SL55, SL65 or SL63

[Red C220]

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.

I was way off the mark with the SLS suggestion as I didn't think you could be buying those cars in that budget. I'm a bit out of touch with second hand values.

 

[Deleted member 37751]

and one of the best sounding engines ever made with a more modern transmission!

Ftfy.

The M156 sounds good but the M113K is far superior and fitted to the best sports car to be graced with a Mercedes badge; the SLR.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Yep the SL55 F1 is tempting as it will go up in value now for a very good one I think.

 

[nickjonesn4]

Will definitely check out the sl63 as reports are so good. V12 still favourite at this point pre driving any of them.

Most interesting to hear almost unanimously that the facelift is a much better drive. It makes sense of course with all the extra development as someone pointed out.

 

[BIRMA]

Will definitely check out the sl63 as reports are so good. V12 still favourite at this point pre driving any of them.

Most interesting to hear almost unanimously that the facelift is a much better drive. It makes sense of course with all the extra development as someone pointed out.

I'm probably biased but for the money (around £35-45K) there wasn't a lot to touch it. I did have considerably more put aside in my budget but another motorbike came up for sale and I had to try to get it.
I along with a number of other people think that it is one of the last cars produced thats affordable to both buy and maintain with that magnificent big capacity normally aspirated V8 engine which is a hallmark of AMG.
In black the car does look the part and if you can find one with the full PP and you enjoy your driving it will not disappoint, just be wary of the fact that PP parts were available as extras which threw me out until I put my Anorak on.

 

[AMGeed]

Didn't Clarkson point out there was literally "too much torque" when he tested the S65 on one of the Top Gear episodes?

Im sure he had a tug of war team pull an S65 backwards on tarmac as the car just spun up using full power

I'd be more tempted by that lovely engine note on the SL63 n/a:bannana:

 

[nickjonesn4]

Hmmm owning a V12 is more attractive to me than a really loud V8. I know this is heresy on here but I went for an e55 rather than an e63 as I prefer the less shouty engine.

 

[AMGeed]

I know this is heresy on here but I went for an e55 rather than an e63 as I prefer the less shouty engine.

Don't tell the 63 boys, but you picked the better engine

 

[AMadGit]

I have an SL55. Given the budget I'd try to find a good SL65.
Much rarer in the UK and they won't make em like that again.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[nickjonesn4]

Yep I agree pre driving any of them. My favourite from a looks and interior POV would be a pre-facelift V12. They seem to go for between 35k and 60k depending on year and mileage so I reckon they have bottomed out already in terms of value. Only 100 odd RHD cars I think.

 

[cb1965]

Can anyone tell me in what way the 55K is a better engine than the 63? I don't mean in terms of stats as it is supercharged whereas the 63 is NA. I own a 55K and have driven a C63... I thought the latter was a better drive and the engine was a massive part of that! It just seems more rounded and better balanced across the rev range and the noise is of course an added bonus.

Anyway back to the topic in hand.

Been thinking about this. If you are buying to invest and to own something fairly rare then the SL65 all day long. If you are buying to drive and enjoy then the SL63 would be my choice, but if you want something in between..... an SL55 F1 spec!

The 55 is a better drivers car than the 65 due to the lighter V8 and prices even for standard SL55s seem to have levelled off with the F1 spec commanding a good premium over those and its relative rarity should see those prices continue to rise provided the car is kept in A1 condition and not bodged up repair wise with amateur fixes for common problems that seem to becoming a trend on here to recommend to owners finding their dream car is not without its foibles!

 

[nickjonesn4]

Thanks for that - makes sense.

Was toying last night with the idea of going for an SL55 and an older R129 V12 which can be had for £20k

Would be fun owning a missile and a gin palace

Not convinced I can get that past the missus however

 

[Deleted member 37751]

Can anyone tell me in what way the 55K is a better engine than the 63?

There's a mythology been built up around the 6.2, most of which is because of that glorious soundtrack. I owned a W211 E63 for under a month and it just didn't float my boat.

Take the noise away and you're left with an engine that you've got to really work to get it moving and by the time it explodes into life you're into three figures. Some people love that, I don't, I like power there immediately which (as you know) is what the 55K is all about.

I suppose some people just prefer N/A and others (like me) like forced induction. I do like the idea of those 6.2 owners fitting superchargers though, possibly the best of both worlds.

 

[lxi]

good perspective Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG | Autocar

 

[nickjonesn4]

Interesting chat with Terry @ Wayne Gates today and he favours the SL63 from a running costs POV along with the better dynamics people are talking about, gearbox etc.

Reports on test drives to follow when I get the time to do them.

 

[danieljames]

For me, its all about the supercharger.... just prefer them to turbo's. Hence the SL55 for me

Plus I love the convertible....

 

[AMGeed]

Can anyone tell me in what way the 55K is a better engine than the 63? I don't mean in terms of stats as it is supercharged whereas the 63 is NA. I own a 55K and have driven a C63... I thought the latter was a better drive and the engine was a massive part of that! It just seems more rounded and better balanced across the rev range and the noise is of course an added bonus.

There's a mythology been built up around the 6.2, most of which is because of that glorious soundtrack. I owned a W211 E63 for under a month and it just didn't float my boat.

Take the noise away and you're left with an engine that you've got to really work to get it moving and by the time it explodes into life you're into three figures. Some people love that, I don't, I like power there immediately which (as you know) is what the 55K is all about.

I suppose some people just prefer N/A and others (like me) like forced induction. I do like the idea of those 6.2 owners fitting superchargers though, possibly the best of both worlds.

That is pretty much my take on the comparison too. Also adding in the fact that you are looking at shelling out over £10k to supercharge a 63 engine if modifying floats your boat.
Its been proven that circa 600bhp can be achieved for under £2k on a 55k engine with just a map/pulley and cooling. On a 63 its a Weistec s/c, cooling, map and megamoney. (You can expect over 700bhp though.:bannana

 

[BIRMA]

I can see why people want to tune their cars to achieve those sort of figures I've been there and done it with my track prepared RX7.
But these days I am more inclined to buy something that's fast and sorted out of the box and more importantly unless you are a track day fiend in which case you should spend your money on a Caterham or Ariel Atom because quite frankly you are rarely able to use it on the roads these days.
As I found out at the three hour driving session at MB World in an SL the modern cars have incredible roadholding even in the pouring rain and I think I have it right that the courses at MB World were designed to replicate twisty A roads in which case you would never drive like that with other traffic around.
I came away thinking that 500+ BHP in the SL is more than adequate for day to day driving which I am sure most of us do 99% of the time.

 

[nickjonesn4]

I wouldn't be planninng to touch whatever SL I end up buying in terms of mods

That's what I'm saying now anyway!

 

[WG M-B]

I can see why people want to tune their cars to achieve those sort of figures I've been there and done it with my track prepared RX7.
But these days I am more inclined to buy something that's fast and sorted out of the box and more importantly unless you are a track day fiend in which case you should spend your money on a Caterham or Ariel Atom because quite frankly you are rarely able to use it on the roads these days.
As I found out at the three hour driving session at MB World in an SL the modern cars have incredible roadholding even in the pouring rain and I think I have it right that the courses at MB World were designed to replicate twisty A roads in which case you would never drive like that with other traffic around.
I came away thinking that 500+ BHP in the SL is more than adequate for day to day driving which I am sure most of us do 99% of the time.

Although I didn't go into to much depth when talking to Nick today this is pretty much my take on it too. The SL63 is an incredible car!
If it were my choice I know where my money would go