In all fairness, pukka, I think you were right all along. The power difference between the cars is far more significant than the weight difference. Depending on the specific year, the SL55's were running either side of 500bhp - the car is moving appreciably fewer pounds per horsepower. You have to think the SL driver just wasn't pushing hard. I suspect that most of us here have "lost" races where we actually had no idea whatsoever that we were participating in one...!

 

You are correct in that you never know how hard the other driver is actually pushing. The CLS 55 AMG weighs 4300 lbs and my 535 weighs 3660 lbs so there is a 600 lbs weight difference. My torque to weight ratio is 8.7 lbs/ft lbs and the CLS 55 AMG is 8.3 lbs/ft lbs. My 535 probably has lower gearing as well and I have the Sport Auto which shifts faster, so the math works. The 550 would have a harder time proving this out.

 

OK to keep it safe: next time I will turn my fog lights ON!!!

 

Well, this is kind of off-point to the weight-to-power etc but you know the SL Brabus Rocket had a track time EQUAL to the E60 M5 Stock at Top Gear track time!

So much more money put into the SL Brabus Rocket and do all the modifications you want, and it EQUALS the E60 M5 stock! LOL

 

The trouble there was simply that the car has so much power and so much torque that they struggled to get it to maintain traction. Mind you, I strongly suspect that the buyers for the Brabus have no intention of taking it to the track. That car is a freeway and stoplight monster, not a track car. By the same token, there are cheaper cars with a Top Gear time faster than the M5, but I certainly don't think that means that BMW wasted their money on development either. The Brabus is the kind of car you buy because you can, not because you're interested in it being an all-round performer.

Incidentally, the Brabus and the M5 actually matched the time for my 997 too (but the 997 lap was actually performed in the wet). Top Gear times are relatively unreliable as they run the cars in all conditions.

 

 

got yre adrenalin pumpin ther - leka feeling ..
new 550i t/t gona be a real stormer

 

Do you guys get Top Gear stateside, its my favourite show on TV nowadays. Its not on often enough in my opinion, I heard that the BBC was trying to kill it off but they cant because its too popular. Clarkson generates alot of complaints for them with his jibes at various groups, it just makes me laugh because he is a likeable idiot. I dont take offence at anything he says, some people are too touchy.

 

I love that show !!!

 

That chick is hot in a weird way.