SL/R230: SL 600 query.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
SL 600 query.
I just received a note from my dealer that states the price of an SL 600 will be the same as an SL 55AMG (In Australia that's AUS $369,900).
It also states that it is for 2004 production and will have an identical 368kW output as the SL 55AMG.
Does that correspond with what has already been revealed about the SL 600?
It also states that it is for 2004 production and will have an identical 368kW output as the SL 55AMG.
Does that correspond with what has already been revealed about the SL 600?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
I think it does. The S55/S600 and CL55/CL600 have the same pair of engines. Each engine has the same nominal power (500bhp/368kW) but the V12 has more torque. The date is as expected too, perhaps a little later. There's the SL350 to bring on stream before then plus continuing huge demand in spite of the various economic woes in the US, Europe and Japan.
It will come down to a simple choice between a more sporty driving experience with the '55s or a more luxurious one with the '600s. Road tests in the UK compared the S55 and S600 and concluded the S600 was the better choice for the sort of car the S is trying to be and I expect the same would be said of the CL.
The SL fills a wider range of roles than either of the other cars - and I think the choice of engine will be down to preference. The SL55 is more of an extrovert car, the SL600 will be more of an iron fist in a velvet glove.
I'll be interested to see how they shoe-horn the engine in. For the S600 with the new TT engine, they had to raise the bonnet line by 18mm which I think would look odd in the SL, however the SL is a later design and maybe allowance was made for the new V12 from the start.
Don't envy your prices, makes it at least 50% more expensive than in Europe and the US, though if you want some consolation, look at the prices in Norway. Nice country, shame about the cost of everything, in spite of all their oil revenues. No wonder they're all so depressed up there.
It will come down to a simple choice between a more sporty driving experience with the '55s or a more luxurious one with the '600s. Road tests in the UK compared the S55 and S600 and concluded the S600 was the better choice for the sort of car the S is trying to be and I expect the same would be said of the CL.
The SL fills a wider range of roles than either of the other cars - and I think the choice of engine will be down to preference. The SL55 is more of an extrovert car, the SL600 will be more of an iron fist in a velvet glove.
I'll be interested to see how they shoe-horn the engine in. For the S600 with the new TT engine, they had to raise the bonnet line by 18mm which I think would look odd in the SL, however the SL is a later design and maybe allowance was made for the new V12 from the start.
Don't envy your prices, makes it at least 50% more expensive than in Europe and the US, though if you want some consolation, look at the prices in Norway. Nice country, shame about the cost of everything, in spite of all their oil revenues. No wonder they're all so depressed up there.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
LOL! It's my blotting-paper like brain which soaks up all this information.
My partner cannot decide which is worse, my snippets of useful information gleaned from reading test reports in bed before I got my car, of those from the user manuals after I got it.
My partner cannot decide which is worse, my snippets of useful information gleaned from reading test reports in bed before I got my car, of those from the user manuals after I got it.
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
Yeah don't get me started about our car prices!!!
I just signed the papers for my new E Class and when it arrives next year my nicely optioned E320 will cost AUS$ 140,000.
If I went for an E500 it would be about 25 thousand more!!
An a S Class,forget-about-it.
If I was living in the States I could buy a Ferrari for my cars price!!
It's a great lifestyle here but gee our imported cars cost a lot!
I just signed the papers for my new E Class and when it arrives next year my nicely optioned E320 will cost AUS$ 140,000.
If I went for an E500 it would be about 25 thousand more!!
An a S Class,forget-about-it.
If I was living in the States I could buy a Ferrari for my cars price!!
It's a great lifestyle here but gee our imported cars cost a lot!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
Certainly agree it's a great place, only been once but enjoyed myself very much.
Does everyone face the same high cost of cars - what if you were buying just a regular Toyota or Honda? From memory when I was there, most cars are Japanese or Asian imports.
Does everyone face the same high cost of cars - what if you were buying just a regular Toyota or Honda? From memory when I was there, most cars are Japanese or Asian imports.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 308
Likes: 0
From: UK
My partner cannot decide which is worse, my snippets of useful information gleaned from reading test reports in bed before I got my car, of those from the user manuals after I got it.
BlueSL - mentioned your post to my partner (my car due in 3 weeks) and she said she didnt mind either way provided I didnt make any noise. Mind you she might not see so much of me when I have the car.
BlueSL - mentioned your post to my partner (my car due in 3 weeks) and she said she didnt mind either way provided I didnt make any noise. Mind you she might not see so much of me when I have the car.
Trending Topics
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 263
Likes: 148
SL65(R231), SL65(R230), 600SL, 560SL(86), 560SL(89),250SL(68),250SL(67), 190SL, 300SL(GW)
SL 600
Did any other SL600 buyers get any updates. My dealer(in USA) doesn't have a clue, but they are consistant---they never have a clue! I'm surprised that the MSRP for the SL600 is supposed to be the same as the SL55. Shouldn't the increased torque more than offset the additional weight and cause the V12 to be slightly faster?
MAP
MAP
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
Magnificent New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Revealed: 12 Things to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 484
Likes: 0
From: Melbourne, Australia
Firstly,even Honda's and imported Toyota's are expensive here for what they are and compared to other countrys.
The government,to protect our own motor manufacturers, puts high taxes on imported cars to try and increase sales of locally made cars (Holdern GM,Ford,Mitsubishi,Nissan and Toyota),or that's the theory.
So a Honda Civic can cost around AUS$ 25,000- 35,000 which is a lot for a small Japanese car.
Don't know why the price of the 600 is the same as the AMG55 but in Australia it will be.
The government,to protect our own motor manufacturers, puts high taxes on imported cars to try and increase sales of locally made cars (Holdern GM,Ford,Mitsubishi,Nissan and Toyota),or that's the theory.
So a Honda Civic can cost around AUS$ 25,000- 35,000 which is a lot for a small Japanese car.
Don't know why the price of the 600 is the same as the AMG55 but in Australia it will be.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
The V12 engine is heavier than a V8, but the supercharger in the SL55 is a significant lump and adds a lot as well, so there probably will not be much difference in weight. So, with the same power and same weight, we expect similar performance.
The extra torque in the SL600 will provide greater "lunge" away from a standstill, depending on gearing and what the traction control will let you get away with. It will also give greater instantaneous acceleration in a given gear. Torque on the move can always be compensated for though by changing gear, providing the resulting increased engine speed does not take you deeply into the rev range where the torque is falling off.
My Ferrari has less power, less weight and much less torque than the SL55. Power to weight is about the same though and the overall standing start performance is similar. However, flooring the accelerator in 5th is not a heart-stopping moment, and you achieve performance comparable to the SL55 only by frequent stirring of the cogs.
Bottom line is that the SL600 will provide greater flexibility than the SL55, but the SL55 driver can compensate for that by working those switches behind the wheel. Both will be fantastic to drive, the SL55 appealing perhaps to more "hands-on" drivers.
The extra torque in the SL600 will provide greater "lunge" away from a standstill, depending on gearing and what the traction control will let you get away with. It will also give greater instantaneous acceleration in a given gear. Torque on the move can always be compensated for though by changing gear, providing the resulting increased engine speed does not take you deeply into the rev range where the torque is falling off.
My Ferrari has less power, less weight and much less torque than the SL55. Power to weight is about the same though and the overall standing start performance is similar. However, flooring the accelerator in 5th is not a heart-stopping moment, and you achieve performance comparable to the SL55 only by frequent stirring of the cogs.
Bottom line is that the SL600 will provide greater flexibility than the SL55, but the SL55 driver can compensate for that by working those switches behind the wheel. Both will be fantastic to drive, the SL55 appealing perhaps to more "hands-on" drivers.
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 487
Likes: 0
From: EASTCOAST
Porsche Cayenne Turbo, 360 C.S.
i just gotta say that I love Mercedes for making these cars, you can be neck to neck with a ferrari in a car that has tons of luxury and technology. i love ferrari's but for a every-day-super-car i'm sticking to the SL600
