Certified Benz & Beemer Compares 2009 Porsche 911 VS 2009 Mercedes SL-Class Near Scottsdale, AZ

The 911 offers all wheel drive to maximize traction under poor conditions, especially in ice and snow. The SL Class doesn’t offer all wheel drive.

Both the 911 and the SL Class have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, four wheel antilock brakes, traction control and electronic stability systems to prevent skidding.

The 911’s corrosion warranty is 6 years and unlimited miles longer than the SL Class’ (10/unlimited vs. 4/50,000).

The 911’s reliability is better than the SL Class’. In Consumer Reports, the 911’s reliability is 135% better.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2008 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Porsche vehicles are better in initial quality than Mercedes vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Porsche first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Mercedes is ranked fourth.

As tested in Car and Driver the 911 GT3 is faster than the SL63 AMG:

As tested in Car and Driver the 911 GT2 Coupe is faster than the SL63 AMG:

As tested in Road & Track the 911 Turbo is faster than the SL65 AMG (automatics tested):

As tested in Motor Trend the 911 Turbo is faster than the SL550 (automatics tested):

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the 911 lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability. The SL Class doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

The 911 offers optional heat-treated ceramic brake rotors, which last ten to twenty times as long as conventional cast iron rotors, don’t rust, don’t fade during repeated high speed braking, and their lighter weight contribute to better braking, handling and acceleration. The SL Class doesn’t offer ceramic brake rotors.

The 911 stops much shorter than the SL Class:

The 911 Cabriolet handles at .92 G’s, while the SL550 pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Porsche 911 may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 800 to 1200 pounds less than the Mercedes SL Class.

The 911 has standard seating for 4 passengers; the SL Class can only carry 2.

The 911 has 6.2 cubic feet more passenger volume than the SL Class (64 vs. 57.8).

The 911 Cabriolet has a much larger trunk than the SL Class with its top down (9.9 vs. 7.2 cubic feet).

The 911’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge – which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The SL Class does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The 911 has a lever hand brake in the console, easy to use while keeping both feet free and not impeding entry and exit. The SL Class’ foot pedal parking brake is not handy to use as a hill holding device with a manual transmission.

The SL Class’ cornering lamps activate a lamp on the front corner when the turn signal is activated. The 911’s optional adaptive cornering lights turn the actual headlight unit up to several degrees, depending on steering wheel angle and vehicle speed. This lights a significant distance into corners at any speed.

The 911’s standard power mirror controls are mounted on the door for easy access. The SL Class’ standard power mirror controls are on the center console where they can’t be seen without the driver completely removing his eyes from the road.

Insurance will cost less for the 911 owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the 911 will cost $822 less than the SL Class over a five year period.