For what it's worth, I might mention that when the ML55 came out in '99, Mercedes had a touring event for M-B owners in which M-B clients were invited to drive a regular Porsche Boxter (not the S) against a professional M-B driver driving the ML55 -- the Porsche went straight while the ML55 went through a slalom over the same distance.

The M-B owners magazine which reported the event stated that the professional driver in the ML55 won every run, perhaps due to the chosen length of the course and/or the M-B clients being unfamiliar with the Boxter or a manual.

5.5 in a magazine may or may not prove out in everyday driving in the real world, esp if you want to keep your clutch, tires and drivetrain.

 

Haven't owned either, but did go the Mercedes ride/drive for the ML. Got to drive the ML55 and it was pretty impressive for that sized vehicle. They had a drag race with the Boxster and the ML was faster to the 1/8 mile which was about as far as they went. It looked like the Boxster was starting pulling a little at the end. If I remember the tests right the ML was good for mid 14 second quarters. But I'm old and that may not be reliable.

 

Yeah, the ML55AMG's automatic has a (manual) clutch...

 

The reference is to the S2K -- all the AMG cars are, of course, automatic and you just have to press the gas, so it shouldn't be hard to consistently get their best performance (tho the M-B traction control can be invasive if not turned off)

 

I wasn't aware that magazines had the s2000 as a 5.5 sec car. I see it as somewhere in 5.2 secs

 

Almost every mag I've seen the S2K in lists it between 5.4 and 5.7 (some have listed as high as 6), but I've never seen one that listed it at 5.2.

 

Theres at least one. Motor Trend... too lazy to look it up right now