USA 560SL Performance Differences 86-89

[Roncallo]

Gentelmen

I have been trying to find the performance specifications for my 1988 560SL. I hav found online from several sources specs on the 86, 87 and 89 SL's. These are as follows

Year 0-60 MPH 1/4 mile
86 7.5 15.8
87 7.5 15.8
89 6.8 15.2

I also found the 87 560SEC at 7.0 and 15.5, which I was suprised to see faster than the SL.

My question is, was there a change in the engine trans rear end etc. that may cause the 89SL to go faster. If so what were they and were they also included in the 88 SL's. Also is the 560SEC really faster than the 560SL?

Thank You
John Roncallo

[Strife]

Are these figures as published by MB?

[Walrus]

A good source of info for the Sl is found at Roy's site, oursl.com. From his home page, you can link to a research section, and drill down by model year. performance data, manu. data, and other specifications are listed there. It is a well-run site, but it's forums are kinda dead (not much action)...

Happy hunting...

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by Strife

Are these figures as published by MB?

No these are from various sources from the internet. Google search on "Mercedes 560SL Performance" Since all sources have the same numbers I assume they all come from the same root source.

John Roncallo

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by Walrus

A good source of info for the Sl is found at Roy's site, oursl.com. From his home page, you can link to a research section, and drill down by model year. performance data, manu. data, and other specifications are listed there. It is a well-run site, but it's forums are kinda dead (not much action)...

Happy hunting...

Nice sight, but they only publish on number for all 560SL's 0-60 in 8.0, Depressing.

John Roncallo

[cbdo]

I'm not aware of any significant differences in engine or drivetrain through the 560SL run. I'd be more likely to think of differences in temperature, wind, humidity, pavement, driving, etc.--all the variables that go into an acceleration run. The Brooklands collection of 107 tests from the major car mags over the years show significant variation when different magazines test the same model vehicle.

[Gilly]

MB doesn't give 1/4 mile time, but all 560SL's are listed at 7.7sec. 0 to 100kph (roughly 0 to 60 mph). 560SL was US, Japan, and Australia only.

Lot's of different info for the 560SEC as there were versions with or without catalyst.
From 10/85 to 8/87, ECE version 0 to 100kph 6.8 sec, non-ECE without catalyst 6.9 sec, and with catalyst 7.6 sec. No ECE versions are shown after 9/87, I assume it was dropped.
As of 9/87, without catalyst 0-100kph 6.8 seconds, with catalyst 7.2 seconds.
The rear end ratio was different between the SL and SEC (2.47 for the SL, 2.65 for the SEC).
It looks like the top speed of the SEC is also higher than the SL, although the SEC is a heavier car. Looking through the other stats, the 560SL is rated at 230hp, and it varies for the different set-ups on the 560SEC, but the SEC versions are all higher hp than 230, so that is the reason for the difference.
Gilly
PS also noticed different ratios in the transmission for 1st and 2nd gear, 3rd and 4th are the same though.
PPS From 9/87 the version WITH catalyst had 279 (!) hp compared with the 230 for the SL!!

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by Gilly

MB doesn't give 1/4 mile time, but all 560SL's are listed at 7.7sec. 0 to 100kph (roughly 0 to 60 mph). 560SL was US, Japan, and Australia only.

Lot's of different info for the 560SEC as there were versions with or without catalyst.
From 10/85 to 8/87, ECE version 0 to 100kph 6.8 sec, non-ECE without catalyst 6.9 sec, and with catalyst 7.6 sec. No ECE versions are shown after 9/87, I assume it was dropped.
As of 9/87, without catalyst 0-100kph 6.8 seconds, with catalyst 7.2 seconds.
The rear end ratio was different between the SL and SEC (2.47 for the SL, 2.65 for the SEC).
It looks like the top speed of the SEC is also higher than the SL, although the SEC is a heavier car. Looking through the other stats, the 560SL is rated at 230hp, and it varies for the different set-ups on the 560SEC, but the SEC versions are all higher hp than 230, so that is the reason for the difference.
Gilly
PS also noticed different ratios in the transmission for 1st and 2nd gear, 3rd and 4th are the same though.
PPS From 9/87 the version WITH catalyst had 279 (!) hp compared with the 230 for the SL!!

Excelent info. Can you tell me the source.

Thank You
John Roncallo

[Gilly]

John
Yes, it's from an excellent MB history disc I have.
Gilly

[Roncallo]

Originally Posted by Gilly

John
Yes, it's from an excellent MB history disc I have.
Gilly

Excellent
Thank You

[Gilly]

Info from what I have:
From United Soft Media, web site www.usm.de , I have version 3.0 There are newer versions, the last I knew 3.0 is the last one available in English. It's a 2 disc set. Title is "The Ultimate History of the Automobile" then it says "Mercedes-Benz", so maybe they have several different manufacturers they have covered. 3.0 goes up to about model year 2000 or so, and goes all the way back to the 1880's.

Gilly