AARONG

Hello, I am new here and am thinking of trading out of my 996 Turbo for 06 S65.
I was previously thinking of S55 but after also driving a 65 I like it better. Obviously the power difference, but also the dash and headliner are much nicer in the 65.
I am looking at the old body style (w220) for price reasons mainly but also I prefer the shifter in the old body rather than the column shifter in the w221.
I have been a member on 6-speed for several years and posted that I was considering this move and was told that I was crazy to get rid of a Porsche Turbo for a boring sedan. That's to be expected from a Porsche forum, so I figured I would get a different perpective here.
Is this a good move or not?

TMC M5

The torque in the 65's is just tremendous...not really a car that can compare with it. Have you thought about a CL65? It (IMHO) has a little bit nicer interior than the S65 and is carrying 200+lbs less. The back seats in the CL65 are actually made for adults. It may be a nice comprimise for you coming from the 996TT. And the best part is that the W215 CL65 is even cheaper than the W220 S65. Not sure what your situation is....

Tom

JR.

apples and oranges

i owned a 996TT. fabulous car but kind of one dimensional and boring styling for a sports car. holds it's value better than MB. i might have kept it if it was a cab.

S65 W220 .. boring.. no way.. kick butt motor and seating for 5. like them so much, i am in the market for an '07 S65, although the styling ain't great with these either..

55's have instant response and weigh less but the torque of a 65 is wonderful.. !!

i must agree with TMC M5.. my friend has a new viper and a '05 CL65.. guess which one he drives the most.. nothing like a twin turbo V12..

really the question will be, where do you go after a 65 motor?

NY_SG

Porsche Turbo 996 hands down.

Unless you need a sedan then s65.

AARONG

I am just getting tired of a 6-speed/clutch and thinking of a change after a few years with it. I get bored with a car after more than 2 years.
I don't drive the Porsche to anywhere near its potential on the streets and have only gone to the track a couple times with it. It is a harsh, stiff ride compared to the S-class- a compromise for the handling obviously.
I don't need a sedan- we have a large SUV and a mid-size sedan already but just think the S55/65 is a nice looking car- would lower it slightly and maybe do some wheels and Kleemann or Renntech tuning. It won't corner like a Porsche, but I think it would hang with it in the straights with more comfort and style.
I have thought about the CL also but I really like the looks of the 07+ CL65 much more but that is out of my budget right now.
Is there an option for the S55 to have the leather stitched dash and alcantara headliner like the S65 has?
Thanks for the input.

ItalianStallion

Take a look at the SL55. It has an alcantara headliner and is much softer than your Porsche, though it still has a somewhat "sporty" feel. The V8 Kompressor is a nice motor. If you like the twin turbo V12, SL65 should do the trick. It has dropped tremendously in value, though an SL55 is dirt cheap now.

Plus convertible.

jd986s

+1 on SL55 or SL65. Leather dash on SL. Get 05 or newer (better Nav, newer phone) 07 has face lift (minor updates)

retardedmunk

As a owner of a 997. I prefer the softer more powerful feel of the CL65.
It doesn't impress as well as the new CL but IMO it truly is one of the best looking GT coupes built.

Also AMG built half as many CL65's then S65's
426 S65's built
194 CL65's built

They r both much rarer then the 996

IMO the 996 and 997 are way overvalued. They have boring interiors and lack any kind of real structural integrity. In other words they feel like tin cans compared to any AMG

Once you go 65 there is nothing else you wanna DRIVE

Akademiks

You think it would hang? Dude, I mean this in the nicest possible way, but stock to stock, a 65 would chew a 996 up like bubble gum.

A member here, TheRicker, raced a 997 with his (stock) SL600 and even the new Porsche couldn't beat the slower 600. Maybe he can chime in and give you details.

I think your possibly underestimating the power of the 65s here, especially if you want to chip your 65! Never mind hang, the 65 would tow the 996 kicking and screaming. There's a video on youtube of a chipped S65 racing a Carrera GT. Full load in the S65 and it still put up a fight.

My thoughts...good luck with your purchase.

AARONG

Thanks for your input. Maybe I am underestimating the 65. It felt pretty similar in acceleration to my Porsche although smoother. When I took the Porsche to the track it ran 12.2 at 117 and I was easy on the clutch for the launch. It has a flash but the turbos and exhaust are stock.
I did see the video of the S65 and Carrera GT on youtube and the 65 got walked pretty badly, but that was a GT not just a Turbo.
Will a S65 run 11's?

jmf003

11.5@122: http://www.dragtimes.com/Mercedes-Be...lip-17543.html

P.s. That's a stock car on drag radials. With an ECU tune an S65 can run high 10s.

c32used

Since you don't need a four door my choices would be

1.CL65
2.SL65
3. current S65

Honestly I don't think I'd trade a 996 TT for any...the same way you can mod any Benz with a Evom system those P-cars can easily do 10s and still out corner any of the Benzes..Value has stayed up there also for the P-car compared to its MB counterparts. But I would move to a CL65 if you want a better more luxo feel and ***** to boot Marko65 is doing 10s with his CL65..the current SL65 is nicer if you are looking for a cab..but if not the CL65 is my choice. Good luck!

Akademiks

The S65 in the youtube video had about 800lbs+ extra weight then it needed. For having a full load (4 adults), I would say going up against a hypercar like the Carrera GT, it did pretty well. I can pretty much guarantee, the S65 (exhaust free thank you ), with the chip tune on 100 octane with just one passenger will give the Carrera GT a closer run; if not out right beat it.

If you watch the video one more time, you can see,

A) The Carrera GT always starts out ahead,
and B) always gets the honk

So as if the odds weren't in GT's favor already, it got the launch as well.

A S65, is easily capable of high 11s. And from what you just said, your Turbo is in E55 territory; as far as the 1/4 mile times are concerned.

I say go for the S65 and chip it! Whatever you get, PICS!!!!

sound 8

Wow, 2 totally different cars. You will certainly have a completely different driving experience. What you need to ask yourself is what I want from a car.
If you want speed,luxury, quietness,something to get your family or all your mates in then it's the MB every time. If you want a bad back, lots of noise,
skittish road holding and crap brakes unless your doing over a hundred and
of course the pose value then it's the Porsche. I have had a 2002 996 Turbo,
and now have a S600. I guess the Porsche was fun for a while, 4 months actually

.