SL/R231: 2017 SL450 or SL550? Which one to choose???
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Joined: Sep 2016
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From: NorthWest UK
SL400
I'm sure that the engine is strong enough, but you may find that if you go over 420ish bhp, it requires bigger fuel injectors, which could be why the DMS mod is more expensive.
Let me know if you find anything else good for yours and I'd love to see a pic of what it looks like with the spacers?
Let me know if you find anything else good for yours and I'd love to see a pic of what it looks like with the spacers?
but its £1650 + VAT
I opened another thread called "Wheel SPacers fitted to SL400"
It was only a few days ago - so will be within the top 15 threads in the R231 section
Theres a before n after pic there..........
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SL400 367 bhp facelift
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From: Ohio/Florida
'10 C300, '15 ML250BT, '22 M850i Vert
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Well, we all have our preferences, but you're mistaken to think that price and gas price is what it's about. Lots of journos agree that the new, lighter, 9 speed 367 bhp V6 car, is actually the better drivers car than the V8, which feels more like a cruiser. This one is in Canada, not Europe. Skip to 5 mins 15 secs.
https://youtu.be/5Cfy2BkFA04?t=5m15s
https://youtu.be/5Cfy2BkFA04?t=5m15s
Whoever thinks the SL450 is better is simply dreaming. It is a fine car by any measure with an excellent price/performance ratio but it is designed to fit a specific need. It is not meant to be the sporty alternative to the SL550...
The better balance is more apparent on springs but not really with ABC. And I wouldn't go overboard calling the SL400 a "light" car. The weight difference between the two is 60kg (for the Europeans on this thread
)I have driven both models back to back extensively. We are now on our third SL550 since 2013 on springs and on ABC suspension and driven around 4k miles combined with a couple SL400's (pre/post facelift). While subjective I feel I have a pretty good idea what these cars are capable of.
Personally I wouldn't consider the SL450 or the SL63 for that matter. The SL550 is a great fit for our needs.
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SL400 367 bhp facelift
Indeed. It just goes to show that opinions are like buttholes, everybody has one.
What's wrong with the SL63? Surely more power and torque is always better? Anyone who thinks it isn't must be dreaming? :p
i think the real answer for the OP is that people always think they bought the best option because that's WHY they bought it. However as you can see from that review, even people who didn't buy either car will differ over which is best, so you'll only find your personal answer by test driving them both back to back.
Personally I wouldn't consider the SL450 or the SL63 for that matter. The SL550 is a great fit for our needs.
i think the real answer for the OP is that people always think they bought the best option because that's WHY they bought it. However as you can see from that review, even people who didn't buy either car will differ over which is best, so you'll only find your personal answer by test driving them both back to back.
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From: Houston, Texas
2017 SL550 Iridium Silver/Bengal Red, 2017 S550 Coupe Obsidian Black/Crystal Grey
Well, we all have our preferences, but you're mistaken to think that price and gas price is what it's about. Lots of journos agree that the new, lighter, 9 speed 367 bhp V6 car, is actually the better drivers car than the V8, which feels more like a cruiser. This one is in Canada, not Europe. Skip to 5 mins 15 secs.
https://youtu.be/5Cfy2BkFA04?t=5m15s
https://youtu.be/5Cfy2BkFA04?t=5m15s
Sorry, not convinced. There is just no comparison between a car with 362 HP and 369 lb-ft of torque and one with 449 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque. The torque makes a huge difference and the SL550 only weighs 133 lbs. more than the SL450.
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Re. the SL63 just shows me that you haven't driven one. Take a test drive an report back what you think...
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Member
Joined: Jun 2008
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From: New Bern, NC
2016 Jaguar FT-R
I find this discussion amusing because I now have a Jaguar F-Type R and exactly the same conversation has taken place numerous times on the Jaguar Forum.
I test drove the V-6 and the V-8S, but ended up getting the R because I am in the camp that believes there is no substitute for HP and torque. My Porsche was a big disappointment that reminded of that.
I could suggest reasons why Jaguar or Mercedes drivers are satisfied with a lower cost model with less HP and torque, but I think the better option is to rejoice that manufacturers still offer a range of price and power options for internal combustion-engined cars.
Larry
I test drove the V-6 and the V-8S, but ended up getting the R because I am in the camp that believes there is no substitute for HP and torque. My Porsche was a big disappointment that reminded of that.
I could suggest reasons why Jaguar or Mercedes drivers are satisfied with a lower cost model with less HP and torque, but I think the better option is to rejoice that manufacturers still offer a range of price and power options for internal combustion-engined cars.
Larry
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SL400 367 bhp facelift
The problem is that we all think we're Goldilocks. We tried the one with too much, we tried the one with too little and think we bought the one that was just right.
However the truth is that not everyone's "just right" is the same. It's not just a case of more torque is better, if that were true then they'd be far more people dreaming of an SL65, it's a case of what feels just right for you.
Personally, I don't use my SL for adrenaline rushes, I have other vehicles for that, including a 1200cc Ducati which makes the SL65 seem slow, so when I'm in the SL I'm wafting along with the roof down, usually with my GF in the passage seat telling me to slow down even when I'm not going fast, and the 367bhp 450 does that perfectly; it's my Goldilocks car and it may well be for others too, just clearly not everyone.
So in reality, no one can answer the OP's question but himself. Certainly he has to try a V8 to see if it does for him what it does for others here, but he should absolutely try the V6 too, as many do prefer it.
However the truth is that not everyone's "just right" is the same. It's not just a case of more torque is better, if that were true then they'd be far more people dreaming of an SL65, it's a case of what feels just right for you.
Personally, I don't use my SL for adrenaline rushes, I have other vehicles for that, including a 1200cc Ducati which makes the SL65 seem slow, so when I'm in the SL I'm wafting along with the roof down, usually with my GF in the passage seat telling me to slow down even when I'm not going fast, and the 367bhp 450 does that perfectly; it's my Goldilocks car and it may well be for others too, just clearly not everyone.
So in reality, no one can answer the OP's question but himself. Certainly he has to try a V8 to see if it does for him what it does for others here, but he should absolutely try the V6 too, as many do prefer it.
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2016
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R231 SL350
Hi Wiz I just bought a 350 today in the UK and agree with you bud ! The SL is a GT not a sports car so ultimate speed not as important as a Sports car or Muscle car , I think I appreciate the other qualities like the ride and luxury , and still has a decent turn of speed . I do agree a F Type should be a V8 , a Boxster a S etc ,If money no object then get a 63 but I don't think the Benefits of the V8 outweigh the running costs in the UK or the roads ...
But everyone entitled to their own opinion :-) I might think different if living in the States !
But everyone entitled to their own opinion :-) I might think different if living in the States !
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From: Houston, Texas
2017 SL550 Iridium Silver/Bengal Red, 2017 S550 Coupe Obsidian Black/Crystal Grey
Pretty simple. If you don't want or need the extra HP and torque, for whatever reason, then the 6-cylinder model is the route to go--why spend the extra money? If you do want this then it's money well spent for the 8-cylinder model. Purely a personal decision, both from desire and finances.
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From: NorthWest UK
SL400
Pretty simple. If you don't want or need the extra HP and torque, for whatever reason, then the 6-cylinder model is the route to go--why spend the extra money? If you do want this then it's money well spent for the 8-cylinder model. Purely a personal decision, both from desire and finances.
it does go...........
0-60 in under 5 seconds is to be honest more than most people need/want/can handle
Junior Member
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From: Houston, Texas
2017 SL550 Iridium Silver/Bengal Red, 2017 S550 Coupe Obsidian Black/Crystal Grey
Again, it depends on your desires--I, for one, am in the "you can never have too much horsepower" camp and it's worth it to me to get the V8 to shave a few 10th's of a second off the 0-60 time and to get the extra roll-on power (it's all about the fun factor). I also ride high-powered motorcycles for the same reason.
However, I am frugal enough to not want to spend an extra $40K-$50K for the SL63 that has excessive depreciation like most AMG models--the SL550 is good enough.
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From: Las Vegas
2017 SL450; 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo; 2005 Lexus SC430
I finally chose the purchase of a SL450, which, incidentally, is being assembled for me this week in Bremen, Germany.
My decision was based upon three primary criteria (luxury, performance and price) and was also influenced by the fact I have now owned five AMG-built cars (two E55s, one CLS55 and two SLK55s) as well as currently own a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. In the process of arriving at my decision, I drove a number of cars, ranging from a Bentley V8 and a Ferrari California T to various Porsches and Jaguars. I even drove, and liked very much, the AMG GTS.
I think that more than any other car I considered, the SL450 offered a winning combination of luxury and adequate performance at a highly attractive price. Clearly, to me at least, the Bentley won the luxury contest hands-down; likewise, the Ferrari's performance, particularly when also considering its beauty, refinements and unique features, stood out from the rest of the pack (I did not drive a Porsche 911 Turbo S). However, the prices of these two cars are staggering; a person has to pay a small (or not so small) fortune to purchase either of them. At the other end of the spectrum, Jaguars F-types offered a lot of performance for the buck, but at the expense of any modicum of easily discernable luxury -- in my opinion, at least.
I know that I am forgoing the brute power to which I have become accustomed, even though I very rarely have the opportunity to use it these days. However, for me the incremental cost of $15,000 to have that extra horsepower and torque of the SL550 on tap just isn't worth it.
My decision was based upon three primary criteria (luxury, performance and price) and was also influenced by the fact I have now owned five AMG-built cars (two E55s, one CLS55 and two SLK55s) as well as currently own a Porsche Cayenne Turbo. In the process of arriving at my decision, I drove a number of cars, ranging from a Bentley V8 and a Ferrari California T to various Porsches and Jaguars. I even drove, and liked very much, the AMG GTS.
I think that more than any other car I considered, the SL450 offered a winning combination of luxury and adequate performance at a highly attractive price. Clearly, to me at least, the Bentley won the luxury contest hands-down; likewise, the Ferrari's performance, particularly when also considering its beauty, refinements and unique features, stood out from the rest of the pack (I did not drive a Porsche 911 Turbo S). However, the prices of these two cars are staggering; a person has to pay a small (or not so small) fortune to purchase either of them. At the other end of the spectrum, Jaguars F-types offered a lot of performance for the buck, but at the expense of any modicum of easily discernable luxury -- in my opinion, at least.
I know that I am forgoing the brute power to which I have become accustomed, even though I very rarely have the opportunity to use it these days. However, for me the incremental cost of $15,000 to have that extra horsepower and torque of the SL550 on tap just isn't worth it.
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From: Ohio/Florida
'10 C300, '15 ML250BT, '22 M850i Vert
What I saw on the '16's, was the 400 base MSRP at $85k and the 550 at $108. It's even more on the '17s, $86K and $110K. That's looks like $23/24k more to me. For me that was a no brainer.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
One needs to add Premium package (about $5K, standard on 550) to 400/450, which would bring the real MSRP difference to $18K for '15/'16 and $19K for '17. One also needs to add tax on the difference, so even with much better percentage discounts on 400 in '15/'16 than on 550, the real retail difference out the door in '15 and '16 with tax included was more like $20K+ (not "about $16K-$17K" I wrote before, sorry about that).
Last edited by threeMBs; Oct 29, 2016 at 07:57 AM.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
Most people here are US based (used to be close to 100% not that long ago). Cars are equipped differently for each market (US is MB's largest SL market by far). One can alway go to mbusa.com and configure SL450(a.k.a. SL400) to see.
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From: Ohio/Florida
'10 C300, '15 ML250BT, '22 M850i Vert
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
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From: NorthWest UK
SL400
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SL400 367 bhp facelift
All the packages and editions are different here in the UK Max, we usually pay a premium anyway for being right hand drive. The spec on the V6 and the V8 cars as standard is identical here (apart from the engine of course) and the full retail difference between them is only £9K. As you know, there are some fantastic discounts to be had at the moment on the SL and the discount is a percentage, so the actual price difference when I bought mine was only a little over £6K!
That's what I mean when I say that it's not about wanting the V8 if it weren't for the price difference, if people in the UK wanted a V8 they'd buy one, £6k on a car like this isn't even worth thinking about, yet still the vast majority sold are V6s. Our car culture is very different here, we never had a "muscle car" culture. Most if us grew up with pictures from Lotus and Ferrari on our walls which were all small, light, high-performance engines. Or of course the Cosworth Fords with 4-500 bhp from a 2L turbo engine!
Last edited by Wiz; Oct 29, 2016 at 05:56 AM.
