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2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
2017 SL450 or SL550? Which one to choose???
I drove both yesterday. I've always had V8 SL's, so I thought for sure the 550. But, the 450 seemed to drive better, lighter on its feet. I liked the sound of the 550 better, but the 450 seemed like the way to go. Which one did you choose and why?
Last edited by Streamliner; 10-15-2016 at 10:17 AM.
we both drove the SL400 and loved it
we didnt drive a 550 as a comparison, as the 400's performance figures and the way it drove spoke for itself.
quite a few of the online reviews say the 400 is the wise buy unless you really MUST get to 60 in 0.6seconds quicker - if saving that much time is crucial!!! lol
In my case I just couldn't justify the extra $20k. To be honest $100k was at the top of my limit. Now that I have close to 5000 miles I couldn't be happier with the V6 Biturbo. More than enough power and averaging around 25 mpg every day driving. I just made arrangements to ship the car to Naples for the winter. It's a great place for a drop top.
A wise man that I used to race with said, "You can't buy happiness, but you can buy horsepower. And isn't that really the same thing?" Drove both engines, loved the 'lighter' feel of the V6, but the torque curve of the V8 sold me on the 550. To me it is really a decision based on just how you envision using the auto. We are very much enjoying the two and three day cruises in the Southeast, and the available torque puts you where you want to be, when you want to be there with no lag.
For what it's worth, I bought a 2002 S430 and while I liked the car albeit some electrical problems with the airbag, I regretted not buying the S500 about 1 month after. Money was not the issue, needed a car and the local dealer was offering very aggressive deals on the 430's. Maybe it was vanity, but I felt every time I passed a S500 owner, I felt as if I had compromised and looked down upon as being a want-to-be S Class owner, never really part of the club. There was a reason why the dealer had lots of S430s, because they were hard to sell and why the dealer had no S500 inventory. Get what you want, but if money is not the issue, get the SL550.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by F456 V12
For what it's worth, I bought a 2002 S430 and while I liked the car albeit some electrical problems with the airbag, I regretted not buying the S500 about 1 month after. Money was not the issue, needed a car and the local dealer was offering very aggressive deals on the 430's. Maybe it was vanity, but I felt every time I passed a S500 owner, I felt as if I had compromised and looked down upon as being a want-to-be S Class owner, never really part of the club. There was a reason why the dealer had lots of S430s, because they were hard to sell and why the dealer had no S500 inventory. Get what you want, but if money is not the issue, get the SL550.
MB
I paid my way through college, buying, restoring, drag racing and selling Corvettes. Several big block 396 & 427 cars. Lots of fun. Fast forward several decades and I am SOOOOOO over going fast. Believe it or not, MB has pretty much broken new ground with the SL450. The car is virtually identical to the 550, with the exception of the engine. All the same options and a pretty amazing V6, with MORE horsepower than my previous SL500. IF I get a new SL, it will be a 450. AND, whenever I might happen upon someone in an SL550, I'll just give them a smile. For me, the 450 is the best choice, and I really don't care what anyone else thinks.
I paid my way through college, buying, restoring, drag racing and selling Corvettes. Several big block 396 & 427 cars. Lots of fun. Fast forward several decades and I am SOOOOOO over going fast. Believe it or not, MB has pretty much broken new ground with the SL450. The car is virtually identical to the 550, with the exception of the engine. All the same options and a pretty amazing V6, with MORE horsepower than my previous SL500. IF I get a new SL, it will be a 450. AND, whenever I might happen upon someone in an SL550, I'll just give them a smile. For me, the 450 is the best choice, and I really don't care what anyone else thinks.
Well said and good luck with your SL450, I'm sure you will enjoy it.
When the day comes that I am embarrassed about strangers seeing the numbers on the back of my SL450 I'll get a magic marker and change the letters to something more appropriate!
PS-Paid cash and can afford just about anything on the road....
I paid my way through college, buying, restoring, drag racing and selling Corvettes. Several big block 396 & 427 cars. Lots of fun. Fast forward several decades and I am SOOOOOO over going fast. Believe it or not, MB has pretty much broken new ground with the SL450. The car is virtually identical to the 550, with the exception of the engine. All the same options and a pretty amazing V6, with MORE horsepower than my previous SL500. IF I get a new SL, it will be a 450. AND, whenever I might happen upon someone in an SL550, I'll just give them a smile. For me, the 450 is the best choice, and I really don't care what anyone else thinks.
wise decision........... as it suits YOU, not other people who may have TOTALLY differing needs/wants/desires from a car..........
our old bass player used to tell the gag............ that he got off with a girl one night and when he got his pants down she saw his sausage......... and said "who're you gonna please with that???"
I guess the conversation has taken a funky turn. This shouldn't be about vanity or masculinity but how the different cars fit the drivers. Each model is designed to fit specific customer preferences.
The SL450 is a fantastic deal and you do get a lot of car for money but to me the car clearly doesn't have close to the fun factor of the 550. Not by a long shot.
And no, it isn't about "fast" either. The lighter engine provides a better balance but looses the ease and power in which the V8 moves.
That is even more apparent in the V12. Balance is even worse due to the heavy engine but to drive the car is an absolute delight.
It's not about "fast" but how.
Pick what you want and use the justification that fits you. I settled on the V8
I just bought the 367bhp facelift SL V6 (called the SL400 in the UK). My previous SL was a R230 V8 and this is quite a lot faster. Bearing in mind the twin turbo engine is very under stressed and can be easily boosted by 80 bhp or so if you so desire, it made the V6 a great buy.
Mine was one of the "Edition" models, limited to 130 worldwide. Couldn't be happier with it.
IMHO, as was already mentioned above, SL400/SL450 is a much better value than SL550 (in the US by about $18K + tax when identically equipped, except the mighty engine of course), however for those who "can afford just about anything on the road" (of the two) SL550 is the only way to go.
Here in the UK there is only £9K difference between the two cars and less than that when you add the couple of extras to the 400 that are standard on the 500. For most people (and certainly for me), £9k when spending £80k on a new car is utterly irrelevant. If I'd liked the V8, I'd have bought it - simple.
However, IMHO and in the opinion of many (many) motoring journalists, the V6 is the pick of the bunch. Big V8 engines are becoming a thing of the past with many manufactures opting for smaller capacity twin turbo charged engines instead for a multitude of reasons. Take a look at the new Porsche range.
The V6 engine is a peach. It's the exact same engine they are using in the new AMG GLC. 367 bhp, 0-60 in 4.7 secs, (62 in 4.9) is more than fast enough for most people who want a GT roadster. If you want lot's more, then you could ask Renntech or Racechip and they'll give you another 80bhp for small fee, then you get the benefit of the lighter car plus the same power, but if you really want to go much faster, then you'd be better off looking elsewhere for that experience. A couple of cars ago I had a Nissan Skyline GTR, which would run rings around any of the SLs, but nowadays I prefer to be winding lazily through the French Alps or along the Riviera with the roof down than tearing up tarmac.
Here in the UK taxation is a factor too - I don't mind spending money on cars but I don't like giving it to the government and the V8 requires much bigger donations to the taxman than the V6 does, so all in all, the V6 was the perfect choice for me and it may be for others (but obviously not everyone). A test drive of both is a must...
Here in the UK there is only £9K difference between the two cars and less than that when you add the couple of extras to the 400 that are standard on the 500. For most people (and certainly for me), £9k when spending £80k on a new car is utterly irrelevant. If I'd liked the V8, I'd have bought it - simple.
However, IMHO and in the opinion of many (many) motoring journalists, the V6 is the pick of the bunch. Big V8 engines are becoming a thing of the past with many manufactures opting for smaller capacity twin turbo charged engines instead for a multitude of reasons. Take a look at the new Porsche range.
The V6 engine is a peach. It's the exact same engine they are using in the new AMG GLC. 367 bhp, 0-60 in 4.7 secs, (62 in 4.9) is more than fast enough for most people who want a GT roadster. If you want lot's more, then you could ask Renntech or Racechip and they'll give you another 80bhp for small fee, then you get the benefit of the lighter car plus the same power, but if you really want to go much faster, then you'd be better off looking elsewhere for that experience. A couple of cars ago I had a Nissan Skyline GTR, which would run rings around any of the SLs, but nowadays I prefer to be winding lazily through the French Alps or along the Riviera with the roof down than tearing up tarmac.
Here in the UK taxation is a factor too - I don't mind spending money on cars but I don't like giving it to the government and the V8 requires much bigger donations to the taxman than the V6 does, so all in all, the V6 was the perfect choice for me and it may be for others (but obviously not everyone). A test drive of both is a must...
Hey Wiz
me and my Mrs have just bought the EXACT same car as you....... SL400(UK spec)......... same "edition" spec and in the same "Brilliant Blue" colour!!!
We LOVE it!!!!!
Same wheels - which are really nice as opposed to the "AMG" 5 spokers
DMS reckon they can get 498Hp out of the motor............ but they want 2 grand
Here in the UK there is only £9K difference between the two cars and less than that when you add the couple of extras to the 400 that are standard on the 500. For most people (and certainly for me), £9k when spending £80k on a new car is utterly irrelevant. If I'd liked the V8, I'd have bought it - simple.
However, IMHO and in the opinion of many (many) motoring journalists, the V6 is the pick of the bunch. Big V8 engines are becoming a thing of the past with many manufactures opting for smaller capacity twin turbo charged engines instead for a multitude of reasons. Take a look at the new Porsche range.
The V6 engine is a peach. It's the exact same engine they are using in the new AMG GLC. 367 bhp, 0-60 in 4.7 secs, (62 in 4.9) is more than fast enough for most people who want a GT roadster. If you want lot's more, then you could ask Renntech or Racechip and they'll give you another 80bhp for small fee, then you get the benefit of the lighter car plus the same power, but if you really want to go much faster, then you'd be better off looking elsewhere for that experience. A couple of cars ago I had a Nissan Skyline GTR, which would run rings around any of the SLs, but nowadays I prefer to be winding lazily through the French Alps or along the Riviera with the roof down than tearing up tarmac.
Here in the UK taxation is a factor too - I don't mind spending money on cars but I don't like giving it to the government and the V8 requires much bigger donations to the taxman than the V6 does, so all in all, the V6 was the perfect choice for me and it may be for others (but obviously not everyone). A test drive of both is a must...
Congrats on your new ride! It's a beautiful car!
Compared to the old SL's, the new R231's are much faster and feel that way too.
We have had the R231's for a while and the latest iteration has become faster yet. Our SL550 easily beats the R230 SL600, SL63 or SL55.
This V8 is going away eventually, being replaced by the 4L V8 but I am enjoying it tremendously and a simple ECU tune takes it to 540hp.
498bhp doesn't surprise me Max. I also have an AMG GLA45 which has 385bhp from the factory with a 2 Litre 4 cylinder engine! So I'm sure there is plenty more to be had from the V6 if you want it. That said, I'm genuinely happy with the performance of mine so I'll probably leave it as is. If you're looking, Racechip do an interesting module for just £550. You can adjust it from your iPhone via Bluetooth https://www.racechip.co.uk/shop/merc...0kw-500nm.html
That would be quite a rush! The only thing I'd be a little careful of (if your tempted) is the gearbox, which I don't think is rated for that much power. Tuning the V6 should be ok because it uses the same 9 speed auto that the v8 does anyway, however, Merc don't use that gearbox in the 580 bhp AMG variant (they use the older 7 speed dual clutch) because they say that the 9 speed isn't rated for that much power. Worth checking out if you're feeling tempted
498bhp doesn't surprise me Max. I also have an AMG GLA45 which has 385bhp from the factory with a 2 Litre 4 cylinder engine! So I'm sure there is plenty more to be had from the V6 if you want it. That said, I'm genuinely happy with the performance of mine so I'll probably leave it as is. If you're looking, Racechip do an interesting module for just £550. You can adjust it from your iPhone via Bluetooth https://www.racechip.co.uk/shop/merc...0kw-500nm.html
I had a look at the Racechip one - but their feedback/reviews - seems hit and miss at best
Interestingly although DMS say the engine has loads of "available" power......... another guy that i've used a couple of times replied to my query with this :
"Hi Max,
Good to hear from you again.
The SL400 367bhp/500Nm is in fact 400bhp capable with 580Nm.
We've done a few of the cars with this engine and in the programming they are already fairly highly strung.
The cost to remap this car on the rolling road is £699.
We would need the car for about a day.
Kind regards"
And also the Kleeman box i enquired about say that the box will go on any variant of the 3l V6 engine - but no matter what your engine power...... be it the new 367hp or the older 333hp version........ their box still tops out at the advertised 413hp
Ebay item number : 262316445384
so i'm a bit stumped............. some say only the 35-45hp increase
others offering LOADS more
Max
PS. you got any mods planned for your "edition"???
All i've done is fit spacers!
Doesnt seem much about for them............
PPS. I've heard of the turbo's going prematurely on the 2 litre A45AMG cars........
and if your turbo goes, it means you get a 5 place grid penalty!!! ha ha ha
Last edited by ibanezking; 10-24-2016 at 11:14 AM.
Interestingly although DMS say the engine has loads of "available" power......... another guy that i've used a couple of times replied to my query with this :
"Hi Max,
Good to hear from you again.
The SL400 367bhp/500Nm is in fact 400bhp capable with 580Nm.
We've done a few of the cars with this engine and in the programming they are already fairly highly strung.
The cost to remap this car on the rolling road is £699.
We would need the car for about a day.
Kind regards"
I'm sure that the engine is strong enough, but you may find that if you go over 420ish bhp, it requires bigger fuel injectors, which could be why the DMS mod is more expensive.
PS. you got any mods planned for your "edition"???
All i've done is fit spacers!
Doesnt seem much about for them............
That's one mod more than I've done! Haven't seen anything that I'd like to do to it yet, as you know it has lots of options on from the factory. I'll let you know if I think of anything though!
PPS. I've heard of the turbo's going prematurely on the 2 litre A45AMG cars........
and if your turbo goes, it means you get a 5 place grid penalty!!! ha ha ha
Mine is going soon anyway, it's a bit too much of a bone-shaker. I bought is as an ex-demo so it was well loaded but included the uprated AMG suspension, Seemed fine on the test ride but on bumpy road it can have you bouncing out of the seat . The SL had reminded my what a refined ride feels, like so I'll find something else for when I need the space.
Let me know if you find anything else good for yours and I'd love to see a pic of what it looks like with the spacers?
However, IMHO and in the opinion of many (many) motoring journalists, the V6 is the pick of the bunch. Big V8 engines are becoming a thing of the past with many manufactures opting for smaller capacity twin turbo charged engines instead for a multitude of reasons. Take a look at the new Porsche range.
Maybe in the UK with your high gas prices, but here in the US the V8 is king and worth it IMHO. Like Wolfman says, it's the fun factor.
Maybe in the UK with your high gas prices, but here in the US the V8 is king and worth it IMHO. Like Wolfman says, it's the fun factor.
Well, we all have our preferences, but you're mistaken to think that price and gas price is what it's about. Lots of journos agree that the new, lighter, 9 speed 367 bhp V6 car, is actually the better drivers car than the V8, which feels more like a cruiser. This one is in Canada, not Europe. Skip to 5 mins 15 secs.
10-14-2016, 10:49 PM
