SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: How do you like your SL65?
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Joined: Dec 2004
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How do you like your SL65?
Have been torn lately on what the next car is. My CL63 should be in around June but to be honest I'm not to exited about the NA 63 engine nor it's mod options. I passed on a friends ford GT even though it was a steal it just didn't do it for me and was not a car to be driven much at all. My other option was a 997TT. I love those cars and would sell my GT2 and mod the 997. It's just after having my CLS55 I miss having the luxury as well as the performance.
So lately I have been seeing that the SL65s have been going for close to 60% sticker price and I'm talking 05-06 cars. When I look at performance, mod potential, luxury, every day drive ability and of course price it seems they are very hard to beat. Just wanted some feedback from some owners. Thanks!
P.S. Found an 06 with 4k miles for $125k. If anyone knows of any better deals please PM me.
So lately I have been seeing that the SL65s have been going for close to 60% sticker price and I'm talking 05-06 cars. When I look at performance, mod potential, luxury, every day drive ability and of course price it seems they are very hard to beat. Just wanted some feedback from some owners. Thanks!
P.S. Found an 06 with 4k miles for $125k. If anyone knows of any better deals please PM me.
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Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 602
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SL65, 911
Honestly, I've owned LOTS of performance cars over the past 5 years, and day-in, day-out the SL65 is still my favorite. It does everything well, some things extremely well, and it demands so little of the driver.
It's telling that, at 2.5 years, my SL65 is now the longest-tenured car in my garage since 1998.
-Ben
It's telling that, at 2.5 years, my SL65 is now the longest-tenured car in my garage since 1998.
-Ben
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SL65 AMG
Im with Ben, although I have been looking I cant find anything that has everything the sl65 has. It does so many things well and is just so easy to drive and is a car that you can drive for hours on in. I looked at the ford gt, gallardo, 997tt, 996tt,m6 and some looked better then the sl but were still slower and some were faster but were not cars you wated to drive for more then an hour. I still need to mod the car with the ecu tune just havent picked a company yet.
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SL65, 911
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From: Fremont, Ca
EVOTECH Mercedes AMG
Renntech has the fastest 65s around. Its been proven by 3 65 owners. Ben and Roger being two of those 3.
And summer is around the corner, we will see better times soon! Right Ben & Roger?
And summer is around the corner, we will see better times soon!
Right Ben & Roger?
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From: Fremont, Ca
EVOTECH Mercedes AMG
No not yet, Ben is currently focusing on his 997 TT, we probably going to dyno that after he replaces his clutch.
We are waiting for Renntech to release the new larger TB for the 65 engine. So far, on software, yes.
Adam
We are waiting for Renntech to release the new larger TB for the 65 engine. So far, on software, yes.
Adam
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Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Bay Area, California
SL65
In stock trim it pulls damn near as hard as my 500 cubic inch '70 dodge challenger on 33" slicks. It's only a couple of mph off in the 1/4 (124 vs 120) so I know it accelerates well. The difference is the dodge is done after the 1/4, the 65 still has another 80 mph to add on... 
And it does all this effortlessly...
Search away
And it does all this effortlessly...
Search away
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,271
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From: CA
2010 CL65
Had an '07 SL65 and 997TT Tip/PCCB back in Fall '06....generally preferred 65 over 997TT, even in twisties....
65's issues: awful brake pedal feel (lots of confidence-sapping pedal travel before bite; otherwise great brakes in terms of stopping dist/fade resist); poor trac on bumpy dry roads or wet roads (vs 599, let alone 997TT); and ancient infotainment systems/sport seats/ergonomics and poor quality interior materials vs latest-gen CL....
997TT Tip/PCCB has some of world's best steering/brakes (599 steering/CCM is only rival)....but 997TT's turbo lag, lack of paddleshifters and econocar-like exhaust note makes it a lame alleged sportscar vs 599/65....
Not a fan of aftermkt mods for any car....I'd bet on factory engineers, R&D/svc infrastruc, safety testing (and liability) over Vinny's aftermkt shop w/its extensive "R&D" of a handful of customer, guinea-pig cars.....and any tech-intensive car becomes obsolete in 6 mos anyway.....or there's a more (quietly) debugged iteration being produced by factory, even if no dramatic new innovations to engine/tranny/chassis.....
65's issues: awful brake pedal feel (lots of confidence-sapping pedal travel before bite; otherwise great brakes in terms of stopping dist/fade resist); poor trac on bumpy dry roads or wet roads (vs 599, let alone 997TT); and ancient infotainment systems/sport seats/ergonomics and poor quality interior materials vs latest-gen CL....
997TT Tip/PCCB has some of world's best steering/brakes (599 steering/CCM is only rival)....but 997TT's turbo lag, lack of paddleshifters and econocar-like exhaust note makes it a lame alleged sportscar vs 599/65....
Not a fan of aftermkt mods for any car....I'd bet on factory engineers, R&D/svc infrastruc, safety testing (and liability) over Vinny's aftermkt shop w/its extensive "R&D" of a handful of customer, guinea-pig cars.....and any tech-intensive car becomes obsolete in 6 mos anyway.....or there's a more (quietly) debugged iteration being produced by factory, even if no dramatic new innovations to engine/tranny/chassis.....
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: Austin,TX
2003 SL55
Hi,
I am in the market looking at which car to buy next, as well, and am leaning towards a 360 Ferrari. I am seeking a sports car feel / passion so that is why I am leaning towards the Ferrari. However, when I compare prices, features, etc... the SL65 looks like a much better deal. Thoughts?
Also, what are the differences in an SL65 and a SL600? Motor / HP appears the same after the 600 gets a RennTech chip and I have heard suspension and brakes are different but could anyone advise me with details?
Thanks,
David
I am in the market looking at which car to buy next, as well, and am leaning towards a 360 Ferrari. I am seeking a sports car feel / passion so that is why I am leaning towards the Ferrari. However, when I compare prices, features, etc... the SL65 looks like a much better deal. Thoughts?
Also, what are the differences in an SL65 and a SL600? Motor / HP appears the same after the 600 gets a RennTech chip and I have heard suspension and brakes are different but could anyone advise me with details?
Thanks,
David
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Joined: Apr 2005
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Dont do it, you will be sorry. No 997TT can ever come close to what the GT2 is and what it stands for.
Been there done that got the T-shirt, not much fun in the 997TT unless you are always driving it like you stole it.
The SL65 would be a smart choice as the power in that car in stock form is amazing let alone if you let Renntech, Kleeman fiddle with it.
Bajo
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Charlotte, NC
2002 S430, 2004 Cobra, 2004 Tahoe
Ive got a friend with an 800+rwhp Supra and a SL65 and he still prefers the 65...it's just an all around badass sports car with a little luxury appeal...plus he now just added the Renntech chip which made it even more of a monster...we hope to get it on the dyno some time soon to see what kind of numbers it makes
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SL55, 996TT, Viper 700R, H2
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 130
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From: Austin, Texas
