Help! Should my next SL be a 600 Bi Turbo?

[IanA2]

0 - 62... no details... I'm thinking he may still be holding the door handle

The 2012 V8 0-60 published fig is 2.3.....so, Faassstttt!!

 

[John]

When I see an Ariel Atom, they just make me think "I wonder what they are like in a crash".

I must be getting old!

 

[BTB 500]

When I see an Ariel Atom, they just make me think "I wonder what they are like in a crash".

I must be getting old!

Not so good when it rains, either

 

[IanA2]

Not so good when it rains, either

Huh....take a brolly

 

[John]

Huh....take a brolly

I suppose if you are heading for a crash - you could open up the brolly behind the car and pray...?

 

[IanA2]

I suppose if you are heading for a crash - you could open up the brolly behind the car and pray...?

Exactly....doubles as an air brake

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Exactly....doubles as an air brake

One of the entertaining things about this forum of ours is that you can get from bi turbo SL600s to brollies all in the same post!!

But seriously guys....

Is it worth spending an extra £9k to jump up from the SL55 to the SL63?

Say £28k for a 2007 facelift 55 vs £37k for a 2009 SL63.

"No of course not" you say!

But the newer design has the better gearbox, it's going to be more reliable purely because it's younger (statistically), and if I care about owning a reasonably modern version of the SL, and can raise the ££, and intend to keep it for a few years, why not??

Yes, the 55 has more torque, but the 63 is still fast, and a big step up from my current 2007 SL350!

Views?

Thanks, Robert

 

[regbuser]

SL600 > SL55 > SL63

If you can afford the 63 then go for it the 6.2 V8 is very well regarded

 

[IanA2]

SL600 > SL55 > SL63

If you can afford the 63 then go for it the 6.2 V8 is very well regarded

I think the engine is good. But at the end of the day it's a face-lifted R230 with all the pain that that involves.

I think the R231 is better, so far anyway.

 

[C36fan]

If I had the money I'd go for the sl65 amg there's so much you can do to it!
Vmax weapon!

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[regbuser]

I think the engine is good. But at the end of the day it's a face-lifted R230 with all the pain that that involves.

I think the R231 is better, so far anyway.

don't think R231 is within OP's price bracket; he's already dragged it up to nearly £40k from appx £25k...



and yes c36, we'd all love a SL65, but the only one I've seen s/h is nearly £150k :O > http://used.mercedes-benz.co.uk/use...ercedes-benz-sl65-amg-boston-for-sale-fx64kso

 

[IanA2]

don't think R231 is within OP's price bracket; he's already dragged it up to nearly £40k from appx £25k...



and yes c36, we'd all love a SL65, but the only one I've seen s/h is nearly £150k :O > Approved Used 2014 MERCEDES-BENZ SL65 AMG for sale

Fair enough, but personally, I'd rather be poked in the eye than get a 230.

Maybe he should go for a 129 AMG, cheaper too

 

[DSB SL AMG]

+1..the car you should be going to look at pal is back in post 27, and still for sale

If I had the money I'd go for the sl65 amg there's so much you can do to it!
Vmax weapon!

Sent from my iPhone using MBClub UK

 

[Pitts Pilot]

+1..the car you should be going to look at pal is back in post 27, and still for sale

Every time I look at that car (SL65) I salivate! The colour, the wheels, even the relatively low mileage, is fantastic. I WANT it :bannana:

Problem is there have been too many comments on this post regarding v12 running costs, particularly maintenance and those damn expensive coils.

"Nothing empties your pocket like a V12..." for example.

Or

"Many maintenance jobs require the engine to be removed from the car..."

Not necessarily the end of the world, as dropping the engine and g/box out the bottom is relatively easy; its just £££ !


So I thought "Stick with the V8s" and you will be fine.



"don't think R231 is within OP's price bracket; he's already dragged it up to nearly £40k from appx £25k..."

Spot on. I'm spending more than I had planned. But cars can be like that (if you are in the position to stretch your budget - under extremely duress).


One thing that is causing me to hesitate, is the missing torque the 63 has verses the SL55. Doesn't seem fair. More modern car with newer engine....

I also suspect that this is why the R231 has gone back to a v8 with bi turbos. What are MB quietly telling us? (The SL55 setup is/was GREAT?)



So can anyone point me in the direction of some RHD long pipe headers. I believe that fitting some makes a noticeable difference to the torque. Trouble is most headers I've found fit LHD cars only


I'm test driving a SL63 tomorrow, Monday, so I will report back.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[DSB SL AMG]

I don't agree Robert....V8 / V12 would not be much in it, yes people do worry about coil packs, on a R230 I would worry more about ABC, it all comes down to finding a cherished example...

The 65 engine is a peach...imho it seems strange to me that you have dismissed this when you are looking at a 63

Every time I look at that car (SL65) I salivate! The colour, the wheels, even the relatively low mileage, is fantastic. I WANT it :bannana:

Problem is there have been too many comments on this post regarding v12 running costs, particularly maintenance and those damn expensive coils.

"Nothing empties your pocket like a V12..." for example.

Or

"Many maintenance jobs require the engine to be removed from the car..."

Not necessarily the end of the world, as dropping the engine and g/box out the bottom is relatively easy; its just £££ !


So I thought "Stick with the V8s" and you will be fine.



"don't think R231 is within OP's price bracket; he's already dragged it up to nearly £40k from appx £25k..."

Spot on. I'm spending more than I had planned. But cars can be like that (if you are in the position to stretch your budget - under extremely duress).


One thing that is causing me to hesitate, is the missing torque the 63 has verses the SL55. Doesn't seem fair. More modern car with newer engine....

I also suspect that this is why the R231 has gone back to a v8 with bi turbos. What are MB quietly telling us? (The SL55 setup is/was GREAT?)



So can anyone point me in the direction of some RHD long pipe headers. I believe that fitting some makes a noticeable difference to the torque. Trouble is most headers I've found fit LHD cars only


I'm test driving a SL63 tomorrow, Monday, so I will report back.

Thanks,
Robert

 

[IanA2]

"Nothing empties your wallet like a V12

an R230..." for example.

Fixed that for you…..

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Easy for me to say, being a bystander and all, but if I was in your shoes I would buy the SL65 without a second thought.

I love the sound of my E55, it's intoxicating, but the sound and power of the V12 AMG is just what boys dreams are made of; the sound is like a deep base thunder (the S65 I was behind Friday certainly sounded that way anyway!)

 

[AMGeed]

So can anyone point me in the direction of some RHD long pipe headers. I believe that fitting some makes a noticeable difference to the torque. Trouble is most headers I've found fit LHD cars only


I'm test driving a SL63 tomorrow, Monday, so I will report back.

Thanks,
Robert

Take a trip to Eurocharged in Watford and see what they can do for you whether you go for the 63 or 55.

SL63

 

[Pitts Pilot]

Reporting back after a Test Drive


Well, I had my first drive in a SL63 this afternoon, and it was great fun! This was the car:

Mercedes-Benz Used Cars Sports and Prestige Cars Wickford, Essex | Quirks Car Company

The SL63 definitely has a 'Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde' personally. You can pussy-foot around all you like below 3,500 rpm, but once you rev past that the exhaust lights up with a great roar and the car literally hurls itself down the road without any need for further excuses!

The ride (on 'Comfort' setting) is slightly firmer than my 350, but I put this down to the AMG badge. I have no problem with it.

I was ready to buy this car if it was ‘The right one’, but it wasn’t

I arrived and parked next to it, so I had an opportunity to have a look round it before I caught up with the salesman.

From a basic look it seemed fine:

[/IMG]



But then as I looked closer the wheels were like this:

[/IMG]

I stood there looking at the mess the wheels and their bolts were in and remembered what DSB SL AMG had posted:

...it all comes down to finding a cherished example...

And I thought “This car was NOT cherished by its previous owner”. With the words ringing in my head I found the salesman and went for a test drive.

During the drive the ‘Low engine oil level’ warning light came on. “Ah” said the salesman, “Probably needs topping up”.


I don’t know if I’m getting the hang of this guys, but with a set of wheels that I personally would never have let deteriorate to their current condition, and the fortuitous oil light, I thought this was a car to avoid.

Of course, the wheels can be re-furbished, I’ve had it done several times before, and the oil changed, etc, but that “Cherished” word just didn’t apply in this case, so I won’t be making an offer.

Thanks to DSB for such wisdom


The hunt goes on, but the picture of what to buy is now clearer.

1. I’m happy to own a SL63, despite the mid to high £30’s K price, and
2. I don’t want to buy a car that is older than my present one, (2007 on a 07 plate).

Thanks to everyone for their helpful input Keep the advice coming!

Cheers,
Robert

 

[stumpy1]

Don't get too het up about the wheels. Diamond cut wheels are a pain in the rear and look like that 6 months after new. See it as a bargaining chip when negotiating. I still think that model of car is ugly as **** but I'm no oil painting