Merc-Skycap

Hey guys,

I have a quick question. I ordered my 2010 S600 2 weeks ago but still have time to change the order. After seeing the S65 AMG, I was wondering what the main difference would be? I like the sound of the S65 but not sure how the S600 will sound in comparison or if it will have the same bells and whistles? Anybody know?

Thanks!

Red Marko

Totally different beasts.
600 is a beast in disguise,
65 AMG is a beast in full open view ready to attack.
Have fun in both when in back to back test drive.
Mark.

transferred

If money's not an issue change your order. The S65 sounds sportier than the 600 and looks much sportier....it's not as loud as the 63 but it's MUCH faster.

My W220 is a beautiful brute...the W221 is just wow

-Rob

Oxygen

S65 has no resonators.. S600 does.. get rid of them and you'll have a barking animal of a car....

AustinGuy

S65 HANDS DOWN!

No brainer.

Seriously, if $$ are of no consequence, then there is really no decision to make here. The S65 is an AMG sedan - that offers a HUGE premium on the car.

I have an S63 and I can tell you first hand that it's a pretty amazing set of wheels especially if you're prone to driving it like a 325i. If you are more into engine sound and initial acceleration, then you might want to seriously consider the S63. The roar from the quad exhausts is quite unmistakable. In test drives I found it faster than the S65 on initial take-off every time. This comes into play when passing and weaving in/out of traffic ....... Of course the V12 BiTurbo is no slouch either

Oxygen

Was this data acquired using your ***-accelerometer by any chance? I heard those things were quite accurate and reliable.

The 65 makes maxium torque at around mid 2K RPM, so I don't see how the 63's V8 could possibly be faster on initial acceleration.

transferred

+1. They're not even close so long as the surface is grippy. 600 is a better match up. 737lbs>465lbs and comes in way lower for zipping through freeway traffic but 63 wins on pedal response as no turbo lag

Austin guy- your car looks v sharp...I do like the S63...just not as much as the 65s.

Red Marko

Austin,
I want to do the same tin(t)ed windows you have.
Very sharp . No joke here.
Love the look
I know, you posted once what you did, I don't remember. Could you steer me in the right direction?
Mark.

Merc-Skycap

Hmmm....Well the reason why I ordered the S600 was because I was told that it came fully loaded and all I had to do was pick the color and desgnio package, which I did. Plus I thought it would be better to try a different varient of the S, a more powerful one. However, the 6.0 V12 with 612HP sounds and looks better but I am not sure weather I will be able to do much with it here in my police state. It is a bit of a confusing choice to make for me since I am not infromed well enough on the AMGs of the S class. All these years I have used S500s and an S550.

Since pricing is still not available on the 2010s what do you guys think would be a good estimate on the S65? I am thinking above 200K???

WSH

65 is a no-brainer choice over 600

Much more powerful brakes, sharper/more stable chassis, arguably best sports seats and sport steering wheel ergonomics on planet

Actually prefer 65 exhaust note over 63....63 is lots of noise for a car w/no tq (downright poseurish); 65 is definition of elegant intimidation

Even on slow LA fwys one can easily discern (and enjoy) tq of 65 over 63; it really is dramatically different in mid-range accel

600 is a superb car but would argue its hp/tq is too powerful vs its luxury-oriented brakes and chassis...and its styling is only stuff that can be admired by someone >75yo; even the 65yo codgers in BeverlyHills drive (or are driven) around in S65s, not 600s

cjf_moraga

If you are used to an S500/550 then the S600 will be like night and day - a far more compelling mix of luxury with all the option trimmings and performance. That performance is definitely delivered in a civilized way however - the S600 is so well insulated it does not feel as fast as it really is.

The S65 is amazing no doubt... though personally I think the $50K+ extra is a little outrageous - you could buy a fun sports cars for that. One thing you might want to consider is if you stay with the S600, the V12 engine has so much reserve capacity that easily available ECU mods can take it to c. 600 - 650 hp. That does not give the car the AMG tuned suspension and brakes of course, but for sheer freeway acceleration that is probably the route I will go when I feel the craving for more hp. Unlike WSH I certainly do not see any deficit in the S600's handling for all this power however... ABC cures all sins. (But then I am a 45 year old codger)

Chris

Ferri

I would go for the S600. It is $50k cheaper, which is no small potatoes. Also, it comes now fully loaded, including Sports and RSE packages. At this vehicle class, I am not sure how much sport I want into the chasis, above the S600. It is a totally different decision-making logic if we talk about the SL. Also, the power differences are hardly discernible, at least so has been in my experience.

transferred

That is a good point. Even the 65-series CLs and S-class can only handle as well as their huge wheelbase and 5000lb will allow them....

Now, the power difference is where I strongly disagree...seat of the pants may be one thing as both are rapid...but try a roll on and watch the carnage...

-Rob

vonbeeler

I drove the 65 prior to my purchase of the 600. I would have preferred the 65 but the financial premium did not justify the slight seat of the pants 15% torque increase. I am also missing a little more exhaust noise and brake caliper bling. So those are really the only 3 major differences IMO.

I'm not sure how long your planning to keep but you should also consider the steep depreciation especially in light of a new design for 3 years from now. If the last 65/600 is a good indication you will see about $90k depreciation on the 600 and about $130k dep on the 65 in 3 years.

I'm a 42 year old Codger

AMG1

I'm considering/almost set on a 65 model for my new S-class when I replace my 07 600 after the facelifted model comes out.

Merc-Skycap

You make some good points, thanks! I think I will just keep it the way it is. I think the S should just stay as the classy car in the stable and use the C63 for when I want to have fun, like I do now. Plus I think the S600 is fast enough like you guys mentioned.

Thank You All Very much!

cameraman123

go for the S65

djamer

go for the S65. Agree w/ everyone, plus the fact the new AMGs have a much more reliable and robust ABC suspension vs. past years.

Oxygen

Do you know what's different with the new ABC vs the past years?

PlatinumEdition

change it to the 65!

jeffreyy

Skycap,

I have a S65, it's pretty much everything everyone here describes. The ride can be a little jiggly at times, but the dealer has my tire pressures way too high. I need to bring the pressures down and report back. The S65 is loaded as well with very few options. You do get the exclusive leather diamond stitched (Bentley-like) interior, which is only available on the 65 (not even designo S600). Torque is unreal as people say and the handling is amazingly precise, especially when one considers the weight.

That being said, the 600 is a V12 and does have ABC. Basically, it's the AMG tuning and wheels along with the AMG body kit, dual piston sliding caliper brakes, and revised engine. It is a large premium, but if you plan to keep the car a while, it is certainly worth it.

One final note, I tend to agree with others. I thought the S63 exhaust note was a little too much. The S65 is perfect, a nice start-up bark but inside very quiet unless one is pushing it. The engine can be heard but it is never intrusive.

It is an amazing car.

J

cjf_moraga

Being the contrarian I am going to disagree that the S65 is worth it - at least from a "value" perspective... (And the market tends to agree if you look at the horrendous depreciation) If you have ample financial reserves and $200K to burn then sure, go for it.... I just don't find a $50K delta on top of the already opulent and very fast S600 worth a minor increment in acceleration, upgraded brakes, mild suspension tuning, and a body kit. (Most/all of which you could install post factory far more cheaply) The ABC equipped S600 is quite adequate for aggressively handling a 5000 lb car - I do it on the hilly switch backs near my home all the time. Of course you always pay a bit more for just that bit extra at this end of the market, but the S65 has never seemed to me a rational new purchase. (Now used - thats a whole different story)

Not that rationality is a deciding factor at this end of the market!

Chris

djamer

Oxygen,

From Mercedes Benz:

"The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control has been further enhanced and not only comes with new spring and damper tuning but also completely modified elastokinematics. The front axle bearings, the spring links and the torque strut along with individual strut bearings at the rear have been retuned to deliver greater agility and shorter stopping distances."

I am not an auto engineer, but when i read about elastokinematics, it's pretty interesting how Mercedes have modified suspensions. See here

http://www.mscsoftware.com/support/l...evelopment.pdf

vonbeeler

Thank you AMG!!!

My biggest disapointment with my 600 since I drove it off the lot was I couldnt beleive how lackluster the ELASTOKINEMATICS was.

///MB

I love both of them... tough choice. The one thing I wish the 600 had is a manual mode for the transmission. I like having the car pull full throttle from a low RPM. In the S/C only configuration, the transmission will always downshift in this situation.