SL/R230: SL55 vs SL600
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 13
From: Guthrie, OK
SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
SL55 vs SL600
My wife loves her CL600. See here: https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...r-my-wife.html
However, she misses her roadster.
Considering a R230 purchase, and have narrowed it down between an SL55 and SL600.
For those who have owned both, or at least driven both back to back, do you prefer one over the other?
Reasoning?
For purposes of this discussion, say both cars have same mileage, same service history and are the same price.
Not trying to start an argument. Just looking for opinions.
However, she misses her roadster.
Considering a R230 purchase, and have narrowed it down between an SL55 and SL600.
For those who have owned both, or at least driven both back to back, do you prefer one over the other?
Reasoning?
For purposes of this discussion, say both cars have same mileage, same service history and are the same price.
Not trying to start an argument. Just looking for opinions.
Junior Member
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 39
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From: Virginia
1999 SL500, 2003 E320, 2005 SL55
Having driven both, I can say that I prefer the 55. The 600 is cool, but it felt less well-balanced, and heavier up front than the 55. The 55 is also a lot sportier. It's a bit louder and revs higher.
The 600 does have a nicer interior, but if you can find a 55 with a Designo interior, you can get all of the extra leather goodies that a 600 has.
The 600 does have a nicer interior, but if you can find a 55 with a Designo interior, you can get all of the extra leather goodies that a 600 has.
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 13
From: Guthrie, OK
SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
Thanks Andrew. Since posting this I noticed several threads on the W215 forum: CL600 vs CL55. Pretty much the same comparison of the coupes and the roadsters. She would like to go topless this time around. If so, we will probably keep the CL for my driver.
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 146
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From: The Great North West USA
2015 E400 Cab - 2013 GL350 - 2013 ML350 - 2006 E350 - Old Jeep
Drove both when I bought my 600. Seemed like the 55s were driven harder by there 55 year old boy owners. I never found one beat on 600 in my search. This is my second 600. There will be a third someday. What a car!!
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 595
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From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
I've owned both and both are incredible cars.
The 600 will be faster stock and modified, but the 55 may "feel" faster.
In a 600, the torque comes on instantly and never has time to build so acceleration can almost be "boring." A stock 600 is also quiet. Wayyy to quiet.
Of course a simple muffler delete makes the 600 sound almost identical to the SL65 and a simple software flash gives the 600 almost identical performance to the SL65
The 55 has a much cooler exhaust note. The rumble of the V8 combined with the whine of the supercharger is an amazing sound. You never forget you are in a special car. In the 55, the torque builds quickly but it isn't quite instant and thus has a chance to build (and build rapidly it does!). Acceleration is much more violent.
I'd love to own either one again. Buy the one that is the best deal and has been maintained with no expense spared.
Also, the 55 should be cheaper to maintain. A twin turbo v12 is HUGE, barley fits, and has lots of moving parts.
The 600 will be faster stock and modified, but the 55 may "feel" faster.
In a 600, the torque comes on instantly and never has time to build so acceleration can almost be "boring." A stock 600 is also quiet. Wayyy to quiet.
Of course a simple muffler delete makes the 600 sound almost identical to the SL65 and a simple software flash gives the 600 almost identical performance to the SL65
The 55 has a much cooler exhaust note. The rumble of the V8 combined with the whine of the supercharger is an amazing sound. You never forget you are in a special car. In the 55, the torque builds quickly but it isn't quite instant and thus has a chance to build (and build rapidly it does!). Acceleration is much more violent.
I'd love to own either one again. Buy the one that is the best deal and has been maintained with no expense spared.
Also, the 55 should be cheaper to maintain. A twin turbo v12 is HUGE, barley fits, and has lots of moving parts.
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Super Member
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 595
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From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
One more point...
I ditched my SL600 with software (610hp, 780tq) for a 335i (300hp/300tq).
To give you an example of how "boring" the v12 acceleration can be, my good friend (who is ignorant when it comes to cars) thought the 335i felt faster. LOL
But that's just how smooth the V12 engine can be!
Really the only indication you are going fast in a TT V12 is the speedometer rising at a rate that seems unrealistic while everything in your peripheral vision turns into a blur. It's fast but it's luxury and refined speed.
I ditched my SL600 with software (610hp, 780tq) for a 335i (300hp/300tq).
To give you an example of how "boring" the v12 acceleration can be, my good friend (who is ignorant when it comes to cars) thought the 335i felt faster. LOL
But that's just how smooth the V12 engine can be!
Really the only indication you are going fast in a TT V12 is the speedometer rising at a rate that seems unrealistic while everything in your peripheral vision turns into a blur. It's fast but it's luxury and refined speed.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The sound my SL600 makes is wicked. It has straight pipes, downpipes, metal, cell cat, bov's mounted on the Speedriven intercoolers, and hood venting so you can really hear the turbos and bovs when they release the air. I find myself driving with the radio off just so I can listen to the car.
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 595
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From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,215
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
The biturbo V12 hits peak torque very low in the rpm range with the stock turbos. They are tiny and have very little lag. More lag than a positive displacement blower but not much more. Once a reputable company comes up with a turbo upgrade that doesn't require your car to be out of commission for up to 5 years and in their shop, I'm all in. If you have been on the forum for any length of time, you know who I'm talking about.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 61
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From: UK
E280 (WORK) E55K (GONE) SL600 V12 BITURBO (MID LIFE CRISIS)
To the OP, stick with the 600 option, I think you have to experience the 55 before moving up to the V12, and probably not the other way round.
My journey began with an E55, for me it was the stealth angle that really appealed, although at the time the SL55 was the car I originally wanted but as a weekender a bit out of my price range.
Move forward 4 years and I really regret letting the 55 go to a new home, however it was replaced with the SL600, I still like the idea that it still has the stealth element from a distance it could be a 350.
What would your wife feel comfortable in? a more aggressive look, quad pipes and the different engine characteristics or stick with what you know in the 600.
And don't forget the torque
My journey began with an E55, for me it was the stealth angle that really appealed, although at the time the SL55 was the car I originally wanted but as a weekender a bit out of my price range.
Move forward 4 years and I really regret letting the 55 go to a new home, however it was replaced with the SL600, I still like the idea that it still has the stealth element from a distance it could be a 350.
What would your wife feel comfortable in? a more aggressive look, quad pipes and the different engine characteristics or stick with what you know in the 600.
And don't forget the torque
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 161
Likes: 13
From: Guthrie, OK
SL55, Opel GT, 70 LT-1, BMW 745 turbo, MRoadster, 49 Stude truck, 69 Z/28, Ferrari project
I appreciate all the input. She loves driving the CL600. I can't imagine she wouldn't like driving the SL600. Guess we will look for an SL55 to try out. Either way, this will be mostly a weekender for her. May drive it to the office once a week. She is an angel, and I like to pamper her with special things.
Before the CL, she had a BMW MRoadster. Way different car than the CL, but in some ways, more fun to drive. Tight, unbelievably balanced and responsive handling. Hard to get into trouble.
The MRoadster was perfect for her weekend car driving around the bedroom community where we used to live. But, we moved to a small historic town (look up Guthrie, OK) and live downtown. We can walk to the parts store, the hardware store, the bank, the post office, great rest ,... well you get the picture. No more weekend errands. When she does want to go the the City, it is 16 miles on the highway. The MRoadster is a bit noisy with the canvas top, and just not as fun. The CL on the highway.... well you almost feel guilty for being so pampered; feel like royalty.
Anyway, will let her test drive both. Not in a big hurry. We have lots lf cars right now, and instead of deciding what shirt to wear to the office, get to decide which car to drive.
Before the CL, she had a BMW MRoadster. Way different car than the CL, but in some ways, more fun to drive. Tight, unbelievably balanced and responsive handling. Hard to get into trouble.
The MRoadster was perfect for her weekend car driving around the bedroom community where we used to live. But, we moved to a small historic town (look up Guthrie, OK) and live downtown. We can walk to the parts store, the hardware store, the bank, the post office, great rest ,... well you get the picture. No more weekend errands. When she does want to go the the City, it is 16 miles on the highway. The MRoadster is a bit noisy with the canvas top, and just not as fun. The CL on the highway.... well you almost feel guilty for being so pampered; feel like royalty.
Anyway, will let her test drive both. Not in a big hurry. We have lots lf cars right now, and instead of deciding what shirt to wear to the office, get to decide which car to drive.
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 61
Likes: 0
From: UK
E280 (WORK) E55K (GONE) SL600 V12 BITURBO (MID LIFE CRISIS)
I have one like that LOL.
She has an SLK32AMG to play with (can easily frighten the life out of me in the passenger seat) but more recently grabs the keys to the SL, its not a good sign, hoping to retain ownership
She has an SLK32AMG to play with (can easily frighten the life out of me in the passenger seat) but more recently grabs the keys to the SL, its not a good sign, hoping to retain ownership
