Kicks Porsche butt

So I picked up my 2007 SL600 on Saturday; standard is 510hp. UNBELIEVABLE POWER! I took a buddy of mine for a drive and the power was so awesome that he couldn't stop giggling and swearing. The power on tap on this car is really quite sick (in a very good way). The steering and active suspension systems are nothing like my old 2004 SL500 - completely different feel. Much more solid and the understeer is no longer apparent. I used to listen to my music cranked up pretty loud in the old car, but I don't listen to music much anymore on the SL600 - I like to hear the engine. It totally ROARS - I especially like to drop it under bridges/overpasses as it echoes. Awesome, awesome car!!!

Cool. Glad you're happy.

I wonder what M-B did to correct the understeer? That's the most annoying thing about my SL.

I'm not sure, but it's definitely a lot better than it used to be. Now I just have to be careful not to spin the car if I accelerate around a corner. I've read about the various Renntech kits and intend to power this up to about 670hp, switch out the exhaust and put 20" wheels on it. The finishing touch will be the silver side mirrors (it's Aegean Blue).

The car already lays waste to Porsches etc, but with 670hp I'm looking to put it on the track and see what happens...

What kind of track?

Race track. Mercedes put out an invite - won't go this time around but will next time. Not sure where it was at but it sounds like fun. Have you taken yours out?

I take it you mean road track? No, I haven't. I'd only do it if I were alone. Wouldn't want any Rambos rubbing my car. Besides, it's kinda corny racing on a road track with a regular auto trans (a '95). I can't shift mine manually. If I hit it hard at the apex, it would downshift and jump straight off the track.

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ORIGINAL: 2007SL600

I'm not sure, but it's definitely a lot better than it used to be. Now I just have to be careful not to spin the car if I accelerate around a corner. I've read about the various Renntech kits and intend to power this up to about 670hp, switch out the exhaust and put 20" wheels on it. The finishing touch will be the silver side mirrors (it's Aegean Blue).

The car already lays waste to Porsches etc, but with 670hp I'm looking to put it on the track and see what happens...

With the stock horsepower, which model does it lay waste to? Gt2, Gt3? I'm curious. What track are you going to test it on?

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ORIGINAL: Lugnut

Cool. Glad you're happy.

I wonder what M-B did to correct the understeer? That's the most annoying thing about my SL.

the electronic stability program is responsible for that.


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i haven't driven that 2007 SL600 yet.

i wish i won't, for my right foot can't resist flooring the accelerator pedal while on the highway.


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Haven't drove the 2007 SL600 yet, but if this is better than the 2004 SL600 which is a beast, then the 2007 have gotta be a monster.
And note, there was guy with a 1000 hp souped up Viper and a 1000 hp souped up 2001 S55. In his opinion he says the souped up S55 was his favorite of the two because he always catches everyone he challenged and people who challenged him off guard completely, on the highway, roads, and tracks alike. He made various C5 and C6s and souped up C6s east his dust effortless in the S55. Amazing. That 600 series is a monster on any Mercedes though. It's real hard to not floor it. But it's a speed ticket magnet.

I know the ESP will help, but I'm more interested in decreasing understeer to the point where ESP wouldn't be initiated as soon.

ESP may save a car or a life, but it kills performance. I can slow down without ESP and make the turn okay, but the car has an annoying understeer regardless. In other words, I don't want to slow down so much.

Maybe the question is whether I want to back down a cliff or go nose first?

ESP can be turned off also, but i still doubt it can do full performance because of auto transmission.

i always feel they lack something which i needed which older SL can do.

safety,comfort and convenience has improved, yes... performance, the trick belongs to the driver.

i get more faster heartbeat sitting inside the R129 SL600 than R230 SL600. i can't expect what will happen next in R129, but i know how it works on R230.

BMW doesn't got anything near those.

i like SLR most. although i know how the car thinks, it makes me ponder for a while whenever i'm on the driver's seat.

My Corvette has ESP. It makes me look like I know what I'm doing when the car wants to slide. I hate it though. It takes control and slows down the car.

I like full control of my car. Thats y whenever i drive My moms Magnum or any newer vehicle i turn off all the electronic features like ESP, ASR, and traction control or any other "saftey" or as i call it make a better driver out of a poor driver gizmos.

If u dont know how to drive them hard without help u should not be driving hard.

ESP and ASR weren't designed for use while "driving hard." They aren't racing aids.

I know that there not racing aids Lugnut.

But how many people hear or read an advertisment that talks about ESP and all the sudden think there car is a race car? I remember in 2000 when i first got the dealers brochure (more like 100 page book) on the W220 it said as a disclaimer "Will not repeal the laws of physics" because they understand that if they dont put that and some one wrecks cause they thought there car was now a race car that they would get sued. I laughed but then thought how sad it was that they need to put that.

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I like full control of my car. Thats y whenever i drive My moms Magnum or any newer vehicle i turn off all the electronic features like ESP, ASR, and traction control or any other "saftey" or as i call it make a better driver out of a poor driver gizmos.

If u dont know how to drive them hard without help u should not be driving hard.

Sorry. "Racing" was my word. They weren't designed as "driving hard" aids. Racing or hard driving--semantics. These systems are misunderstood and misused by many, as you pointed out. But, they're for normal driving, not "hard driving."

It makes little sense to turn off all these types of "safety" features unless it's needed. For example, trying to get up an icy slope from a stop, or to do a burnout, or to do some doughnuts, or do some "hard driving." There's nothing effeminate or wimpy about not losing traction or not losing stability due to "help" when you're driving normally and something unexpected happens.

As I said earlier, the saving of a car or a life can surely be attributed to ESP regardless of the driver's ability. ASR not as likely, but ESP I'm sure. ASR if getting the heck out of the way of something, like a 10-wheel dump truck roaring towards you, is ever needed while you're on a gravel road or otherwise low-traction road. Adrenalin can confuse your mind quicker and more profoundly than a baseball bat.

People in America will sue for anything. Like the fat guy suing McDonalds.

Wow, I have truly fallen in love with Mercedes man. What that car? I think SL 65. with like 700 ft/lbs torqe and 600 HP thats just f***ing ridiculousy fast.

it's R230 SL600.

with the top down and looking from behind... you won't be needing ferrari anymore.

I have a 1987 560 sl that is unbelivaby fast. Thing just gets it. have owned for 6 mo. and still makes me laugh. I have had it up to 155 and had some head room left Hmm.
Lots of fun