FloridaE55

It really depends what the intentions are: How often can and will the driver actually take advantage of the extra torque of the SL600? That car might have the better track-times, but how often will that car see a race-track? My M5 isn't bad on track either but so far, it hasn't been there. The SL600 is indeed better equipped BUT has the higher MSRP, so there is basically no advantage. When looking at the appearance, the SL55 wins hands down, IMO.

I would pick a fully loaded SL55 with 030 Package over the SL600....

I also think these discussions about additional power and tuning options are overrated. No matter if you are in favor of the AMG or the V12 - >500 horses (stock) are already sufficient for me - especially in stop-and-go traffic....

JAYCL600

I sure hope so, at least to be in the realm of all those "old mans cars"

sporters78

not too many cl600 on the track ..great job .still i don't see in south florida too many under 55ers driving a cl600 or a sl600

aza12345

I was interested in this tread because I just purchased an 2005 sl55 and I was trying to decide between the 55 and the 600. I drove both cars and for the most part found very little difference in the acceleration and braking of either. The 55 has a nicer exhaust sound that I liked. My deciding points to go with the 55 was that through my investigation was told many times regarding the higher maintence cost but also was told that in Florida in particular, where I purchased the car, that the 600 have not been holding their value aswell and that 55 are in more demand.

I'm not trying to create another fury from 600 owners just noted that future value and marketability of the 600 was not mentioned. Maybe that's not the case, but it was what I heard many times from many different sources.

Anyway, that's my 2 cents.

FloridaE55

Well, fast dropping residuals is indeed a problem, but that applies to almost any "ordinary" V12 - to mine as well...

JAYCL600

thanks, i agree about the demographics

slvrclk

Just saw this comment from you, too bad you are not in LA or I would show you what a Sl600 does to your beloved 55!!!

xecution

Well As a previous owner of a two CL600's and just recently traded an S600 you are absolutely right. I have been told by dealerships that it is the marketability of a V8 over a V12. One poster mentioned that they make a lot less SL600 cars as compared to SL55, There is a reason for that, and it is not because of wanting exclusivity. Do you think that if Mercedes could sell a 1000 600 cars a year they wouldn't build them?, the market is smaller and that is where the depreciation comes in. The same is actually true with many cars, including Ferraris, Aston Martin etc.... Don't get me wrong. I love the V12 engine, I bought my SL55 cause I wanted a more sporty car and a sportier sounding and feeling engine. Sure the V12 has more tuning potential but as previously noted by another poster, I don't need to tune it, I don't race, 510 horses is plenty for me. Nothing against others who mod their cars, I have tuned cars before but I don't remember feeling that much of a thrill for going .3 seconds faster.

blazinginder

IMO SL600 sport + amg tails and exhaust + chip = ideal for tuner

otherwise SL55 is just as great

bltserv

Make it down to Coffee and Cars some Saturday in Irvine.
I got a SL55 you can have a run at.
Toll Road is nice and close.

xecution

slvrclk

slvrclk

Thank you for the invite, I am not familiar with Irvine, where is the place and what time do you go there?

Acez

PM the gentlemen. you're getting off topic here.

sl600fanatic

Jack Straw has no evidence to say the Car and Driver SL600 was tuned. The only support he has is:
"The only hint that the test car was tuned comes from a single line in the review: "The five-speed automatic offers a three-mode manumatic function, just as it does in the SL55..." , which we know is not true. The RennTech package does add the M mode...."
And of course, this is FALSE because the automatic SL600 DOES have a 3 mode manumatic function which you can shift with the shift lever. Funny how all these SL600 Biturbo disbelievers have never owned the SL600.

JackStraw

The stock SL600 does not have the Manual program mode that comes standard on the AMG models. It is my understanding that the Renntech TCU upgrade adds the Manual (M) mode along with the Sport (S) and Comfort (C) transmission settings.

Yes, you are correct that you can use the shift lever to manually change gears, but in Sport and Comfort modes, the transmission will automatically upshift when you reach the redline. The transmission does not automatically upshift when in Manual mode.

juicee63

So interesting . Also sad that we focus all this energy over two cars that EVERYONE agrees are very close. The debate has now switched to why did MB build the CL 63, S63? We just finished 5 pages of blithering, although certainly educational seems like the outcomes are always the same.

"its a matter of tatse"

Just like any other car.

At first I thought the folks here just liked slamming the 63, now I realize it goes both ways. The arguments and presentation of facts and opinion in this thread while entertaining seem to end up back at post one. These are the days of our lives, Dam Jay I did not realize you were in your 70's. LOL

ItalianStallion

Well, here is the opinion of a youngster (18 years old...I guess thats pretty young for these forums).

The SL55 is simply more badass because of the tinted tail lights, rims, quad exhaust, musclecar rumble, and violent supercharger. I'd rather be seen driving in an SL55. The SL600 just looks too stock and the exhaust sounds week.

Now, because I am into tuning cars and racing, I'd pick the SL600 (crazy potential from an ECU, a few exterior mods can get the 55 look).

If I had to leave both cars stock, I'd take the 55.

And yes, I was driving an SL55 on a once a week basis for 2 years so I have experience with it.

blueSL

I think the SL600 is more honest in what it sets out to do; a thunderous GT capable of extremely good performance. The SL55 has more sporting pretentions but in truth, neither is a sports car in the true sense of the word, they are just too heavy even though ABC does a great job in disguising the weight.

I went to the SL55 from a previous generation SL600 and I do miss the V12...

sker66

God!!
Great Banter!!
Both cars sound awesome.

Now for some Test Driving.

ekazaz

I had my dealer take off the side vents. They are on with double sided tape. I hated the way they looked. He offered to paint them but that wasn't satisfactory. I had him order the side vents for a 09 SL550 and they fit perfectly and I love the look.https://mbworld.org/forums/images/icons/icon7.gif

TC600

If buying "USED" this may be a good reason to go with the SL600. It is likely that the SL55 has been ridden much harder. Personally I would rather have a 600 that was driven easy, than a worn down 55. I had my 600 for 2 weeks before it fell off a garage lift and was totaled. I have yet to drive a 55 so I can't speak to the performance difference. Oh, and I am 51 years old.

amok55amg

Probably I’m out of my league since my sl600 is a R129 but as I took it out of winter hi yesterday …… I must say it was like driving a taxi compared to my newly bought sl55amg …. but remember it’s a R129 …. at least it has not near the running cost as my sl55amg . I do not have any experience about the sl600 R230 thou.

TC600

Went to the dealer to test drive an 05' SL550 Friday. They offered it to replace my 600 that fell off the lift. It didn't seem as fast so I pulled over with the salesman in the car and did the "Sneaky Reset". The reset helped quite a bit with the shifting positions but I noticed since it shifted at higher RPMs that the torque really fell off between shifts. The 55 does not seem to have the "Wall of Torque" that the 600 does. I truly liked the sound of the 55 more, but did not have the consistent pull of my old 600. I've decided to have them try to find a replacement 600 for me.

jwrichter

WOW, you said 18?? I got socks older than that!!