Substance

the Same amount of power. Almost identical performance.

S600 with AMG pack..has more luxuary, power seats in the back heated/cooled. 4 zone climate control. about 50 more ft/lbs torque due to its V12.

VS.

S55 AMG. sport tuned -quad exhaust pipes. AMG badges. AMG speedshift tranny. amg sport tuned suspension.

luxuary vs. sporty
V12 bi-turbo vs. V8 kompressor

which one is your style? positive and negatives on both iin your opinion?

BK_S500

in my opinion if i would see 23 yo guy in S600 i would thought that you borough your it from your dad.
S55 is defintaly the way to go for young guys.

Jakpro1

S600 with simple ECU flash becomes the son of satan......S55 needs 12-15K to get that much power.

Just my 2cents.

Beloved Trey ran 11.5 with ECU and Drag Radials......near impossible to get even an ECU/Pulley/Header modded S55 to pull that.

There is a 600 pimped out around here and just looks incredible...and I hate that *****.

Substance

I really am leaning towards S600. I am trying to decide whether I should get a C55 this summer and trade it to a w221 S600 2 years from now when I graduate from college or get a used S600 now.

one thing I know for sure is that I wont wait till I am 40+ years old to get a S600. The S65AMG would be so nice. S600 luxuary plus amg. However I am not sure when I can afford 180k price tag on this car( assuming the new w221 will be priced about the same, probably different engine not 65, a twin turbo 63 or 69)

newton22

I second that. 600 is your god.

naadp

Generally, people buying these cars worry little about the price differences. It all comes down to which car is right for the driver -- they all have different personalities and are built for different kinds of owners. Even with exhaust I think the 600's/65's are too quiet and too consistant feeling to be very exciting. There's just something about the 55's that I love.

Substance

How much do you think is a fair price for a 2000-2002 S600?
the none turbo ones...5.8 V12....Do you guys expect a deprication over w220 due to the new w221. I remember SL prices went down a lot when the new ones came out...a nice 99 model sl 500 is like mid 20k.

and also there is big difference between a 2002 and 2003 S600 due to 2003s bi-turbo engine, but they were priced about the same when new.

Kerr

i dont think the S class will drop that much. i mean the 00-02 models are already in the 20's. Mercedes drop to a point and then quit.

I too want a 03+ S600 but i cant see the money difference in added hp right now. Your looking at 25-30K difference on a 02 to a 03 S600 for about 160hp and 200lbtq. Lot more power but that is like $188 per hp.

The ticket would be to get a 00-02 model sport so you get the body kit then find a company that will put a blower on the v12. I know some on here has one a SL600 So it can be done. You figure 5-8K for the blower and have the same power as a stock twin turbo S600.

kenstudios

2003 S600 $68k


http://www.smithimports.com/509428.htm

D2-AUTOSPORT

03 vs 03 I would cast my vote for the 600 with AMG pack, it would the best of both worlds, smooth and powerful monster motor and classic AMG aerodynamic enhancements. As far as the exhaust goes, I'm sure you could go EISENMANN and get the quad tip look plus a serious "bark".

Also if your getting a w220 at a young age it will be perceived that you are in "dads car" no matter what model you choose. The general public cannot differentiate between 500, 55, 600 other than bumpers and wheels. So no one will say "oh that is not his dads car, its supercharged" etc.

Good luck with your ultimate decision.

Kerr

that is a nice car. few things thought.

1) dont get that color interior, You can not keep it clean.

2) 45K miles. In 5K miles your out of warranty. Do you want a $70K car out of warranty? If you dont care about miles you can get the cars cheaper. I looked at a black on black 03 for $55k with 77K miles.

3) if you are seriouse about one in the $70K range why not look at a E55 or CLS 55. You can get almost a new one for that.

shaw01

I pretty much get it now but still need to ask the question .. I drive an S500 and love it .. but I had always assumed it went, V8 (500), V8 K (55), V12 (600), V12 TT (65) .. but I have come to understand that there is no non-turbo V12 anymore, correct?

If that is the case, what is the big selling piont for a 65? Especially if you can get a 600 with AMG package? (I know it's just appearance package, but how much does the 65 add over the 600?)

Still would have made more sense from a marketing perspective to have the 600 just a straight V12, non-turbo .. seems like they've muddied up the waters this way, at least to novices such as myself.

WIldcat465

You need a warranty. You need a warranty. You need a warranty.

You will have problem electronics; otherwise, the '03 and later 12 cyl cars are fantastic.

I'd look for a CPO car from a dealer.

kenstudios

Extended warranty is $5K (Easycare through Ford) and covers upto 100k miles. As for the interior, my S500 is sportless so it's all about how clean you can keep it. I was debating between this and the long awaited 07 S550. I think I'll wait for the 07.

Kerr

Some people can keep the light color clean. I had the oyster and it sucked. my father also had a light tan interior and it was a major pain. Id stick with black if you have kids, or friend that ride in the car.

As for the warranty comit a lot of companys will not sell one unless the car is still under factory warranty. also for $5k that now puts you in a $75,000 car that is having a body stlye change in two months.

Its all different strokes for different foks, I mean i have a G wagon so we all know im not right.

D2-AUTOSPORT

No biggie, its just a little more confusing since MB went from normally aspirated 55 and 600 in 01-02 (55 had about 360hp and the 600 was 389 if memory serves) to supercharged 55 (493hp) and twin turbo 600 (490somthing I always forget the 600's power). So there are 2 versions.

As far as the 65 is concerned its still far and away a much stronger machine. we are talking 600plus HP and 738lb ft of torque its a different animal altogether.