RJR

I currently have a 2008 SL550 and looking for something new. I have been reading a lot about the new 550's with the Bi Turbo and it looks impressive. I have been on the lookout for a 1-2 year old SL63 with low miles but now I am thinking I can get a new SL550 with the Bi Turbo for the same price as a 1-2 year old 63. Has anyone compared a R230 63 to a new R231 550?

absent

Owned 2009 SL63,had the new SL550 for a week (rental).
Both have equal performance in daily driving,new car handles better,more responsive,much more comfortable for tall guys in particular.
New car has much better interior fit and finish,it is also easier to modify.
Exclusivity of the SL63 is not an issue,since all these cars become just used cars after a while.......

RJR

Thanks for the comparison. I might just wait a little bit for a slightly used R231 550

LukasBMW

The R231 SL550 with the new twin turbo V8 should wipe the floor with the R230 SL63. The Biturbo V8 makes more horsepower and torque and makes even more power with a simple software tune. The car also has better brakes, suspension, and is lighter.

The only thing I think that the r230 SL63 has over the R231 is that (in my opinion) the R230 is a better looking car.

The naturally aspirated 6.2 V8 found in the SL63 has a lot of supporters on this forum, but in my opinion it just does not make enough power in stock form to compete with the 600/65 cars or the old supercharged V8 (SL55) or new twin turbo V8. The 6.2 V8 belongs in the C class and maybe E class. The CL/S/SL class need more torque since they are such heavy cars.

sound 8

I have a 3 year old 63, had it from new 14k. Absolutely love it , it's a superb car and never put a foot wrong, oh and that sound track !

Zaddick

I would go with the new car, the R231. The technology is much better, the platform is far superior, and the interior is much nicer.

I agree with other posters that the R230 looks a lot nicer, but that should really only matter if you spend most of your time staring at your car from the outside. Plus for those into "status rides" the R231 is newer and therefore "better."

Either way you are going to get a very enjoyable ride!

Best,

Z

photonut

i have the same mileage on my '09 sl63.
i love the melodious exhaust.
i am very happy with the ride and the acceleration.
my only gripe is the "jumpy" tranny when going into first gear.
this occurs only when the engine is cold.

NABO

I am about to buy a 2013 MB roadster and it's decision time; SL63 or SL550? Cannot decide so easily. Pros and cons on these vehicles please...Any light shed would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you

BlownV8

231 is not as attractive as the 230 but everything else about it is better. The NA 63 engine has a serious head bolt flaw with many grenaded engines caused by the failure. I would go with a late model 230 600/65 if you can't go with the 231 63.

mcguirja

Depends on the year, check engine serial numbers. Mercedes upgraded head bolts and valve buckets in mid 2010 model year. I was just contemplating exchanging my '09 63 for an '11 but they asking an outrageous $35k difference between the 2. I'll spend a lot less upgrading the engine instead.

jford11

Bumping this thread.....leaving the Porsche fold after 16 years. Trading my 991.1S (said I'd drive it forever when I bought it 20 months back) for an SL. Roads in my area are no fun and I want more comfort to go along with the performance...plus I want to scratch the SL itch.

So.....
2013 sl550...pretty loaded with ABC
2011 sl63 amg...good on head bolts..no options

Above are both under 30k miles and same price with dealers offering about same price for pcar trade.

I like the bells and whistles of the 231. .styling not as much..230 63 is really great and I actually like the interior better...less vertical..although the tech seems way behind the 231...no camera or sensors for Pete's sake on a 145k car?

Lastly I could go sl55 amg and bank some money. Like the styling and I interior post 05 is about same as the 63amg..I'm less scared of cost of ownership with the 55...07 and 08 seem non existant but theres a loaded 03 near me for 24k with only 15k miles (which actually coul be an issue but it's at a MB dealer so guessing a good car as they didn't wholesale it).

Sadly I've not driven any of them as they are spread 3 to 4 hrs from me in opposite directions.

So..another newbie looking for advice, experiences and opinions. Thanks! Glad to be here!

Jamie

BlownV8

Go with the R231. The R230 does look much better though.

jford11

I really need to drive it....I think the ABC will be nice to have and is rare on these cars. The low mileage 55 is sold although there is now a mint one near me (2004) with 36k on the clock, silver over red which I like for $23,000.....

Was gong to try to see the 550 today but can't spare the 7 or so hours round trip....

Thanks for the feedback!

BlownV8

If you want to own the vehicle out of warranty or long term, look for one without ABC. The only things I every liked about ABC is flat cornering, though it feels artificial, excellent dive resistance on hard braking, and good absorption of small road imperfections. If I lived in the northeast US or an area with big pot holes, no way I would ever want ABC. It's just not durable enough.

jford11

Thanks. I've been researching the abc system, my impressions are that it has been improved over time. I know 07 was a better year for the 55 because if this..has it progressed since then?..Is the 2013 more reliable than the 2011 and the 2011 better than the 07?

Clearly the abc is a big concern. Thanks again!

BlownV8

Newer will most likely be more reliable but not for improvements; rather, the rubber bits and pieces of the system haven't degraded enough to cause issues yet. The system has parts that fail over time and mileage regardless of the improvements. Some of the failures cause catastrophic damage while others cause ride quality issues. A blown hose can cause catastrophic damage if you don't immediately shut the car down. A failed pump can introduce metal particles that wreak havoc on the system. ABC is something you love or hate. If I never owned another ABC equipped vehicle, it would not bother me at all.

jford11

2013 sold today before I could get there. Might look at oth 13 sl550.

Looking at an 04 55amg tommorow..would prefer post 07...but few and far between.

Also now considering 07 or 08 sl550s...which are or seem to be good deals

TampaJoe

I have been pretty happy with the 09 SL63 I have - 33k miles, and just a very smooth car. I love the sound of the NA V-8, just something about that song that I like to play over and over again.

jford11

Thanks Joe....the AMG is very very special. I pulled the trigger today on a private party 2015 SL550 with the white arrow package of all things. 23,000 miles and 18 months of CPO left. After looking at, but not sitting in or driving, the sl55 AMG yesterday I was driving the hour home and, as I often do, pulled over to look at cars.com, etc for new additions and things I may have missed. I saw the ad for the 2015 and that it was only an hour from where I was.....well maybe I could at least lay eyes on one and get a drive, perhaps missing the car in Md. would then be no big deal.

The seller answered the email right away and agreed to show the car....what luck. Plugged in GPS and off I went. Was very taken with the car at first sight and blown away by the power delivery....so smooth and effortless. While it does not have ABC I thought the handling was fine (not 991.1S) but I'm looking for a cruiser. The PO and I got along quite well and he lives in an great driving neck of the woods. I was ready to turn around as I'd seen enough to know I wanted it but he had me press on.....got back to his place, negotiated for 60 seconds and made a deal we are both happy with.

Woke up early, met the PO, did the deal....now home.

Over the moon.

While I didn't drive the 2011 63 I realize that I was just going with what I already had...the 911. The whole point was that I want to try a luxury, loaded hard top vert. The car was $4,000 more than the AMG but 4 years newer, 4k less miles and 20 months of CPO....I did lose out on the tax break with trade on 991 but may make up a bit in a private, albiet, more hassle, sale as there is lots of interest in my car in the VERY low $50's with 36k miles and over 2 years of bumper to bumper warranty left including tire and rim....so should be ok.

Thanks everyone! So appreciated!

Here's a pic or two.....loving it!....Not sure why they are so big.

BlownV8

Congrats!

iridium18

Awesome !! Well Done

jford11

Thanks guys! Looking forward to spending more time here while, of course, keeping up with Rennlist as well.

TampaJoe

Congratulations! It is a very good-looking MB.

onewhippedpuppy

Congrats, that's a great looking car. I'm partial to my R230 SL63 but you really can't go wrong. Also a former Porsche guy, I've owned over 20 in my lifetime and I'm sure I'll have another someday. In comparison I find the R230 and my W212 to be better assembled with higher quality materials and equally great to drive, albeit in different ways.

sker66

If your not going to buy that low mile SL55 can yo tell me where it is . I may be interested. Yhank you