SL55, SL65 or SL63

[nickjonesn4]

Bet it sounds pretty tasty mind you and it looks fabulous

 

[Ginger55k]

For me, a large appeal has always been the stealth angle, as an ex 55 owner, am sure you've heard the description of the E and CLS versions as "a thug in a silk dressing gown".

When I bought my 55 the choice for me then was one of the 3 SL/E/CLS but the SL kind of gives the game away if you know what I mean.

4 years later the pull for an SL was still as strong but always had the same feeling, that's one of the main reasons I went for the 600.

So I'am still an old fart pipe and slippers in a Mercedes on a Sunday drive out

 

[nickjonesn4]

I'm going to see if I can persuade them to let me test drive the Brabus. Only 30 miles away could be an entertaining day out.

 

[rk100]

I'd imagine this would be pretty much und riveable Mercedes-Benz SL Class BRABUS SL 600 2DR TIP AUTO BI-TURBO 6.3

That SL has been for sale at that dealer for over 2.5 years - not sure why but have seen it there on their website for that long.

If I had the choice I would go for the 65's. Albeit I don't have an SL version I have a CL65 (W215) and it is absolutely brilliant love it have it 4 years and will be keeping it for the foreseeable future. I really only drive it at the weekends and have it garaged over the winter - but when I do get out in it the power is unbelievable and addictive and of course has the lovely styling to go with it.

 

[nickjonesn4]

That SL has been for sale at that dealer for over 2.5 years - not sure why but have seen it there on their website for that long.

If I had the choice I would go for the 65's. Albeit I don't have an SL version I have a CL65 (W215) and it is absolutely brilliant love it have it 4 years and will be keeping it for the foreseeable future. I really only drive it at the weekends and have it garaged over the winter - but when I do get out in it the power is unbelievable and addictive and of course has the lovely styling to go with it.

Yep. I have my eye on an Sl65 2007 so last of the pre facelift. Metallic black with grey leather.

 

[Starky]

The 65 got my vote.

 

[BIRMA]

You should try to drive all of them, myself I chose the SL63 with the N/A 6.2 V8 and the wonderful MCT gearbox.
I tried quite a few cars before buying the SL63 including an 2010 Aston Martin V8V soft top which had the most diabolical gearbox compared to the SL63.
If you can find an SL 63 with the full Performance Package it is for the money a really good car. I tend to change my car every year but so far I'm beginning to think the SL will be around an awful lot longer than usual. I still can't quite get out of hooligan mode with it so I'm only getting 13 MPG but I really don't care.
Check out the Chris Harris (from Pistonheads) test drives of this model SL it certainly convinced me after my test drives.

 

[Grovsie31]

I'd imagine this would be pretty much und riveable Mercedes-Benz SL Class BRABUS SL 600 2DR TIP AUTO BI-TURBO 6.3

Just googled that, and its apparently 730bhp and 811lb/ft lol.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Yep restricted to 218 MPH top speed and torque limited from 1000 lb/ft

With theach majority of AMG being so sorted you wonder why anyone bothers. I don't recall ever reading a review saying "brabus corners on rails" it's always just about silly power. At least they haven't ruined the I interior of this one.

 

[BIRMA]

Having just re-read your initial post I realise you are not too keen on the r230 facelift's looks which is fair enough as looks are a very subjective topic. For me I like the pointy, sharp look of the facelift front and was never too keen on the looks of the model before having said that I don't like the 'Carl Malden' nose job on the r231 but looks are subjective.
The big but though is in the drive and the driving buzz you get from the facelift r230 with the performance pack.
When I buy a new secondhand car I always set a budget and try three or four cars within my budget. I also try to test drive each one in a day which is essential for me from a comparison point of view. Anyway my car choice was the Aston Martin, a 997 911 turbo gen 2, an Audi R8 and for quirkiness a Honda NSX.
By far the car that stood out was the r230 facelift with PP which sold the day after I tried it as I was still in the research stage of ownership costs.
Going back to the test drive day the car that stood out apart from the Porsche was the SL it was a nice day the hood was down and that glorious engine sound and blips on the downshift had me sold.
Having owned it now for over six months the way it handles and goes have me completely sold on it. I know the Performance Pack (£10K extra) tweaks the suspension adds a limited slip diff and gives the car 525 BHP plus the big brakes which altogether makes it such an enjoyable car to both thrash and sedately cruise.
I think the combination of the N/A V8 and the MCT gearbox on this model really does work well and coming from a long line of Lotus cars I can't find a fault with the cars handling at silly speeds.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Cheers. Going to be fun doing the test driving. Budget is £25-£50k so will be able to get some thing in pretty good order whatever I go for.

 

[MicB]

Pre facelift R230.......doesn't much matter which.......you takes your choice.......

Mic

 

[nickjonesn4]

Yep the facelift will have to drive significantly better to make me like it. Looks are very important to me (shallow eh) with a car like this and it just has too many awkward elements to the design in my opinion... especially the horrible little strakes/intakes behind the front wheel arch.

 

[BIRMA]

Yep the facelift will have to drive significantly better to make me like it. Looks are very important to me (shallow eh) with a car like this and it just has too many awkward elements to the design in my opinion... especially the horrible little strakes/intakes behind the front wheel arch.

I agree here is a link (one of many reviews) I respect this guys opinion on cars.https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&r...vy1zVogHNcL7-T1yg&sig2=R3UGKpcb3tqXatmzmTOyVQ

 

[cb1965]

The SL63 will be the better car to drive.... has anyone done a conversion back to the nicer SL55 front end?

 

[nickjonesn4]

Will look at all the options for sure. I have a V8 which isn't going anywhere so reckon it will be a V12.

 

[lxi]

FWIW I had a pre facelift SL55 for three years - really liked it. Had a 12 month gap then went for SL63 (n/a) facelift. Wasn't sure about the looks for all of about a day, then decided I prefer it to the pre facelift.

Had it 2.5 years now, virtually faultless. Wonderful noise, not as much torque as the 55 but tbh, there are few occasions when you get to use it all anyway and the 6.3 on full song is nicer than the 55.

Way nicer to drive than the 55 - can't say exactly why

 

[BenzedUP]

Sl63 na

 

[cb1965]

FWIW I had a pre facelift SL55 for three years - really liked it. Had a 12 month gap then went for SL63 (n/a) facelift. Wasn't sure about the looks for all of about a day, then decided I prefer it to the pre facelift.

Had it 2.5 years now, virtually faultless. Wonderful noise, not as much torque as the 55 but tbh, there are few occasions when you get to use it all anyway and the 6.3 on full song is nicer than the 55.

Way nicer to drive than the 55 - can't say exactly why

10 years newer and better developed I would imagine. Better weight distribution and one of the greatest engines ever made with a more modern transmission!

 

[nickjonesn4]

Will report back after test drives. Should be a fun couple of months