SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: sl55 v sl65

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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 08:35 AM
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From: south florida.pbg
2003 porsche 996tt Ruf, 2005 SL55 Renntech
sl55 v sl65

i'm thinking about getting ether sl55 or sl65, what the deferrents between the cars besides the engines?
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 09:46 AM
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SL65, E55T, Pending S65
Engine, trans, brakes, wheels, front facia, LSD..... Full leather interior

Power and Torque.....

Having owned a SL55, other than the sound of the 55 they do not compare!

Sent you a PM

Schiz
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 11:30 AM
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Originally Posted by sporters78
i'm thinking about getting ether sl55 or sl65, what the deferrents between the cars besides the engines?
55's are very bada$$ in their own right, but the 65 is a freak of nature. I do miss the exhaust note from my 55 - but that's it.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 02:58 PM
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G55, SLS, smart eq
I look at it this way: Like you have the qualifications "breast man", "leg man" and/or "*** man" (as in the part of the opposite sex you prioritize), I consider myself an "8-cylinder man" rather than a "12-cylinder man". I'm convinced that 12-cyl is just too much for me. 8-cyl is just right. Although I can appreciate the 4 extra cylinders and the extra luxury that comes with it.

That and the fact that I can't afford the 12-cylinder cars I fancy of course...

All kidding aside, I think one has a natural preference cylinder-wise.
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 03:27 PM
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SL55 AMG
I used to think the SL55 is a fast car until I got my 911 turbo, now it seems slow. So I would go with the '65...
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 04:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Schiznick
Engine, trans, brakes, wheels, front facia, LSD..... Full leather interior...Power and Torque...
All true. Also, even more weight overall, and the increase is mostly in the nose.

You may find the handling to be, um, different, than you're used to in your Porsche. One thing for sure, you won't be hard on the power so early in the corner as with your 911. There are ways to drive these cars that deal with the nose-heaviness and understeer, and they can be great fun to drive that way, but tossible they're not.

Jim
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 04:46 PM
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SL65, E55T, Pending S65
The SL65 is about 300 LBS heavier than the SL55. The additional weight is not as far forward as you would think.

On the track you really don't notice the weight at all. The larger brakes manage it quite well and turn in only suffers slightly over the SL55.

I would say you will never notice this on the street.

What you do notice is the turbo power delivery (notice I did not say lag, that is not it) and the wild torque it can lay down in a fraction of a second.....

Schiz
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Old Sep 15, 2005 | 11:54 PM
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The SL65 in Alabama is down to 145k and has been for sale for months. The cheapest I have seen but is not moving for some reason. Seems like a decent deal if the car checks out.
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 09:13 AM
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From: south florida.pbg
2003 porsche 996tt Ruf, 2005 SL55 Renntech
think i'm going to end up with the sl55, and save acouple of bucks for cigars and scotch
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 10:48 AM
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Originally Posted by Juice it
The SL65 in Alabama is down to 145k and has been for sale for months. The cheapest I have seen but is not moving for some reason. Seems like a decent deal if the car checks out.
A new one?
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Old Sep 16, 2005 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by JackStraw
A new one?

No, it has 12k miles. If it were new at that price I don't think it would sit for a day much less months.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 08:58 AM
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The SL 65 is more of a cruise-car; and the SL 55 more of a racer. Due to the heavier weight of course, but also due to the following:

SL 55:
Power 476 bhp @ 6100 rpm
Torque 516 ft lbs @ 2650 rpm

SL 65:
Power 612 bhp @ 4800 rpm
738 ft lbs @ 2000 rpm

The power of the SL65 is much faster available then the power of the SL 55.
The 55 has to get a higher RPM to get his power; but the 65 already has the power very quick. As a result of this the 65 is a calm and relaxed cruiser. The 55 has to put more effort in it, so its more of a nervous race-engine rather then a calm one.

You can't really tell which one is ''better''; they are both great cars.
You have to decide what kinda driver you are...

Last edited by Clyde; Sep 17, 2005 at 09:04 AM.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 10:41 AM
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SL65, E55T, Pending S65
I don't really agree....

Do you own these cars?

Calm is not a word I would use to describe the power deliver of either car unless you are running around in C mode starting in second gear all the time.

As I have mentioned, everyone talks about the weight difference between the two cars. Unless you are on a track you will not ever notice this. Both cars are very well balanced.

The Kompressor 5.5 is far from a nervous race motor..... They each have a unique personality, I prefer the sound of the V8 but the power and torque of the V12.

Neither the SL55 or SL65 are race cars. They are however a blast to drive on a daily basis and in the case of the SL65, a force to be recond with in a straight line

Both even handle the track better than you would expect after you adjust your driving style to the handling of the car. I have suprised my share of poorly driven Porsche owners. Get out and drive those cars!
Enjoy!

Last edited by Schiznick; Sep 17, 2005 at 10:52 AM.
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Old Sep 17, 2005 | 08:09 PM
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Originally Posted by Schiznick
I don't really agree....

Do you own these cars?

Calm is not a word I would use to describe the power deliver of either car unless you are running around in C mode starting in second gear all the time.

As I have mentioned, everyone talks about the weight difference between the two cars. Unless you are on a track you will not ever notice this. Both cars are very well balanced.

The Kompressor 5.5 is far from a nervous race motor..... They each have a unique personality, I prefer the sound of the V8 but the power and torque of the V12.

Neither the SL55 or SL65 are race cars. They are however a blast to drive on a daily basis and in the case of the SL65, a force to be recond with in a straight line

Both even handle the track better than you would expect after you adjust your driving style to the handling of the car. I have suprised my share of poorly driven Porsche owners. Get out and drive those cars!
Enjoy!
I agree
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Old Sep 20, 2005 | 10:04 PM
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SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I loved the SL55 so much that I sold my spot for the 65 that I had ordered. I did get to drive a 65 and I don't regret selling my spot.

I too have suprised alot of Porsche, Ferrari, Viper, etc., drivers with the SLs handling capabilities. You do have to adjust your style a bit, but you have to do that with any car. I drive my Indycar differenlty than I drive the F40, 348, etc. That adaptation is half of the fun!
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