SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Is SL63 a bad buy?
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From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
It is not correct to say that MB is retrofitting the SL with a less powerful engine. They are phasing out the 5.5 liter supercharged engine and replacing it with a modern AMG designed and built 6.3 liter NA engine.
MB had to change the front of the SL to bring it into compliance with the EU pedestrian safety standards. If they hadn't addressed this, the company would not have been able to sell the SL in Europe going forward.
We are all just speculating when the new SL (R231?) will be introduced, but most people here think it will be in 3-4 years. It is hard to imagine that it will be any longer than that given the rest of the design changes that have taken place throughout the lineup.
MB had to change the front of the SL to bring it into compliance with the EU pedestrian safety standards. If they hadn't addressed this, the company would not have been able to sell the SL in Europe going forward.
We are all just speculating when the new SL (R231?) will be introduced, but most people here think it will be in 3-4 years. It is hard to imagine that it will be any longer than that given the rest of the design changes that have taken place throughout the lineup.
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G55, SLS, smart eq
But then again: What do I know?
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From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
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From: Dallas TX
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M
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G55, SLS, smart eq
In other parts of the world there actually are MY2002 models. Taking that into account it is ideed 8 years old.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
My gut.
Look at the current lifespan on most cars lately. MB is changing their models just as much or more then the other brands.
The SL is not selling well at all and the current refresh is really not going over as well as they would have liked (although they probably were expecting some negative feedback due to the circumstances), considering how many people dont like it (specifically the new front end on the old frame...I personally like the new front end if it was mated to a new car) on numerous forums etc. even without seeing it the flesh. Also the R129 didnt have as much competition as the current SL has: Aston, Maserati, R8, 6 series and then the obvious: 997, XK8 etc.
I would say it really depends how the car sells so they can gauge the demand vs the competition and extend or shorten its life accordingly. Id be very surprised if the car makes it 12 years. If I was a betting man I'd put my money on 2-3 more years of life for the R230 max.
The fact that I bought my SL brand new (not a SL55 btw) at the end of 2005 for $25,000 off and that a 2008 can be had for up to $30,000 off makes it hard for me to believe a new front end can keep this car profitable until 2013.
Look at the current lifespan on most cars lately. MB is changing their models just as much or more then the other brands.
The SL is not selling well at all and the current refresh is really not going over as well as they would have liked (although they probably were expecting some negative feedback due to the circumstances), considering how many people dont like it (specifically the new front end on the old frame...I personally like the new front end if it was mated to a new car) on numerous forums etc. even without seeing it the flesh. Also the R129 didnt have as much competition as the current SL has: Aston, Maserati, R8, 6 series and then the obvious: 997, XK8 etc.
I would say it really depends how the car sells so they can gauge the demand vs the competition and extend or shorten its life accordingly. Id be very surprised if the car makes it 12 years. If I was a betting man I'd put my money on 2-3 more years of life for the R230 max.
The fact that I bought my SL brand new (not a SL55 btw) at the end of 2005 for $25,000 off and that a 2008 can be had for up to $30,000 off makes it hard for me to believe a new front end can keep this car profitable until 2013.
Last edited by CY; Mar 6, 2008 at 05:06 AM.
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From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
Bought a $102,500 new 2008 SL550 for $83,500. Local MB dealer has a 2006 with 14K miles for $68K, but the 2006 has the old engine so I look at this as an expense toy. I agree that the new one will be out for the 2012 model year. I wouldn't buy a 2009-2011, they will take a major hit.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
Don't be saying that I felt good about getting $19K off Bought a $102,500 new 2008 SL550 for $83,500. Local MB dealer has a 2006 with 14K miles for $68K, but the 2006 has the old engine so I look at this as an expense toy. I agree that the new one will be out for the 2012 model year. I wouldn't buy a 2009-2011, they will take a major hit.
Bought a $102,500 new 2008 SL550 for $83,500. Local MB dealer has a 2006 with 14K miles for $68K, but the 2006 has the old engine so I look at this as an expense toy. I agree that the new one will be out for the 2012 model year. I wouldn't buy a 2009-2011, they will take a major hit.
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Tesla Roadster Sport
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'08 M5, '10 Land Cruiser
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SL/M6
:Either way, the purchase price was 76K and the retail was over $101K. The payment was about $700 and the downpayment $8k or so...27 months 10k miles per year...I was 23 at the time and the car was in my name....not the worst deal IMO. But I guess I had no choice but to lease my $100K+ car which I would sell in less then 3 years anyway. Damn I guess I should have "bought" and lost $20,000 or so extra on my SL.
not
btw I love your SL...one day I will "buy" one of those.
not
btw I love your SL...one day I will "buy" one of those.
Last edited by CY; Mar 7, 2008 at 05:12 AM.
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From: Los Angeles, CA
SL/M6
Also, if you look into the actual stats in regards to #'s of cars in LA you will find there are thousands more R230 SL's on the road here in comparison to the 6 series conv's...but again that really didnt influence my intial decision anyway. Oh and the E60 body 5 series is probably more common then some Honda models here in LA...good thing you have a "M"....really stands out.
not
Just messing with you...the M5 is sick
Last edited by CY; Mar 7, 2008 at 05:19 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: Maui, Hawaii
CLS63, GLK350
:
Either way, the purchase price was 76K and the retail was over $101K. The payment was about $700 and the downpayment $8k or so...27 months 10k miles per year...I was 23 at the time and the car was in my name....not the worst deal IMO. But I guess I had no choice but to lease my $100K+ car which I would sell in less then 3 years anyway. Damn I guess I should have "bought" and lost $20,000 or so extra on my SL.
not
btw I love your SL...one day I will "buy" one of those.
Either way, the purchase price was 76K and the retail was over $101K. The payment was about $700 and the downpayment $8k or so...27 months 10k miles per year...I was 23 at the time and the car was in my name....not the worst deal IMO. But I guess I had no choice but to lease my $100K+ car which I would sell in less then 3 years anyway. Damn I guess I should have "bought" and lost $20,000 or so extra on my SL.
not
btw I love your SL...one day I will "buy" one of those.
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From: Dallas TX
2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
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SL55AMG 2007 red/designo red, S500L Carlsson 2002 Black/Red designo
I have 2008 SL 55 AMG with 517 HP.
I Drag raced with my friend who has SL 55 amg 2006, From start I go 2-3 cars ahead of him! and when we rolled from 50kmh I was ahead of him for 2 cars up to 150kmh and when we reached 250kmh 155milled I was 5-7 cars ahead of him!!!!
Trust me, I own 2008 SL55 AMG, and my friend has 2006 SL 55, Its a huge difference!!!
Thread Starter
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2023 Range rover 2022 RAM TRX (bad ass):) - 2023 911 Turbo 2019 Wrangler 2021 E63s Wagon 2024 GLS580
