SL65amg

My lease is up this March for my '07 CL 550 coupe... I'd like to get back to a 4-door I think I need more room... or get an older SL 65 as a weekend car and a used SUV like an Escalade or something as my daily driver to put most of my miles on.

Do you guys know what are the prices I will expect to pay at my dealer (I have to stick with them cuz they know me well and I have a good payment history with them, my credit score is in the dumps now so they might be my only option even though I wanted a Bentley Conti GT coupe or used Gallardo) for a 2008 S65 or 2008 S600?

What is the maintenance differences in terms of cost between the two? How much for tune-ups (both minor and major services) and brakes/rotors, etc.. for the S65 versus S600? Used price differences? The dealer told me that if they can find me a CPO car then the used car will be fully covered for a factory-backed extended warranty, is this true? I don't know what is the smarter decision in terms of timing and cost... stick with getting a used S65 or just be happy with an S600..... please any help in making my decision would be greatly appreciated guys!

SL65amg

Any info on this stuff would be greatly appreciated! Thanks again

JR.

.

4 door ?? high performance.. S65 is THE way to go.. 2006's are cheap and you can buy an extended warranty (service contract) for $2800.

if you want to spend 45 to 50k more.. go 2007..

want to spend more.. 2008 S65!

WSH

65's first svc (1 yr or 10K mis) is only about $250 (?)
Prob need new rear tires every 6-8K mis (and new fronts every 12K mis)
Brakes are probably costliest consumable...will really vary by driving style...suspect they last 15K mis for most drivers
Have never kept a new AMG long enough to need new brakes/second mtce but sounds like brakes are a ?$5K-ish cost
If in area with very bad roads (like most of Eastern US), expect added costs for new wheels, alignments and flat tire replacements

If on limited budget, would prob rather drive a new $100K '10 E63 (or even a new, '10 S550 w/ABC) over any used 65...precise driving machines are far more enjoyable when new and fresh...many used cars have dubious mtce/abuse histories (many overstretched owners seem to defer needed mtce or consumables)....but IMO new S/CL65s are most addictive stealth missles in world today if one can comfortably afford to enjoy them as daily commuter cars

retardedmunk

I have a 2004 s55 with 125k miles on it ...and it drives no different then a 2007 S65 I owned when it only had 5800 miles.....sorry but these cars are built for the long haul......I also have a 2006 S65 with 61k miles and it drives again no different then a 2007 S550 I picked up with 12k miles for a friend.....


And I would take a S65 2006 OR 2007 ALL DAY over a overpriced E63...2010...or S550....used cars are the way to go...who needs to throw good money away for the same thing?

IMO ofcourse

BVLDARI

From whatever reasearch I did, the biggest maintenance differencese you will see is in the brakes and tires. All the other stuff is pretty much regular MB pricing.

I am talking about maintenance, not repairs.

SL65amg

Ok so basically either get a 2006 S65 or get a 2007 S65 then? I actually thought that just getting an S600 would then cost half as much as the S65 in terms of maintenance costs.... isn't it alot cheaper to maintain in terms of tune-ups, brakes, etc..? And as long as the car is covered under a full factory warranty or extended factory warranty, won't I be safe even if the previous driver drove it hard or put a good bit of mileage on it?

WSH, interesting that you mention you'd rather have a brand new S550 sedan with ABC then a used S65 or S600.... is that just because of the newer tech and updated exterior (and the fact that nobody else has ever driven it yet, I know thats one big reason I got my CL 550 brand new).. or is there another reason?

Thanks guys for all the help!

PlatinumFace

Personally, I would go with the new S550 as opposed to an AMG.

Fraser

WSH never drives the same car twice. If it has more than about 10,000 miles on it then it is considered a deathtrap due to worn sensors etc. etc.

Notice he says 'if on a limited budget drop $100k'. Make of that what you will.

retardedmunk

I have owned them all...prefer my S65 2006...

1. great deals now around $50k
2. EVERYBODY owns a S550....EVERYBODY....Nope not me...
3. The 2006 S65 will do everything the 2007 S65 will do but half the price...


IMO----

AND THEY ARE CHEAP TO MAINTAIN AND KEEP....these are not Ferraris folks...they are Mercedes.....I have yet to see a problem with any Benz I have owned.....I even have own now with 125k miles...runs like a BRAND NEW CAR....

SL65amg

Well after looking around the internet and talking to the dealership guys.... the '07 S65's range in price from high 80's to around 115k depending on location (california seems to be alot more expensive, but I'm in the Southeast which thankfully seems to have some of the cheapest prices), color, mileage, etc..

And the '07 S600's are ranging from high 50's to low 70's....

My service adviser told me that oil changes and tune-ups for the 600 and 65 is the same price... but said that the big difference in maintenance/upkeep is obviously the price of brakes between the two models. He said I'll have to pay about $3,000 for a set of front pad and rotors for the S65 and that for the S600 its only half as much... what have you guys been paying for 65 and 600 brakes/rotors and where did you buy them from? If I'm gonna have to drop almost 3000 for fronts and probably 2000 for rears every 10,000 miles (which for me will be like every 3 or 4 months cuz i'm gonna put about 25,000 miles per year on this car) then I'm just gonna stick with the S600... any info on this would be greatly appreciated guys!

nick 55

I know several people with 07 S65s and a couple have needed brakes. On average, they needed rear pads at 30k miles and front brakes(pads and rotors) at 45k miles. These guys drive their cars pretty hard in the Chicagoland area. Brakes are the biggest difference to the 600s. Front brakes are very expensive, and $3000 is about right. Fortunately, they aren't needed very often.

I do not mean any offense to anybody here, but in my opinion, if the $3000 is a deal breaker for a brakejob, I feel you might be looking at the wrong car. A non AMG would be a fraction of the price.

Nick

Kar don

Seriously though, if your credit scores are in the "dumps" and you are nitpicking over 1000 dollar difference between brake jobs over a 2-3 yr period... is that the car for you? BMWs have free brakes for the first 4yrs/50k

BVLDARI

I agree with Nick. However, I do have to congratulate you on looking into this before jumping into the car vs. buying and realising later that you have to get a brake job at the most inconvenient time...

BVLDARI

I just dug up some actual prices. Front pads + wear sensors + cleaner = $258. Labor at dealer $155. Total for the front pads $413. Rears $267 for parts and same labor = $422 (yes the rears are indeed more expensive). I think the (front) rotors are something like $1,000 a piece...

transferred

Never has there been a better time to buy a CPO W221 S65. Best family vehicle on the planet. The brakes pay for themselves when they prevent an accident and I still can't stop staring at them...

-Rob

nick 55

I think the OP is looking at a 221 S65 which I can tell him will cost him about $2200 in parts, and the backs will cost him about $1400. Factor in some labor, you are looking at a $4100 brake job. Fortunately, they only happen once in a while if you don't track the car.

Nick

SL65amg

Thanks guys for the ongoing help/information here...

Unfortunately, buying the rotors for an S65 will for me be probably every year not once every 2-3 years since I put alot of miles on my car.... I'll probably drive this next car about 25,000 miles per year.....
I wish atleast if I have to get the S600 that I could find a good source to sell an AMG body package for it for a great price....

Also, where do you guys buy your brake pads and rotors from? Whether I get a 600 or 65 I'd still like to get the best price (and I can always I guess just order them from someone else that has the best price and just have a local shop install them if I have to do that)... and info would help guys thanks!

And yes I agree that maybe I should just play it safe and stick with a reasonable S600 for a great price..... I've been dreaming of owning a 65 for several years but with the economy the way it is and not knowing when business is gonna rebound I guess sometimes sacrifices have to be made for the sake of logic and rational/reasonable thinking....

Taximan1

not to get off topic. But I just purchased a 2007 Escalade ESV for my wife. LOADED UP. and the truck is absolutely amazing to drive. Black Raven/ Cashmere interior. Every option avail. We love it..