SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Took delivery of my SL63 today
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I have driven the SL63 and yes the trans is impressive but my first impression was a bit dissapointing because of the lack or torque compared to my SL55. I love my SL but the driving experience of the 612 is another level in my opinion. I can also state that the Ferrari has required much less service in the same amount of miles. I can only hope that the new SL's have gotten better than my 2003.
It's tough to compare our SL's and our 612's in reliabilty. We both drive different amount of miles, different situations, and I could probably predict we had different driving habits and styles. I can also state my Ferrari has required much more service than my 05 65. Yet, we can't compare and contrast each of our cars because they have been handled differently. At one point I thought my 612 was a lemon so I would go weeks without driving it. One person may experience more service with one car, and the other may experience more trouble with the opposite.
It has also become evident that you are yet to drive any of the 2009 models as you can only hope they have gotten better. Have they? YES! We are talking about a 5 year different between your 03 SL, and todays SL.
My suggestion would be to go and test drive the 63 and report back to us.
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C&D August tested the 09' SL63 it's Curb weight 4468 lbs..
0-60 mph 4.4 sec
1/4 mile 12.9 @ 112 mph
Sorry it's SLOW......
Thy upped the gear ratio to 3.06 to try & make up for the lacking torque 465 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm's
It may feel faster to some due to the gearing, but it's slower than it's predecessors! w/SL63 lower torque. Esp noticable on the bottom end..
2003 SL55 will get down the 1/4 in 12.5 @ 113 mph
0-60 mph 4.4 sec
1/4 mile 12.9 @ 112 mph
Sorry it's SLOW......
Thy upped the gear ratio to 3.06 to try & make up for the lacking torque 465 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm's
It may feel faster to some due to the gearing, but it's slower than it's predecessors! w/SL63 lower torque. Esp noticable on the bottom end..
2003 SL55 will get down the 1/4 in 12.5 @ 113 mph
Last edited by Thericker; Jul 31, 2008 at 01:18 AM.
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2013 650i Coupe, 2010 IS250 AWD, 1999 S500
C&D August tested the 09' SL63 it's Curb weight 4468 lbs..
0-60 mph 4.4 sec
1/4 mile 12.9 @ 112 mph
Sorry it's SLOW......
Thy upped the gear ratio to 3.06 to try & make up for the lacking torque 465 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm's
It may feel faster to some due to the gearing, but it's slower than it's predecessors! w/SL63 lower torque. Esp noticable on the bottom end..
2003 SL55 will get down the 1/4 in 12.5 @ 113 mph
0-60 mph 4.4 sec
1/4 mile 12.9 @ 112 mph
Sorry it's SLOW......
Thy upped the gear ratio to 3.06 to try & make up for the lacking torque 465 ft lbs @ 5200 rpm's
It may feel faster to some due to the gearing, but it's slower than it's predecessors! w/SL63 lower torque. Esp noticable on the bottom end..
2003 SL55 will get down the 1/4 in 12.5 @ 113 mph
0–60 mph: 4.0 sec
0–100 mph: 9.5 sec
0–1320 ft (1/4 mile): 12.4 sec @ 115.3 mph
Top speed: 186 mph
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article....rticle_id=6893
M
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From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
Let's go magazine racing!
For the SL55:
For the SL55:
- 13.0 seconds @ 110 mph, Car and Driver
- 12.5 seconds @ 116 mph, Motor Trend
- 12.9 seconds @ 112 mph, Car and Driver
- 12.4 seconds @ 115 mph, Motor Trend
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From: VA
c63 BS; lc500; F-pace SVR; Jaguar P8, c63 p31
////AMG never said that his 63 was faster than any other cars. He just said that it was his new favorite. Speed is not the only reason you'd by a car. Seem like some of us are hung up on how fast we can go and not considering the total package of a vehicle.
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From: Radnor, PA
2009 C63
Great looking new SL - enjoy it!
How do you feel about the stock silver color of the side grills?
Are you keeping them that contrasting color, or are you considering painting them to match the body?
How do you feel about the stock silver color of the side grills?
Are you keeping them that contrasting color, or are you considering painting them to match the body?
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SL65
Magazine numbers are quite meaningless. Things like temperature, altitude, humidity have a great affect on a cars times. Unless they're done at pretty much the same time the comparisons are useless.
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I am regulating myself to 85mph per the instructions for break in, so I am unable to report how this car manages at higher speeds and the responsiveness. But, what I love about this car so much is that you can drive hard and rip it, and then sit back and enjoy the open air experience.
Last edited by ////AMG; Jul 31, 2008 at 12:54 PM.
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+1, I am not saying the 63 will beat a 65 or even pull away from a 55, I am simply expressing my absolute love for this car and the engine. At the very beginning I was set on the 65, but after taking delivery of the E63, the smooth engine and refined driving feel won me over.
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Mini JCW
Great car congratulatons. It is getting really impressive press reviews, especially the new trany is regarded as the BEST out there, including Audi's twin clutch sytem. AMG has found a magic formula for making true sports cars that rival the hard core exotics, instead of super fast grand Touring vehicles. As for the comments about the car being a fraction of a second slower to.......
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From: Malibu, Ca
SL65, 427 COBRA (CSX-3127)73 911S, 246GTS (DINO SPYDER), CORNICHE,1962 PORSCHE TWIN GRILLE ROADSTER+
I DROVE THE SL63 FOR THE 2ND TIME AND WAS IMPRESSED...
Got out of my SL65 into a test drive SL63. I was more impressed then the first time I drove one. This car did not have the 030 package and with the 030 the car is probably amazing! But still not the BEAST that the SL65 is!
I think that the 09 SL65 will be the best of both worlds (even without the new trans)...
I have owned a lot of exotics and I look forward to driving my SL65 every day... The feeling of AMAZING ACCELLERATION NEVER GETS OLD!
I think that the 09 SL65 will be the best of both worlds (even without the new trans)...
I have owned a lot of exotics and I look forward to driving my SL65 every day... The feeling of AMAZING ACCELLERATION NEVER GETS OLD!
Last edited by EXECMALIBU; Jul 31, 2008 at 04:29 PM.
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C63S coupe, X5M
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G55, SLS, smart eq
Nevertheless (I'm going to drive the SL63 extensively in September) I'm pretty sure that technically (and whilst driving on the edge) the SL63 will pwn the SL55, but that's just a hunch. And I'm driving a butt old (2003MY) SL55 that has had many minor and major upgrades over time
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OP- nice SL.
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2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
I test drove the SL63 at the AMG event Saturday before last at Fletcher in Newport Beach.
I like the car overall. The interior changes are just fine. The new launch control and the tranny are great improvements. The Exhaust note is excellent.
But from the seat of the pants. My SL has that low end torque and power curve I have become spoiled with. Sure the SL63 will rev out more.
It does have a higher red line. But you need to really change your driving style to keep the Revs up to get the same HP that my SL55 kicks out
in the lower RPM range. I am still not liking the "Mustang Like Hood" they put on the new R230.
Personally I will upgrade to an out of lease 2007 or 2008 SL55 before I dump a ton of extra cash on a new SL63.
I like the car overall. The interior changes are just fine. The new launch control and the tranny are great improvements. The Exhaust note is excellent.
But from the seat of the pants. My SL has that low end torque and power curve I have become spoiled with. Sure the SL63 will rev out more.
It does have a higher red line. But you need to really change your driving style to keep the Revs up to get the same HP that my SL55 kicks out
in the lower RPM range. I am still not liking the "Mustang Like Hood" they put on the new R230.
Personally I will upgrade to an out of lease 2007 or 2008 SL55 before I dump a ton of extra cash on a new SL63.
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Mini JCW
As far as the SL goes, I have not driven the new SL63 therefore I can only quote what I ve read; every single editor has noticed a sharper steering feel and a car that is more balanced compared to SL55.
///AMG stated the same in his thread and since he drove both models I would have to take his word for it.
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G55, SLS, smart eq
And yes I've driven Porsches and BMW Ms. Great cars but (IMO) less fun compared to their AMG counterpart.
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Got out of my SL65 into a test drive SL63. I was more impressed then the first time I drove one. This car did not have the 030 package and with the 030 the car is probably amazing! But still not the BEAST that the SL65 is!
I think that the 09 SL65 will be the best of both worlds (even without the new trans)...
I have owned a lot of exotics and I look forward to driving my SL65 every day... The feeling of AMAZING ACCELLERATION NEVER GETS OLD!
I think that the 09 SL65 will be the best of both worlds (even without the new trans)...
I have owned a lot of exotics and I look forward to driving my SL65 every day... The feeling of AMAZING ACCELLERATION NEVER GETS OLD!
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From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
That said, both C&D and R&T adjust their measured results for air density. They don't post raw numbers. That adjustment corrects for differences in temperature, altitude, and humidity.
So, no, magazine times aren't meaningless; they're just magazine times. An actual car on an actual track can run quite a bit faster or slower depending on the air density and driver skill.
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They have grown on me. At first I was disappointed and hated how they suddenly stopped at the door, I would have preferred them to be tapered off. If I had gone with a black or a pewter I would have changed them. I originally imagined the steel grey to be ALOT lighter almost like a silver w/ a hint of grey, but I really liked how it turned out with the side grills.
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Maybe the context for my comments was a little too obscure. I didn't introduce the magazine times, other posters did. My use of the phrase "magazine racing" was tongue-in-cheek.
That said, both C&D and R&T adjust their measured results for air density. They don't post raw numbers. That adjustment corrects for differences in temperature, altitude, and humidity.
So, no, magazine times aren't meaningless; they're just magazine times. An actual car on an actual track can run quite a bit faster or slower depending on the air density and driver skill.
That said, both C&D and R&T adjust their measured results for air density. They don't post raw numbers. That adjustment corrects for differences in temperature, altitude, and humidity.
So, no, magazine times aren't meaningless; they're just magazine times. An actual car on an actual track can run quite a bit faster or slower depending on the air density and driver skill.
