SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Lost my mind - trade SL55 for SL65?
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Manassas, VA
10 Cayenne GTS, 07 Porsche 911 Turbo
Congratulations pj57
Let me be the first to congratulate you on your new SL65. I would like to hook up here in VA the next time you're in town. Will you have the SL65, I'm dying for a ride! Prior to purchasing my 06 SL55 I test drove an 06 S65. Although I was very impressed with the engine and performance I was not overly impressed with the car itself.
After reading all of the responses to your post I may want to re-think my decision to purchase my SL55. I still have the option of returning it for an 08 CLK63 Black Series. Who knows, we may both end-up with vehicles that weren't on the radar a couple of months ago!
After reading all of the responses to your post I may want to re-think my decision to purchase my SL55. I still have the option of returning it for an 08 CLK63 Black Series. Who knows, we may both end-up with vehicles that weren't on the radar a couple of months ago!
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Austin, Texas
2003 S500; 2004 E55; 2006 SL55 030; 2013 CLS63
No deal! Checked out the above described SL65. MB dealer inspected and found things that raised all kinds of red flags: welded wheels, missing lug bolts, terrible service history and in need of brakes. Aesthetically, the car has taken a minor beating as it lived most of its life in NYC on a corporate lease. Lots of stone chips, scrapes and scratches most of which were touched up by brush leaving a rough texture on the front and rear bumper covers. I thought at first I was feeling tree sap or something on the paint until I looked closer and saw the touch ups. Oh, did I mention this was a smokers car with its share of burn marks? The roof rattled so much I thought it hadn't fully locked down. This was still worth the trip since I was given the keys and told to "drive it" which I did for more than an hour. Lessons learned? I appreciate how mint my own SL55 030 and....now that I have driven both I am absolutely convinced the SL65 is the car I will eventually have. From the whirring sound of the starter motor to the crazy mid-range power once the turbos spool up, the car is a flat out screamer. Despite the issues with the car, its motor was very strong... I can't imagine the Kleemann ECU or any other upgrade on this already amazing car. The search continues...PJ
Last edited by pj57; Mar 1, 2009 at 04:28 PM.
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
No deal! Checked out the above described SL65. MB dealer inspected and found things that raised all kinds of red flags: welded wheels, missing lug bolts, terrible service history and in need of brakes. Aesthetically, the car has taken a minor beating as it lived most of its life in NYC on a corporate lease. Lots of stone chips, scrapes and scratches most of which were touched up by brush leaving a rough texture on the front and rear bumper covers. I thought at first I was feeling tree sap or something on the paint until I looked closer and saw the touch ups. Oh, did I mention this was a smokers car with its share of burn marks? The roof rattled so much I thought it hadn't fully locked down. This was still worth the trip since I was given the keys and told to "drive it" which I did for more than an hour. Lessons learned? I appreciate how mint my own SL55 030 and....now that I have driven both I am absolutely convinced the SL65 is the car I will eventually have. From the whirring sound of the starter motor to the crazy mid-range power once the turbos spool up, the car is a flat out screamer. Despite the issues with the car, its motor was very strong... I can't imagine the Kleemann ECU or any other upgrade on this already amazing car. The search continues...PJ
PJ
Sorry to hear that the car had some issues. It is better you found out now. I am sure you will find the right one.
Tom
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Austin, Texas
2003 S500; 2004 E55; 2006 SL55 030; 2013 CLS63
Thanks Tom - as I mentioned, the trip was not a total loss at all. $250 for the thorough MB inspection was my only investment. Saw some old friends of mine and got to spend some time alone and do a thorough test drive. Even if the car was a bit ratty, the engine was sound which is an endorsement of its durability. PJ
Member
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2014 SL550
Most people would take care of a car like this keep looking. What it's worth a lot of cars with 19" wheels will have wheels that have been repaired. Most cars with 30K on them will require some touch up. Too bad they did not have a pro do it.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Austin, Texas
2003 S500; 2004 E55; 2006 SL55 030; 2013 CLS63
Hi Carcommander - yes, in this case it is too bad the car was not refinished by a pro and I do understand normal wear and tear on a 30K mile vehicle. The car also had a slight front end vibration that the dealer suspected was due to the repaired wheel. To me replacing a wheel is the only way to repair a broken or bent wheel and in this case due to the vibration issues is where one would start. I think it was this car's service record that scared me away too. We've all owned cars have one issue after another and this was one of them. PJ
Last edited by pj57; Mar 2, 2009 at 03:19 PM.
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From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
From the comfort point of view do you know if the seats/ride are similar.
Somebody said the SL65 ride is harder and the seat less comfortable.
Can't find one in the UK to test drive. Any help would be welcome.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
Hi Tom, I am thinking of changing my CL65 and SL55 for a SL65.
From the comfort point of view do you know if the seats/ride are similar.
Somebody said the SL65 ride is harder and the seat less comfortable.
Can't find one in the UK to test drive. Any help would be welcome.
From the comfort point of view do you know if the seats/ride are similar.
Somebody said the SL65 ride is harder and the seat less comfortable.
Can't find one in the UK to test drive. Any help would be welcome.
Tom
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
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From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
I have only driven an SL65 once...and to be honest it felt very similar to my CL65...maybe a tad firmer (which I personally like). I need the back seats so I really didn't entertain the SL65. Maybe it was pyschological that I told myself there was no real difference. I do prefer the SL65's LSD...but I really didn't nail it from a stop to see if it actually hooked better. Sorry can't be of more help.
Tom
Tom
SL65 subject to a test drive. It will be more or less a straight swap.
I only hope I won't regret it, I love my CL65 but it never gets much use,
neither does the SL55, it seems every time we go out there's 4 of us, and
one is my 87 year old Dad who finds the CL less comfortable than the S600.
I am lucky to have 3 cars, this will mean changing to 2 cars plus my C class
estate, used mainly for work. I only hope the SL65 is at least as comfortable
as the SL55.Thanks again.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 65
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From: Austin, Texas
2003 S500; 2004 E55; 2006 SL55 030; 2013 CLS63
Hi Sound 8 - SL65s were introduced in the US Market in model year 2005. Hope nobody is trying to sell you an '04. Oops I see you're in the UK...never mind. Good luck with the purchase. PJ
Last edited by pj57; Mar 2, 2009 at 03:20 PM.
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nyc car is a no-no...
suspension will be gone very soon.. welded wheels are indication of serious suspension abuse (the one only nyc can deal out)...
any car that has spent significant time in nyc is usually completely trashed...
keep looking
alex
few cars
suspension will be gone very soon.. welded wheels are indication of serious suspension abuse (the one only nyc can deal out)...
any car that has spent significant time in nyc is usually completely trashed...
keep looking
alex
few cars
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,838
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From: U.K.
SL 63 W/B AMG , S600,C220
Thanks for your comments.
Member
Joined: Mar 2007
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2014 SL550
The wheels are pretty easy to bend. I have bent plenty of wheels on my cars in Atlanta and I haven't hit a curb in years and I am very carefull. Welded wheels are not necessarily a sign of serious abuse. Just a pothole or a turtle. I would not necessarily pass on a car from new york if the car was pristine. Lots of people in NY take care of thier cars, lots of people everywhere don't. P.S. I am not from New York but have owned several cars from there that were pristine.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,895
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From: Maryland
'14 E63S & '14 Audi SQ5
The wheels are pretty easy to bend. I have bent plenty of wheels on my cars in Atlanta and I haven't hit a curb in years and I am very carefull. Welded wheels are not necessarily a sign of serious abuse. Just a pothole or a turtle. I would not necessarily pass on a car from new york if the car was pristine. Lots of people in NY take care of thier cars, lots of people everywhere don't. P.S. I am not from New York but have owned several cars from there that were pristine.
+1
I know of plenty of 65 owners who have bent/cracked rims. The wheels seem to be a bit brittle...but what can you expect with all that weight on them.
Tom
Member
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 187
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From: Bay Area, CA
05 E55, 07 SL65, 06 S4
The wheels are pretty easy to bend. I have bent plenty of wheels on my cars in Atlanta and I haven't hit a curb in years and I am very carefull. Welded wheels are not necessarily a sign of serious abuse. Just a pothole or a turtle. I would not necessarily pass on a car from new york if the car was pristine. Lots of people in NY take care of thier cars, lots of people everywhere don't. P.S. I am not from New York but have owned several cars from there that were pristine.
