I am looking at getting a 2005 SL600 with about 18k miles on it. The dealer sugested I also look at the SL55. Anyone driven both or have opinions on which way to go? Anything to watch out for?

 

i've got a 2005 SL 600 and drove and reserached both before making the decision. I settled on 600 for two main reasons. First, i wanted to modify the car and 600 gave me more options to do so, and secondly, i wanted a better balance between sport/luxury. I have had no regrets and very happy with the decision. It is obviously a personal preference, but for me, I think I got the best of both worlds. Not that you would go wrong with picking the 55...!

 

If you want to mod, get the 600, it's a no brainer in that department. A simple ECU/TCU mod will net you over 100hp

If you're not interested in modding it, i'd go for the 55. It's a bit lighter and sounds a lot better

 

Murtaza is dead on.
So is your dealer.
Look at the SL55 and drive one before you make your purchase.

A couple other points.
Having all the AMG gear on an SL is a plus.
I think the handling is significantly better in the SL55.
May have to do with that extra 200+ Lbs. Up front on the SL600
Resale can be a slight bit higher on the SL55 vs. SL600.
Nothing like a supercharger for that muscle car effect.

SL600 Turbo takes a moment to spool up. The supercharger
in the SL55 has its lag to get used to as well.

For me it was the exhaust note. The SL55 wins that hands down.

As always. Get the lastest year you can afford.
2005 sounds good. Go for a single owner or just off lease.
Get the repair history in hand before you buy. Your dealer can provide
that for you easily. Avoid cars with multiple electrical issues on that repair
report. As well as constant ABC problems.

Good Luck. Enjoy shopping !

 

Thanks for the response folks! I do plan to chip it like I did with the ML63. I might even do an exhaust if that would make it sound better. I test drove it today. Man what a car You gotta love it when your doing 50mph and you punch the gas part way and the rear tires brake loose until the ESP kicks in!!! It does have the 7 yr 160 k km warranty too! I have the ML63 which is actually faster on a track than the SL65, SL600 and as fast as a BMW M5. I think torque and comfort is what I'm after this time around. I can't believe how clean this car is. Inside and out it looks new. I will ask for the service history but doesn't the extended warranty make it somewhat of a moot point?

 

Are the lights on you pic stock? Or maybe on the 06 and not the 05. Maybe I just didnt see them lit up on the 05.

 

They are stock.

I think pre-06 SL's have bulbs and not LEDs, not sure

 

You should do a search on the SL55/SL65 section, there are a million threads on this already. The truth of the matter is that SL600 is a much faster car than SL55, especially with ecu tune. Handling wise.... SL is a 4,500lb boat (albeit, a very fast one), so if you want sharp handling and driver involvement, buy a BMW or Porsche.

 

Thought I would start here as it was a SL600 I was looking at. I thing the new M3 might be next on the wish list. I'm after a comfortable boat thats fast this time around. It handles well enough for a daily driver I think. I will check the SL65/55 for this thread though thanks.

 

Actually an M6 convertible weighs a few lbs more than an SL55. The M6 Vert tops the scale at 4,398 lbs (http://www.bmwusa.com/NR/rdonlyres/3...7_brochure.pdf) while the SL55 weighs 4,365 lbs (http://www.mbusa.com/models/features...5&class=08_SL).

 

And it's not even a hardtop vert...

I think the M6 coupe is great, the vert..not so much.

 

I have a silver 04 SL600 with 5700 miles that I would like to sell. Rarely used car that is part of my collection. If interested email at unf1@cfl.rr.com thanks.

 

This would have been rather interesting last week! But I bit the bullet and grabed this one. Great car. So clean in and out it was in the showroom and everyone thought it was new. Including some of the other salesmen.

 

honestly the 600 without a doubt.
more mod-able and faster and smoother.

 

+1 , both cars are powerful but the 600 has the edge when it comes to performance modifications.

 

Keep in mind, SL600's are a lot more scarce then SL55s. If you're picky on options/colour, it could take a long time to find the right one (in terms of finding a CPO one anyway).

 

I have had the 600 for a week now and am absolutely thrilled with it. Quite a different animal that the ML63. Smoother. The torque is a blast. It will make a great DD. The interior is amazing. And like I said most people who see it are suprised to hear its not new. It may not handle as well as the 55 but its more than capable to me.

 

Both are good cars and you cant go wrong with neither. But like everyone stated with minor mods on the SL600 your good to go. As stated the SL55 does handle better compared to the SL600. Its really up to you.

Are you looking into modding the car or not?

 

Plans are probably exhaust, wheels, and ECU motor/tranny.

 

even without mods the 600 is just the way to go.

 

Are you a pretty aggressive driver? Not speed but through turns etc....? If not and you want power than go with the SL6.

 

Hi, been trying to follow discussion, seems a bit confusing and contradictory but that's just me.
I keep finding myself asking the same questions (to myself!), but answers not appearing.
Like, *well, if they time nearly the same in both straight line and twisties, how can there be any significant difference in driving experience?

Now i know the partial answer may be *nevertheless there is a significant difference, for example the 55 has that great, loud exaust note. But is that it, an audible difference that tricks the mind into thinking that other aspects of driver experience are also playing a large part? That may be the most of it, the mind and emotions get involved and objectivity goes out the window.
Someone may say, a big difference in driver involvement and steering feel and spirited driving etc etc, but is it true?
seems to me some pro at Mercedes or AMG could answer this better than we can, probably has already, Are there any quotes from pro drivers or MB experts about this? More likely to believe it, right.

I could easily see any AMG improvements built into the performance of the
55's cancelled with the sl600's 50-100 accel. Dont know the figures for mid range acceleration, many say the extra torque has a big effect but what are the actual times, anyone know where posted. It may be the 55AMG is nearly as fast say 60-100 because of turbo lag, or some other reason. What are the stats?

I realize personal preference and taste is a factor, but some things are independent of this.

How about this for 55AMG fans: sl600 with AMG sport package, new chips and exaust, plus plenty of goodies of choice. You get the awesome lux interior going this way too. Even designo if you want it. Wouldn't the steering feel and responsiveness be nearly the same too? Price, i dont know.

I was going to go this route myself, till i saw this "ready-now great deal cant pas it up" sl550 and grabbed it. No regrets either, got nearly everything plus rare red/black interior.

Any thoughts folks?

Afterthought: The choice is easy for northern drivers with cold hands - heated steering wheel comes only with the sl600!

 

[quote=allminesl550;2303943]
Any thoughts folks?
[quote]

I've only run across one head-to-head review comparing the SL600 to the SL55. Copy attached.

The short summary is the two cars were equally quick to 100 KM but SL600 had a slight acceleration advantage above 100 KM (3% at 200 KM) . In terms of handling, the SL55 had a slight advantage at Hockenheim (2%) and in the slalom (3%).

 

i like that, thanks for posting it.

Ive read "the v12 feels smoother", "the sl600 feel more solid",
"the amg's soundtrack sounds nice but tends to annoy you after a while",
"they both have lag but the turbo's is more pronounced".
I can tell if ice cream is smooth, but a car?

 

I can give you a little info since I own both a 04 sl600 and a 04 sl55. They are definately 2 different beasts. The sl55 is quciker off the line but is overtaken by the sl600 before the end of a 1/4 mile. On the highway, say from 80mph-140mph the sl55 is no competition for the v12 biturbo.

If you enjoy a smooth luxurious ride they both have it, but the suspension on the sl55 is stiffer and a smoother and definatley a quieter ride. If you like to go cruising on the highway with the top down the sl600 is a more pleasureable ride. The sl55 tends to get loud cruising at 80mph, where the sl600 as quiet of a ride as the high end mercedes sedans. The sl600 seats are more comfortable for long rides.

If your into the attention you will get, go the v12. When I am out in the sl600 I get a lot more compliments. "oh wow does that have a v12" If i have heard it once, I have heard it a 1000 times. However, for those of us who know Mercedes there is something to say about the AMG. Rear bumper, dual tip exhaust is nicer than it's sl600 counterpart especially if the 600 does not have the sports package.

Each one has it's own appeal. Thats why I have both. I drive my sl600 as a daily driver. Resale value holds much better on the sl55. Just to give you an idea, my sl55 has 10k miles and my sl600 has 36k. I also seem to get better gas mileage in my sl600, but not a significant difference. I hope this helped some. If you have any questions, I will be gald to answer any.

04 Black sl600 with 20" Lorinser's
04 sl55 silver
05 sl500 silver-gone
03 clk430 red w lorinser body kit, 20"lorinser's-gone
02 porsche 996 c4s black supercharged