alextaylor29

This will be my next car so I figured I'd post here to get some advice in advance!

An S65 has always been my dream car and although the '06 has an older body style, I'm really after the motor and tranny as (I believe), those are unchanged in the 2007+ years.

After an ECU tune to have a 750 HP/850 TQ 4 door monster would be amazing!

Thanks very much.

Alex

Becks Imports

I can help you, although there are more 2005's around for purchase than 2006's.

Feel free to email me at brucem105@comcast.net.

I do know of a really nice 2006 black with 32K miles.

Bruce
Becks Imports
856-912-2600

Oxygen

AMG did not release the S65 AMG until 2006 so how are there more 2005's around when there's no such thing?

Stephen04E55

2005 CL 65 yes...2005 S 65 doesn't exist. My car has a March 05 build date and is an '06. Only 427 to pick from too!

Quadrobenz

I am fortunate to own a 2006 S65 since 2006. I have received several offers to sell but each time I drive it I decide I enjoy it too much to sell. I have a tune on the car which I feel added about 10% to the peak HP and torque. The real affect of the tune is the increased torque across the entire RPM range. It also sharpened the part throttle responsiveness. I also had the OEM steering wheel replaced with a much nicer wood/leather combo.
There is nothing that is inexpensive to repair so think carefully if you decide to go without a warranty.
Hope you find the perfect S65!

alextaylor29

Thanks guys, I'll definitely go with the extended warranty. I have one on my E55 and it's already paid for itself tenfold now.

Thanks again.

Alex

Robert58757

I can help you, although there are more 2005's around for purchase than 2006's.

sound 8

My advice is buy a S600. I used to have a CL65 as well as my S600, so I
was lucky to compare them on a daily basis. Although the 65 felt a tad
faster it was negligible. Somehow the 600 felt like it was quicker, the 65 had
19k miles and the 600 48k miles. I sold the 65 and have toyed with tuning
the 600, but it seems quick enough. If I did get it tuned it would walk the 65
and if you tuned the 65 I think you would have problems with the gearbox
and traction, plus the 600 is cheaper. As far as brakes mine are huge 6 pot
drilled discs and stop extremely well and they are stock. For an extra 50 grand
you are paying for .4 sec diff 0-60 and my 600 has every extra.

Oxygen

6 piston brakes on a S600 stock? I don't think so. More like 4 piston... and the brakes on a stock S600 are horrible if you're trying to go fast.

1995E320Cab

https://mbworld.org/forums/cl55-amg-...peedriven.html

http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images...05whpcl65.jpg/

.

Stephen04E55

My '03 S600 had 4 piston calipers with a Brembo logo on the back of them and the front rotors were cross drilled. They were hardly "horrible" but the AMG brakes on my S65 are definitely better. On the same stretch at VIR with the S600 vs S65 the S600 did not do that bad but they would fade after a few laps. Actual stopping distances were remarkably similar.

Reckless

I believe the 0-60 time was faster on the S600 tuned (I could be mistaken). I do agree that I'd prefer to buy the S600, tune it and pop a S55 brake kit (which is what I did). With the left over cash I bought a g-wagen for the winter time.

The S600 engine is more reliable than the S65. And I prefer having 18" wheels as opposed to the 19" but the only drawback about going the S600 route is not getting the AMG tuned suspension. Other than that I like 600 more. Easier to find 600's optioned out than the S65. Find one with Dynamic seats. I warn you that my car has had over $50k repairs in 3 years. Still got 4 more years left on my warranty.

Becks Imports

Whoops, was thinking CL and typing about S!

Bruce

Zax63

I love my s65, I drove the s600 and it felt a lot softer. Drive them both, then decide. Repairs are hella expensive, and the warranty is a necessity, not an option!

sound 8

Agreed it seemed softer, the S600 than my CL65 but the leather was softer
and the chairs more like armchairs, fabulously comfortable. But don't forget
that a CL65 is only a 2 door S65 and imo the 600 handled as well and braked
better than my 65, in fact my 65 went back a couple of times because the
pedal seemed soft. I had a new G/Box which MB paid half for even out of
warranty , and one day I was talking to a S65 owner, and when I told him
about my g/box, he said your lucky, mines been changed 3 times
All in all the CL65 was disappointing, whereas the 600 never fails to
impress

Sgt. Schultz

Damn Stephen - VIR in your 600 & 65? PICS! 8-)

What a riot, good for you.

Better have a steep tire / brake budget heh heh. Bet it was a hoot of an experience(s).

Regarding the Brembos on the 600... agreed, they are *hardly* "horrible" (lol @ 'that'... 14" rotors and 4piston monoblock F calipers are horrible?). Pad choice would make an enormous difference here.

I've found my brakes to be fantastic even from Ludicrous Speed, however yes they do fade very early - looking forward to my 1st pad swap, likely go w/ Ferodo DS2500 8-).

I will say that the "600 vs. 65" banter grows tiresome - who cares which is 'better' - too subjective. Both, amazing - how's that? 8-)

Interesting datapoints tho from those that have experience with both...

Sgt. Schultz

Great to know the import data (funny how us geeks are such dorks about that!)... anyone know about how many 600's '03-'05?

sound 8

Great discussion never gets tiresome, it's better than " help suspension has
dropped).
Any way they are both awesome but like anything you don't always get
the extra you pay for, 95% of the time a 600 is a 65, until you meet
something mega quick, then it does, unless the 600 has been tuned, then
the 600 offers 65 performance for at least a third less money.
Maybe the 600 has smaller turbo's, or running less boost with less lag. All
I can say is she is electric to drive, the only improvement I would like is
the mct gearbox, then WOOOW.

tonykharper

Guys,

I know many of you don't want to hear this but in the interest of education, let me just say it. A S600 is not in any sense a S 65 AMG. Converting the S 600 to be like an S65 AMG, would cost more than just buying the S 65 in the first place. Not saying the S 600 isn't a great car, they certainly are, they just aren't a S65 AMG.

Flame away, but if you have ever driven both, down deep inside, you know the truth.

Tony

Sgt. Schultz

LOLzorz...

ya musta missed:

starts to smell like a complex 8-)

OK then, how about: "they both suck"

?

too funny...

Stephen04E55

Videos are at you tube. Do a search under Stephen03S600 and all of my videos will appear. One from 2009 is the S600 and two from 2011 are in the S65.

stockC43

They can be down right scary on a fast 600. I was racing a ams built evo (in mexico) to around 150. (I won) however while braking hard they started to go away around 80mph. Very Scary. I tried some ebc pads to try to make them better however it just made matters worse. My rotors turned blue/purple and are now cracking.

My advise, go with the 65 if you can afford it.
Bigger engine 6.0 vs 5.5
stronger trans
stronger diff
bigger heat exchanger for the intercoolers
bigger fuel pump
slightly better seats
BIGGER (and very much more expensive) brakes
firmer struts
possable collectability

On the plus side a 600 has cheaper insurance?

As far as things to look for are any abc issues. Leaks, vibrations, uncontrolled movement. Those can add up quick.

Front struts last only about 40-60K miles. the upper mounts tear

Coils are very expensive, however the updated part numbers "seem" better

Buy a very good warranty, easycare, fidelity (not us fedilis) and enjoy

alextaylor29

Thanks everyone for the advice! I do value good brakes, see my sig for a video were I brake very hard! 160 MPH down to 0 MPH in .3 of a mile.

Even with the extended warranty which I will surely get I hear regular brake maintenance on an S65 can be very expensive? Can anyone provide some numbers here? This would be for replacing the pads and rotors which generally extended warranties DO NOT cover.

For me E55, I can get brand new rotors and EBC Redstuff pads for ~$500 but I hear for an S65 you're looking at several thousand dollars?

Thanks again!

Alex

tonykharper

Brakes for S 65 3-5K, depending on where you have it done. You will need them more often than you think.

Tires more often than you think as well.

Tony

Quadrobenz

Brake pads and rotors are close to $5k at the dealer for an S65. That said my rotors are still within spec after 63k miles so I still have the originals on the car. There are no inexpensive repairs or maintenance on an S65.
I have a Eurocharged 91 octane tune on the 2005 SL600 and on the S65. The 2009 Sl600 is stock. The tunes made a noticable difference in performance. Even with a 500 pound weight advantage the SL cannot stay with the 65 above 60 MPH.
I think the S600 would be an excellent purchase with the right options. When I was purchasing the S65 back in 2006 I had a choice of 8 around SoCal dealers. There were no S600's with a sport package. I have never regretted buying the S65.