SL55 vs. SL65 - which would you have?

[mercboiuk]

I've noticed that some SL65s are getting down to prices of that of later SL55s.
Given the opportunity, which would you buy?
I would probably go for the sheer power of the 65

So over to you guys - which one, and why?

Darren

 

[Howard]

65

 

[SG CL500]

I knew a chap who went from a 55 to 65.

In his view, after you'd got over the thrill of the power, the 55 was a far more rounded car. The V12 in the 65 made it too front heavy and struggled to get it turned in when on a run - so in real life the 55 was more fun.

That said, he kept the 65 - he always was a flash so&so

 

[A210AMG]

I've driven neither so cannot comment.

My dad has a SL500 and that seems to go quite well and for the price of them it a huge amount of car.

When he was looking he originally wanted an SL55 and looked at several, what seemed odd was nearly all looked well 'used' and un cared. Which is why in the end he opted for the SL500 (which has the full AMG kit / wheels / exhaust as the SL55) but was as new inside / out.

I would think also look at the servicing any AMG car will cost a lot more than a normal one for things such as brakes this is possibly also true for insurance.

My Dads car has that active suspension? don't know what its called but one of the spheres was leaking and it was £2.5K to fix (warranty). What you have to remember even though these cars are now £25K (SL500) to £40K for the SL55 the cars were 70K - 100K new so the parts are expensive and a lot to go wrong.

oh and would the SL65 feel 'that' much quicker than an SL55 on uk roads?

As aside my dads SL500 does 30mpg if he cruises, which given they are all limited to 155mph thats pretty good.

 

[pint6x]

I have heard an SL55 on full accceleration - it had the most delicious V8 snarl to it which would be all the convincing I would need!

I don't think the SL65 would give you any more.

 

[CRS]

I'd go for the SL55 mainly because I can't see a situation where i'd need the extra power of the SL65

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Fear of repair costs and being unfamilar to most dealerships would count against a 65, but it would be incredible to have a 65.

 

[recycled]

6.0L biturbo V12 and 5.5supercharged V8 .
over a 100hp different and torque so much greater.

I think the 65 but as i can afford neither, a 911 turbo will do just fine for me.

 

[JasM]

The SL55, mainly because of the noise of the supercharged V8

 

[BlackC55]

I have driven both and they are very different beasts.

The 55's roar is unmistakable BUT the 65 has an awsome noise too and is ballistic. It makes the 55 apear much slower.

The running costs of a 65 is just plain silly. Discs and pads are a few grand for example.

I would still buy the 65 though.

 

[Robbie T]

I have driven both and they are very different beasts.

The 55's roar is unmistakable BUT the 65 has an awsome noise too and is ballistic. It makes the 55 apear much slower.

The running costs of a 65 is just plain silly. Discs and pads are a few grand for example.

I would still buy the 65 though.

Agree completely, the 65's have a menacing deep rasp to their note which personally i love. The new phase of 63's have an even better noise than the old V8's IMO as well

 

[Chris Murray]

Hey guys! I just bought my first Mercedes yesterday a 2003 SL55! It's my first automatic car too. I really wasn't sure how I'd get on with it but I'm quite impressed.. Really smooth and comfortable and pulls like an express train.

 

[talbir]

Well both are similar cars, both with forced induction...except one has more displacement, more cylinders and materially more power.

It would have to be the 65 for that sheer thrill of having a twin turbo V12.

Power-to weight ratios would be interesting....i guesstimate the 65 produces more than enough power to offset the additional weight of the extra couple of cylinders on each bank.

Not sure if there is an SL63....but if there is that wold be the winner....nothing cmopares with normally aspirated power and big bore engine ! Whcih is why i built the 6.3 M119 Renntech for my 500E.

talbir

 

[Simon_M]

I spent an afternoon in a 65 at Mercedes World - absolutely awesome pace. But saying that, the new 63 had the better exhaust note.

 

[GrahamC230K]

65. Faster and tuning potential

 

[Robbie T]

Well both are similar cars, both with forced induction...except one has more displacement, more cylinders and materially more power.

It would have to be the 65 for that sheer thrill of having a twin turbo V12.

Power-to weight ratios would be interesting....i guesstimate the 65 produces more than enough power to offset the additional weight of the extra couple of cylinders on each bank.

Not sure if there is an SL63....but if there is that wold be the winner....nothing cmopares with normally aspirated power and big bore engine ! Whcih is why i built the 6.3 M119 Renntech for my 500E.

talbir

6.2 V8 my man. Lovely machine, i'm surprised at you

 

[BTB 500]

SL55 for me. A 12 cyl engine is a higher frequency exhaust note (which the turbos on the 65 partially muffle anyway). The 55's supercharger doesn't restrict the exhaust.

 

[talbir]

6.2 V8 my man. Lovely machine, i'm surprised at you

The AMG 63 is a 6.2 but my M119 V8 for my w124 500E is a 6.3

Slightly more power too !

talbir

 

[CLK-Singh]

Defo the SL55, the v12 exhaust purr is simply awesome!

 

[SilverSaloon]

Never driven either, but I guess if you can consider the 55 you may aswell go all in and get the 65 as you'll regret it later otherwise....