JAYCL600

Gosh has this come up again? Lets get a few things straight as some misinformation is being thrown around, for one the transmissions are identical mechanically other then a manual mode (useless, yes i know as i have it) and supposed speedshift programming, two the brakes on the SL600 and the SL55 are also identical, only the S600 and the CL600 (damnit!!) have different brakes, three the suspensions are identical except for programming (unconfirmed). There are different size tires used depending upon model tested which can lead to differences in handling and braking differences between the two models. Straight line performance a slight nod will go to the 600 above 100MPH, the 55K will feel faster and sound faster in stock form. I cant comment on the twisties as neither car really belongs there. This is from my own personal driving experience of both vehicles and my personal experience from owing a 600. Oh and i dont think i need to comment on the tuning potential of either motor as that is very evident on these boards.

bltserv

Once again. Here we go. The never ending topic.
This is our monthly banter on the SL55 vs SL600.
Every 4 weeks or so the "Non Owner SL600" clan goes ape and
get into magazine specs and does some AMG bashing.
Car and Driver sez. BS on that 3.6 time. Total typo.
Evo sez Blah Blah Blah.

To the OP.
At least the regulars here that own these cars are a good point of reference.
Take their advise. Some of us really drive these cars daily. Others just look in magazines and search google and dragtimes and spout off on this board

IMHO:
SL55 sounds meaner.
SL600 is easier to get more HP for less $$$ in mods.
SL55 is a bit lighter in the twisties.
SL600 has smoother acceleration.
SL600 is costlier to maintain.
SL600 feels faster at 100+
SL55 has a better potential resale value.
SL55 AMG Seats. I think the seats do feel better in the AMG.
SL55 has that 70`s muscle car feel.
SL600 is more stealth and quiet.
Both are great cars.

The answer is just go get the SL65 and never mind this topic at all.

JAYCL600

man what a way to put a nail in the coffin...i couldnt have said it better myself

xecution

Awwww come on guys, what better to stimulate than a nice heated debate same subject or not.
With that being said, it is truly a matter of personal taste. personally i've owned a CL600 (2), S600, S55, and now an SL55, not to mention, Corvette Z06, Viper, Porsche 996TT, XLR-V, Ferrari 360, okay let me stop there, anyways I think you get my point. What I am saying is, from experiance, the SL55 is one of the best all around if you are looking for sports car and luxury. i've gotten rid of many cars who make that claim only to find out they were luxury and not sporty, or sporty and not enough luxury. Do I think the AMG cars are sportier than the normal mercedes cars? (600 included) of course !!, thats the whole intention of the AMG line. Personally, I'm not out looking to find a guy to race to see who has the fastest 0-60 time. I just wanna feel like i love the car I am driving, which for me, as I said, needs to have a sporty feel and la uxury feel and thats what AMG is all about.

JackStraw

How would this person know this to be true? The TT V12 engine has not been around long enough for anyone to know what its long-term reliability will be. I have yet to hear or read of any endemic problems with this engine and don't think that maintenance costs should be a factor when deciding between these two fine vehicles.

xecution

Gosh has this come up again? Lets get a few things straight as some misinformation is being thrown around, for one the transmissions are identical mechanically other then a manual mode (useless, yes i know as i have it) and supposed speedshift programming, two the brakes on the SL600 and the SL55 are also identical, only the S600 and the CL600 (damnit!!) have different brakes, three the suspensions are identical except for programming (unconfirmed). [/B] The only problem is your statements are conflicting. Two things can not be identical and differant at the same time. The AMG has Speedshift that makes it differant, doesn't make it any faster but differant none the less. The suspension is a modified version of ABC, we all know the differance in the feel of the AMG suspension, that you can't deny. You even admit the programmins=g is differant, thats all you need. The brakes, although the the same size, are not the same. for one they are AMG modified, also the SL600 has 8-piston and AMG has 6-piston. The AMG rear brakes are not only internally ventllated but also perforated. Being that so much is drive by wire these days, modifications are not always seen mechanically, but they are programmed differantly on an AMG vehicle. Saying they are not, is like saying AMG is lying and basically duping AMG owners out of their money.

JAYCL600

ummm ok

IngenereAMG

We have done ECU work on both cars and the 600 really comes alive with the work. The SL55 gets some great gains, but the 600 is really remarkable.

Having said that, I personally feel that the weight of that 12 makes it feel like a sled. With the 55, I can keep up with Z06's on a road course......and it just has a better balanced feel to me.

0700700

could someone tell me why is the V12 engine so responsive to ecu updates whereas the V8Kompressor gains little... i know both engines run the same stock bhp, so is this all marketing (as in mercedes not wishing to pull away customers from AMG) or the 600 motor simply has more tuning potential?

jmf003

I'm with you that the SL55 versus SL600 argument is older than dirt and ultimately has no right answer.

I tend to chime in on the topic (and sometimes refer to third party data) to help people like the original poster who are considering one or the other and are looking to this forum for information.

There are plenty of terrific reasons to chose either car. One of the arguments sometimes made for the SL600 (namely that it's faster than an SL65 straight-line and as fast as an SL55 in corners) doesn't have a lot of merit. Would-be buyers should consider that argument with a healthy dose of skepticism.

jmf003

The 600 motor simply has more potential. It's the old "there's no replacement for displacement."

Out of the factory the 600 has a more mild tune for both the engine control and transmission control. Less power, more smooth.

The 55K motor and transmission are more aggressively tuned from the factory so there's less gain available with even more aggressive tuning.

ItalianStallion

The SL600 has a Twin Turbo V12 Engine. By tuning the ECU boost can be turned up because its a turbo. If the SL600's ECU is tuned (by RennTech, Kleeman, Powerchip, etc) it is supposedly just as fast if not faster than an SL65.

The SL55 has a Supercharged V8 engine. All a tuner can do with ECU tuning is to change the air and fuel which will result in ok power gains. The boost of the supercharger can't be changed by an ECU tune. To really make gains on the 55 Kompressor motors an aftermarket pulley would have to be installed, and even then the gains aren't close to the gains you can get on a chipped 600.

0700700

Tnx...so the usual saying that the 600 is geared for ultimate luxury holds.. isnt the tranny the same part as used in the SL55 ? I also looked at the specs the displacement of the V12 is larger

Tnx... i always thought you could increase the rotational speed of the supercharger, guess i was wrong so what is the role of the pulley?

Murtaza

You weren't wrong, a larger pulley transfers more rotational force to the supercharger and increases boost.

SuperDave

However, the fuel mixture MUST be adjusted to compensate...........the marriage of the additional air and additional fuel produces more Torque and HP all along the RPM range.............

I like an "Agressive" Pulley......on the -55 you can gain 40-50 HP.....with the proper map, BUT, you will create additional heat and a 2nd IC unit becomes the "Order of the Day"..........

Not a big deal.....Been there, done it.

Murtaza

Does heat soak become a big issue if you don't put in a 2nd intercooler? What kind of problems could come up if you don't?

sporters78

Just going to throw my 2 cents in as i hold the record for the fastest sl55 on drag times. drove the sl55 and the sl65 ,both great cars ended up with the sl55 because i like the feel of the car better, the sl
65 was nice but too over priced for me. the sl600 felt like an old mans car to me. Should be into the high 11's in the next month

JackStraw

Thank you for your insightful comments.

acicchelli

The Renntech SL600 is faster than a stock SL65. The Renntech SL65 pulls away from the Renntech SL600 at basically any speed, but it's not very dramatic. The SL55 does feel more balanced than the SL600/SL65. The Renntech SL600 also feels a bit over powered for the car's brakes. The biggest difference I have noticed between the Renntech SL600 and Renntech SL65 is the brakes. The difference is so great that the SL600 feels much heavier than the SL65.

AdamG@NorCal

On a side note,

www.dragtimes.com

Many Renntech 600s and 65s are in the top 10 fastest 1/4 mile time and trap speed.

JAYCL600

SuperDave

Yes, heat soak can become an issue, especially during the hotter months when you run the car hard...........the 2nd IC unit and larger pump effectively eliminate that from occurring.

FloridaE55

It's really a though choice: I would pick the SL600's engine and the SL55's exterior appearance....

Best choice: SL65...

Murtaza

Something is off about some of those times.

11.900* 120.000 Yes Mercedes-Benz SL600 2004 NA

It says it's stock but if you put that through a HP calculator you get 580hp at the flywheel...no way thats stock

SuperDave

Also about 50K more up front..............but, in essence, I must agree, the -65 is the better car, however,

The choice offered on this thread is between the -55 and the 600.

The -65 can rest assured in it's superlative position, IMO.

Dave