SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: I drove the SL63 today.....
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Joined: Feb 2004
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From: South Orange County, CA
4 wheels
..........a bit off topic, but tangentialy related. I understand why Ferrari and Lambo owners do not drive their cars very much. They are exotics for one and most owners have other cars and use these exotics for weekend driving. However even when you account for that, it appears that ferrari and lambo owners go out of their way not to put toomany miles ion these cars. I'm told that that they drop precipitously in value with each added mile. It brings me to my question, what is the point of owning these things if you are not going to drive them? It seems such a shame to have such amazing machines not be driven. These cars are incredibly enginered, but for what purpose?
Ted
Ted
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'14 ML BT
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Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 498
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From: HI transplant in Seattle
2024 G63, 2021 X7M50i
The 63 was potent. I just personally like the power delivery that the SL55 gives. Don't forget that mine is tuned and definitely has an edge over the 63.
I would say that the 63 likes revs in order to develop it's power. Whereas the 55, because of the SC makes lots of torque down low. On the stock 55s that we have done, the SC kicks in around 2K rpm. We dial it in to kick in at between 1400-1500 rpm, and broaden the power band, as well as flatten it, so that it feels more potent across the range, which is different to the way the 63 felt.
The launch cars come with the 030 package, so they have the safety car nose. It looked good, but I like the look of the old nose better. Perhaps, it will grow on me. But like I said, from a driving side the new gearbox and the suspension set up is brilliant and worth the switch.
I would say that the 63 likes revs in order to develop it's power. Whereas the 55, because of the SC makes lots of torque down low. On the stock 55s that we have done, the SC kicks in around 2K rpm. We dial it in to kick in at between 1400-1500 rpm, and broaden the power band, as well as flatten it, so that it feels more potent across the range, which is different to the way the 63 felt.
The launch cars come with the 030 package, so they have the safety car nose. It looked good, but I like the look of the old nose better. Perhaps, it will grow on me. But like I said, from a driving side the new gearbox and the suspension set up is brilliant and worth the switch.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 277
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From: MI
2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS
I had been searhing for clean SL65 in the right color ( blue or grey) .for the past 6-8 months.
I was amazing to me how much the AMG cars seem to continue to free fall in value every month since new. As I searched during the past months the cost of the SL65s seemed to plumet about $3,000-$4,000 per month or more!!.
This is baffling to me because the SL65 is a VERY EXCLUSIVE car at $195K with very LIMITED PRODUCTION (only 390 in 2006 less in 07) and with SUPER CAR PERFORMANCE (Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche Turbo).
By all rights the value of both the SL55 and SL65 should hold reasonably firm with only modest depreciation. This is not counting the standard huge hit most cars get the moment they drive off the lot for the first time.
It is absolutely amazing to me how a $195,000 car can drop over $105,000 in 1 1/2 years with only 4,000-8,000 miles on the clock, but there are lots of them out there.
It is not like it is some underfunded unknown car company that just burst on the scene with a new one off type car hell these are AMG Mercedes that have almost no resale value! Even the SLR is taking a hit, I dont get it...
I was amazing to me how much the AMG cars seem to continue to free fall in value every month since new. As I searched during the past months the cost of the SL65s seemed to plumet about $3,000-$4,000 per month or more!!.
This is baffling to me because the SL65 is a VERY EXCLUSIVE car at $195K with very LIMITED PRODUCTION (only 390 in 2006 less in 07) and with SUPER CAR PERFORMANCE (Ferrari, Lambo, Porsche Turbo).
By all rights the value of both the SL55 and SL65 should hold reasonably firm with only modest depreciation. This is not counting the standard huge hit most cars get the moment they drive off the lot for the first time.
It is absolutely amazing to me how a $195,000 car can drop over $105,000 in 1 1/2 years with only 4,000-8,000 miles on the clock, but there are lots of them out there.
It is not like it is some underfunded unknown car company that just burst on the scene with a new one off type car hell these are AMG Mercedes that have almost no resale value! Even the SLR is taking a hit, I dont get it...
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 277
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From: MI
2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS
WSH, this comment is a tad elitist... were the benchmark $100-75K lower than what you pick above, then I might agree with you. $150K is an amount that far exceeds standards of what many people of "significant" means consider adequate or smart buying for vehicles, especially when said vehicle is, among others, an appliance for daily driving.
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Joined: Jan 2007
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Lol, still asking that question. I don't think they are offering the F1 front bumper on the 63 or 65s. I believe they will use the bumper for the SL black series.
Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 96
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From: CA
CLS550
WSH, this comment is a tad elitist... were the benchmark $100-75K lower than what you pick above, then I might agree with you. $150K is an amount that far exceeds standards of what many people of "significant" means consider adequate or smart buying for vehicles, especially when said vehicle is, among others, an appliance for daily driving.
Certainly no major cities in California - San Fran, SD, LA, OC... $150k+ cars are routine in all of those cities. The same obviously applies in major east coast cities. So in what major cities are $150k+ cars rarely spotted?
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 277
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From: MI
2011 Hyundai Elantra GLS
Well, certainly not in mine--I can't cross an intersection without bumping into an R8, Gallardo, or F430, and recently, a couple of Phantoms, among others. That does not make me, and others in my town, achievers financially, same as it does not make others underachievers for not having these autos in their traffic. Anyway, I have spoken my peace on this subject. I humbly concede the discussion and hope no hard feelings are invoked.
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