The car will be a DD in nice weather (10k miles a year)

I will mod it, ECU , change filters, and h/e .. that's about it for mods.

Are the ecu gains different between the 55 and 600?


With doing the mods will the v8 or the v12 be quicker?


Both cars are around the same price.. I know the amg has better brakes.. stock for stock which is quicker?

Just contemplating which I would prefer to own.


Thanks,
Mike

 

There are quite a few previous threads on this topic. It's worth a search through the archives if you want the full benefit of all that discussion.

In a nutshell, a stock SL600 is definitely faster than a stock SL55 straight-line, although how much faster is a matter of some debate.

The SL600 is also easier and cheaper to mod given that a simple ECU tune can increase turbo boost while modding the SL55 requires a pulley swap (and possibly other changes) in addition to the ECU tune.

There's some data to suggest that the SL55 is quicker on most tracks than an SL600, although that is also subject to some debate.

The bottom line is, the best answer is to log some seat time in both cars and see which one speaks to you the most.

Good luck and have fun with the decision! I went with the SL55 and have no regrets. Other guys like the SL600 more.

 

I loved my SL55, it's definitely sportier then the SL600... but it's a car I had a hard time driving maturely.

The SL600 is much more relaxed. Like jmf003 said, drive both and see which you like better.

 

What do you mean by "sportier" and also when you say the SL600 is more "relaxed"

what i take from what you said is.. the sl55 handles better, but has a harsher ride. More road noise?


Sportier -- do you mean visually at all? If you could elaborate more that would be awesome

 

SL55 will have a sportier exterior, but if the SL600 has the sport package, it will have basically just as sporty of an exterior.

The SL600 has a heavier front end, affecting handling.

 

By sportier I meant, for example my SL55 had the button shift on the side of the steering wheel, and if I'm not mistaken the AMGs shift faster then the 600s as well. With the button shifts, it was easier to handle through the twisties because I could keep both hands on the wheel and shifts where just a tap away. With the 600, despite it being slightly heavier, I also have to downshift with the stick since I have no button shift on the wheel. That was a major negative for me between the two cars-- BUT, it was the ONLY negative... for me anyways.

SL55-- more road noise? You betcha-- of course, I had it straight-piped with just cats so go figure! Regardless, even stock to stock, the SL55 rumbles with authority where ever it goes, whereas the SL600 flies under the radar.

The SL55 handled better. I could throw it in corners and it stuck, very responsive, decently agile (remember, this is in comparison to the SL600). The SL55 (as well as my E55 for that matter) really begs to be driven hard and if you have a heavy foot I hope you have deep pockets too because you'll be acquiring tickets faster then you can imagine. I dont know what it is with AMG cars, *I* just can't drive them civilly. I might be the only one with this problem however, but I get behind the wheel of an AMG I feel the need to drive it like I stole it.

Visually speaking, yes the SL55 is sportier. Yes, you can opt for the sport package on the SL600 as well but it does NOT come with the quad-exhaust, which I think really sets the 55 apart from the 600. This area, is a matter of personal preference.

All that said about the SL55, I still would rather have the SL600. It's A) faster, B) more exclusive, and C) easier to mod. The SL600 is more refined. The power is smoother. It doesn't beg to be driven like your setting lap times at Laguna Scea. You can cruise all day and all night long without ever feeling the need to break the speed limit... No pressure here. It's what the 600 is to me, a relaxed roadster... with the power to put a 6.2 Murcielago in it's rear-view.

While the two cars may seem similar, I believe their personalities are quite the opposite. Like I said, drive 'em both!

 

As a man who likes exhaust growl the 55 will sound better.
I have just tested a SL65, it felt laid back compared with my 55.
I imagine the SL600 will be similar to the SL65 albeit power.

 

What wheels are on your 55?

 

I tried both for 3 or 4 days. I liked the supercharged 55 with the instant response better than the turbo with a slight lag accelerating and also decelerating on the 65. The exhaust sound was better on the 55. Also my insurance guy didn't want to insure the 65. Engine tunes and maintenance are higher on the 12 cylinder engine. Drive both and you'll get a feel for which one you prefer. My 55 is heavily modded and faster than most so I am probably a little biased in that direction, but I still think they both are the best all around tourers on the road.

 

I think it has a difference better test your ecu...

 

The gheyest wheels I've ever purchased. I swear they are about as reliable as a Ferrari on a hot summer day in the desert; expect flames. I couldn't make it two or three weeks without a crack or without one of them bending. They are called "MMR GT-1". I had them painted black and left the lip polished. Never again will I buy anything from MMR.

 

Same brakes in both cars, just different labels (AMG/Mercedes Benz.)
55/600 both have brake in the same diameters and with the same Brembo callipers.

Nicke

 

Sorry to hear that, they look a bit like the Carlsson wheels.
Guess I'll keep looking.

 

Actually every 600 we have had in for tuning has smaller stock brakes than the SL55's stock 8 piston front and 4 piston rear set up. The 55 stops much better as a result.

From a suspension point of view, the 55 is set up much more firm, and stays flat through the corners. The 55 handles much better. Every 600 that I have driven is very 'floaty', and has a softer, more cruiser character.

The 55 has that great V8 sound track.

The 600 is capable of some big power boost, but so is the 55. For me, the SL55 is the better balanced package.

 

I wouldn't recommend a V12 as a daily driver.

 

The sl600 is that much more unreliable than a 55?

 

No. I think sikhkd is just concerned that once you drive a 600 on a regular basis you might find it hard to drive anything with less than 12 cylinders again. He is just looking out for your well-being.

 

I was cruising in LI today and ran into an SL600 with Renntech stickers on the fenders and trunk lid. From the front it looked like your plain jane 6 (rear view mirror) I punched it and pulled away, slowed down got into the left lane and he came cranking past me and i didn't hear a thing just the wind parting. We tore up one of the main streets (wont mention which one) but never lined up together. He could have had a baby sleeping in his passenger seat... my car on the other hand was attracting all kinds of attention, so i toned it down a bit but we had a nice 10 minute blast scaring the crap out of the old farts on that particular road Also cruised with a porsche 911 (997) S through some twisties heading up to long island sound...some fantastic roads near Glen Cove Locus Valley, Matinecock, Lattington.

 

Gents, I'm also lightly feeling out the market for a 2005 SL55/SL600. Auction prices are actually a hair cheaper on the 600's. This will be the 4th MB in our stable but driven mostly by the wife during the week, when she's sans kids. Then it will be abused by me on the weekends.

From a reliability and maintenance standpoint, which is more reliable? Which is more expensive to fix?

 

Either one would not be smart to own with some sort of warranty, so I based on that it doesn't matter.


I chose the SL55 - couldn't be happier. I would of been happy with either I am sure, but I do like the styling on the 55 better, and the optional sports wheels (the 18" version of the BS almost) -

 

Honestly, I, from a professional standpoint see a lot of 55s and 600s(I'm the V12 guru in the shop) and feel that both are very reliable. The SL 600 is the only V12 US car to share 8 piston front brakes, albeit with the MB branding instead of the AMG logo. If something powertrain or suspension breaks, it will be expensive(I like to refer to $1000 as a car unit), regardless of what engine it has. The suspension doesn't really vary much in regards to units spent from V12 to AMG, and neither does the powertrain. Sparkplugs for the 12 obviously cost more, but maintenance wise, both are comparable. Interior wise, it is virtually the same, except the AMG has seat badges, and a little alcantara trim. I say go for whatever car tickles your fancy, as stated before, they both have different personalities but can excite you no matter what.

Nick

 

Either would definitely have to be under some sort of warranty. Luckily, my E500 has been great out of warranty and the R500 still has about 8K miles before she's naked. Who give a crap about our C240....that's the nanny's.

Wheels don't really make a difference, as I'll probably swap them for something aftermarket.

What was the deciding factor for you to choose the 55K over the 600TT? I followed your threads but don't recall what the deciding factor was.

I guess I have to log some seat time in each. The only AMG I've driven was my friends W211 E55. Simply intoxicating.


I'm diggin' this one:

http://www.justmercedes.com/detail-2...g-4131157.html

 

The deciding factor was the more aggressive body, and the fact that it handled better. I do like to drive fairly aggressively and after driving the sl55 more it felt more like a sports car.

 

I owned an E55 before with the V8 kompressor engine and now I am driving an SL600...
as for the 2 engines, both have incredible power no doubt. V8 kompressor engines is more responsive and makes you want to punch it all the time...thats the difference between AMG and 600's. The V12 TT is more refined power like others have said, its just like "silky smooth acceleration"...kinda hard to explain you really have to drive both to see the difference. I personally prefer the V12 TT for the smooth quiet power...And I also prefer the V12 as a daily driver over the V8 Komp.

The AMG does have nicer looking interior, but the SL600 leather is much better as it is the "exclusive leather". Not too many people notice it but you dont get the "bumps on the leather" for the SL600 as opposed to the SL55 you can feel the bumps on the leather...the SL600 has a smoother leather...Both cars have the same alcanatar head liner tho...

Brakes, I think they look identical (8 pistons front 4 pistons back)...they maybe a litle different interally I dont know. I think the SL55 has ventilated brake disks on the rear, the SL600 does not.

 

Nice SL55 at ASC...looks just like mine except for the interior...Bro I think with your situation you may seriously consider the 600TT it's smoother and makes for a great ride with a personality more suitable for sharing with the wife, the 55's accelleration is more brute/drastic/violent and not as smooth (I was in your shoes when I traded my SL500 and was considering it's replacement)...I've driven both (and the SL65) and find the v12TT's to have gobs of power/torque and very linear smooth acceleration, predictable and great performance; I chose the 55 because of price point and because I had a good trade in on my car with that particular dealer who had a couple of SL55's available. In our area a few of the fastest cars are V12TT's and some of the guys know how to mod them with ECU/TCU to get insane numbers!

hope this helps & whichever you decide good luck bro...at the end of the day you'll have a very nice car regardless