SL55 or should i jump ship and get a 996 turbo

[barrieeld]

OK just wondering if anyone here has owned both of these cars at any point.

Car prices dropping have made both of these vehicles under 30k (Sl55's @27k 996 Turbos 30k dead) which means i can be really tempted enough to buy one.

What are these cars like as a daily driver....fuel economy and servicing also what is the real world performance like?

Any help would be great.

thanks

 

[pint6x]

Personally I would go for the Porker - it shouldn't be any more than the SL55 to run/service - find a good independant specialist. I have more faith in the Porker's build quality, and the turbo's performance with 4 wheel drive is nothing short of staggering.

 

[Donza]

Porsche Turbo...

 

[A210AMG]

The SL55 is an awesome car BUT a Porsche is STILL a porsche and looks quick stood still.

 

[st4]

The SL55 will be more comfortable and with that folding roof a more flexible car (coupe + cabrio in one). The 996 will be much more performance orientated. It also has some rear seats so if you have young kids the Porka would make a more practical car.

Drive both, I found the clutches v. firm on Porka manuals and that a tiptronic one might be nicer. Cabin wise the 996 is a bit plasticy but solid enough, just not special. An SL I saw in a dealers was lovely inside.

 

[timskemp]

SL if you don't have another car for long journeys, but I'm biased as I don't actually like 911s. Wouldn't stop me from owning one if I had the money to have that and something else too.

 

[Roger Jones]

I think I've seen a few horror stories about the 996, unlike the 993. Here are Honest John's views:

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=310

http://www.honestjohn.co.uk/carbycar/index.htm?md=309

I picked up the following somewhere and shared it with my Porsche-dealer neighbour. He wasn't surprised.

"2. "dont do it! and this is from someone who loves porsches

if your after a newer porsche stretch to a special or wait for a 997!

why? boxsters and 996 seem to have suffered from c.a.d. programmes telling time served engineers how things should be done.
imho proven by the specials gt3's gt2's and iirc turbo's using a revised bottom end which is closer to an older 911 engine design than the 1997-on water cooled tat

results being engines which have been serviced properly ect ect having terminal failures at low milages. not uncomon for a failure at 40-60k but lowest ive come across was 36k and it was properly fubar'ed

id like to add i can not fault how they drive and the interior is a nice place to be.

i even make my living repairing and restoring Porsche cars. i love the marque. the harsh tone comes from frustration, caused by the fact that too high a percentage suffer terminal engine failure at a low mileage. its just not very Porsche!"

 

[recycled]

No contest. the 996 is a better car.

 

[recycled]

I think I've seen a few horror stories about the 996, unlike the 993. Here are Honest John's views:

have you heard ther horror stories for the SL55's ?

 

[recycled]

The SL55 is an awesome car BUT a Porsche is STILL a porsche and looks quick stood still.

and would not run out of puff at 155.

 

[st4]

and would not run out of puff at 155.

How often seriously will that be an issue? Unless you go to germany, and they can be restricted.

Could the OP stretch, hold off for a 997 to drop in values a bit more. Would a BMW M3 be an option, or an C63 when they dip.

 

[recycled]

How often seriously will that be an issue? Unless you go to germany, and they can be restricted.

.

good for GTG's at bruntingthorpe

 

[pint6x]

If you're looking at used 996s (first water-cooled Porkers) and 993s (last of the air-cooled 911s) you will see that used 993s are holding on to their values very strongly. A used 993 and a used 996 are almost the same price even given the age difference.

 

[Howard]

and would not run out of puff at 155.

Just have it de-limited then ...

You don't honestly think that a 500bhp SL55 tops out at 155mph do you , without the computer telling it to ?

Without the limiter , it'll go to nearly 200 ...

Saying that , i'd have the Turbo too though

 

[stats007]

Having had a 996 C4 I would definitely go for the SL55. The Porsche is nice, has a unique driving feel but low rent and not without their problems.

The noise, style and elegance of an R230 SL55 is still something I want to experience myself.

 

[Roger Jones]

"have you heard ther horror stories for the SL55's ?"

If I had I would have posted links or text, as my aim is to help. Have you?

 

[st4]

I'd rather have an R320 Sl600 than the AMG car. I think it suits the car more. I'd also rather have a 911GT3 than a Turbo. Any 996 GTG3's going about. Serious track day weapon

 

[recycled]

"have you heard ther horror stories for the SL55's ?"

If I had I would have posted links or text, as my aim is to help. Have you?

http://www.whatcar.co.uk/car-review-readers.aspx?RT=2299

http://repairpal.com/cars/mercedes-benz/sl55+amg

http://www.motortrend.com/cars/2003/mercedes_benz/sl_class/sl55_amg_roadster/1386/recalls/index.html

My aim is to help as well and i feel the turbo is a better car.
there is no car that is 100% reliable

 

[Seamster15]

i'd go SL, having had both phase one and two Boxster S models, I agree on the low rent quality comment as my rusty W202 is built better. The Porsche will also attract more people, having had the problems myself it cannot be used everyday if you with to live a normal life and park in public car parks.

All cars have their issues so expect problems with both marques.

Good luck.

 

[barrieeld]

Hi there folks...interesting topic..first i thought it would be the porka straight off but it seems that theres a few folk who rate the SL55 over the 911.

After looking again @ prices i can see the Merc is coming in around 3-5K cheaper than the Porka which may sway things a little more toward the SL.

I'm definitely going to go for one but will prob wait till into the new year and see how residuals take shape you never know maybe SL's will drop to 22k ish?

As for as straight line performance goes how do these cars compare? Is the SL's handling really bad with it being almost 2 tonnes?