Convertible 09 BMW M3 vs Mercedes SL 550

SL hands down.

— GTR35 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 5:48:29 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

Fewer M3 convertibles on the road , M3 is $25,000 cheaper and seats 4 vs. 2 seats. M3 definely over the CLK and maybe a SL 550.

— Larry (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 5:54:12 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

This is one of the most pathetic threads that i've ever seen on this site.

— nsmatt (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 6:45:56 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

$1,900 a month for a lease? If you can't write a check to cover the full MSRP (for either one of these cars) you shouldn't be driving it.

— ZBL1414 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 7:29:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

both beautiful and fast.

— xj13 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 7:32:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

For those who deboosted Staar for that comment is a moron. The SL is clearly much more expensive than an M3. It's far more luxurious than an M3. It's a totally different type of car. Why is an M3 even compared to an SL550.?

CLK is the proper comparo for this M3. I would take a CLK63 Black Series over this M3 but I would take a 335i over a CLK550 anyday.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 8:46:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

lol whats funny is that you went through that whole rediculous banter to say how stupid the comparison is just to compare a car that costs 75-85,000 to a 130,000+ CLK amg black series that ironically costs more than the SL550 in question......and thats not a rediculous comparison...????

— bmwdrvr (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 9:04:57 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

Ops. I meant the CLK 63 AMG. I got the black series in mind cause I was watching a video of the SL65 Black Series which by the way is a beast. Anyways where I live the Black Series isn't much more than an SL550. At least not what I can get one for.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 1:01:21 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Do these cars even compete against each other? If money is no object, the SL looks a lot better and would be my choice.

— ym73 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 7:55:15 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The SL550 is a beautiful car, but this particular model is for the wife (the SL600, 63 and 65 are definitely for the guys though). I'll take my M3 in white with the 19" wheels and 6MT.

— HSCenterconsole (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 7:57:28 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

This is a terrible comparison between two vehicles with two distinctly different purposes.

The SL is a luxury convertible, more luxury less sporting, and that's the way it should be. The M3 is all about the "M", otherwise it would just be a standard 335 convertible. The "M" does not add luxury, just a more powerful engine and better handling. It doesn't exist to compete with the SL, and nor should it.

"Both are pretty fast and both are pretty prestigious." LOL what an understatment.

The SL is VERY prestigious with a long history behind it. The M3 convertible? Not prestigious, but desirable for sure.

— quizz (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 9:59:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

In my opinion they are in comparison because the number poeple who can afford either one is very limited. And as far as hardtop convertibles the selection for people who actually love to drive the choices of cars to chose from come down to these two. And by drivers and I dont mean people who just make the point A to point B but people who actually love to drive these are the only 2 choices in the hardtop convertible true driving machine catagory

— Bighead255 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 10:17:09 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Poor comparison. But for my money it would be the SL all day. The M3 doesn't compare to any car in the MB line up. Not even the CLK. The upmarket or performance version of a CLK would easily be the 6.3 AMG and that car has waaaaaay more horsepower than the M3. Beyond that the M3 is a hardtop convertible like the SL.
Even better the M3 is a specialized performance car whereas the SL550 is more of a naturally aspirated GT. But if you compare the SL63 AMG to the M3 once again its not a fair fight. The Benz will win easily.
T

— TauronB2G (View Profile)

Posted on 7/28/2008 11:41:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

M3 here the sl looks weird i dont like it. Also i think the sl is i girls car or maybee a hairdressers ;)

— MPowerDK (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 2:02:42 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The M3 is a nicely executed, high-performance, compact 2-door sedan, whereas the SL is a true near-exotic sports car/roadster... Hmmm?

— DaHarder (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 2:12:50 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

Easily. The Benz. Just a superior car. Actually, I'd pick the AMG SLK over the M3, for a fairer price comparison.

— senorgato (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 2:13:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1   

Was thinking of buying the vert when i got my 08 DCT coupe and i am glad i didnt get the vert,to much body flex and with BMWs electics gremlins i imagined myself driving home with the top stuck half way.
These comparison is stupid anybody who is shopping and has the funds for a SL is not cross shopping the lowly Vert M3,theyre cross shopping Porsche Vert,M6 vert,Jaguar vert.
If i had the funds definitely the SL.Lease rates are the reason why so many people are upside down on their cars and houses,stupid people dont think about service costs,insurance,gas costs and other miscellanous costs that go with a $100,000 car.

— PrancingHorse (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 3:35:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

SL550 for luxury, superior quality, and more appeal. The older crowds love the SL. It's one of the best luxury coupes/roadsters in the world. M3 is awesome too but its no SL in luxury but performance is there but nothing compared to the SL65 we all know that.

And we know that the LF-A will smoke the living crap out of this M3 when it comes out. LF-A and SL will reign superior to the 6-series and XK anyday!

— Lexurious (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 6:08:09 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

question wasnt which car is a better performer or which is faster or more horse power. the question was at basically the same lease price which would you prefer.
Answer SL550

— markanthony0419 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 9:32:17 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

I'm biased towards the sl550. while the m3 is the best performer in it's class and it carries in the best attributes of the terrific "M" division, the sl brings almost 60 years of heritage, class, and iconic presence. Besides, the 650 convertible is the better comparo to the sl550.

— diesotto (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 11:10:37 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I just think the M3 is too over-designed looking. The 335i looks better... but ultimately if you have the cash and need two seats only, get the SL. If you want to save some bucks and get back seats, M3.

— supermoto (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 2:01:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

You obviously don't know what you're talking about. The SC430 is the worse Lexus out today. The interior is shabby and the car itself is just simply, UGLY!. It was never an SL competitor and never will.

You obviously haven't been inside an SL. It's beautiful, fit and finish is superb, and a marquee model for luxury.

You're still a troll.

— Agent63 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 8:33:34 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

^^Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt. - Abe Lincoln

— irie77 (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 10:05:39 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I see more 3 series everyday than I do my parents...to be fair I see a lot of sl's as well, however if I were to choose one based on what they were the new sl is literally perfection, the new interior is soo bomb, and that front end is damn near heavenly. SL please

— MBKing (View Profile)

Posted on 7/29/2008 7:32:21 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 3   

I'd take the SL550, with AMG kit and rims.

— iBimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 7/30/2008 9:22:24 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Neither of these do it for me. My choice would be a Jaguar XKR every time!

— ubercool (View Profile)

Posted on 7/30/2008 3:35:44 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1