First time S600 and SL500 drive today - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 07-08-2002, 03:37 AM

Today I drove a 1996 S600 with 40K miles and a 1996 SL500 with 60K miles.

All I have to say about the S600 is "WOW".

The amazing power, ride, handling and the extremely tank-like feel of the W140 chassis make me absolutely love this car.

I couldn't manage the brake the tires looks from a stand-still (ESP I assume) but did manage to get the drivers side wheel to leave a nice strip around an aggressive corner, thanks to the "posi" rear end.

The power of this car is something to behold. I put my foot to the floor on a road, about a 1/8 of a mile from a stop sign, I ran out of road at 5,000RPM just when the engine was coming to life, and I was at like 60mph already. Just WOW.

I wish I had the chance to take it on the highway, but didn't. If I did, I might not have a license right now

Simply amazing.

The SL500 was a toy in comparison, not impressed at all after driving the V12 beast.

Pix of both can be seen here:

http://www.unusual-imports.com/002-002
http://www.unusual-imports.com/002-003

Then I had to drive home in my old diesel, which really sucked after driving a car that was $140,000 new.

c43amg · #2 07-08-2002, 10:44 AM

I drove a '97 S600 coupe recently (am considering a 600 if I don't keep my C43 when it comes off lease) -- was somewhat underwhelmed. My C43 is much quicker, agile and responsive, even on the Interstate (I did not get the S600 much over 90 MPH) -- power delivery is smooth and substantial, but you don't get the feeling of urgency that you do in a 1,500-pound-lighter AMG car and cornering and maneuverability is no contest.

I have previously had a V-12 in a '95 Jaguar XJ12 sedan ('96 was the last year for Jaguar's V-12s), so I am familiar with the smoothness and torque of a V-12. The S600 is just carrying around a huge amount of weight at almost 5,000 pounds. The Jaguar, by comparison to my memory, also seemed quicker and more lithe than the S600, being 500 pounds lighter (and did not have significant repair issues during my tenure).

Still, if you want the massive solidity of the 140 and can handle the costs, the S600 is a unique animal. As I've said, everyone ought to have a V-12 at least once in their life -- it's a great way to teach the kids to spot bargain premium gas!

#3 07-08-2002, 12:22 PM

I love the S600 but I would hate to think what it would lost to repair.

BenzOnline · #4 07-08-2002, 12:29 PM

It sounds nice but I would hate to think of the gas bill! I complain with my 380!!

#5 07-08-2002, 12:32 PM

Worth every penny of gas it uses.

I hear people saying on here how they can't tell the difference between an S600 and an S500. What, are they dead? The SL500 (much much lighter) still got raped by the S600. I can't imagine an SL600

c43amg · #6 07-08-2002, 12:54 PM

Actually, for what it's worth, a '98 SL600 is no faster than a '98 C43 AMG -- both officially 0-60MPH in 5.9 seconds despite the SL's 389HP and 420 ft/lb of torque -- the SL is also 1,000 pounds heavier.

By comparison, the 5,000 pound '98 S600 sedan is well behind at 6.3 seconds and the 4,700 pound S500 way back at 7.2 seconds -- it takes a lot of HP to move bulk.

BTW, the SL500 is 6.4 seconds, so I wouldn't call the 0.1 second margin of the S600 as "rape".

See:
http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp&yearModelCode=98_SL600&class=98_SL&menu=5_6&spec=3

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp&yearModelCode=98_C43&class=98_C&rnav=01234568&subNav=overview&menu=3_0&spec=3

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp&yearModelCode=98_S600LS&class=98_S&rnav=012345678&subNav=overview&menu=5_2&spec=3

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp&yearModelCode=98_S500LS&class=98_S&rnav=012345678&subNav=overview&menu=5_2&spec=3

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp&yearModelCode=98_SL500&class=98_SL&menu=5_6&spec=3

#7 07-08-2002, 12:58 PM

Wow, I wouldnt mind a drive in either C43 or SL600 in that case

Is the C43 faster than the C36, or just different kinds of fast?

#8 07-08-2002, 01:00 PM

My 500 was almost as fast as the w140

0-62 in the area of
7-7.7

c43amg · #9 07-08-2002, 01:14 PM

The '97 C36 AMG with the same 5-speed AMG-tuned transmission was 6.2 seconds for 0-60 (gaining 0.2 second over the '96 C36 AMG's 4-speed transmission which was 6.4). See:

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/container.jsp?/overview/overview_engine.jsp&yearModelCode=97_C36&class=97_C&rnav=01234568&subNav=overview&menu=4_0&spec=3

Many folks have been surprised by the relatively small difference between the C36 and C43's performance (tho 0.3 seconds in a 0-60 is defined by Road and Track as "significant") -- the C43 is actually 100 pounds lighter but gains only 26HP and 18 ft/lbs of torque -- a compliment to what a good job AMG did with the C36's I-6 (e.g., compare to that era's 240HP M-3, which did have the advantage of an available manual transmission).

Per the [paraphrased] mantra of Colin Chapman of Lotus: "weight is the greatest enemy of performance and handling".

#10 07-08-2002, 03:41 PM

Quote:

My 500 was almost as fast as the w140 0-62 in the area of

I'm pretty sure a 190E 2.3 would take on a W140 300SD or S350 turbodiesel.

I'll bet a W126 300SDL would smoke (pardon the pun) one nicely, as would my car. W140 diesels are sloooow.

-Sam

Ashman · #11 07-08-2002, 05:27 PM

My dad has a 1994 SL600. All I can say is, amazing.

60-120 goes by so quick, its not even funny.

Imagine the trouble I could get into if a caop saw me hit 120 mph on a 35mph speed limit street. I have done it once, and it was by accident. I put my foot down to pass someone, and looked down, and I was doing 120.

Alon

akry · #12 07-08-2002, 08:19 PM

S600 shines at HWY speed, like Alon said.... 50-70mph only takes about 3 sec, and power delivery is SOOO smooth.... it's by no mean a sports car.... standstill acceleration isn't its design criteria anyway....

Andy Kuo

#13 07-08-2002, 10:23 PM

I drove a 190e 2.3 and I tought it was a little to slow for me. and way to small thats for sure

Snowman · #14 07-11-2002, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by mbz380se

I'm pretty sure a 190E 2.3 would take on a W140 300SD or S350 turbodiesel.

I'll bet a W126 300SDL would smoke (pardon the pun) one nicely, as would my car. W140 diesels are sloooow.

-Sam

Yeah the W140 diesels are pretty slow. On the highway I think I would have no trouble against older diesels in my mom's S350.

omegabenz · #15 07-11-2002, 05:16 AM

Alon,

How fast does the SL cover 60-120?

Does the C43 have a lot better lower end power vs the C36, then compair that to the C32?

I was just curious, Thanks
Austin