SL65 AMG Black Series-what do we think?
02-10-2009, 03:54 PM
#1
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SL65 AMG Black Series-what do we think?
So, for the original price of 2 CLK BS (current value is 3 CLK BS), what do we make of the $304,000 SL65 BS? Road and Track reports a "surprising amount of turbo lag", calling it "not the ideal track car", but compliments its high speed stability and interior. I don't find myself wanting one, and wonder if the body work will wear well over time. I am curious about the reaction of the participants in this board. AS
02-10-2009, 04:00 PM
#2
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CLK Black
So, for the original price of 2 CLK BS (current value is 3 CLK BS), what do we make of the $304,000 SL65 BS? Road and Track reports a "surprising amount of turbo lag", calling it "not the ideal track car", but compliments its high speed stability and interior. I don't find myself wanting one, and wonder if the body work will wear well over time. I am curious about the reaction of the participants in this board. AS
How about we let the first ones get delivered before we tear it apart?
02-10-2009, 04:33 PM
#3
I've been disappointed in the reviews and I hope that the numb steering, poor braking and less than ideal corner control that's been reported is just bad drivers (writers) looking for a chance to complain.
If the CLK Black beats the SL Black around a mid to long technical track, then someone messed up.
02-10-2009, 04:36 PM
#4
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Agree, many rather lukewarm press reviews
Passed on 65Blk, as ground clearance would be useless in daily commuting in SF hills; dubious brake pedal feel is a deal-killer for wkend mtn twisties driving; and old-tech SL sport seats are one of its ergonomic weaknesses (lack of deep bolsters; 997GT2 has excellent cf seats incl side airbag)
Comps are $200K SL65 and ~$400K 599
Would guess 65Blk will generally be a market failure, esp in poor economy w/ambivalent track reviews and dubious daily-useability
But my local dealer has ?5 credible customers willing to pay above MSRP for 65Blk....perhaps such an oversupply of enthusiastic, creditworthy customers exists at 3-4 dealers in US
The other ?100 copies will be far more tricky sales in today's economy
Passed on 65Blk, as ground clearance would be useless in daily commuting in SF hills; dubious brake pedal feel is a deal-killer for wkend mtn twisties driving; and old-tech SL sport seats are one of its ergonomic weaknesses (lack of deep bolsters; 997GT2 has excellent cf seats incl side airbag)
Comps are $200K SL65 and ~$400K 599
Would guess 65Blk will generally be a market failure, esp in poor economy w/ambivalent track reviews and dubious daily-useability
But my local dealer has ?5 credible customers willing to pay above MSRP for 65Blk....perhaps such an oversupply of enthusiastic, creditworthy customers exists at 3-4 dealers in US
The other ?100 copies will be far more tricky sales in today's economy
02-10-2009, 05:59 PM
#6
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It's a stunnng car, but I read a piece where the CLK63 would kill it in the corners and only on the long straights did the massive power allow it to catch up. I would have like to seen carbon brakes, at the very least, and more rear rubber. I'll wait till the owners shake them out.
Jimmy
02-10-2009, 06:08 PM
#7
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Thread Starter
I'm looking forward to seeing one. And, I hope to have the chance to drive one, but don't know how or when that will happen. Personally, I expected a more effusive report. Our cars are so much fun at the track, I was surprised the new model BS is not. I'm not slamming the car, and I would love to learn that it is fabulous and creates a further halo on the BS cars. AS
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02-10-2009, 06:20 PM
#8
Did someone say depreciation?
Just kidding all, please remain seated and calm!
02-10-2009, 06:33 PM
#9
Official launch is for 2/16/09. Did it have manufacturer tags? Lota discussion over on SL65BS board whether their here yet. Most say some DOT issues have them in port.
It's a stunnng car, but I read a piece where the CLK63 would kill it in the corners and only on the long straights did the massive power allow it to catch up. I would have like to seen carbon brakes, at the very least, and more rear rubber. I'll wait till the owners shake them out.
Jimmy
It's a stunnng car, but I read a piece where the CLK63 would kill it in the corners and only on the long straights did the massive power allow it to catch up. I would have like to seen carbon brakes, at the very least, and more rear rubber. I'll wait till the owners shake them out.
Jimmy
02-10-2009, 08:52 PM
#10
Agree, many rather lukewarm press reviews
Passed on 65Blk, as ground clearance would be useless in daily commuting in SF hills; dubious brake pedal feel is a deal-killer for wkend mtn twisties driving; and old-tech SL sport seats are one of its ergonomic weaknesses (lack of deep bolsters; 997GT2 has excellent cf seats incl side airbag)
Comps are $200K SL65 and ~$400K 599
Would guess 65Blk will generally be a market failure, esp in poor economy w/ambivalent track reviews and dubious daily-useability
But my local dealer has ?5 credible customers willing to pay above MSRP for 65Blk....perhaps such an oversupply of enthusiastic, creditworthy customers exists at 3-4 dealers in US
The other ?100 copies will be far more tricky sales in today's economy
Passed on 65Blk, as ground clearance would be useless in daily commuting in SF hills; dubious brake pedal feel is a deal-killer for wkend mtn twisties driving; and old-tech SL sport seats are one of its ergonomic weaknesses (lack of deep bolsters; 997GT2 has excellent cf seats incl side airbag)
Comps are $200K SL65 and ~$400K 599
Would guess 65Blk will generally be a market failure, esp in poor economy w/ambivalent track reviews and dubious daily-useability
But my local dealer has ?5 credible customers willing to pay above MSRP for 65Blk....perhaps such an oversupply of enthusiastic, creditworthy customers exists at 3-4 dealers in US
The other ?100 copies will be far more tricky sales in today's economy
02-10-2009, 11:23 PM
#11
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99 M3
I'm sure it's great, but it's still not a Mclaren.. for similar money I think i'd prefer the SLR if I had to choose.
(Not that I can afford any of them but i'd rather a CGT or 599 any day of the week!)
(Not that I can afford any of them but i'd rather a CGT or 599 any day of the week!)
02-11-2009, 01:01 AM
#12
MBWorld Fanatic!
I think it the 65 BS is more of a prestige car than an all out track car. It's more luxurious than the CLK's, but with a price tag north of $ 300K, it better is. More comparable to a 599 than a Carrera GT. I hope who ever buys one will take it out to the track, I'd like to see what it can do.
02-11-2009, 11:19 AM
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'10 Panamera S, '06 AMG CLS55, '07 Miata MX5, '02 MB SPRINTER, '99 Spec Miata Race Car (2X)
Guys - while in Sweden two weeks ago I spoke with a couple of test drivers that have driven it at European test days in anger, and all had the same comment - the gap between the SL65BS and the SL65, is SOOOOOOO MUCH BIGGER than the gap between the CLK63BS and the CLK63. Just passing on their comments FWIW
02-11-2009, 02:28 PM
#14
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I don't normally post here but will chime in anyway.
I was surprised at the weight of the SL65BS. I was expecting something less than 4,000 lbs.
That said, the Nurburgring time for the SL65BS on Fastestlaps.com is very impressive: 7:36. (http://www.fastestlaps.com/car4879107c4eea5.html) That's more than 30 seconds faster than the SL65's reported times of 8:12 and 8:14. (http://www.fastestlaps.com/car459a88ffc526c.html).
I was surprised at the weight of the SL65BS. I was expecting something less than 4,000 lbs.
That said, the Nurburgring time for the SL65BS on Fastestlaps.com is very impressive: 7:36. (http://www.fastestlaps.com/car4879107c4eea5.html) That's more than 30 seconds faster than the SL65's reported times of 8:12 and 8:14. (http://www.fastestlaps.com/car459a88ffc526c.html).
02-11-2009, 03:12 PM
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02-12-2009, 11:28 PM
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WHT BS
Although they both carry the BLACK SERIES badging, they 2 complete different class of car. They should not even be compared. SL65BS is a tru GT = Gran Touring. I would highly doubt that an SL BS owner would even think about tracking their car. It is an amazing car with a price tag that is not anywhere near reality for such a car. How many cars can you think of buying before the SL BS if you had 300k Large to ****? I know I can think of at least 20. Nice car but not for 300k and definitley not if you are looking for a competitive track car that you can drive to and fro to your local road course. Just my $.02
