KenE55

Hi everyone,

I normally only post in the E55 forum, as I'm a long time E55 driver. But I'm thinking of buying a used SL600. I can't justify the price of a new one ($140k, seriously?) so I thought a good used one would make sense. I'm keeping my E55 as the daily driver, the SL600 would be for sunny days when I don't need the back seats.

Any advice on what to look for, avoid, etc?

What will the SL600 do in the 1/4, roughly? I'm used to the E55 (about 12.4 @ 113 mph).

There is a 2004 SL600 in my area, private seller. Has 6k miles (low!) asking $98k. Seems like a good deal. All comments welcome, and thanks!

Ken

Vik888

Any reason you've decided on a SL600 vs. SL55?

BiTurboBenz

Best car I have ever had in my life. The day I took delivery I said to myself "I can't believe they make cars like this!!!" ...and you can drive it everyday. Yeah, I have a decent sized monthly payment...but it is worth it. This car eats highways for a living. I love to drive on highways so this is why I chose this car over the 55.

SL600 runs the 1/4 mid 12s, with an ECU reflash you are looking at mid 11s. I would avoid a car with high miles. Pretty easy to find low mileage ones. Stick with an 05+ if you can, because of the navi.

The car that you are looking at is worth roughly <80K on trade, I would offer 80K and go up from there. Remember, I bought my 05 brand new from a dealer for <100K.

Vik888

BiTurboBenz,

You bought a brand new 2005 SL600 from a dealer for <$100k? You got a $30k discount on the MSRP?

KenE55

The SL600 is faster. The SL55 has got the same basic set up as my 2006 E55, but the higher weight of the SL makes it slower. The SL600 is about 5/10th's quicker than the E55, about one full second faster than the SL55. I figure if I am going to get a second car, it might as well have some distinction from the E55, and the V-12 biturbo would fit the bill.

KenE55

Can the iPod integration kit be put in the 2004, or do only the 2005 and newer cars have that? That's a deal-killer for me if the 2004 doesn't have the iPod integration.

Can you actually get a discount off MSRP on a new SL600? I'd go for a brand new one if I could get a 10% or more discount!

BiTurboBenz

https://mbworld.org/forums/showpost....8&postcount=33

france2112

Hi,
I'm selling my 2005 SL600 Sport with Renntech ECU/TCU upgrade and new wheels / rims for $105K. Check out my thread:
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-r230/164109-sale-2005-sl600-sport-renntech-ecu-tcu.html

This is a much better deal then the one you are looking at. The SL600 is awsome.

Vik888

Awesome deal! Congrats!

meegle

BiTurboBenz,

I just got done reading your past threads when you first bought your 05 SL600 and the nightmare that resulted

It was a shame that it turned a joyful event into a sad one.
All I can say is that was truly an incredible deal! and I am envious!

AnotherSL

I got my 2005 SL600 this past May from an MBZ dealer for only $92,000 flat. Mercedes factory certified with an extra 12 months of warranty, 10 months old, 3800 miles. Sports package, aftermarket wheels, keyless go. I have since added Sirius sat. radio for $980.

The car is awesome! Smooth beyond description, but as quick as the 996 Turbo I had. According to CARandDriver.com, they got a 3.6sec 0-60 and an 11.9sec 1/4 mile!!! Of course, that's corrected for temp & altitude, on a super high traction surface, and timing doesn't actually start until after the vehicle has moved 12 inches.

The only down side I can mention is that it does not have the tracks on rails feeling that a Porsche has. That's probably because actual measured curb weight is 4501 lbs. But, it's got very close to a 50/50 weight balance, so it doesn't feel a bit nose heavy. Just all-over heavy.

I still find excuses to take mine out as often as possible!

KenE55

Thanks for all the feedback. I went to a local dealer yesterday and drove a 2007 SL550. It's a nice car, but I have to say I was rather underwhelmed by the driving experience. I'm used to my E55, which has far more acceleration from a dead stop. I know it's the higher torque and lower weight of the E55. I suspect an SL600 or SL65 would be a very different experience, but sadly the dealer doesn't have either of those cars. They are special order only! I'm just not willing to commit to $150k+ for a car I haven't driven.

So, I'll see if I can find any local S600's for sale, and drive one of them.

In the meantime, I'm going to check out the Porshe 911 and Corvette Z06. Perhaps they are more to my liking...I'm must be looking for more sport than luxury in a two seater. The E55 is all the luxury I'll ever need. And both the Porshche and the Corvette are relatively cheap compared to the SL600/SL65.

Thanks again all.

KenE55

That is a better deal, thanks for letting me know. But I would really like to drive a car, at least someone's SL600, before I buy one. If I find one around here, drive it, and like it, I'll get back in touch with you.

france2112

Ken,
No problem. Just remember that if you drive a stock SL600 it doesn't exactly compare with my SL600 since mine has the ECU upgrade. It is like day and night actually. My SL600 is crazy fast, equal to or possible just a bit more power then a stock SL65. Just remember that when you drive a stock SL600. Also, the AMG sport package is not on all SL600's and this is a must IMO. The paddle shifters are great because you can up or down shift with either hand. This is different then the SL55 or 65. I use to have a 55 and I prefer these shifters to those. Again just my opinion. Good Luck!

RENNtech-er

I bought an '04 SL600 this April and love it more every day. It is everything I want in a car: very quick off the line, massive mid-range torque for instantaneous passing, comfortable, just drop-dead gorgeous in desert silver metallic/stone, and very exclusive. And all this is without having my buddies at RENNtech work their magic on the car yet. It is still bone stock. As another poster in this thread has said, put RENNtech chip upgrades in and the SL600 becomes a total monster. The larger DVD screen and improved navigation in the '05 SL600 was no big deal to me. I am not missing it as I never use nav anyway. Paddle shifters on the '05 would be nice, but that's a small part of the overall machine that I was willing to do without. I had a 1994 SL600 for 7 years and loved the huge torque and exclusivity of the 12-cylinder motor (admit it, guys, part of the allure of any SL is ego). After moving to an '02 SL500 for 3-1/2 years, I went back to a 12. Just no comparison whatsoever. I did not drive a 230-series SL55 so can't compare that to the new SL600, but back roads driving where the 55 may shine is hard to do these days in my areas. I also have other cars for that when I want to try. Find a used car dealer who is willing to buy an SL600 for you at one of the big Mannheim dealers auction for a flat upcharge fee. The Mannheim auction site usually lists what cars will be at auctions a couple of days in advance, but you must be a dealer to access it. You can pull cars off that list and get a friendly MB dealer to run a service history on the car for you to avoid a lemon as best you can. I did all of that and could not be more pleased. All this IMO. All of these cars are personal preferences and all have their rightful fans.