C63 vs Sl55

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jimka

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Morning all, first post here hoping for some advice... It's got me up at 4am pacing the house!

I've always been a fan of the amg series cars and am now in the position to purchase one alongside my heavily modified saffron Volvo V70r.

I'm after some advice on what to choose between a c63 and sl55 skipping the obvious ones a 2 seater convertible, the former a coupe.

I've been offered a c63 2008 with 50k mileage off a mate for 18k. I've seen similar sl55s 2003/4 for similar money.

The c63 is clearly a newer car but does that make it better? I like the idea of top down action but feel concerned about early 2000 merc reliability, rust and Abc suspension.

My commute is 6 miles each way, the v70 only does 16mpg (must run on vpower) so fuel is just part of life.

Performance seem similar on paper and tuning options plentyful on both.

If you had the keys to both in front of you.... What would you choose?....
 
I'm a family man so C63, but if I didn't need those extra seat, SL55 every time.

Saw a coupe recently in Stockholm out on a warm sunny evening in their SL55. Looked class and I think they will appreciate faster.


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Trying not be pedantic here, but for the C63 to be a coupe I think it has to be 2011 at the earliest. If 2008, then it's surely a four-door saloon? £18k seems to be decent price for the mileage and quite a lot of car. One came flying past us on the autobahn a while back (we were top down in an SLK at about 100mph), doing well over 150 mph. Sounded amazing.

As for the SL, for me they seem to be a bit of a boat. Nice for cruising about, but never appealed as a candidate for a fun car.

How about an SLK55 AMG?
 
Bearing in mind the two cars are quite different why not open your criteria a little more?

CLS55/63, maybe CL55, SLK55 as already said.

In the real world all of these will be quick enough for most moments on UK roads. If tuning is what you're considering then you probably want to read up a bit more on the two engines ('55K/63) to see what your options are :)

SL55s are nice cars, but they're getting old though now and have always been considered quite a liability maintenance wise. They have a few known issues (ABC can be costly to maintain, roof seals, fuel tanks, electronics etc).

For a daily I think I'd want something a bit newer - C63 isn't a bad shout,, just do your homework on the head bolt issues etc with the early cars? :thumb:
 
Although I love the (better;) ) 55k engine, I'd take the C63 every day.
More modern, more practical and that exhaust note to die for.

The SL with its ABC and occasional water leaks I'd be on tenterhooks waiting for a problem.
 
Remember that while the two cars are a similar cost now, one was a £60k car and the other a £100k car when new. The potential for ruinous expenditure on the SL is much higher than the C63, but a good one can be fabulous. Just make sure you have deep enough pockets to deal with the almost inevitable failure of ABC components if you go the SL route.


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I prefer the SL personally for a number of reasons (prefer the power delivery from forced induction, prefer the look of the SL, more grown up, more comfortable, C63 is too laddish and small for me (although I've never sat in the SL so that could also be too small!) etc.).

However, as said the SL has the potential to be far more ruinous than the C.

Personally, I would drive them both and decide from that.

No one else can decide what car is right for you...

I suspect you probably already know in your heart!

If the SL is the one, ensure you have a large slush fund (minimum £5k, ideally £10k I would recommend) and ownership will be pleasant bar the odd pot of KY needed from time to time. :D
 
As already said, I think the 55 is the better engine, long term, but it's a simple choice of top down motoring or not for me, and I would hate to be without a convertible. How about a later SL, with the 5.5 engine, although it won't give you AMG performance?
 
Many thanks for all the replies.

I'm going to follow your advice and take them both out for a drive.

Nautrally the wife is more convinced about the c63 (I will need to check the head bolts) as it serves more practical reasons, and I do think it's a wiser buy if I keep for say 3 yrs, the values of the sl63 would of settled. It's 'real' amg or nothing for me... I have looked at other specd cars such as older 911 turbos or m6 models (the slk is too small) , but neither did it for me.

Bar the honking tax (@500), the insurance for a 30 yr old is good at £390. Test drive booked on an sl tonight though so let's see!
 
To add to what's been said, I don't see a point for any astronomical amount of money to be set aside. With an incompetent dealer there isn't an amount that is sufficient. A few on here have been running and looking after the ABC cars themselves. There's no magic, but you have to study and understand how the system was designed and works. It's a very useful knowledge even if you're going to be using a garage. The SL is far more complex, sophisticated and luxurious vehicle yet it's the one I'd go for. It was also designed to be a sports car in Mb lineup unlike the C class. Burning tyres in parking lots or revving the nuts of your engine in central London doesn't make a C class a sport car, sorry C63 owners.
 
Whatever you buy make sure you budget for big bills in the future as both will need maintaining. Great position to be in, greT cars but I'd take the C63...
 
SL with a pulley, remap and exhaust mods - not much on the road will be able to touch this!
 
As has been said these are classes apart, the power delivery of the 55 engine is amazing & if you want easier to tune. The Sl55 will increase in value in a few years if looked after where the C63 will not...may never?
Just one point , your commute is so short neither car will be up to proper temp & gunning them before this will cost...& imo sacrilege to very good engines & transmission for that matter. Plus with the SL you can get Classic agreed valu insurance, for such a short commute I'd jump on my bike & save the SL55 for fun days .
 
The SL is a special car in it's own right, my partner drives an SL350 and that feels very different from any 'normal' car purely because it's low, great looking and awesome to have the roof down on. But, it feels like a fragile car and in the back of your mind you do feel like it may need something sorted on it at any time. I can imagine the SL55 feeling even more special as you'll have performance to enjoy just as much as putting the roof down as lets face it the roof will likely be up 90% of the time in the UK.

The C63 is also a superb car, looks great and of course is special in a number of ways, predominantly that 6.2 V8! As you say it's a lot more modern and that would show in different ways.

For me the SL55 would be the car to have if it's a weekend car that you can pop in the garage when it's not used. The C63 is probably a better all rounder especially if you're using it daily.
 
The SL is a special car in it's own right, my partner drives an SL350 and that feels very different from any 'normal' car purely because it's low, great looking and awesome to have the roof down on. But, it feels like a fragile car and in the back of your mind you do feel like it may need something sorted on it at any time. I can imagine the SL55 feeling even more special as you'll have performance to enjoy just as much as putting the roof down as lets face it the roof will likely be up 90% of the time in the UK.

The C63 is also a superb car, looks great and of course is special in a number of ways, predominantly that 6.2 V8! As you say it's a lot more modern and that would show in different ways.

For me the SL55 would be the car to have if it's a weekend car that you can pop in the garage when it's not used. The C63 is probably a better all rounder especially if you're using it daily.

Anyone that buys an SL needs to do two essential but cheap and easy fixes.....

1. Check the air box under the nearside bonnet vent is clear at the bottom of leaves and debris. Clean out anything you find and make sure water drains through the drain pipe at the bottom of the box and into the front offside wheel well. check this regularly as part of your standard checks and you will have no issues of water making its way into the passenger footwell.

2. Remove the rubber seal that is between the bottom of the rear window and the back edge of the boot lid and reseal/refit as per the numerous online tutorials. There is a good one here but unfortunately the Photobucket issues have removed the photos (I'll see if I can find another). This fix will stop the issues with the electrics in the boot.

The only other issue of concern is the ABC suspension (not applicable on most SL350's) so make sure the previous owner has maintained the fluid changes and check on any car inspection that there are no leaks on the hydraulic pipes or struts.



Other than the above the SL is no different to any other car.
 
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I'm probably the last to say "Welcome to the site"!

I have had an SL63 R230 (6.2L) 2008 for two years and it is an amazing car, a serious missile for the road. More a Grand Tourer than a track tool, but then we are not discussing a Porsche GT3?

Here are a few thoughts:

The SL is a convertible sports car of the highest quality. Yes it is expensive to run, and to fix, but if that really matters, then don't go buying one in the first place!

ABC suspension is now fixable by a specialist firm, so you don't need to spend £1k per corner replacing the units.

Rear window/ boot leaks are easy to fix if required. Excellent advice and a link already given.

Buy from a MB dealer if you get the opportunity, and pay the premium, because you want a MB Tier One Warranty. This has been the best additional purchase I have ever made (£900) - and I renewed it last year. (Check vehicle age limitations, anyone help?)

Heated drivers seat £2,500 (wiring in the leather, so you have to re-upholster the seat)
New gearbox, £4,500 (rare issue with the integral clutch fixed)
Front suspension arms and bushes; sold to me by MB Basingstoke with doggy steering alignment, £2,000

The above 3 items Free of Charge thanks to my T1 warranty!


I question commuting in either car. Put the miles on your V70 instead. Besides a commute is not really what either of the cars is about.

Consider this: the problem with fuel consumption belongs to your V70, not either of the AMG cars. So maybe change your V70 for something more economical :)

My last point is very debatable, but here it is: The SL is a convertible so it deserves to be garaged.


You will love either car, they are AMG's after all, but as previously suggested, test drive both. Then vote with your heart :)

Rob
 
Other than the above the SL is no different to any other car.

I'd probably disagree with you on that final point. I'm not saying they are awful cars but they are hugely complex which is much like a number of Mercs but with the added consideration of the folding metal roof.

We had a control module fail earlier this year which was nearly a £500 part alone. That prevented the roof folding and the boot opening.

I'm not saying a C63 is cheap to run but you don't have that added element with it being a hard top. :)
 
I was in the same SL55/C63 situation. Went for the C63 coupe in the end. Just seemed like a better all-rounder for what I need. And 2 years warranty on the C63 did swing it very heavily for me as well.
 

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