BiTurboBenz

After 3 months of extensive research I have decided that the SL600 is for me!! I am not trying to start a 55/600 war here but I would love to hear some commentary on why anyone would choose an SL55AMG over an SL600???

....so I have posted this thread in the SL55 forum because I am sure I will get a better response.

If I offered you either an SL55 or SL600 (both comparable in price), why would you take the SL55?

The SL is waaaaaayyyy to heavy to be considered a sports car. If you want a true sports car go for a Porsche Turbo. The SL is more of a GT.

The funny thing is that the SL55 was my dream car until I learned about the SL600!!!

I mean come'on:

Maybach Type12 engine + Bi-Turbos + hardtop convertible = :p :p

Juice it

Stock for stock both cars are very close. If mods are in the future the 600 is the only way to go. If keeping it stock is the plan, many want the 55 which is a true "AMG" tuned car, a better exhaust note, a sportier look overall. If the 600 has the sport package than it may come down to the interior of the 55 being sportier. I used to lean toward the 55, but after seing what some of the tuned 600's are doing I think I would go that way as well. That said, I would mod mine. I do however prefer the true "AMG" look and sound.

BiTurboBenz

You don't count...you already have a 65!!! J/K

Juice it

I have that because I was in your position a few months back and couldn't decide which one I like better and then I said WTF and got the mix of the two!

seattlecarfreak

well the sl600 with the sport package, interior upgrades and all the options the AMG has would prolly cost atleast $10k+ more on the sl600.... plus the rear end looks cooler on the sl55 with the 4 pipe exhaust, mesh.. umm other than that.. just about 50 more torque than the sl55.. from what i've seen of sl owners.. sl600 seems to attract more of the sophisticated older/wealthier/classier type of guy that has owned a bunch of exotics and been through that stage and doesn't really care anymore about status.. someone that doesn't want to flaunt money.. but loves the smooth v12.. and the sl55 seems to attract more for the new money/young/wealthy type of guy.. that wants the "AMG" badge of honor.. just like how bimmer guys want the "M" image, even though they could get a fully loaded 545 and supercharge or turbo it and make it just as fast.. just mho of course..

docdan

For me, the reasons I chose the SL55 over the SL600 include:

1. the great sounding exhaust note
2. the look of the 4 exhaust pipe tips
3. the AMG brakes and suspension
4. the relatively lighter weight and different weight distrubution vs. the SL600 gives the SL55 the handling edge
5. the AMG heritage and badge (it announces that this car means business)




....also from what I've read on this forum, the SL600 tends to depreciate faster than the SL55

BiTurboBenz

Actually the SL600 makes closer to 543bhp and 664 lbs/ft of torque!!!!!

There is no way that the V12 pumps out only 493bhp...this is the same exact engine that is in all the Maybachs & same Biturbos that are in all the Maybachs. The same Biturbos that are in the SL65 - actually the same engine that is in the SL65 except AMG bored/stroked out 467cc which is why there is slightly more power.

Can you imagine if DCX advertised that the SL600 makes 543bhp/664tq...who in their right mind would get an SL55?? That is all that I am saying. I understand many people on this forum got their SL55's before the SL600 was released but how about present day December 2005? How could you pass on an SL600 especially when the SL63 will be out soon with a TwinTurbo 6.3L V8!!!

JR.

my expectation is that the SL55 is more performance oriented..
.
two reasons:
.
1. AMG
.
2. correct me if i am wrong but the last SL600 i drove did not have the same trans. incl. paddle shifters. you can have a great motor but without the right trans, the cars just doesn't react well to the way i drive..
.
i have a Porsche Turbo with Tiptronic incl. paddle shifters and it is a blast to drive with that trans.

IanSL55

I've almost asked myself the reverse... given that off the line performance is basically equal, why anyone would choose the SL600 over the AMG (unless you were planning on modifying the car)?

My reasons of choosing the SL55 over the SL600:

A. Sportier look both inside and out.
B. Superior exhaust note.
C. AMG SpeedShift w/ buttons on the steering wheel.
D. Stiffer suspension.
E. Superior handling.
F. Optional Performance Package.

and to a lesser extent:

G. AMG Heritage
H. One person, one engine.

I don't believe any of us think the SL55 is a "sports car" in the mold of a 911 Turbo... so I don't understand your reference as the SL600 certainly isn't more of a "sports car" than the SL55 -- in fact it's probably less.

~ Ian

caliboy

Typical Mercedes building two similar cars with slighly different advantages at similar prices. Because of the modding potential I'd go with the sl600, but the problem is that it looks like BUTT without at least the amg front fascia and the twin pipes. That being said 493hp is more than enough for me and if you kleemanize or mod any one of these two cars you would get a car that can handle almost anything on the road with the looks to match. The sl55 look is just siiiiiiicckkk! The sl600 is too wimpy looking, but the thing is add a $6000 renntech chip and who cares how wimpy it looks..........it's bring on the motorsport world from there on.

Tough choice! I will wait 3 years from now and see which has held it's value the worst so that I can have that one lol!

CE750

The sound of the V8 is a lot nicer, but the V12 is faster..

Glad I'm not in the market for one, so I don't have to sweat the decision!

SLVRSL55

All good reasons. I'll add another. Resale value. AMG's traditionally hold their value better than non-AMG cars. MBZ 12 cylinder cars tend to have the greatest drops in value. Mods tend to get back very little (if any) of the capital invested. Take these three issues into account and from an investment perspective alone, you have a pretty compelling reason to buy an SL55. Add the fun and exclusivity of the car and in my book you have a pretty clear answer.

IanSL55

Speaking of imagining, can you imagine how many lawsuits against MBUSA by the insurance industry would occur if they purposely understated HP by such a large number (insurance companies use HP as one of the factors when calculating rates, that is higher HP = higher rates). That's not to mention what the DOT might say.

BTW, the SL55 actually makes 943HP. That 493HP figure is a long standing typo (grin).

Seriously, where are you getting those numbers? If that was the case, why would anyone buy a SL65 at a 50K premium? Why doesn't MBUSA publish those numbers and price the SL600 half way between the two AMG's?

Also, I've not heard anything regarding the SL getting the 6.3L engine -- in fact I've heard the reverse -- with people saying it won't fit correctly into the current R230. That leads me to believe that new SL AMG will get a SC or Turbo version of the brand new 5.5L that's powering the 2007 S-Class.

~ Ian

Bigdot

if I were given about 125K for an SL, i would get the 55 and then chip it, my main reasons would be is that i love the sound, and i am more of a V8 person. and that sence i am young, the tight rough ride would not bother me as much as if i were older.

that is why i would take the 55 over the 600, but the 65 is a diffrent topic.

a younger persons opinion-

Mark

SL65amg

There is a Member here that has an SL 600 with 910 lb/ft of torque on it due to Renntech mods I believe. 'Nuff said.

Just get a used SL 600, save a ton of cash, put in a full AMG PP kit on it, drop a few choice Renntech upgrades, and you'll have a car that will smoke even a modded SL 55 or F430 or Conti GT or Vanquish S or many other high-end cars in a straight line anyday.
Wait another year when the new twin-turbo 6.3 V-8 comes out and the current used SL 600 prices are gonna drop like a rock much further, so you'll get an even better bargain deal on it.

I've heard there are already 2004 model SL 600's selling used for in the $90k range. By next year I'm hearing $75,000 or lower no problem.


Come to think of it, the probable best bargain imaginable will be to wait another year or two and get a severely depreciated used 2005 model SL 65, and renntech chip it, .... there ya go. By then renntech will probably have some choice mods for it that will bring the power to 850+ HP and 1,000+ torque, don't you think?

IanSL55

All done without a warranty -- 'nuff said.

Considering 99%+ of buyers keep their SL's stock... what would your choice be then?

~ Ian

SL65amg

Then I'd still choose the SL 600. I guess I don't consider chipping the 600 to be a "Modded" SL. When I think of the word "Modding" I think of really significant alterations to the stock car.

So I guess even a factory stock SL 600 with sport package and just the renntech software would still be the better choice... unless like others have said, they really are craving a factory full AMG car with a much louder and more aggressive exhaust sound.

IanSL55

Well I think it's the AMG transmission and stiffer ride/superior handling that did it for me...

~ Ian

BiTurboBenz

you get the AMG transmission if you chip it

stiffer ride I will buy but superior handling?? I don't think any 4500lb car will have superior handling.

docdan

If I may chime in.....I believe he means "relatively superior handling"....meaning as opposed to the heavier, and front heavy SL600.

lorinserbenz

Three letters A M G..
I feel the same... the SL600 is just stupid fast and at the prices they go for used they are an absolute BARGAIN...

05's can be had at auction for 100-105k..

BiTurboBenz

AMG has unfortunately become nothing more than great marketing these days. I had an AMG and it was nothing special. Yes it wast fast and handled well but not exclusive at all. RENNTech, now that is something special. The Hammer and C36 were limited production beauties but these days AMG has been whored out just like BMW ///M. I only have a little respect left for Audi's R division.

my $0.02

seattlecarfreak

times evolve.. maybe they are "whored" out, but look how much faster the new batch of amg cars is than the old hammer and other 80s AMG cars.. makes them look like they are sitting still..

jt20194

I'd say this pretty much sums it up…
SL600
http://www.dragtimes.com/Mercedes-Be...ag-Racing.html
http://www.dragtimes.com/Mercedes-Be...ag-Racing.html

CE750

Joe's SL600 is Renntech.. but then so are the 55's I suppose.. no doubt the 600 is King.. except maybe against the AMG 65.