually would start walking away at higher speed. This one was pretty damn close. So really hard to tell...

AMG or 600 Biturbo Benzes are hardly "slow." They just aren't sports cars.

Being fast in a straight line is dandy, but being faster overall is better, especially on windy roads or a race circuit. Anyone can make a car fast on the straights. For example, yes, a tuned 65 Benz by Renntech or Kleemann is fast. But it gets annhilated by a 996 Turbo with Garrett GT-35 or 40R's all day long. But even still, these 800/900/1000hp 996TT's are not very good on the track, and would get beat by Carrera GT's, mildly tuned GT2's, and especially Cup cars.

To me, balanced performance is the holy grail, and that's what makes a GT3 so great. The Benz is a great "highway bomber." Comfort, nappa leather, Sirius satellite radio, and enough power to pass almost anybody on the freeway. Just make sure you have enough brakes before entering the corner.