SL55 vs. 997 turbo
Discussion
So following on from my previous thread (http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&f=96&t=1403572&mid=117475&nmt=Got+an+SL55+last+week%2C+got+it+back+from+Eurotune+today....), I thought some may be interested in hearing my opinion/comparison between these two cars.
The turbo is a tip with sports chrono.
The SL (in standard guise) felt slower, but that may have been down to the I/C pump issue. It certainly is slower, however I doubt one without the I/C pump issue would lose much ground (in a straight line, in the dry).
The interior - certainly feels older than the 997, but then the 997 came out in 2006 IIRC and the SL 2002, so they were a few years apart. Otherwise, the interior is a nice place to be and still modern looking, other than the now dated looking COMAND unit.
The sound system is BOSE in both, the 997 more refined, yet both very powerful and sound great for factory fit systems. Plenty of bass for those who like it.
The sound - the SL as standard sounds better than the 997 turbo as standard, which is extremely muted whereas the SL has a nice throaty sound.
The handling - the 997 kicks its ass here. The SL is certainly a GT car, whereas the 997 more toward sports car. Whilst not exactly nimble and light on its feet like a Cayman, the 997 can grip like anything vs. the SL which squirms at bends.
The grip has always been a weak point of the 55K cars. Little weight over the rear wheels, 500bhp with no LSD. The turbo in comparison has a very good AWD system and loads of weight over the rear wheels. The SL would probably be slower in many situations in the wet than my 320d, the turbo however can cover ground almost as quick in the rain as in the dry - it still surprises me to this day nearly 6 years on just how much wet grip it has.
The comfort of the SL is better than the 997 as expected though, I would happily do a 200 mile trip in the SL daily, whereas the 997 would probably be tiring after very long drives - still perfectly comfortable though. The SL feels a lot less uneasy on the road and a lot more planted when cruising - the weight certainly helps.
I think whilst they both were aimed at similar audiences (996 turbo vs. SL55), and they certainly overlap on a number of areas, they are very different cars.
Which one looks better? I'm not so sure!
The turbo is a tip with sports chrono.
The SL (in standard guise) felt slower, but that may have been down to the I/C pump issue. It certainly is slower, however I doubt one without the I/C pump issue would lose much ground (in a straight line, in the dry).
The interior - certainly feels older than the 997, but then the 997 came out in 2006 IIRC and the SL 2002, so they were a few years apart. Otherwise, the interior is a nice place to be and still modern looking, other than the now dated looking COMAND unit.
The sound system is BOSE in both, the 997 more refined, yet both very powerful and sound great for factory fit systems. Plenty of bass for those who like it.
The sound - the SL as standard sounds better than the 997 turbo as standard, which is extremely muted whereas the SL has a nice throaty sound.
The handling - the 997 kicks its ass here. The SL is certainly a GT car, whereas the 997 more toward sports car. Whilst not exactly nimble and light on its feet like a Cayman, the 997 can grip like anything vs. the SL which squirms at bends.
The grip has always been a weak point of the 55K cars. Little weight over the rear wheels, 500bhp with no LSD. The turbo in comparison has a very good AWD system and loads of weight over the rear wheels. The SL would probably be slower in many situations in the wet than my 320d, the turbo however can cover ground almost as quick in the rain as in the dry - it still surprises me to this day nearly 6 years on just how much wet grip it has.
The comfort of the SL is better than the 997 as expected though, I would happily do a 200 mile trip in the SL daily, whereas the 997 would probably be tiring after very long drives - still perfectly comfortable though. The SL feels a lot less uneasy on the road and a lot more planted when cruising - the weight certainly helps.
I think whilst they both were aimed at similar audiences (996 turbo vs. SL55), and they certainly overlap on a number of areas, they are very different cars.
Which one looks better? I'm not so sure!
harry kular said:
That's a fine pair of cars you have- particularly like the colour combination on the Turbo. Any interior pics?
Thanks, I had the interior changed quite a bit from the factory red option.
As standard, the center console and carpets would have been red too, which I thought was way too much red, so I got the center console and carpets in black, with contrasting red stitching on the black.
I really would have loved a black on berry red SL but I didn't even see one for sale in the month or so I was looking!
Edited by vinnie83 on Saturday 3rd May 12:29
harry kular said:
That's a really nice job you've had done. Just the right amount of black to break up the sea of colour that Porsche insist on doing. Lovely jubbly.
Thanks! Yes, the full on red carpets and whole interior is just waaaaaaay too much. They don't do a split dash in red like Merc or BMW do unfortunately... Porsche have been guilty of OTT red interiors for many years:http://www.rpmsportscars.com/pics/9436TurboWhiteRe...
kman said:
vinnie83 said:
Thanks, I had the interior changed quite a bit from the factory red option.
356 in the background lovely!Edited by vinnie83 on Saturday 3rd May 12:29
Great photos on your FB page by the way, if you fancy adding an SL55 and/or 997 turbo to the portfolio please let me know!
Also, if you're willing to email me a high res image of one of those old Porsche pics (steering wheel) I can provide you with a nice professional digital print in return? My father owns a printing firm and I would love that picture on my office so can get a duplicate made for you?
I have had 997TT which was replaced with a AM Vantage V12 and recently bought a SL63 to add more of a GT car to the fleet.
The interior in the SL63 (along with most of the other options) are far superior than the 997 but you are not comparing cars of the same generation. That said Porsche are usually several years behind with interior technology.
None of them sound as good as the V12V although even the SL63 sounded better than the 997TT and created more of a driving presence on the road.
The interior in the SL63 (along with most of the other options) are far superior than the 997 but you are not comparing cars of the same generation. That said Porsche are usually several years behind with interior technology.
None of them sound as good as the V12V although even the SL63 sounded better than the 997TT and created more of a driving presence on the road.
CarbonV12V said:
I have had 997TT which was replaced with a AM Vantage V12 and recently bought a SL63 to add more of a GT car to the fleet.
The interior in the SL63 (along with most of the other options) are far superior than the 997 but you are not comparing cars of the same generation. That said Porsche are usually several years behind with interior technology.
None of them sound as good as the V12V although even the SL63 sounded better than the 997TT and created more of a driving presence on the road.
Great cars, past and present!The interior in the SL63 (along with most of the other options) are far superior than the 997 but you are not comparing cars of the same generation. That said Porsche are usually several years behind with interior technology.
None of them sound as good as the V12V although even the SL63 sounded better than the 997TT and created more of a driving presence on the road.
The 997 turbo sounds crap. It was hugely criticised for being too quiet. I expect a new exhaust would cure it, but the warranty restrictions are unreasonable which makes that a no-no.
How is the V12V as a car to drive compared to the 997? I know it looks better and sounds better, and is probably more of an event to drive, but how does it actually drive?
And how is the SL63? I never gelled with the 63 N/A V8 engine personally... found it lacked torque low down and in comparison to the 55k feels weak.
Personal opinion of course, but I think the SL looked best in R230 form (but I would say that).. but of course the newer cars will be far more modern inside and out.
The only reason I did the comparison was because everyone I know kept asking which is better/faster, so I thought it would be interesting
I don't think many would consider an SL55 when considering a 997 turbo as it's a much cheaper and older design.I'm hoping the SL is quicker in a straight line though - will know when back in Leicester in a few weeks... feels quicker mind!
Oh the interior on the 997 is great, but yes I can imagine the newer cars are better... the 996 (which was really the competitor to the SL55) looks terrible!
Yes - had a 996TT and that was really dated inside. It was a quantum leap when I changed to the 997TT.
The V12V takes some driving and can be a handful at times especially in sport mode. The 997TT could have been driven by my grandma. Visibility was better in the 997 as was the handling but just lack any feedback and excitement.
The SL63 is the new 5.5 V8TT so lot of torque and pulls like a train. Also glides down the motorway below 2kRPM above the limit.
Here's the fleet.
The V12V takes some driving and can be a handful at times especially in sport mode. The 997TT could have been driven by my grandma. Visibility was better in the 997 as was the handling but just lack any feedback and excitement.
The SL63 is the new 5.5 V8TT so lot of torque and pulls like a train. Also glides down the motorway below 2kRPM above the limit.
Here's the fleet.
Edited by CarbonV12V on Monday 26th May 13:53
CarbonV12V - amazing collection of cars... nice house too!
Gareth - is that maybe because the newer SL's look quite different but the newer 911 looks very similar, making the 911 look more modern?
I think the SL still holds its own when around more modern material, but yes it was vs. the 996 not the 997... and in that comparison I think it's done rather well.
911's always hold value better than AMG cars... I mean, you can probably squeeze into a tired SL55 for 13-14k, and you wouldn't even get a 996 C4S for that let alone a turbo... considering the SL55 and 996 turbo cost about the same at release it's quite a difference.
But M cars, AMGs and Audi RS cars always drop like stones!
Gareth - is that maybe because the newer SL's look quite different but the newer 911 looks very similar, making the 911 look more modern?
I think the SL still holds its own when around more modern material, but yes it was vs. the 996 not the 997... and in that comparison I think it's done rather well.
911's always hold value better than AMG cars... I mean, you can probably squeeze into a tired SL55 for 13-14k, and you wouldn't even get a 996 C4S for that let alone a turbo... considering the SL55 and 996 turbo cost about the same at release it's quite a difference.
But M cars, AMGs and Audi RS cars always drop like stones!
I have owned SL 55 pace car version and Cargraphic tuned 997 turbo. Turbo much faster than SL but a bit boring ( have owned any number of 911s in the past so think I can judge).Preferred the SL general usability so thought I would buy SL65 AMG. Until you have driven one of these V12's you will not understand their relaxed epic performance they are in a league of their own on the auto route.
Vetteran said:
I have owned SL 55 pace car version and Cargraphic tuned 997 turbo. Turbo much faster than SL but a bit boring ( have owned any number of 911s in the past so think I can judge).Preferred the SL general usability so thought I would buy SL65 AMG. Until you have driven one of these V12's you will not understand their relaxed epic performance they are in a league of their own on the auto route.
Unfortunately, due to the rediculous rules of the Porsche warranty, I can't modify it 
Otherwise that has so much more potential than the SL55.... but the modded SL55 defenitely feels faster than the standard 997 turbo.I have never driven the SL65... I was going look at getting one but house sale fell through last minute! Was gutted as I had already 'spent' the money in my head!
I suppose I could consider one in a few years, but by then they will be even older, and I'm not too keen on the look of the modern SL's...
I would love to see how the SL65 compares to my modded 55 - some say the 55 feels more immediate due to the low end torque but the 65 just pulls relentlessly...
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