Hi,
I've been looking for a good deal on a fully loaded (including distronic) 2005 CL65 for a while. I can't find a good car or a decent price. Some private owners are unrealistic on what their cars are worth now so they won't let them go for a few thousand above what auction prices are and that is all I'm willing to pay. So I started looking at 2006 CL600's. I had an 05 SL600 that I just loved but deep down I always wished it was a SL65. I found a few fully loaded CL600's for the low 80'sK that I beleive I could get for the high 70'sK. What do you guys think? Should I abandon the CL65 for the 600. With either car I planned on doing at minimum the Renntech ECU/TCU upgrade. The nice thing about the 600's is that they are 2006's. I'm just wondering if I will always regret not sticking it out for a CL65. Opinions please!

My Bias...65 and No Substitute. I bought mine last Sept 06 as I needed wheels and could not wait. No regrets even if the price has dropped a little bit. Its a keeper, besides you only live once.

I'm going to have to agree. I look for a CL65 almost daily. Get the car your truly want or you'll never be satisified.

I'm going to have to agree. I look for a CL65 almost daily. Get the car your truly want or you'll never be satisified.

I had an 03 S600 before I found a good price on an 05 CL65 last year. If you like the AMG bits (wheels, brakes, seats, exhaust) I would say wait it out for a 65. I don't regret the switch at all....but the S600 felt just as fast up to about 70 mph.

The ESP allows more wheelspin on the 65 cars, and the AMG exhaust is throatier than the 600...one year later, and I'm still loving mine.

Seems like the 600 engine has been detuned alot by Mercedes because we seen the most gain on the 600 engine with just ECU/TCU upgrade.

the market isnt as soft as people think of the 65's and 600's with low miles, anything over 25k miles and low to no warranty left and u got a deal, the problem there are only a handful of cars out there. I went thru the same dilemma 3months ago and I am a die hard AMG fan, very die hard....and i have no regrets going for the 600, obviously When it comes to shear power you wont miss a 65 while in your 600.

Your car looks amazing!!!

Holy ****,
Nice collection of cars!! I'm a Doc also but could never afford that many cars and still hope to retire some day. Thanks for the advice. Still looking for a CL65!! Keep an eye out for me.

I know what you are saying because I use to own a 2005 Renntech SL600. I raced a stock CL65 one day 3 times and we were about even every race. I pulled on him once because he broke traction going into 2nd gear. I always wished my car was a 65 for the little AMG upgrades that I really find appealing. I realize your car is one of the fastest around and I'm glad you are happy with it. I would miss seeing quad exhaust with the throaty sound and the V12 Biturbo embloms. Thanks for the imput. I'm still not ruling out a 600.

You of all people really understand what I'm thinking. I agree and appreciate your honesty. Thanks.

Besides the cosmetics, exhaust, brakes, wheels, etc. dont the 65's have different size turbo's and intercoolers too?

I know one thing, the leather in my 65 puts the leather in my 55 to shame. Its like butter.

turbos yes, Im 99% positive intercoolers are the same but different part numbers.

I just spoke with Vadim (our resident Russian Benz Master) and he told me the 65 has bigger: Turbos, intercoolers, and airbox. And then he said "but still not big enough"

vadim is definitely incorrect about the airbox

I think your warming up so...one more shameless plug...

You are killing me!!!!

I thought the intercooler for the 55's, 600's, and 65's are all the same. I could be wrong but I thought I learned this when I was at Renntech because they were showing me the upgraded intercooler pump that they sell. I'm not 100% sure, however.

Correct, the Renntech intercooler upgrade for the 65/600 and 55 uses the same heavy duty pump.