Re: Look at the MB SL500 at 4,210 Lbs (archive)

Yep, the SL500 is 4210, but my 850i is 4123 so I don't have much room to talk on the weight issue. It all depends on the intended use of the car. For the highway, a heavy car is much more stable, but in the twisties give me a fast nimble powerhouse!

Jim Surdick
'92 Laguna Green 850i 6spd
BMWCCA#148638

: Now that is fat and slow!!!

: Without repeating Mr. Surdick you should also not confuse the Z8 with the Z3 or M Roadster (my car) since they are both 14 inches shorter and flex a great deal on the road. The Z8 is the strongest covertable made. Steel would have been 30% heavier.

: : I just read a spec that claimed the Z8 weighed in over 3700 lbs. Why would a 2 seat roadster with an aluminum tube frame, aluminum skin, and an all aluminum engine weigh so much. Did they sneak in some Corvette parts? They hollowed the camshafts (to save angular inertia, I'd guess) but didn't find a way to make this supercar light. Too bad. I would hope that they didn't use the M5 as a standard for reasonable weight.

: : All that said, I still think that it's an excellent car.

: : Anyone know why this car weighs 800 lbs more than my steel unibody Z3? Is it the motor, or more robust drivetrain members? I guess it's got 2 more pistons, 2 more camshafts, 8 more valves, the extra computer and robotics to support the fly-by-wire throttle.
: : -kARL

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