SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Torn between SL55 & SL600 - Need Help
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 209
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Consider these thoughts:
1) AMG-badged cars retain value while V12's historically drop in price.
2) If losing money on the car is not a concern, the AMG package is a bit better overall in looks and feel.
3) But if you want speed, the V12 (SL600) with the SL55's differential will be a faster car.
4) The V12 engine revs smoother (and more linear) than the S/C V8.
5) The SL65 is for those that cannot decide between the SL600 and the SL55.
1) AMG-badged cars retain value while V12's historically drop in price.
2) If losing money on the car is not a concern, the AMG package is a bit better overall in looks and feel.
3) But if you want speed, the V12 (SL600) with the SL55's differential will be a faster car.
4) The V12 engine revs smoother (and more linear) than the S/C V8.
5) The SL65 is for those that cannot decide between the SL600 and the SL55.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 948
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, California
'10 MB E63, '08 ML550 ('05 E55, '05 SL55, '08 E63 GONE)
Originally Posted by thearle
Consider these thoughts:
1) AMG-badged cars retain value while V12's historically drop in price.
2) If losing money on the car is not a concern, the AMG package is a bit better overall in looks and feel.
3) But if you want speed, the V12 (SL600) with the SL55's differential will be a faster car.
4) The V12 engine revs smoother (and more linear) than the S/C V8.
5) The SL65 is for those that cannot decide between the SL600 and the SL55.
1) AMG-badged cars retain value while V12's historically drop in price.
2) If losing money on the car is not a concern, the AMG package is a bit better overall in looks and feel.
3) But if you want speed, the V12 (SL600) with the SL55's differential will be a faster car.
4) The V12 engine revs smoother (and more linear) than the S/C V8.
5) The SL65 is for those that cannot decide between the SL600 and the SL55.
~ Ian
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
2005 Mercedes C-Class
I've posted this a while ago....
They are very different driving and sounding cars as well as the interior experience.
1. The SL55 is faster off the line but once the SL600 hits 1800 RPMS, it flies and will leave the SL55 behind.
2. The SL55 has a stiffer suspension so if you like to feel the road and want more of a "racer" feel, the SL55 will meet that need. The SL600 is much smoother and you can not feel the road as much. Also, a lot depends on whether you get 18 inch wheels or 19 inch wheels as the ride with 18's is smoother.
3. You can't compare the sound of the engines. The SL600 is a V12 and therefore is a much better sounding engine.
4. The SL55 is slightly more sportier looking than the SL600 even with the sports package. The SL55 has the quad exhausts while the SL600 only has the dual exhausts. Also, the SL600 has black plastic between the exhausts while the SL55 has the same grates as in the front. The SL55 set up is obviously more sportier looking than the SL600 in the back.
5. The SL600 has a more plush looking leather than the SL55 which is sportier looking. The SL600 has what is called "exclusive" leather which is a very smooth soft leather while the SL55 has the AMG Nappa leather which has much more grain and bumps in the leather and dash. One is plush, one is sportier. The SL55 interior stitching is in contrast to the leather color while in the SL600 there is no contrast.
6. The AMG has sportier gauges than the SL600 in the instrument cluster in addition to an all leather steering wheel as opposed to a leather and wood steering wheel. One is not better than the other, just a matter of preference. With the all leather steering wheel and the black alcantara instrument cover, the SL55 is considered and looks more sportier.
7. The wheels are different and that is preference but then again you can always change to whatever wheels you want.
8. The base price of the SL600 is $6,000 more than the SL55.
9. The SL55 will have a better resale value than the SL600.
10. More people buy SL55's than SL600's.
Bottom line is that they are both great cars. Clearly the SL55 is sportier and the SL600 is plusher. This difference is seen with the interior finishes, the outside elements of the car, the suspension of the cars and the engine. Clearly the SL600 is a V12 so it would be considered the superior sounding engine. It's hard to compare the V12 to any V8 but the SL55 does have a great engine.
Hope this helps.
They are very different driving and sounding cars as well as the interior experience.
1. The SL55 is faster off the line but once the SL600 hits 1800 RPMS, it flies and will leave the SL55 behind.
2. The SL55 has a stiffer suspension so if you like to feel the road and want more of a "racer" feel, the SL55 will meet that need. The SL600 is much smoother and you can not feel the road as much. Also, a lot depends on whether you get 18 inch wheels or 19 inch wheels as the ride with 18's is smoother.
3. You can't compare the sound of the engines. The SL600 is a V12 and therefore is a much better sounding engine.
4. The SL55 is slightly more sportier looking than the SL600 even with the sports package. The SL55 has the quad exhausts while the SL600 only has the dual exhausts. Also, the SL600 has black plastic between the exhausts while the SL55 has the same grates as in the front. The SL55 set up is obviously more sportier looking than the SL600 in the back.
5. The SL600 has a more plush looking leather than the SL55 which is sportier looking. The SL600 has what is called "exclusive" leather which is a very smooth soft leather while the SL55 has the AMG Nappa leather which has much more grain and bumps in the leather and dash. One is plush, one is sportier. The SL55 interior stitching is in contrast to the leather color while in the SL600 there is no contrast.
6. The AMG has sportier gauges than the SL600 in the instrument cluster in addition to an all leather steering wheel as opposed to a leather and wood steering wheel. One is not better than the other, just a matter of preference. With the all leather steering wheel and the black alcantara instrument cover, the SL55 is considered and looks more sportier.
7. The wheels are different and that is preference but then again you can always change to whatever wheels you want.
8. The base price of the SL600 is $6,000 more than the SL55.
9. The SL55 will have a better resale value than the SL600.
10. More people buy SL55's than SL600's.
Bottom line is that they are both great cars. Clearly the SL55 is sportier and the SL600 is plusher. This difference is seen with the interior finishes, the outside elements of the car, the suspension of the cars and the engine. Clearly the SL600 is a V12 so it would be considered the superior sounding engine. It's hard to compare the V12 to any V8 but the SL55 does have a great engine.
Hope this helps.
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