I've had my 2008 SL65 for over 2 years now and I'm going to get one of the 2009 SLs. I have previously owned a 2003 SL55 and a 2005 SL600 and I just bought an E63 and a BMW M5. Don't ask why. So, I've had a taste of most of the engines except the SL500's and 550's which I've never had a desire for. I definatly want to stay with AMG too.

My 65 is very powerful, but I can't stand the lag and the pause period when I press the pedal down. The exhaust noise is beautiful, but I've had passengers say it sounds like a diesel. On the contrast, my 63 is very smooth and love the engine and smooth ride to death.

I am leaning towards the 63 because of the new MCT transmission and suspension setting as well as the race start feature. Whereas the 65 is the same engine in a new body. I would also like to have something different, which is why I am considering the 65 along with it's power and rare sightings.

Take into consideration price is not an issue. What do you guys think?

I think you should get ecu and tcu reflashed and maybe get a sprintbooster. The response from the 65 should be instantaneous, I've heard of 63's having acceleration lag, but never the 65

I'm gonna have to go ahead and throw up the !!! First off, how have you had a 2008 SL65 for 2 years? A 2008 hasn't even been out that long. So just please post pictures of your others car so you can shut me up.

Having the same dilemma myself, though theoretical at this point seeing as I am not intending to switch anytime soon from my current ride.

The SL65 is top of the line; fastest of the line; can afford power-to-weight-wise the added bells and whistles such as a panorama roof, etc; has more standard, including interior trim. It is a V12, which a car of this caliber should have, IMHO. Also, it is essentially unchanged, save for the facelift.

The SL63 is being touted as a one hell of a machine. Sporty engine, the most exciting transmission even to come from MB, AMG drive unit with highly customizable settings; more of a handler. Also, it is less powerful; added features such as panorama roof (hint: this is a must for me ) will debilitate its prowess with added weight. It is a V8, a plebian choice when you consider the money you are asked to shell out for one. IT has expensive options to truly get its full gamut (Performance package, interior trim) that will take it to almost to SL65 price levels.

Noteworthy is that getting an SL without the new trans and AMG drive unit is skipping a major part why one would want to jump into the new SL. Also, I concede that my power-, and cylinder count-wise objections are pure vanity, that in real life the V8 may actually be just as quick. Were the MCT and the Drive Unit offered on the SL65, there would be no contest. However, if I were forced to choose right now, the SL63 is a tough proposition to reject. I hope I have somehow contributed to a resolution of your dilemma with my unresolved one.

Mind my mistake, it is a 2006 SL65.

63 = LOP

65=

65>63 I think you get my point.

LOP?

Sorry, LOP = Lack of Power

I was thinking lots of power

i would do 65! top of the top of the line

If you can afford the 65, why not?

As great as the 63 is, you'd drive around always knowing "it could be better."

I agree with what some of the others are saying if you can afford a 65 then why not get it 63 is an awesome car but 65 is the best!!! Now if you were talking about a CLK63 BS then i would be in trouble and wouldnt knnow what to do lol

Well, what if I asked, should I wait for the SL Black Series?

of course you should then. The SL BS will be based off the V12 TT engine...
Though at the price level of the SL BS I would just get a used 2006 Lambo Murcielago

WELL I AM KINDA IN DILLEMA ALSO BECAUSE WITH THE PRICE OF AN SL65
I COULD BUY FERRARI OR LAMBORGHINI NEW 560 .SO I DONT KNOW WHAT TO DO BTW SL65&SL65BS&LP560.I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE CLK 63 BS TOO
BUT ITS CLK SO... IT GOT ME THINKING;;

I'd get the SL63 with 030, fully loaded.
Great transmission, great V8 sound.

If money is not an issue then I don't see why you wouldn't go with the best which I would have to think is the SL65 over the SL63. How is Mercedes going to get $50,000 more for a same series car that isn't as good. No one would buy the SL65. I can't believe Mercedes AMG is going to make a 2009 SL63 that is a better car than a 2009 SL65 and charge $50K less?
I can see it if there isn't a huge difference between the 2 but the 65 has to still be a little bit better doesn't it?

The SL65 does have some "Turbo Lag" issues and my SL55 has the
"Blower Jumps" all "non" naturally asperated engines have some issues
with power and how smoothly its applied to the rear wheels.

Have not driven the SL63 yet. But the Naturally Asperated car does have the advantage of a smooth power curve. And it sounds like they got the exhaust note right from the guys I have talked to that drove them at the AMG Challenge this year.

Personally I am going to keep my SL55 for a couple more years then get a SL63 comming off lease and save some cash.

If money was not an issue I would just get the F-Car Type 599.

I would get the SL65 black. More mower, less weight (600 pounds) , better handling and truly exclusive (ie limited supply). Failing that then the 65. There is no substitute for torque. It's what you feel in the real world of every day driving.

Just to be clear...you know that it is a fixed top. If that isn't important to you then go with the SL65 Black Series!!!

I think you should dump the crappy M5.

I tried the SL63 AMG at Las Vegas Motor speedway for the AMG Challenge and although a SL65AMG was not there for back to back comparison, I must say that the SL63 is a pretty sweet machine. The transmission alone may be worth the lack of power. The newly designed drivetrain revs up much quicker that you can imagine.

Remember that the new SL63 does not have a conventional torque converter, and its reciprocating mass is greatly reduced. When compared with CLS63 and E63AMG (which were both there) it feels as if AMG has a 5 lbs. flywheel on the SL and a 20lbs flywheel on the others.

I'm not sure what type of drivers you guys are but the power from the SL63 has to be used cautiously to prevent wheel spin, I can only imagine that the benefit of the SL65 is only at very obscene highway speeds and the weight penalty for handling may not be worth it to the driver.

Get the 65, or you'll be paying 150k for something slower and less involving than your M5.

The 6l V12 just blurs the lines between reality and impossibility.

Not sure what 65 turbo lag issues you are having. Mine didn't have any noticable lag at all. Also don't know why you would want to trade in an 06 for 09 of basically the same car with horrible depreciation.

The brutality of the forced induction engines is what makes them so much fun. Screw naturally aspirated. I tried that and quickly got bored of the "smoothness" of the NA engine and back to FI. The 63 in it's current form is very uninteresting to me no matter what platform.