SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: thinking about getting this Brabus SL.. thoughts?
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thinking about getting this Brabus SL.. thoughts?
Thread Starter
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No longer car shopping...
WOW! I wonder if my wife will really miss the $60K sitting in the investment account right about now...divorce vs. 1 AMAZING car WITH warranty.....
hmmmm...
The miles ARE high however... already has 50K miles...good thing it's starmarked.
Last edited by ndabunka; Nov 28, 2007 at 10:27 PM.
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I had an SL550 for a day and I used it for some serious driving. In comparison to my SL55 the 550 was total junk as far as suspension and brakes go. I know the SL600 has the SL55 brakes BUT the suspension is EXTREMELY soft. I thought the front shocks were blown and that it was going to start scraping on the ground over freeway bumps. The 600's and 500/550's share the same basic settings as far as shock valving and stiffness. And thats not a good thing.
I honestly thought this 2008 SL550 was broken when I first started driving it. I was wondering how on earth an ABC car could feel so soft, detached, and float so badly.
So the SL600 is just as soft as a non amg 550 and with all that power I would stay away from the 600's. If you have to go with a V12 get the 65 and just bite the bullet.
In this case a 2004 SL55 seems like a far better option. I know I will get flamed with comments about the power of the V12 TT but honestly I dont care. Drag racing is not what you buy a SL600 for and the SL55 is a far better drivers car (if you can say that about a 4200 lb cabrio). Plus the 55 sounds like a sports car not a hoover.
I honestly thought this 2008 SL550 was broken when I first started driving it. I was wondering how on earth an ABC car could feel so soft, detached, and float so badly.
So the SL600 is just as soft as a non amg 550 and with all that power I would stay away from the 600's. If you have to go with a V12 get the 65 and just bite the bullet.
In this case a 2004 SL55 seems like a far better option. I know I will get flamed with comments about the power of the V12 TT but honestly I dont care. Drag racing is not what you buy a SL600 for and the SL55 is a far better drivers car (if you can say that about a 4200 lb cabrio). Plus the 55 sounds like a sports car not a hoover.
Last edited by CynCarvin32; Nov 29, 2007 at 01:54 AM.
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You name it i've had it or got it...
I had an SL550 for a day and I used it for some serious driving. In comparison to my SL55 the 550 was total junk as far as suspension and brakes go. I know the SL600 has the SL55 brakes BUT the suspension is EXTREMELY soft. I thought the front shocks were blown and that it was going to start scraping on the ground over freeway bumps. The 600's and 500/550's share the same basic settings as far as shock valving and stiffness. And thats not a good thing.
I honestly thought this 2008 SL550 was broken when I first started driving it. I was wondering how on earth an ABC car could feel so soft, detached, and float so badly.
So the SL600 is just as soft as a non amg 550 and with all that power I would stay away from the 600's. If you have to go with a V12 get the 65 and just bite the bullet.
In this case a 2004 SL55 seems like a far better option. I know I will get flamed with comments about the power of the V12 TT but honestly I dont care. Drag racing is not what you buy a SL600 for and the SL55 is a far better drivers car (if you can say that about a 4200 lb cabrio). Plus the 55 sounds like a sports car not a hoover.
I honestly thought this 2008 SL550 was broken when I first started driving it. I was wondering how on earth an ABC car could feel so soft, detached, and float so badly.
So the SL600 is just as soft as a non amg 550 and with all that power I would stay away from the 600's. If you have to go with a V12 get the 65 and just bite the bullet.
In this case a 2004 SL55 seems like a far better option. I know I will get flamed with comments about the power of the V12 TT but honestly I dont care. Drag racing is not what you buy a SL600 for and the SL55 is a far better drivers car (if you can say that about a 4200 lb cabrio). Plus the 55 sounds like a sports car not a hoover.
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From: Rancho Mirage
2011 E63, 2018 AMG GT Convertible
I concur. I had a "chipped" SL600 that was a rocket. Our current SL55 is quicker off the line and sportier - primarily because of the suspension and the seats. A Brabus SL600 could very well be the best of "ALL" worlds. 
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well, heres the deal as to why the 600. this car is going to be a a "toy" that is going to be used by my father and myself. we sold our E500Renntech, to step it up. the 55 are still a bit expensive, and the S/C worries me in the earlier years, ive been on this board for a while and i hear to many in consistancys with the power to feel truly happpy. and my father is not looking for another "sport car" we have the Porsche, and he is hapy with that ride and snappyness of it. we testdrove a new SL, and the power got borring fast. but the 600, with the brabus, seems to be a happpy medium (his comfort, my power and looks).
we put a call into this guy, and we are going to try and work some numbers.
thanx guys! i hope to join the R230 section soon!
Mark
we put a call into this guy, and we are going to try and work some numbers.
thanx guys! i hope to join the R230 section soon!
Mark
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guess that throws out the theory of torque making a car quicker off the line...
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You name it i've had it or got it...
well, heres the deal as to why the 600. this car is going to be a a "toy" that is going to be used by my father and myself. we sold our E500Renntech, to step it up. the 55 are still a bit expensive, and the S/C worries me in the earlier years, ive been on this board for a while and i hear to many in consistancys with the power to feel truly happpy. and my father is not looking for another "sport car" we have the Porsche, and he is hapy with that ride and snappyness of it. we testdrove a new SL, and the power got borring fast. but the 600, with the brabus, seems to be a happpy medium (his comfort, my power and looks).
we put a call into this guy, and we are going to try and work some numbers.
thanx guys! i hope to join the R230 section soon!
Mark
we put a call into this guy, and we are going to try and work some numbers.
thanx guys! i hope to join the R230 section soon!
Mark
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i have a sl600 now and had a sl55....and after you renntech elm the car the 600 handles a lot better. the car is a heavy german muscle car...if you are buying the car for carving up the streets...then you are buying the wrong car. if you are buying it to have a hard top convertible that is ideal for cruising...then you have the right car. it isn't about drag racing...it is about highway cruising and occasionally hitting the back roads. there is no way the 55 is a far better drivers car....about the sound....i agree and that can be easily alleviated....hence why i said if you are going to spend money on the car....get a sl600....if not get a sl55.
And the SL550 is said to be stiffer and sportier than the SL500 and SL600 from before 2007.
I just dont know how that SL550 beat the 997 cabrio in the Car and Driver test. That review made me think the revised SL's were far superior but in reality it was not that much different I guess.
I like a firm solid ride in all cars regardless of size and weight. They just feel more under control I think.
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No you are right that neither car is a sports car but I just think the stock SL's are to soft for my tastes. I dont want the car to be a GT3 but that Sl550 I drove made me do a double take the minute i got on the freeway and the front end went bobble bobble over every up and down (in comfort mode). Honestly I think the ABC system in the non AMG cars is just a hair softer in sport mode than an AMG car comfort mode.
And the SL550 is said to be stiffer and sportier than the SL500 and SL600 from before 2007.
I just dont know how that SL550 beat the 997 cabrio in the Car and Driver test. That review made me think the revised SL's were far superior but in reality it was not that much different I guess.
I like a firm solid ride in all cars regardless of size and weight. They just feel more under control I think.
And the SL550 is said to be stiffer and sportier than the SL500 and SL600 from before 2007.
I just dont know how that SL550 beat the 997 cabrio in the Car and Driver test. That review made me think the revised SL's were far superior but in reality it was not that much different I guess.
I like a firm solid ride in all cars regardless of size and weight. They just feel more under control I think.
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From: Rancho Mirage
2011 E63, 2018 AMG GT Convertible
My comment with respect to "sportier" was in reference to the road feeling only. The 55 is "slap in the back of the head" fast while the 600 just kept accelerating smoothly. 
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From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
I have seen that car locally before. It has the looks for sure. Not a bad deal with the CPO attached. Take it for a few rides and report back. As for the comments above they have some merit. SL-Chick has a 2007 SL550. It is so different than my 2005 SL55. Handling and braking are are significantly less and its very noticable. But that Brabus car if set up right looks to be a steal. Hope to see you in that thing at the next GTG !!!.
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2002 S430, 2004 Cobra, 2004 Tahoe
The only issue I see is that this dealer cannot sell the car "certified", unless they are an authorized dealer (I dont know if they are)...or they could just be brokers for a private party. I know the warranty is transferable from private party to private party...good luck and I hope things turned out well for you two.
