E63 AMG vs 500SEL 6.3 Pictures

[Raghavan]

The article is in German, but I thought the pics were cool.

 

[Tornado]

What a silly contest. I would take the 500SEL in a minute. That was back when Mercedes were made of inch thick Soviet Steel and sounded like bank vaults.

 

[YSSMAN]

Thats hot.

So which one is faster?

 

[Midnight Runner]

What a silly contest. I would take the 500SEL in a minute. That was back when Mercedes were made of inch thick Soviet Steel and sounded like bank vaults.

agreed.

 

[Onikaze]

Even though the SEL was a racer, I'd bet the new E63 would pip it across the board.

Damn shame it's got a Dumbstick though.

 

[Raghavan]

The new E63 is much faster. MB estimates 0-60 in around 4.5 seconds, while the 500SEL did it in about 8 seconds, and the motor only has 250 hp compared to the E's 514hp. 8 seconds is pretty fast for a car from the '60's anyhow.

 

[ND4SPD]

Damn that 500SEL looks badass!

 

[CDailey]

Omg, I have to have the 2nd to last picture in wallpaper size.

 

[YSSMAN]

So is this the first offical test of the E63, or am I going to have to wait untill delivery of Car and Driver next week? I would hope that the 0-60 time on the E63 has been cut down just a bit from the ol' E55, but how much of an improvement could it be?

My only complaint, ever, about any of the AMG models has been the lack of a manual transmission, and that complaint continues on. Sure, there is the manual override on the 7G-TRONIC autobox, but from what I understand it will think for you if it decides you aren't thinking hard enough...

 

[Raghavan]

So is this the first offical test of the E63, or am I going to have to wait untill delivery of Car and Driver next week? I would hope that the 0-60 time on the E63 has been cut down just a bit from the ol' E55, but how much of an improvement could it be?

My only complaint, ever, about any of the AMG models has been the lack of a manual transmission, and that complaint continues on. Sure, there is the manual override on the 7G-TRONIC autobox, but from what I understand it will think for you if it decides you aren't thinking hard enough...

I think it's more of a flashback comparison than a real road test. And 4.5 seconds to 60 is too conservative on MB's part, especially considering the E55 did it in 4.2 with less horsepower. I'm thinking it'll break the 3 second range. 3.9 seconds maybe.

 

[YSSMAN]

Its simply stunning how fast a big car like than can be with a big-ass engine out front. It kinda makes me wonder if some nutjob at GM is going to be crazy enough to stuff the LS7 under the hood of the Chevrolet Impala to "compete" with the E63.

...The thought of it makes me laugh, lol.

 

[JCE]

Its simply stunning how fast a big car like than can be with a big-ass engine out front. It kinda makes me wonder if some nutjob at GM is going to be crazy enough to stuff the LS7 under the hood of the Chevrolet Impala to "compete" with the E63.

...The thought of it makes me laugh, lol.

The thought of it makes YOU laugh? If GM stuffed the LS7 or even the LS2 in any Pontiac/Buick/Chevrolet SALOON car I'd split my gut laughing so hard. And then I'd take a short trip to my local dealer and test drive that mofo.

Oh and give me the 500SEL please...yellow on black with big FAT BFG tires.

My 1000th post...didn't know I did that many. o_O I'd bet the majority of them are pro-Ford, anti-Viper, anti Chrysler/Dodge, aruging that GM has ****ty interiors, and arguing that the Zonda or Carrera GT are the best cars on the planet...or something there abouts.

 

[Raghavan]

When the new RWD GM midsizers come out, maybe someone could swap a C6 Z06 drivetrain into it. Engine, trans, and rear diff all thrown into a sleeper body.
That's the definition of badass. 👍

 

[Slicks]

I would take that 500 SEL in a heartbeat over the E63. Better looks, better built, rarer, more valuable, surely more fun to drive. It looks stunning! I wonder if there are any desktops of that car floating around.

 

[Flerbizky]

I would take that 500 SEL in a heartbeat over the E63. Better looks, better built, rarer, more valuable, surely more fun to drive. It looks stunning! I wonder if there are any desktops of that car floating around.

Agreed completely.. That 500SEL is an icon from when a racecar looked mean and 🤬 all evil and purposeful...

One damn fine automobile !....

[Edit:] Oh - Someone find me the 3rd to last image in 1600x1200 !....

 

[Onikaze]

When the new RWD GM midsizers come out, maybe someone could swap a C6 Z06 drivetrain into it. Engine, trans, and rear diff all thrown into a sleeper body.
That's the definition of badass. 👍

With a Manual Transmission.

I'd call that a one up of the Merc's.

 

[YSSMAN]

The thought of it makes YOU laugh? If GM stuffed the LS7 or even the LS2 in any Pontiac/Buick/Chevrolet SALOON car I'd split my gut laughing so hard. And then I'd take a short trip to my local dealer and test drive that mofo.

Maybe I should have said it makes me giggle, or feel all funny inside. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if we eventually see a showcar with the LS7 in it, and I'm positive that Lingenfelter or Mallett will be dropping them in there as well.

...As for the manual transmission question, I'd say for the most part that it is still up in the air. Currently the only automatic that can deal with that much power at GM is the 6L80E, I think, but I'm not completely certain. But, theoretically, it shouldn't be hard to get a manual in the new Zeta cars, given their ties to the Holden VE cars as well.

 

[Jay]

it shouldn't be hard to get a manual in the new Zeta cars, given their ties to the Holden VE cars as well.

Yeah shouldn't be a problem at all, as we demand a manual! They would be stupid not to offer one.

 

[YSSMAN]

No, but lest one forget that Americans (for the most part) are anti-manual when it comes to transmissions. Granted, it wouldn't surprise me to see it as an option (probably a $1200-1500 option) on most of the models, excluding the Statesman/Invicta.

 

[Jim Prower]

Man...that's the definition of German muscle, right there.

I'd love the 500SEL, with the 6.3. the road version, so I can take it to the drags and show Cousin Hemi a thing or two.

or perhaps Cousin Hemi will show me something, I dunno, but, it'd be a heckuva car to take to a Mopar Meet.

 

[Raghavan]

With a Manual Transmission.

I'd call that a one up of the Merc's.

The Z06 only has a manual. I hate automatics. I refuse to drive them.
See, we aren't much different. We both hate automatics and FWD. 👍
The Z06 uses the Tremec T56, right?

 

[harrytuttle]

I think it's more of a flashback comparison than a real road test. And 4.5 seconds to 60 is too conservative on MB's part, especially considering the E55 did it in 4.2 with less horsepower. I'm thinking it'll break the 3 second range. 3.9 seconds maybe.

I doubt it. Not enough torque:

2006 E55: 516 lb-ft @ 2,650 rpm
2008 E63: 465 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

Considering that the E55 makes 469 hp @ 6,100, that means it's still making 403 lb-ft @ 6,100, pretty close to what the E63 is putting out at the same speed. That gives the E55 a huge spread of torque over a very wide powerband, as opposed to the E63's much more rev-hungry, peaky-in-comparison power curve.

Granted, the E55's output falls off quite a bit the higher you rev the engine, so over a longer run it will be the slower engine, but the E55 will definitley give you the bigger thump, and the better jump off the line. Don't bet on the E63 being any faster to 60 MPH, but do bet on it being a much more fun car.

 

[harrytuttle]

I don't understand why people are so opposed to Mercedes using only automatic transmissions in their cars. Wouldn't it be akin to asking Lotus to stop using only manual transmissions? Mercedes marketing has been luxury first, everything else second (and recently, that included reliability). Along with that marketing comes cushy suspensions, broad seats for wide loads, and automatic transmissions. Sure, a whomping V8 or V12 can go with it, but don't forget to cosset the driver.

On a related note, I feel the same way about BMW giving in to the US market's demand for a manual gearbox option on the M5/M6. Why? Is BMW allowed to push the envelope with their design, but not push the driving experience? I'm a big fan of the hand-stirred-gearbox, but having one in a technical tour-de-force like the M6 coupe seems a bit backwards, and very much against the general idea of the car. If you want a old-fashioned, do-it-yourself BMW, get an E30 M3 (like I hope to) and save yourself a good $75,000.

 

[Onikaze]

Because BMW manual gearboxes are works of art.

The SMG's...well...they're getting better, and it beats a Dumbstick (auto), but it still doesn't mesh with me as well as a clutch and a stick.

 

[Raghavan]

I don't understand why people are so opposed to Mercedes using only automatic transmissions in their cars. Wouldn't it be akin to asking Lotus to stop using only manual transmissions? Mercedes marketing has been luxury first, everything else second (and recently, that included reliability). Along with that marketing comes cushy suspensions, broad seats for wide loads, and automatic transmissions. Sure, a whomping V8 or V12 can go with it, but don't forget to cosset the driver.

On a related note, I feel the same way about BMW giving in to the US market's demand for a manual gearbox option on the M5/M6. Why? Is BMW allowed to push the envelope with their design, but not push the driving experience? I'm a big fan of the hand-stirred-gearbox, but having one in a technical tour-de-force like the M6 coupe seems a bit backwards, and very much against the general idea of the car. If you want a old-fashioned, do-it-yourself BMW, get an E30 M3 (like I hope to) and save yourself a good $75,000.

But some of MB's stuff is really great. The C and SLK AMG models should have manuals too. Those are fun, compact, sporty cars. Breaking a tradition isn't a bad thing, and AMG should do so.

As for BMW, remember, their slogan is "the ultimate driving machine". An manual comes much closer to being the ultimate driving machine than an SMG. I don't like the fact that BMW is now using their ///M models as tech laden go fast cars instead of fast, good handling fun to drive cars with manuals. That's what the M division of BMW to me has been about. A manual in a car is a step forward to me. BMW can keep their SMG's to themselves. I'll take the stick.

 

[harrytuttle]

But some of MB's stuff is really great. The C and SLK AMG models should have manuals too. Those are fun, compact, sporty cars. Breaking a tradition isn't a bad thing, and AMG should do so.

Yeah, I find it ironic that you can get a rather nice manual gearbox in the SLK350, but not in the SLK55 AMG -- the more "sporty" car.

As for BMW, remember, their slogan is "the ultimate driving machine". An manual comes much closer to being the ultimate driving machine than an SMG. I don't like the fact that BMW is now using their ///M models as tech laden go fast cars instead of fast, good handling fun to drive cars with manuals. That's what the M division of BMW to me has been about. A manual in a car is a step forward to me. BMW can keep their SMG's to themselves. I'll take the stick.

A manual in a car is actually a step backwards. Yes, it connects you to the car better, but so is a Triumph TR6. Seriously. Find one and drive it. Thirty miles an hour feels like highway speeds. Getting an even better connection to the road, try a Model T. Talk about "manual".

But that's not what BMW is about. They're about the future of driving. With SMG, you get the shift speed of an automatic, but none of the slop & slush. BMW is constantly trying to tie into F1 & road racing. SMG is a great link, emulating a sequential racing gearbox. "The Ultimate Driving Machine" does not mean "the ultimate Lotus 7 experience". It means creating the best car for cutting down lap times, primarily at the Nurburgring. It means ESP, ABS, M-Diff, TSC, and SMG.

Come to think of it, maybe BMW thinks the future is really just a long list of TLA's.