CloseThere is no way that the SLS is more comfortable than the Porsche. All eight of us when reviewing the car talked about the claustrophobic feeling of the SLS compared to the 430, AM and 997. Unless MB made changes which I seriously doubt, the AB finding in this area is pure bullshit.
Kreso, we also commented on the awkwardness of the gull-wing doors. This is the 21st Century and those doors are gimmicky and impractical.
May 16, 2010 7:25:20 PM
Conny997:
Here are the results of the current SportCars magazine (june issue), where they tested the 911 Turbo PDK, SLS AMG, R8 5.2 quattro:
(911/SLS/R8)
acceleration 0-100 kp/h: 3,3 * 3,9 * 3,9
acceleration 0-200 kp/h: 10,8 * 11,1 * 12,0
Quartermile: 11,26 * 11,70 * 11,90
Tracktime Sachsenring (min): 1:36,86 * 1:37,17 * 1:37,48
Tested consumption (l/100 km): 13,6 * 15,1 * 15,2
So, what do you thing which car wins the comparison
The Porsche?
No, far away, her's the ranking:
1. SLS
2. Porsche
3. Audi
The Porsche suffers compared to Mercedes, because it's less confy and less suitable for everyday usage. I can't understand that judgement, though.
The Porsche is a 4-wheel drive and much more spacious in the interior.
And its doors are to me way better suited for daily use, than the wingdoors.
Don't get me wrong, but this is a SPORTSCAR comparison, how can the most comfortable win?
The reason will be known only by "Auto Bild Sportcars"....
May 16, 2010 9:07:57 PM
I like only two things on the SLS:
1. engine/exhaust sound...the 997 Turbo just can't cope with it
2. the doors (it is special)
I would buy the 997 Turbo S over the SLS without even thinking.
Just imagine driving the SLS on snow in winter time and yes, I do that all the time in my 997 Turbo.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Why are the doors special? Modern car features should have a purpose. I see no benefit to the gull-wing doors. They are difficult to get in and out of.
It does puzzle me regarding the Turbo exhaust. I love everything about the car but will admit at times I miss the Ferrari sound. Why can't Porsche juice up the Turbo sound?
I know it is to be a daily driver but it would not compromise that feature if it had a more aggressive exhaust.
nberry:
Why are the doors special? Modern car features should have a purpose. I see no benefit to the gull-wing doors. They are difficult to get in and out of.
It does puzzle me regarding the Turbo exhaust. I love everything about the car but will admit at times I miss the Ferrari sound. Why can't Porsche juice up the Turbo sound?
The doors are special from a showing-off point of view. Sorry if I didn't make that clearer.
Porsche and exhaust sounds....they don't seem to get it right on their turbo charged 911 models. The engine/exhaust sound is part of the whole driving experience, Porsche doesn't seem to realize this regarding the Turbo. Or they just have technical difficulties to implement a decent sound, look at my BMW X5 M for example...twin turbo charged engine, loud exhaust sound but it sounds like a tuned turbo charged 4-cylinder hatchback and not a V8 SUV.
RC (Germany) - Rennteam Editor Porsche 997 Turbo, BMW X5 M, BMW M3 Cab DKG, Mini Cooper S JCW
Aren't turbo engines generally more muted due to the re-direction of the gases through the turbocharger?
On top of that Porsche engines are realatively small capacity at 3.6 or 3.8 liters and also flat (horizontally opposed engines) make a very particular high pitched sound different from the sound of straight 6 or V6/8 engines.
What I don't like about Ferrari sound is that the engines appear as if strained and loud even when cruising in the city at 50km/h. Too much aural exhibitionism IMO.
"Form follows function"
Re. gull wing door, in the scenario of a rollover with car ending up on its roof: How do you get out? I saw a picture of the safety mechanism to release the door but the hole looks very small. I shudder thinking of such a scenario and a fire.
Has anyone looked under the hood? About 2-3 feet behind front grill looks to be just empty space to give the car its form? This form doesn't follow function at all -- all about look. Even so, the "look" is not exactly what I would call attractive.
--
Regards,
Can
997 Turbo + Bilstein Damptronic "Stage 2" ( Review ) + GIAC ECU Tune ( Fast as a torpedo & reversible to stock - Review ) + Cargraphic Exhaust ( Oh heavenly noise! 
)
reginos:
Aren't turbo engines generally more muted due to the re-direction of the gases through the turbocharger?
On top of that Porsche engines are realatively small capacity at 3.6 or 3.8 liters and also flat (horizontally opposed engines) make a very particular high pitched sound different from the sound of straight 6 or V6/8 engines.
Yes above is true, the turbo is directly in the path and muffles the sound. But the real problem as RC mentioned is that someone at Porsche can't hear, or has the wrong philosophy for what the sound should be. After-market systems like Cargraphic and Tubi have shown that the 997 Turbo's sound could be markedly better.
The sound frequency could be tuned very well also, for example while my Cargraphic would never sound like an American push-rod V8, it has a low frequency grunt to die for, and the overall sound is not high-pitched at all, more of a mid-range scream.
Nick, I've driven the 997.2 Turbo and agree with you: Sounds warmer and better than 997.1, but nothing like what I envision what a sport car *should* sound like. But as this is your wife's car, if you are thinking about changing, be careful because in my experience, 98% of women (ok 98% of the ones who have heard my car -- heard not listened, ha-ha) either don't understand, don't like, or dislike 
louder exhaust. The only system that I might suggest would be Tubi, as it's relatively a quiet one.
--
Regards,
Can
997 Turbo + Bilstein Damptronic "Stage 2" ( Review ) + GIAC ECU Tune ( Fast as a torpedo & reversible to stock - Review ) + Cargraphic Exhaust ( Oh heavenly noise! )
cannga:
Nick, I've driven the 997.2 Turbo and agree with you: Sounds warmer and better than 997.1, but nothing like what I envision what a sport car *should* sound like.
The 997.2 Turbo definitely sounds better than the first generation and if all those preliminary driving reports should be accurate, the Turbo S should sound even better. 
And if we are talking about what a sports car should sound like, I guess that may be valid for cars like a 458, Gallardo or GT3 for example. But the Turbo is something like the egg-laying wooly milk-pig , if you know what I mean, so it has to have some sound, but it is not as important as in case of an exotic sports car. 
--
The secret of life is to admire without desiring.
Rossi:
The 997.2 Turbo definitely sounds better than the first generation and if all those preliminary driving reports should be accurate, the Turbo S should sound even better.
And if we are talking about what a sports car should sound like, I guess that may be valid for cars like a 458, Gallardo or GT3 for example. But the Turbo is something like the egg-laying wooly milk-pig
The secret of life is to admire without desiring.
Good point.
Rossi:
The 997.2 Turbo definitely sounds better than the first generation and if all those preliminary driving reports should be accurate, the Turbo S should sound even better.
And if we are talking about what a sports car should sound like, I guess that may be valid for cars like a 458, Gallardo or GT3 for example. But the Turbo is something like the egg-laying wooly milk-pig
Agreed. 
Although, I should add that arguably the most "exotic" of all 997's, the GT2, doesn't sound particularly "good" either in its stock form, at least in comparison to its Ferrari/Lambo/etc. competitors. Much better than stock Turbo but still leaves a lot to be desired in terms of volume and sound quality/character.
BTW: Is this expression of the all-competent piggy of German origin? From eierlegende wollmilchsau?
--
Regards,
Can
997 Turbo + Bilstein Damptronic "Stage 2" ( Review ) + GIAC ECU Tune ( Fast as a torpedo & reversible to stock - Review ) + Cargraphic Exhaust ( Oh heavenly noise! )
Can, you couldn't be more right about what my wife. I mentioned in passing the muted sound of the exhaust and she immediately responded "don't get any ideas about changing the exhaust. As far as I am concerned it is perfect". The matter has been put to bed.
Stefan, are you saying that the 997.2Turbo is not an exotic sport car?
What I find interesting and to my surprise is many people do.
--
Rossi:
nberry:
Stefan, are you saying that the 997.2Turbo is not an exotic sport car?
What I find interesting and to my surprise is many people do.
Nick, it can't be an exotic sports car, it's German.
I can't argue with that. Hey, wait a minute. Isn't the Gallardo German?
Thanks, review as expected.
I like this colour together with the black wheels 
Can a German speaker clarify whether the correct name is "Mezger" or "Metzger" as both are being used in various publications/sites for the Porsche engineer?
"Form follows function"
KresoF1:
Christian, I find 997.2 Turbo PDK exhaust note better then the one on 997.1 Turbo. Also, what othet biturbo engine sounds that much better?
Audi RS6 maybe? McLaren MP4-12C for sure but, that car is in upper class IMHO.
The combination of:
is not the best for sound.
Tuners may enhance the sound but I'm sure their systems are not 100% within the rules of every single country like the manufacturers'. These systems are aftermarket and during the compulsory tests on used cars they are not tested for every single regulation in every country. Usually, in most places the tests for engine noise are superficial, if they exist at all.
--
"Form follows function"
reginos:
Tuners may enhance the sound but I'm sure their systems are not 100% within the rules of every single country like the manufacturers'. These systems are aftermarket and during the compulsory tests on used cars they are not tested for every single regulation in every country. Usually, in most places the tests for engine noise are superficial, if they exist at all.
I think that pretty much sums it up.
fritz
nberry:
If Porsche can find a way to match the sound with the car performance, it would have the perfect sport car. It is like watching a superb dancer dance with no music. You know he/she is good but something is missing which compromises the performance.
Imagine if the music was there (like some "sound-rich" cars) but the dance was rubbish.
"Form follows function"
nberry:
Can, you couldn't be more right about what my wife. I mentioned in passing the muted sound of the exhaust and she immediately responded "don't get any ideas about changing the exhaust. As far as I am concerned it is perfect". The matter has been put to bed.
Nick I knew it! If it's the wife's car, forget about it. :-)
In 997.1 Turbo the problems are with a, volume (mute), and b, quality (whining tone, like a hair dryer).
In 997.2 Turbo, b is more or less fixed (lower tone with some attractive "bubbling"), but the volume is still quite mute, in comparison to most other sport cars.
Part of the "problem" is that the sound proofing in the Turbo is excellent, versus F430 for example. But.. here is your fix, with windows down and car kept above 4000 rpm: Google map of Lakewood Blvd. and Spring St. in Long Beach . 405 North, exit Lakewood going North, one tunnel, left on Spring, second tunnel, u turn, third tunnel, right on Lakewood, fourth tunnel, back on freeway 405, as if nothing has happened, except for slight ringing in the ear.
--
Regards,
Can
997 Turbo + Bilstein Damptronic "Stage 2" ( Review ) + GIAC ECU Tune ( Fast as a torpedo & reversible to stock - Review ) + Cargraphic Exhaust ( Oh heavenly noise! )
May 26, 2010 3:20:37 PM
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and
, so "Mezger" is correct.
