SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2003 SL55 AMG vs. 2009 SL63 AMG

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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 04:03 PM
  #1  
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G55, SLS, smart eq
Exclamation 2003 SL55 AMG vs. 2009 SL63 AMG

More later. Including a video.



The preliminary verdict: Progress works for technique, not for looks.
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 06:50 PM
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Excellent can't wait for the video
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 07:33 PM
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The SL55 is beautiful
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 08:23 PM
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SL55 front looks better
SL63 rear looks better

why couldnt they have combined them
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 08:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Fantasm
SL55 front looks better
SL63 rear looks better

why couldnt they have combined them
Shouldn't be too costly to do it ourselves
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 10:21 PM
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Originally Posted by Murtaza
Shouldn't be too costly to do it ourselves
Unless you have a 63.
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Old Sep 12, 2008 | 11:57 PM
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are those wheels on the sl63 an option and standard on sl65????
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 08:36 AM
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Only owners of SL55 tell -SL55 is better that SL63. Really Funny
63 is 100 times more aggressive, more modern and released just in time.
Its really a piece of art. SL55 is the past...As its engine,as its tranny as suspensions and as Its appearance has become boring in due course.
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Old Sep 13, 2008 | 10:34 AM
  #9  
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Originally Posted by yaroslav
Only owners of SL55 tell -SL55 is better that SL63. Really Funny
63 is 100 times more aggressive, more modern and released just in time.
Its really a piece of art. SL55 is the past...As its engine,as its tranny as suspensions and as Its appearance has become boring in due course.
The 2003 SL500 is a classic design and used by design schools as an example of great design. The only reason MB changed it was government regulation regarding pedestrian safety. The change is not an improvement, for the new frontend to "fit" the entire car needs a redesign. It is not ugly but when you are paying over $100K for a car it should be beautiful like the original 2003 design. JMHO but I am right
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 08:29 AM
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they both look gr8, but isnt the sl55 missing somthing? (badges)
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Old Sep 14, 2008 | 06:50 PM
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Originally Posted by yaroslav
Only owners of SL55 tell -SL55 is better that SL63. Really Funny
63 is 100 times more aggressive, more modern and released just in time.
Its really a piece of art. SL55 is the past...As its engine,as its tranny as suspensions and as Its appearance has become boring in due course.
I haven't driven an SL63 yet but I know it will handle better and has a better, more dynamic transmission.

Power delivery goes to the 55 and thats coming from SL63 owners I have spoken to, the torque at low rpms is great, a required attribute in a car that weighs this much imo. The new front end does not flow with the rest of the car, it was put in for safety regulations. The new mirrors, side gills and head rests, oversized, out of place and ET's head.

In terms of mods, the 55 wins hands down.
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 06:48 AM
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both are VERY beautiful cars............I am new to the mercedes world and have only recently been studying and looking at their history and styling. Its quite a change but i must say i like the new style. I could never afford it right now, hence why im trying to land an 04 sl55 at the moment. but the 63 is a BEAUTY for sure.
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 11:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Murtaza
I haven't driven an SL63 yet but I know it will handle better and has a better, more dynamic transmission.

Power delivery goes to the 55 and thats coming from SL63 owners I have spoken to, the torque at low rpms is great, a required attribute in a car that weighs this much imo. The new front end does not flow with the rest of the car, it was put in for safety regulations. The new mirrors, side gills and head rests, oversized, out of place and ET's head.

In terms of mods, the 55 wins hands down.


how does the new front design provide more safety to drivers?
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Old Sep 16, 2008 | 11:18 PM
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Originally Posted by phonetics
how does the new front design provide more safety to drivers?
Its not for the driver it is a euro gov't requirement for the walking people
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 12:34 AM
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Originally Posted by SL2003driver
Its not for the driver it is a euro gov't requirement for the walking people


ok then. how does the new front provide more safety for walking people?
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by phonetics
ok then. how does the new front provide more safety for walking people?
You would have to ask one of the idiots in Euro that make these stupid laws.
But it sure messes up the design of a once beautiful balanced SL
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by htn
are those wheels on the sl63 an option and standard on sl65????
those are the wheels that come with the P30 sport package.
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Old Sep 17, 2008 | 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted by phonetics
ok then. how does the new front provide more safety for walking people?

The space between the enginehood and the engine itself must be bigger to make it possible to have a 'soft' landing for 'walking people'.

So this is the reason why the engine hood is been a bit higher and why they must quit with the supercharged engines....... The height of the engine can be made lower when there is no supercharger above it.

Jaguar has an Airbag under the enginehood on ther XK!

So on this moment MB is only gambling on turbo's!


Silent detail: MB is starting up to development supercharged engines again because they give more power, the fuel consumption is lesser and they give more satisfaction to drive..................!
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Old Sep 29, 2008 | 04:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Murtaza
I haven't driven an SL63 yet but I know it will handle better and has a better, more dynamic transmission.

Power delivery goes to the 55 and thats coming from SL63 owners I have spoken to, the torque at low rpms is great, a required attribute in a car that weighs this much imo. The new front end does not flow with the rest of the car, it was put in for safety regulations. The new mirrors, side gills and head rests, oversized, out of place and ET's head.

In terms of mods, the 55 wins hands down.
I agree...

If the SL63 is anything like my E63 (and I had a E55), the 55 has the nod in the engine department.

As far as styling... the new look is far too busy for my tastes. I like the rear end a lot, the mirrors, and the front air dam, but the gills are overdone and the front end and hood accents seem contrived...

~ Ian
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Old Sep 29, 2008 | 09:04 PM
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Originally Posted by SL2003driver
The SL55 is beautiful
lets our SL55 and burn some tires.
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Old Sep 29, 2008 | 09:13 PM
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Video www.autojunk.nl/clips/view/146636 only need subtitles.
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 02:09 PM
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Great video Sprins,

Especially, the part about the facelift with the comparison of an old lady .....
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 02:13 PM
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BTW, just curiosity.

In a straight line, which is faster the SL55 or the SL 63?
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 03:01 PM
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Originally Posted by //AMG55lover
BTW, just curiosity.

In a straight line, which is faster the SL55 or the SL 63?
Car and Driver's numbers suggest its a driver's race:
The SL63 hits 60 mph and the quarter-mile stripe with a bit more haste than the SL55 we tested in November 2002—4.4 seconds versus 4.5, and 12.9 seconds at 112 mph versus 13.0 at 110, respectively.

From: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/..._amg_road_test
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Old Oct 1, 2008 | 03:06 PM
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