C6Jeff

I'm considering upgrading from my 2006 Corvette convertible to either an SL63 or an M6 convertible. I have never even sat in, much less driven, either car. I've always admired the lines of the SL55 but it's been around for several years and thus not quite as exciting to me as it once was. I'm hoping that the SL63 will excite me like the SL55 used to and I will finally get a chance to see one next week, my local dealer has told me.

The M6 is also a nice car but not as sleek as the SL, but a good-looking, good-performing car, nonetheless. Either car will surely be an upgrade from the Vette, though perhaps not in the performance category but certainly in all other areas. I think I would be happy with either car.

The question comes down to price: The SL63 will cost me considerably more money than the M6, and rightly so: The SL has a folding hardtop and an automatic pop-up roll bar, both desirable features but are they worth the big cost difference?

Both cars depreciate precipitously, but we car nuts are used to that. But it will be at least a year before I can get a good buy on a low-mileage SL63 whereas there are M6s with few miles on them that have already taken the depreciation and can be had for under $100K today.

If I were to buy either car new, there would still be a big price difference, so again the question I have is, "Is the SL63 really worth the difference over the M6?"

I realize that I am asking MB/AMG fans and can't expect a totally objective reply so I guess I am asking you folks to "sell" me on ordering the new SL rather than a new or year-old M6.

FloridaE55

No question: If you can afford it, go for the SL63.

It's not "just" the hardtop and rollbar (although that would seal the deal for me already). The SL has much more to offer. It starts with the ventilated seats and ends with the pano-roof, performance package or even the SD-card reader and DVD-player. Compared to that, the M6 appears rather naked.

And think of the new transmission the SL63 has to offer - along with the sick sound.

So once again, if money is not the main issue, the SL winns hands down. You get what you pay for and that is especially true in this comparison. Although the SL is more expensive, I still consider it to be the better value...and check my sig - I'm not "anti-BMW" - I just respect if one car is better than the other, no matter what I own..

W211 BEAST

I'm with Florida on this one... The M6 may be a great car (I personally dont like it; why get it when you can get the M5?) but the SL63 is much more car for the buck. It might be more, but you're getting more. Pretty big price difference though, but you have to take into account all of the extra features that the Sl has/the more updated looks/ an engine that was awarded "engine of the year" (not that I like it. lol)/ and a hardtop convertible.

But you have to pay for your brakes and oil changes. lol

FloridaE55

Too funny - that's exactly what I was thinking when I decided to get the M5. More features/options for less money - especially if you compare it to the M6 coupe. I can understand if you want to have a convertible, but the coupe?

BTW, nice sig!

W211 BEAST

Thanks. It just doesnt make sense to me when I see people with the M6. And if its a convertible you're probably not the type of person who should've spent 100k on an M6, the 650 convertible will work just fine for most of those people. My cousin (god bless his dumbass) normally has the most amazing taste in cars (996TTS and before that an SL500 convertible-the old body) and he has never owned a four door. He got a ridiculously amazing price on the 996TTS so he extended the lease for 5 years (1400 a month). He was thinking about getting a new 997TT, but those are like 2400 a month. The idiot got a 650 instead of an M5. The day before he got it he was telling me that its a good car and blah blah blah. The day after he picked it up he was throwing out cuss words I've never heard before. He wants to get rid of it so badly (its obvious to see how a 996TTS could spoil you) I got a little off topic there, but i will never understand people who get slow 2 doors just because its a 2 door. The lesson here: Dont waste your money on the 6.

C6Jeff

Now you've gotten me more confused: What's so special about the M5 that would make it more desirable than an M6? I guess if you need a four-seater with 4 doors but that doesn't compare to a 2+2 convertible like the M6 for someone who doesn't need a real rear seat or the extra doors but who does want a convertible.

OK, so I get it that the SL63 is a lot nicer than the M6 vert, but what about comparing a new $150K SL63 with a year-old Aston Martin DB9 Volante for similar money? Once I've made up my mind to spend $150K, there are other possibilities if I am willing to get a pre-owned, true exotic. Do you see my dilemma? I can get a great SL55 or M6 or even an SL65 if I'm willing to settle for an '06 or '07 car under 10K miles and only spend somewhere around $100K (more for the SL65 but not all that much more), so is a new SL63 worth the extra $50-grand? And if it is worth that, then I've got to choose between the SL63 and a new Porsche Turbo or a used DB9 Volante.

W211 BEAST

From what I've read/heard and felt, the M5 is faster than the M6 (Definitely the convertible), and nothing on this earth should make you want to spend that much on an Aston. And unless you have a real fascination for the SL63, I strongly suggest you save the money and get an SL55 or 65 (you can find 65s for about 100k). If you're ok with spending 150k on a car, and you're thinking about the SL63, I think you should go test drive a 997TT first. I'm not saying that it will change your mind, but you wont have any regrets after you make your decision.

C6Jeff

Thanks, Danny. I'm not crazy about the Porsche's looks so even if it's one of the fastest, best-handling sports cars in the world, it's not particularly good-looking nowadays, IMO. I used to like the muscular slant-nose, wide-fenders look of the late 80's and early 90's but don't much care for the way the vert looks today. The coupe looks good but the vert doesn't, IMO.

I guess I ought to test drive each car, including the Porsche, because the driving experience is first and foremost.

Anyway, you're 3 hours behind me and I'm ready to hit the sack so nice chatting with you. I'll look for you here tomorrow.

2MANYCARS

Had seen the SL63 in person, it looks much much better than its predecessor, pictures just won't do it justice. Both are great choices, but I have yet read any reviews on the MCT transmission for the SL, wait a bit and see what the reviews say then go from there.

W211 BEAST

If you do test drive the Porsche test the coupe automatic. Dont mess with the convertible. Not only is it not worth the extra $$$ but you dont F with perfection. When you get the convertible you lose speed and rigidness.

george1234k

I AGREE

W211 BEAST

George, SL63 or 997TT? In my eyes you made the right choice, but preferred driving style is different for everyone.

CY

Well I have a 2005 SL which I decided to extend the lease on recently and just bought a 6'er conv a few months back. I would get a M6 conv over the SL63 after checking out the new SL63 in person...then again if I had never had a R230 for all these years who knows which I would choose. Also I would take the 997 turbo over either the SL or M6. To me the SL63 isnt too much of an upgrade from the SL55 numbers wise or looks wise...either way in a few years a new SL will most likely be out so if it was my money I would lease the 2009. If you dont mind the older front end which many seem to like better, the 2005 SL55 is a pretty good buy right now and a helluva a car for the $$$.

FloridaE55

Ventilated Seats, Comfort Seats, Active Seats, Power Rear-Window Shade, Sunroof, Better Interior Finish.

That's the list of features you can get on the M5 but not on the M6.
Now the other way round. Features you can get on the M6 but not on the M5:

N/A

george1234k

the 997 turbo 6speed is so fun to drive. but what about
2009 SL65 or 997 GT2

W211 BEAST

The SL65 I'm there with you on, but the GT2 is for a special breed of driver, not everyone can drive that thing (Im not saying that I can). Driving through the canyons I need the Turbos 4WD, ABS and other computers to keep me from falling off. And did you get the stick? This is the first time an auto is faster than the stick (other than the M5).

bltserv

With the weather getting nicer and the new tires and rims I bought in need of some break in. I took my SL55 to Ortega Highway last Sunday. I have had mine for 2 years now and it never lets me down as far as putting a big smile on my face. The convertable top is the kicker for me. Needless to say the Fresh 19`s and the PS2`s are just amazing in the canyon. Got some great sun too.

I wish I had gone to the AMG Challenge this year. Lots of SL63`s to drive.

Considering your coming from a Vette. Take the time and drive a Used SL55.
Go find one coming off lease and maybe StarMarked for the Warranty.
Trust me. You wont be disappointed. If you have the cash go new.
But $30 Grand is going to fly out of your pocket as you drive it off the lot.
I bought mine used as it came off lease. And no regrets whatsoever.

speed6

You're probably looking at $140K for an SL63 new vs maybe $115K for a new 2008 SL55 so you can save $25,000. Then yes it appears you are looking at that $30K hit in the first year on the SL55 but it slows down after that and if you can keep the car 3 or 4 years then it is probably less than $20K per year in depreciation.

C6Jeff

Wrong: Try a convertible top. Does the M5 come with a convertible top?

W211 BEAST

I'm not trying to offend or anything, but if the convertible top is a selling point for you, you'dprobably be happy with a normal 650i. The drop top makes the M6 crap, thats why you barely see any on the road.

C6Jeff

No offense taken but thanks for your politeness: you'd be amazed at the kinds of creeps and jerks that lurk in the Corvette Forum.

I had no idea that the M6 top was any different from the 650i's top but since I want the performance of the 500 horses, I'll take your word for it that it's a big blind spot and cross the M6 off my list. See how easy it is to whittle down the choices?

Now I've got to decide whether or not to order an SL63 or buy a year-old SL55 or wait 6 months and find a very low mileage SL63 that's taking a hit of depreciation. But at least I've narrowed the field down, thanks to yours and everyone else's help and advice. I think I'm gonna like it here and won't miss the Vette forum's troglodytes at all!

Imahobo

You're right about the blind spot - it's something that I probably wouldn't have noticed, but my girlfriend did when we looked at them.

W211 BEAST

I'm happy that we could be of help. This is the thing, any car you get, the convertible version will be much less stable and fast than the coupe, no matter what. In the SL you still have the rigidness of a hardtop, but you have a lot of extra weight. The M6 normally comes with a carbon fiber roof, so getting a convertible would completely void the beautiful engineering behind that car. And in all honesty between the SL55 and 63, I'd go with the 55. You'd be saving a ton of money and you'd get a car (that i think) is just as good. Right now people are trying to get rid of luxury cars left and right!!! You can get a great deal right now on a used one if you buy it private. The MB dealers make you think that there is a market for them right now, so they wont give you good deals, but private owners are feeling the heat right now. Go test drive the crap out of both of them and give us an update on what you think. After you test drive both cars yu need to decide if the facelift and new engine (that isnt necessarily better) is worth the extra $$$$$.

W211 BEAST

Get an older one with more miles that you can still geta warranty on and you'll save a ton of money. Same car all the years they made it IMO

FloridaE55

OK, I thought you were talking about the M6 coupe in this particular post since you were referring to "an" M6..

BTW, I forgot to mention the foldable rear-seats...No, just kiddin'..