Mercedes SL 1998 vs Alfa Romeo Spider 2001
| Gearbox: | Automatic | Manual | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine: | 5.0 Petrol | 2.0 Petrol | |
| Camshaft drive: | Double-row timing chain | Timing belt | |
| Engine chain usually needs to be replaced less often than the timing belt, but the cost of replacing the chain is usually higher. Chain motors are considered to be more reliable, but noisier and more vibration generating. | |||
Performance | |||
| Power: | 306 HP | 150 HP | |
| Torque: | 460 NM | 181 NM | |
| Acceleration 0-100 km/h: | 6.5 seconds | 8.5 seconds | |
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Mercedes SL is more dynamic to drive. Mercedes SL engine produces 156 HP more power than Alfa Romeo Spider, whereas torque is 279 NM more than Alfa Romeo Spider. Thanks to more power Mercedes SL reaches 100 km/h speed 2 seconds faster. | |||
Fuel consumption | |||
| Fuel consumption (l/100km): | 12.5 | 9.2 | |
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The Alfa Romeo Spider is a better choice when it comes to fuel economy. Mercedes SL consumes 3.3 litres more fuel per 100 km than the Alfa Romeo Spider, which means that if you drive 15,000 km in a year, the Mercedes SL could require 495 litres more fuel. | |||
| Fuel tank capacity: | 80 litres | 70 litres | |
| Full fuel tank distance: | 640 km in combined cycle | 760 km in combined cycle | |
| 900 km on highway | 1020 km on highway | ||
| Alfa Romeo Spider gets more mileage on one fuel tank. | |||
| Read the article "Fuel Efficiency: How to Reduce Fuel Consumption" to learn more about fuel economy. | |||
Drive type | |||
| Wheel drive type: | Rear wheel drive (RWD) | Front wheel drive (FWD) | |
| Front-wheel drive cars (Alfa Romeo Spider) have better traction on slippery roads and when climbing hills, better fuel economy, and are less expensive to purchase. On the disadvantage side, FWD cars usually have less towing capacity, poorer acceleration and harder handling. Rear-wheel drive cars (Mercedes SL) have better handling on dry roads, better acceleration, more even weight distribution and more fun to drive. RWD is also better for towing large loads. The cons of rear-wheel drive are less interior and trunk space and more difficulty maneuvering in wet and snowy conditions. | |||
Engines | |||
| Average engine lifespan: | 480'000 km | 280'000 km | |
| Engine resource depends largely on regular maintenance and the quality of the oils and fuels used, but under equal conditions the average life of a Mercedes SL engine could be longer. | |||
| Engine production duration: | 11 years | 10 years | |
| Engine spread: | Installed on at least 6 other car models, including Mercedes E klase, Mercedes ML, Mercedes S klase, Mercedes CLK, Mercedes CLS | Installed on at least 4 other car models, including Alfa Romeo 156, Alfa Romeo 166, Alfa Romeo 147 | |
| In general, the longer and for more car models an engine is produced, the better its serviceability and availability of spare parts. Mercedes SL might be a better choice in this respect. | |||
Dimensions | |||
| Length: | 4.50 m | 4.28 m | |
| Width: | 1.81 m | 1.78 m | |
| Height: | 1.29 m | 1.32 m | |
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Mercedes SL is larger, but slightly lower. Mercedes SL is 22 cm longer than the Alfa Romeo Spider, 3 cm wider, while the height of Mercedes SL is 3 cm lower. | |||
| Trunk capacity: | 265 litres | 110 litres | |
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Mercedes SL has more luggage capacity. Mercedes SL has 155 litres more trunk space than the Alfa Romeo Spider. | |||
| Turning diameter: | 10.7 meters | 11.2 meters | |
| The turning circle of the Mercedes SL is 0.5 metres less than that of the Alfa Romeo Spider, which means Mercedes SL can be easier to manoeuvre in tight streets and parking spaces. | |||
| Gross weight (kg): | 2`210 | 1`630 | |
| Safety: | no data | no data | |
| Quality: | high | no data | |
| Average price (€): | 15 800 | 7400 | |
| Pros and Cons: |
Mercedes SL has
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Alfa Romeo Spider has
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