SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL55 vs SL600
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
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From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
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....
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From: 20854
new balance
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 183
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From: south florida.pbg
2003 porsche 996tt Ruf, 2005 SL55 Renntech
Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 89
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2005 SL55, 2007 Acura MDX, 2008 Acura RL
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.
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.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 790
Likes: 4
From: Tampa Bay, FL
Something on 4 wheels..
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.
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.
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Joined: Dec 2001
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From: 20854
new balance
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6
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From: Beverly Hills
05 Sl600
every one uses that car and driver article as proof. but no one has ever ever matched that number on a SL600. no track, no magazine not even Mercedes. To tell you the truth, I find that 3.6 number very hard to believe. Oh and you weren't saying they were close, what you were replying was that the SL600 would blow the SL55 away, which is nonsense.
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: South Easton, MA
2008 S63 w/perf. pack, 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 spider , 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV (my Limo)
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.
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.
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Banned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: South Easton, MA
2008 S63 w/perf. pack, 2002 Ferrari 360 F1 spider , 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV (my Limo)
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6
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From: Beverly Hills
05 Sl600
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 361
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From: Malaysia
2001 Kleemann CLK 230K, 2006 CLS 350, GTR R35
Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 142
Likes: 16
From: California
AMG GTS, Bentley GT, SL600, Range Rover V8 5.0 Supercharged, Aston Martin Rapide S, S600, GLS63
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.
"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.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,952
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From: Hollywood CA
2011 twin turboed prius
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
"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
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 3,027
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R35 GT-R, EvoX
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.
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.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
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...
I went to the SL55 from a previous generation SL600 and I do miss the V12...
Junior Member
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
From: Palm Springs, CA
2012 E63
SL63 side vents
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
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
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2005 SL600, 2003 350Z
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.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: Sweden
SL55AMG + SL600 + E320 + A180
What's to it?
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.
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.
Newbie
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
2005 SL600, 2003 350Z
Wall of Torque
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.
Member
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
2005 SL 55
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.
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.
