1. 2003 BMW Z8
Base Price New: $128,500
Price Now: $82,762


Base Engine: 4.9 Liter V8
Horsepower: 394 hp @ 6600 rpm
Torque: 368 ft-lbs. @ 3800 rpm
0-60: 4.8 Seconds
Compressor: N/A
Standard Transmission: 6 Speed Manual
Gas Mileage: 13/21
Driven Wheels: RWD
Weight: 3495 lbs.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2000/BMW/1132/2000.bmw.z8.1037-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2000/BMW/1132/2000.bmw.z8.882-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EVOX/2003/BMW/2003.bmw.z8.20159981-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/EVOX/2003/BMW/2003.bmw.z8.20159977-E.jpg


2. 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG
Base Price New: $113,250
Price Now: $62,289


Base Engine: 5.4 Liter V8
Horsepower: 493 hp @ 6100 rpm
Torque: 516 ft-lbs. @ 2650 rpm
0-60: 4.6 Seconds
Compressor: Supercharger
Standard Transmission: 5 Speed Automatic
Gas Mileage: 15/22
Driven Wheels: RWD
Weight: 4235 lbs.

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2003/Mercedes-Benz/100075734/2003.mercedesbenz.sl55amg.7262-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//pictures/VEHICLE/2003/Mercedes-Benz/100075734/2003.mercedesbenz.sl55amg.7333-E.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/spinaroundtown/04.mb.sl55/04.mb.sl55.int.500.jpg

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com//media/roadtests/spinaroundtown/04.mb.sl55/04.mb.sl55.eng.500.jpg

SL 55 AMG is my choice. The Z8 handles like a slug.

have you driven one..... the SL55's handaling isnt necessarily great

choose the z8 because for every z8 ive seen ive seen about 60 SL55s (no joke)

Z8 for me. It weights lighter, and performs almost the same with 100 less bhp and no supercharger. Its more of a race car for me, and its more...WAY MORE rare than the SL.

I'll choose the BMW Z8 instantly. As good as the SL55 AMG is, I won't choose an automatic unless special conditions are met, which the AMG doesn't. Dam, the Z8 is significantly lighter! Just another reason to choose it.

Manual transmission FTW.....

i choose the Z8, it looks more philosophical inside:|

and designed for enthusiasts.

have you driven one..... the SL55's handaling isnt necessarily great

choose the z8 because for every z8 ive seen ive seen about 60 SL55s (no joke)
and Z8's handling's worst.

have you driven one..... the SL55's handaling isnt necessarily great

choose the z8 because for every z8 ive seen ive seen about 60 SL55s (no joke) Same opinion,z8 less power same performance +unique.

and Z8's handling's worst.
WHO CARES! the Z8 is a cruising car that happens to be sporty

WHO CARES! the Z8 is a cruising car that happens to be sporty
Sporty... hah. Hell, i'll rather have a 350z to be feeling sporty.

the Z8 is about 7 million times better. so I voted for it.

Sporty... hah. Hell, i'll rather have a 350z to be feeling sporty.
the z8 is alot faster around a track then a 350z, and a 350z conv. isnt exactly sporty, its heavy and down on power to the Z8

that wa a very stupid car to pick over the z8:confused:

You're not getting the point. I'm not comparing it to track performance. You're saying the the Z8 feels sporty, it doesn't. BMW has twisted it so its supposingly sporty but it ended up as a very luxurious cruising 2 door convertible. While the 350z FEELS sporty.

Z8's are fast, badass, classically gorgeous and super-rare.

SL55's are nice, and fast, and pretty but... they're no Z8.
...Not really imaginative either.

Z8: the last cool Bimmer. That you can get them in black, makes this victory all the more decisive. The only way the Z8 could lose to a SL is if it was a 65, or SLR.

Yeah since its not always about power, the Z8 is the UGLIEST car I have seen in a while. Reminds me of a Miata from BMW. I dont think any self respecting man over 180 pounds and 5'11'' should be seen in one of these. And great cup placement for the passenger, if I am going to pay that much, no one is drinking in my car let alone have a cup right next to their leg. Whats up with the gauge placement too? There is no comparison, Mercedes, and I hate them...

drove both .. and i gotta tell ya
the z8 will be owned by the SL in so many ways
however .. it is more exclusive
totally up to what you want .. if you value performance and all or exclusivity

The Z8 is rare because it was a fiasco,it didn't sell well and it's ugly,the SL 55 amg for me.

Z8, and not because its exclusive.

I make no point in hiding, i'm baised againist mercedes, i think they're fat slugs build for a trip to the hairdressers.
and this case is no different. Though i do admit they always have nice interiors and nice gadgets.
But Z8 is for me, it just seems like its the car you'd rather have on a mountain sort of drive.

Neither i'd go for the SL 65

despite it's flaws, i've always absolutely adored the Z8's styling, being a futuristic take on retro cues from the old 507 (which was a real looker too) and the interior wins me over as well, i don't care if it has less power or handles worse, it looks much better and you can rest pretty assured that you won't being seeing any others in your town. Besides they're a complete BAMF in black. I see SL's so often, i actually keep track of how many i see in a single parking lot, on record i've seen 5 in the same parking lot at the same time, two SL55's, an SL500, an SL600, and an SL500 dressed up in AMG badges. and NO it was not a car club, they were all parked away from each other all over the parking lot, probably for fear of looking like "just another" SL, lol and it's not like I live in california where exotics like Ferraris are a dime a dozen, it was at a freaking Wal*Mart in Idaho haha. And i'm just counting the current gen SL's, there were older ones there as well, one in the handicapped space too, really cool stuff. lol

not that exclusivity is everything, but it'd be nice to drive around in something that isn't the fashionable, high-end equivalent of a Camry, as far as sightings go...why do you think I drive an SVX? well, i mean besides all the cool features and the AWD and the 155mph top end? lol

Oh and one more thing:

James Bond drove a Z8. Yeah, what more reason do I need than that?
You definitely wouldn't ever see him womanizing in an SL ;)

The SL55 was alright. Not one of the best AMG's produced. I'll take the Z8 they're downright gorgeous! They're very rare. You don't see many of them. The Z8 is probably one of the best looking cars from BMW! Even though the Z8 has it flaws. I'll take it anyday over the SL55 AMG.

wow the front on that bimmer is ugly! and the ass aint the best either!
I defenetly chose the merc!!

SL me pleeease, it's basically a comfy Dodge Viper.

...And that's a good thing.

The Z8 on the other hand, isn't all that "incredible looking imo", it's got center mounted gauges, which I could never get used to, and it was the favored leg-humper of the late "girl-who-was-actually-a-guy-on-a-website-for-two-+-years".

The Z8 , its a real beauty to see such car. its rare , its got a nice NA V8 from the E39 M5 . its got a proper manual transmission .

the Z8 is the UGLIEST car I have seen in a while.

You should check out the Pontiac Aztek. Gorgeous machine, eh?

Neither i'd go for the SL 65

and i'll take an Enzo instead of our crappy Van, but that ain't an option either

I choose the Z8...it's much rarer and looks better. Also, the noise.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0V2J13OKHU

SL me pleeease, it's basically a comfy Dodge Viper.



...And that's a good thing.



The Z8 on the other hand, isn't all that "incredible looking imo", it's got center mounted gauges, which I could never get used to, and it was the favored leg-humper of the late "girl-who-was-actually-a-guy-on-a-website-for-two-+-years".
...what? Comfy Dodge Viper? Viper's look like they want to kill you the minute you lay eyes on it, the SL is like oh hey i'm a fat mercedes coupe with an auto gearbox.

Bimmer, only seen 2 very rare, I see SL's everyday. Plus the BMW is 6spd!

SL me pleeease, it's basically a comfy Dodge Viper.

What a terrible thing to say !

I go with the Mercedes-Benz. The BMW is mega cool, i love it, but an SL mercedes-benz you just can't get any better.

against anything else the BMW, but no against the SL

and i'll take an Enzo instead of our crappy Van, but that ain't an option either
a SL65 a van no way it is sleek and stylish

Ah. This comparo is refreshingly easy. I wouldn't get either car if I just wanted performance. They are both pretty fast, but there are quicker choices for the same price. These cars are all about style, exclusivity, power, and enjoying cruising with the wind in your hair. There are waaaay too many SL-class cars for me to consider them exclusive. They are like Camrys for the wealthy. I used to like them a lot, especially the AMG versions, but not so much any more.

The Z8 on the other hand is pretty darn rare. I've actually never seen one on the road. It also looks more stylish in my opinion, and weighs 800 lbs less. It's supposed to be a pretty good car to drive from what I've read. It costs 20 grand more, but I think the extra money is buying something worth having.

The Z8 is actually one of my favorite high-powered convertibles of all time for it's competent performance and gorgeous reto styling.

Nice comparo N Wright.

The Z8 looks silly in my opinion..
I thought it was something very nice..till i saw it on the freeway...even snapped a pic of it...might be in the gallery who knows..but.....yeah I'll take the 55...Without any second thought..

damn.
this is a hard one. my favorite beemer and my favorite mercedes.


draw.

You're not getting the point. I'm not comparing it to track performance. You're saying the the Z8 feels sporty, it doesn't. BMW has twisted it so its supposingly sporty but it ended up as a very luxurious cruising 2 door convertible. While the 350z FEELS sporty.
HAVE YOU DRIVEN A Z8!?!?!?! and seriously how many ppl take their sl55s or Z8s to a track, both cars are better enjoyed while accelerating, so having a uber stiff spring set up would defeat teh purpose of the car

the SL555 is way more common, who gives a chit its a mercees styping, not so special either being its very common, ive seen one Z8 and i was so stunned i had not idea what it was for a second. the BMW's exclusitivity and charm offsets its flaws and make its a more special car then the MB

I think i'll go with the big brother of the car that i drive....

yeah bet you guys never saw that coming.

I think i'll go with the big brother of the car that i drive....

yeah bet you guys never saw that coming.


lol i guessed that:cool:

Viper's look like they want to kill you the minute you lay eyes on it, the SL is like oh hey i'm a fat mercedes coupe with an auto gearbox.

What a terrible thing to say!



Oh but it is, uber-attitude, and alot of torque.

IMO the SL-AMG's are just hot rods built in the same mentality as the Viper was.

Neither of these. A SL350 would satisfy me. Seriously.
I don't really like both of them. I think I would go with the SL55 but not with those rims.

What a terrible thing to say !


I know, what did Dodge do to deserve an insult like that?

My choice would be the Z8. They look and sound amazing, the interior is just that much more special looking. Neither of these cars are ever going to see the track so handling and power don't really matter to much.
Though I doubt I would buy either of these cars if I had the money. Their just not my type.

Z8, no questions. It is, as gr8dane already said, a retro-styled BMW 507, which has been penned as one of the most beautiful cars of all time. It looks cool, it's luxurious and as said, James Bond drove one. What more evidence of uber-coolness do you need?

Plus, never has a range of cars ever had such a lazy design team, all Mercs look the damn same, and you instantly assume that there's a hairdresser/stylist/toff/tosser behind the wheel. And you're usually right.

Chris.

The Z8. James Bond is too cool for Mercedes.

i dnt know why i vote for mercedes but its the z8 that actually caught my heart.... bwahaha i like its concept look alot

z8 :) ....

the z8 is far more exclusive than the SL, i saw many SL's on the road but only saw one Z8 !!! .. and to be honest the z8 is cooler.

Nice comparison n wright.

I would take the Z8. It's a rare and unique car. I like the styling and the whole exterior. It's good. I don't like so much the merc. So BMW for me.

SL 55 AMG is my choice. The Z8 handles like a slug.


When the Z8 looks like that, as others have said, who cares?

I happen not to like the SL very much anyway, but I adore the Z8, it's so beautiful, inside and out, and makes the 'melted plastic' (I know the dash is leather, but that's what it looks like) interior of the SL look utterly rubbish.

MB for me . 100bhp more and not 007ish looks get my vote

i would take the benz cause the z8 is too small to have for an everyday car.

When the Z8 looks like that, as others have said, who cares?

I happen not to like the SL very much anyway, but I adore the Z8, it's so beautiful, inside and out, and makes the 'melted plastic' (I know the dash is leather, but that's what it looks like) interior of the SL look utterly rubbish.
IMO, the Z8 looks like crap.