Fantasm

Hey,
If you choose one or the other, explain the reasoning which pushed you in that direction.

I'm having a really hard time deciding between either the SL55 or the SL63.

SL55:
Pros:
I used to have a 2004 SL55 about 1 year ago. I miss the sound of the supercharger, the pull of all that torque and the sound of the exhaust. Not to mention that it looks great.
Im having a hard time letting go of the forced induction.


Cons:
Outdated electronics (COMAND, ESP, etc)
Old body style



SL63:

Pros:
New MCT transmission
New COMAND
New transmission modes
I like the look of it from behind
I like all the new upgrades

Cons:
Not really all gung-ho about the front
Not sold on the 63 engine. I dont like high-revving engines, i want grunt that pulls from bottom to top. I've never driven a 63 engine car, but I just "feel" like it wouldn't have as much OOMPH as the 55K engine.


If they put the 55K engine in the new SL, matched it with the new MCT transmission I would be a 100% guaranteed purchaser.
As it is now, I'm torn and it has me looking at 997TT's instead.

Would like to hear your thoughts on the 63 engine vs the 55 engine and the "feeling" difference between each.

tommytom11

you said it all very well, +1

BrabusTrojanSL

Said nicely, but at the end of the day, I am always for the newer car.
It will grow on you, believe me.

speed6

I have the same dilemma- choosing between the 55 and the 63. Ideally, I would like to see and drive the 63 to see how it compares but by then the new 55's may be gone?

Also, I don't know about the fact that it will grow on you because some of the new model BMW and Porsche's haven't grown on me and I've had older models of those cars before. Personally, I like the Mercedes the best right now (not just the SL's either) for cars $150K and under range.

WSH

SL63's prob strengths are MCT; AMG's most precise steering/chassis/brakes (esp 030); and perhaps world's most charismatic exhaust note (esp downshift blips)....

SL55 was great in its day...but like a 6yo cell phone, its tech/dynamic relevance expired yrs ago....tech tends to move on, unless engineers are truly incompetent

If primarily a straight-line driver (i.e., mostly daily urban commuting)....would get a new CL63/65: 21st-century interior tech/ergonomics/aesthetics and advanced safety systems....SL63 is rather 20th century, aside from MCT....

997TT....drive one....IMO, a fairly weak car in most settings....turbo lag, effeminate exhaust note, Luddite gearboxes, poorly sorted PASM damping vs imperfect pavement, PCCB response issues in rain driving, etc etc.....lacks many modern daily-use features like ground clearance, >20gall fuel tank, Bluetooth, iPod, sat radio, TeleAid, etc etc....

Addicted2Speed

If you're considering an SL63, you might as well consider an SL65 because its actually cheaper than SL63 and is twice as fast. SL63 will depreciate like crazy and its performance will be less than impressive. We're talking 510hp in a 4,300lbs... the best you can hope for is mid-high 12's in the 1/4 mile.

My recommendation is buy a 2007/2007 SL65 for $120,000-$130,000, get ecu upgrade, and enjoy your 700hp roadster that will make any SL63 feel like a Toyota corolla.

Fantasm

but would have the looks of the old model, and also lack the sound of the sl55/sl63 exhaust

juicee63

I thought the SL 63 was rated at 538 hp and also equipped with MCT with 5 different transmission settings. No more TQ converter, ability to blip, quicker shifting. The fact you can launch the car will give this model low 12's plus it will be way more connected to the road as it already has demonstrated with superior ring times. Folks buying a new 63 do not want a used car.

Addicted2Speed

I don't understand why anyone would buy a brand new AMG knowing that it will depreciate $50,000 the second you drive off the lot and lose half its value in two years. Plus can you really consider a car "used" when it has 2,000 miles? But hey... if they're that rich, more power to them

Murtaza

I want the old front end with the new rear, MCT and engine

Cyrusx7

I agree 100%, great advice man!

I would definitely not buy a new SLXX, the depreciation is terrible, like you said. I would pick up a slightly used Gallardo or 360 hands down vs a new SLXX (used 360 vs used SL65 is the only one that would make me think twice)..

RRod

IMHO, concerns about having the very latest looks are for insecure girls (and some boys).

Instead, let's try to focus the discussion towards the technological and ergonomic merits that will help launch you properly and keep you well ahead of any bogies

novabenz

I could have purchased either car.
But I wanted the supercharged engine - that was the number one priority.
Reviews from magazine are coming out, and the new engine does not seem to be as well liked as the supercharged.
Additionally, as posted in another thread, certain styling elements of new car look horrible to me.
While styling is mostly a subjective issue, engine performance is not.
I am very happy with the SL55 and low it's lower RPM punch of supercharged power.
Plus - I enjoy the whine of the superchargers, it's a unique sound.

juicee63

engine performance?

The supercharged engine is great but it does not perform "better" than the 6.2 N/A. The N/A engine's ability to match an engine with a bolt on is amazing. You add a new transmission and the choice is clear. Styling is subjective and apparantly so is engine performance as you made a choice based on a magazine review.

I agree the looks are not up to par, maybe they will grow on us.

Cylinder Head

iTrader: (1)

Easy choice for me, I don't like the new car's styling, and that fat pig needs a trough full of torque to get motivated.

Marcus Frost

I would pick the 55 simply based on the engine, the MCT is not as important to me as an engine is. I've had quite a slew of the larger displacement AMG engines, and I've driven the 63s - bottom line - it's exactly what you said - the 63 to me feels much more "M5-ish" than anything. It's not a bad engine, but it's not a monster like the 55/600/65 engines. Those engines are just scary and will snap people's necks if they aren't careful. That to me, is really a key component of what has made me embrace AMG. The high HP at high RPM approach to engine building is not necessarily wrong, it's just not what I prefer.

I really think this thread won't do anything but provide subjective opinions, go drive a CL63 or another 63 car, you will be your own judge I think after you do that.

-m

Fantasm

Nice wording

----

Anyone know if it would be possible to swap in the new COMAND system into an SL55? I would think it has the same type of connections of the 05+ SL55's unless they changed that too.

DNJ

My understanding is that the actual 63 'engine' is superior to the 55. What makes the 55 engine so good is the addition of the wonderful supercharger. However in terms of technology, there is no contest. It is hard to see why Mercedes-AMG would spend millions on producing a new engine that was less than the old one.

juicee63

Maybe you can race the 63 and film it's tail lights at your track event. It's comedy that still you actually believe the 55 snaps your neck but the 63 cannot. If you measured the difference in G's and it can be done easily the difference from 55 to 63 would be negligible. Now we have a NEW MODEL 09 with many NEW features that seem to be getting overlooked completely and we are back to the same old N/A vs F/I debate. The question and poll was not about whether to chose the 55 over the 63 but rather an 09 SL vs an 08.





Now this new SL has 538 hp new suspension and transmission componets. Also new Command. Oh yeah and it heats your neck ! AIRSCARF lol.

joec1101

Old body style (SL55) = beautiful
New body style (SL63) = ugly

Therefore, SL55>SL63.

Simple logic.

SL65amg

I heard from my dealer aftermarket specialist today when I was there that used SL65's can be had for high 70's now from the auctions... take that and go Renntech Stage 3 with optional Renntech LSD, ultralight forged wheels, and you'd have way over 700 horsepower and money left over to update the rear end to the '09 rear end piece!

Or, get a used '04 Gallardo and get an ECU/Exhaust/Intake upgrade that should take it to somewhere between 550 to 580 horsepower, much much lighter than any SL AMG, has all wheel drive, smoking looks, and all for about high $120's now I heard.....

Or get the SL63 and drop a Renntech Supercharger on it!

Or get a severely depreciated '04 Murcielago E-gear and do the same ECU/Intake/Exhaust upgrade, probably would make around 640+ HP and super exotic looks, scissor doors, etc...

Havoc

Or get a used SL55 and upgrade the bottom to VRP's 5.7L with stage 3 heads and you'll have well over 700 horsepower!
It will not only be cheaper than the new SL63, but a whole lot faster!

Fantasm

Are you sure its 538HP? I keep seeing 518HP

RRod

According to the AMG website it is 525 HP:

http://www.mercedes-amg.com/SL63/

They have a great video of how the new 7-spd tranny works .... very impressive technology.

Germancar1

518hp in the U.S. SAE conversion.

M