German Car Zone

I still don`t think thats gonna hurt the SL63 at speeds over 125mph.

I mean look at the SL65 Black Series. It just has a 5-speed and its capable of 220mph on overdrive. A high torque band really helps in that area.

In rolling start M5 wins too,because it has a close ratio gearbox which multiplies torque at its wheels more than SL63 with that long-geared auto box.It is true that SL63 has MASSIVE TORQUE but it is not the flywheel torque which determines performance,it is THE WHEEL TORQUE and M5 has more torque at its wheels and it is also more flexible than SL63.An example from SPORT AUTO clearly shows this:
SL63 (80-120km/h in 6th gear=9.3s)
M5 (80-120km/h in 6th gear=6.9s in 7th 9.3s)

Therefore M5 is more flexible Than SL63 even in a gear higher it can be equal to SL63.That shows the M5 is not only good at high revs but also very good in low revs and flexibility.The V10 is a masterpiece of art and engineering.
I can give you another example which you might find unbelievable about flexibility:
VIPER SRT-10 (80-120km/h in 6th gear=13.7s)
CIVIC TYPE-R (80-120km/h in 6th gear=12.3s)
VIPER has 711nm torque@4200RPM CIVIC has only 193nm @ 5600RPM
If you compare only the engine torque of these two cars you might wonder how is it possible for that tiny torqueless civic to be more flexible than viper with that HUGE-GRUNTY engine.The answer is quite simple and is related to something most people ignore and that is called GEARING.Only because of short gearing versus high gearing civic can win this test because the ratio of 6th gear in viper is 0.5 which is very high and reduces the torque at wheels.So don't be fooled by 518nm difference,look at other important factors as well before saying anything about any car.

Oops didn't realize it is an old thread.

Aww Man...When I first saw this thread I though for sure there was a video. I would love to say the SL63 AMG, but that would just be my Benz loyalty kicking in. Probably the same with some M5 fans. Really need to see an actual test. Everything else is just guessing and debating on transmission, weight and race type.

I don't know how accurate this video is but...

M5board.com has done various tests between M5 and E63 and M5 is quicker. I also think there are M5 vs SL55 videos but I dont know about SL63. Search youtube and we might get some answers

I think the results of a drag race will depend on the road surface and driver. If the road surface is sticky and the driver can launch the SL63 (with performance package which includes a LSD) hard, the SL63 will beat the M5 in a 1/4 mile run. The torque advantage of the SL63 (21% more) will trump the weight advantage of the M5 (less than 10%). That is assuming the SL63 can put that torque to work on the pavement and not spin the tires in futility. However, as speeds increase past the 1/4 mile, the M5 will pass the SL63.

From a roll, the SL63 will probably get a jump on the M5...but once again, as speed increases the M5 will walk the SL63. However, an SL63 with the performance package (030), has the speed limiter pushed to 186mph. So the M5 will hit its speed limiter around 160mph and the SL63 will catch it and pass it at that point.

Tom

BMW also have a M Driver Package that includes raised topspeed limiter to 305 km/h (its about 190mph) for M5/M6. At least here in Europe this package is available