SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: 645Ci vs SL 500 ??

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Old 06-09-2005, 02:13 AM
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2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
Originally Posted by ano0oj
Haha, you're asking a Mercedes Fanatics board, what car do you think they'll choose?
hahaha.......
Old 06-09-2005, 02:15 AM
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2 SL with every Brabus mods available & Class A competition sound system
put it this way.......have you seen any of the BMW become classic......... I know all SL become classic..........
Old 06-20-2005, 01:01 AM
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Originally Posted by lorinserbenz
The 645ci is not way faster than an SL500.. I had a 645 for a few days and does not seem faster than my SL. I highly doubt the 645 is more reliable than the SL. What are you basing your comparsion on? The 645 hasnt been out long enough to compare reliability.

Personally I like the 645, IMHO its a good looking car. Of all the current BMW styles it is the one that looks the best.
What turned me off was the interior, the dash looks cheap and the materials used throughout are not of the same quality as an SL.

If you have a family then I would go for the 645... if not then get the SL it will NOT disappoint.
I have recently been looking at getting a BMW 650ci which is what the 645ci is going to become in 2006. The ratings clearly show the 645ci is more relialbe than the SL.
Old 06-20-2005, 01:17 AM
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SL500 and A-CLASS
Yesterday I spent the day driving a BMW 330 and BMW 645. The BMW dealer let us drive the cars by ourselves around Memphis for a day.

I was amazed how the BMW 645 drove. I drove a loaded one. I was even surprised how comfortable the 19” run flats was. My SL500 and the 645 both drove great. BMW has something called adaptive steering, and I never did notice the difference between the steering on SL500 and the 645. The user interaction technology in the 645 was amazing and a lot better than my SL. The 645 have blue tooth and headlights that turn when you go around a corner.

Like the comparison between the 330 and C320, the 645 and the SL500 excelled in certain areas, and I wish both cars had the best of all technologies in them, but they do not. I just have to say Mercedes knows how to make classics that will look great in all generations. The SL is classier and more elegant looking than the 645, but the 645 has a better and stronger interior. It took me a while getting use to the looks of the 645, but I am being to like it.

Depending on how I feel after my Lemon Case and how MBUSA handles my case, I may purchase a BMW 330 and BMW 645CI.
Old 06-20-2005, 01:49 AM
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Originally Posted by tiggerfink
Yesterday I spent the day driving a BMW 330 and BMW 645. The BMW dealer let us drive the cars by ourselves around Memphis for a day.

I was amazed how the BMW 645 drove. I drove a loaded one. I was even surprised how comfortable the 19” run flats was. My SL500 and the 645 both drove great. BMW has something called adaptive steering, and I never did notice the difference between the steering on SL500 and the 645. The user interaction technology in the 645 was amazing and a lot better than my SL. The 645 have blue tooth and headlights that turn when you go around a corner.

Like the comparison between the 330 and C320, the 645 and the SL500 excelled in certain areas, and I wish both cars had the best of all technologies in them, but they do not. I just have to say Mercedes knows how to make classics that will look great in all generations. The SL is classier and more elegant looking than the 645, but the 645 has a better and stronger interior. It took me a while getting use to the looks of the 645, but I am being to like it.

Depending on how I feel after my Lemon Case and how MBUSA handles my case, I may purchase a BMW 330 and BMW 645CI.
Personally, given what is going on with Mercedes, I would get the 330 and 645 regardless. They are both great cars and while I agree the exterior of the SL is superior that for me would not be enough to warrent buying the SL.

I am amazed at how beautiful the M3 is and IMHO its performance is far superior to that of the SL500 if you want a performance type car. The SL certainly has a more luxury type ride.
Old 06-20-2005, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by tiggerfink
Yesterday I spent the day driving a BMW 330 and BMW 645. The BMW dealer let us drive the cars by ourselves around Memphis for a day.

I was amazed how the BMW 645 drove. I drove a loaded one. I was even surprised how comfortable the 19” run flats was. My SL500 and the 645 both drove great. BMW has something called adaptive steering, and I never did notice the difference between the steering on SL500 and the 645. The user interaction technology in the 645 was amazing and a lot better than my SL. The 645 have blue tooth and headlights that turn when you go around a corner.

Like the comparison between the 330 and C320, the 645 and the SL500 excelled in certain areas, and I wish both cars had the best of all technologies in them, but they do not. I just have to say Mercedes knows how to make classics that will look great in all generations. The SL is classier and more elegant looking than the 645, but the 645 has a better and stronger interior. It took me a while getting use to the looks of the 645, but I am being to like it.

Depending on how I feel after my Lemon Case and how MBUSA handles my case, I may purchase a BMW 330 and BMW 645CI.
Did you drive the 645ci coupe or the convertible? I've been thinking about a 650ci convertible, but I'm not sure I'm sold on the styling yet. I do think the car looks much better in the flesh than it does in the brochures, though. It's too bad they didn't include some of the 7's features like ventilated seats and push-button start on a high-end car like this.
Old 06-20-2005, 11:52 PM
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SL500 and A-CLASS
Originally Posted by v8plus4
Did you drive the 645ci coupe or the convertible? I've been thinking about a 650ci convertible, but I'm not sure I'm sold on the styling yet. I do think the car looks much better in the flesh than it does in the brochures, though. It's too bad they didn't include some of the 7's features like ventilated seats and push-button start on a high-end car like this.
I drove the coupe. The 330 has a push button start and will have door unlooking by touching like on the SL in September. BMW dealer will let me know when the 645 will have a push button start.
Old 06-21-2005, 01:46 AM
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Originally Posted by tiggerfink
I drove the coupe. The 330 has a push button start and will have door unlooking by touching like on the SL in September. BMW dealer will let me know when the 645 will have a push button start.
It is my understanding that the 645ci is going to become a 650ci in September with some upgrades.

We will have to wait to see what they are.

I too am looking at the 645ci or soon to be 650ci. Let's go for a group discount.

I love the styling of the car. Certainly I wish it had a hard top like the SL but I will give that up for the increased reliability ratings.
Old 06-21-2005, 01:48 PM
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I like the look of the 645 too... I took one for the weekend and enjoyed it.. I just couldnt stand the cheap looking interior and retarded Idrive. The new 5 series interior is even cheezier than the 645's. The cupholder reminds me of those cupholders my parents used in the late 70's.
If it had a hardtop Id buy one... soft tops suck.
Old 06-21-2005, 09:05 PM
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Originally Posted by lorinserbenz
I like the look of the 645 too... I took one for the weekend and enjoyed it.. I just couldnt stand the cheap looking interior and retarded Idrive. The new 5 series interior is even cheezier than the 645's. The cupholder reminds me of those cupholders my parents used in the late 70's.
If it had a hardtop Id buy one... soft tops suck.
when my wife and i were open minded ad trying to make up our minds, we stopped by a number of dealerships. she had already fallen in love with the look of the sl500. but for 100g's, i insisted on looking. at the local cadilac dealership, couldn't drive the new hot convertible. but the more i looked at it, and then pounded the fiberglass panels, we decided we didn't want to test it. as we drove away, it got ulier and uglier. next was the bmw dealership. we drove the new 7, and we were impressed with the handling and zip for such a large car. but we already have the ls430 and didn't need another big sedan. they only had one 645 convertible, and you could not test it. it had an option installed, 10,000 wheels,. they sqaid this is the only way they are being sold, and that along with a dealer mark up, made the car 20,000 over sticker. every other beamer dealer in san diego was doing the same thing. i could imagine the 645 had more pick-up than the 500, but for 90+ thousand there could be no comparison. as i have said in another thread, the benz dealers are also in collusion and do very little negotiating. in the end though, am happy they don't. i did a little reading (thank you all for your thoughts) and ended up with a 600. the best of all worlds. mr. k, i would suggest you get a used 600 at a discounted price, and believe me, there is no comparison.
Old 06-21-2005, 10:57 PM
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I agree...

Originally Posted by lorinserbenz
I like the look of the 645 too... I took one for the weekend and enjoyed it.. I just couldnt stand the cheap looking interior and retarded Idrive. The new 5 series interior is even cheezier than the 645's. The cupholder reminds me of those cupholders my parents used in the late 70's.
If it had a hardtop Id buy one... soft tops suck.
You know...I agree with you exactly. I like the looks and styling of the car. I think the I drive, while I can live with it, should have been blown up a long time ago.

What blew my mind was the cupholders. Now that is a design that sucks. Funny I am complaining about the cup holders yet on my Vanquish S after many hours of debating I decided not to get any in the car.

Also agree with you about the soft top...

So, if you are not getting the Mercedes and you want a convertible...what is one to do. I think, while not perfect, the new 650ci may be the choice.
Old 06-21-2005, 11:32 PM
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Originally Posted by tandan
when my wife and i were open minded ad trying to make up our minds, we stopped by a number of dealerships. she had already fallen in love with the look of the sl500. but for 100g's, i insisted on looking. at the local cadilac dealership, couldn't drive the new hot convertible. but the more i looked at it, and then pounded the fiberglass panels, we decided we didn't want to test it. as we drove away, it got ulier and uglier. next was the bmw dealership. we drove the new 7, and we were impressed with the handling and zip for such a large car. but we already have the ls430 and didn't need another big sedan. they only had one 645 convertible, and you could not test it. it had an option installed, 10,000 wheels,. they sqaid this is the only way they are being sold, and that along with a dealer mark up, made the car 20,000 over sticker. every other beamer dealer in san diego was doing the same thing. i could imagine the 645 had more pick-up than the 500, but for 90+ thousand there could be no comparison. as i have said in another thread, the benz dealers are also in collusion and do very little negotiating. in the end though, am happy they don't. i did a little reading (thank you all for your thoughts) and ended up with a 600. the best of all worlds. mr. k, i would suggest you get a used 600 at a discounted price, and believe me, there is no comparison.
Visit roadshowbwm in Memphis. They will let you drive the car and charge you less than sticker. 901-365-2584 x6837 Ask for Brian Etz.
Old 06-21-2005, 11:45 PM
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Originally Posted by LovinSL600
You know...I agree with you exactly. I like the looks and styling of the car. I think the I drive, while I can live with it, should have been blown up a long time ago.

What blew my mind was the cupholders. Now that is a design that sucks. Funny I am complaining about the cup holders yet on my Vanquish S after many hours of debating I decided not to get any in the car.

Also agree with you about the soft top...

So, if you are not getting the Mercedes and you want a convertible...what is one to do. I think, while not perfect, the new 650ci may be the choice.
I think Idrive is going to be revised in the 2006 model. The idea of it is cool, BMW just needs to make a simplier to use.

If your driving a Vanquish you had better NOT be drinking in it

Last edited by lorinserbenz; 06-21-2005 at 11:51 PM.
Old 06-22-2005, 08:17 PM
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Originally Posted by tiggerfink
Visit roadshowbwm in Memphis. They will let you drive the car and charge you less than sticker. 901-365-2584 x6837 Ask for Brian Etz.
tiger, i guess you didn't notice. i bought an sl600. there is no way a bmw 6 compares to that. but how pathetic. i'm in san diego, and you're offering me a ride in memphis.

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