GT40MkI

Looking for firsthand experiences...I know all 3 are very capable performers...

Which is the "best" all around in the SL platform?

I remember when I sold them a few years ago, and even in talking with techs recently the v12 cars always being a nightmare...usually on the electrical system side of things....can anyone confirm or deny?

I have a w211 e55 now and have a stockpile of performance goodies, although I don't believe my longtubes for the E will work in the SL. It's also VERY tempting looking at performance numbers generated by a tune on the bi-turbo cars.

Thanks in advance...I did a quick search on this forum for a comparison...any other advantages to the 65 over the 55? Is the 600 even worth considering (I'm a fan of the AMG branding and extras)

maxabo

That question is almost starting to be like religion (in other words, a point for endless diskussions)...

I always say;
The 600!
Best bang for buck. That engine has got it all, torgue, thrust. Then just straight-pipe it, and she's got the sound too.
And it can pretty easily be tuned to perform like the 65...
The AMG plastic (which I love) can also be fitted on there.
Downside: I've had trouble with the ignition coils (twice on 4 cars).

About the 65;
To me, Creme de la creme!
The best car of these 3, but even here a couple of changes are required...
And in all honesty, not always worth the extra money up from the 600!

About the 55;
Takes alot more effort & money to get it as fast.
In this case however, you stated that you have tuning parts laying around...
And last (but NOT least);
I can't get over the sound from Mercedes V8's..!
They sound very non-racing to me, compared to the V12.
And that is sadly non-fixable, straight-piped or not.

So in that order I would like to place them.
But whatever you choose, I bet you'll be very pleased! The R230 is a very complete car!
Good luck!

Benz-O-Rama

A tuned 600 with AMG body kit is gonna be your target car. Now, if you track the car, not drag but racing with actual turns, then the suspension and larger brakes of the SL65 may suit your needs better. But, if you're interested in straight line performance, get a 600 and tune it. A basic flash will give you SL65, or better in my case, performance.

The interior is more supple, the ride is better and with the 321 AMG package, it looks just like an SL55, minus the quad exhaust.

Havoc

No, the 600 is not worth considering if you're a fan of the AMG branding and extras. Go with the 65, but if you can get an awesome deal on a 55 don't pass it up. Just get an AMG!!

jmf003

I don't think they will work, either. The 55K engine sits pretty low in an SL55 and has a split oil pan in order to clear a cross brace.

As far as tuning goes, the 65 has the largest engine displacement and has the highest performance potential for that reason.

The 55 and 600 have similar engine displacements and will have similar performance potential but it takes less time and money to get there with the 600's twin turbo.

Wow, I have the exact opposite take on that topic. I've had people stop me on the street and rave about the SL55 sound at wide open throttle. I've also had the good fortune of seeing one of the fastest 65s up close and didn't think it sounded as good. To each his own, I suppose.

Havoc

+1 The V12's run and sound smoother because of their extra cylinders. They sound very non-racing to me whereas the V8's run and sound rougher like an AMG Beast should!

Benz-O-Rama

V12's can be made to sound intoxicating with a simple muffler delete.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FdqRPTb7UfU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6TFzmIKVVAM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0uuQt...eature=channel

Havoc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVZHnQ1DQJw

Enough said!!

maxabo

Well, I'm not a bit surprised that some people love it..!
I mean, take all the "tuned 60's & 70s-car loving enthusiasts", they will also just love it, I'm sure!
Simply put, it's a matter of taste!
And TO ME, I prefer a smooth sharp tone, before that redneck-muscle-car-tone, sort of...

But hey, that's just me.

maxabo

Hah haa, if I wasn't looking at that video, and just heard it, I would swear that was a tuned Impala -63...
This veeeery much underlines what I just wrote above!!!

Not stepping on anybodys toes here.
There is nothing right or wrong about this.
The guy wanted different opinions, and I guess he got just that.

littlehandegan

Are those just muffler deletes?

Sunir

hahaha I love the way everyone votes for their own cars, human nature I guess ...

Dunno what to tell ya man...you should drive some of the cars and see which one you like best. Or just get a GTR or 997TT, throw on a tune and exhaust and be done with it

if you want AMG, go with the 55, unless you can pony up for a 65...some of your upper engine parts from the E55 may work on the SL55, headers will not. An SL600 is pretty much the same as the SL500 (even down to the 160mph speedo, which I found kinda shocking since the 600 is much more capable) with a big engine and better brakes, interiors and exteriors of the SL500 and SL600 are the same, however with a tune they will be very fast indeed. I think they are great cars for the value they bring to the table if you want v12 TT power without the SL65's AMG pricing.

GT40MkI

My biggest concern is mileage and maintenance...I put a TON of miles on my 55k motor without so much as a hiccup (with the exception of one failed idler pulley...)..all the way to 123k miles.

As far as I'm concerned that makes the 55k bulletproof. If I try and drive the 600 or 65 600-1000 miles a week and change the oil every 5-7k miles will I be ok?

Of course things happen, I realize brake jobs and other service items come up...just the mention of coil packs and electrical are a little frightening. Any other major bad experiences? What about turbos/seals leaking?

GT40MkI

It's not the cost of entry, it's the cost of ownership...as with most of these cars.

Sunir

from my discussions with several experts and top notch techs on these cars the 55 drivetrain is bulletproof. The V12TT has issues with electrical grmlins, coil packs etc. Disclaimer this is not my opinion, I have no experience when owning or working on a V12tt mb...this is just what I've been told.

jmf003

LOL.

SL55: the AMG for redneck-muscle-car fans!

Love it!!

Havoc

So Mercedes V8's sound very non-racing because of their redneck-muscle-car-tone?? sort of..

MBH motorsports

The SL55 sounds mean enough for me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yOaGf6EE0Zk

maxabo

Today yes!
1963 no!
I guess, back then, that was the "groooviest" High Tech-sound on the planet..!

And if you have a hard time understanding what I mean, just take a short look at this vid. Because this vid SURE says it all. And then some;
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5PvRY...eature=channel

I rest my case.

Thericker

Will start here, FROM MSRP pricing in 2004 (when the SL600 1st came out, it was the flagship & MOST powerful, expensive luxurious SL model available, the SL65 wasn't released in US until 2005. As you can clearly read below w/STANDARD equipment in ALL models pricing is as follows

Model lineup: MSRP pricing-Mercedes-Benz SL500 ($88,500); SL55 AMG ($119,750); SL600 ($125,950)

Lots of you long time members have seen this discussed numerous times & I'm wondering why you keep trying to put the SL600 down w/comments like the enlarged quoted above

The differences from your AMG are as follows, the SL600 comes STANDARD w/SAME AMG brakes, same ABC suspension, frnt Independent 4-Link, rear Independent 5-Arm Multi-Link, more HP & MUCH more TQ, SL600 has spare tire/wheel & special roadside emergency kit w/Air compressor/tire inflator machine (SL55 does not) SAME Alcantara head/pillar liner, interior has exclusive Nappa glove soft leather thru out w/special door inserts innate to SL600 (not STANDARD on either SL55 or SL65) Wood steering wheel (Not on AMG) SAME paddle shifters & of course an insipid 160mph speedo on SL600 vs 200mph speedo w/Alcantara covering on 55/65.

(Though the SL600 has different wheel/tire package exclusive to it, honestly I like the AMG wheels better)

Now these totals above don't include the AMG body package Option (321) it costs...

So add $5,210 to STANDARD SL600 $125,950 = $131,160 vs SL55 AMG $119,750 So when comparing apples to apples w/EXACT SAME options & standard equipment on both, the SL55 is $11,410 CHEAPER...

Remember these are comparo's from 2004 when SL600 1st came out (the S600/CL600 came out in 2003, they DO/DID NOT COME w/AMG braking system, steering wheel paddles or exclusive Nappa interior treatment or Alacantra headliner they were ALL extra $$ options on these 600 models)

Curb weights are less than 100lbs between SL600 vs SL55.

(1) of my favorite straight piped tuned SL600 vidz...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApBD5...eature=related

maxabo

Thanks alot, Sean!

sound 8

It's easy, the 55 is the only sports car, nimble with a bit of a grumble from
from the exhaust. The other 2 are just very fast armchairs, and the 600 is
not a AMG. Personally I would go for the 63 if the budget allows.

Sunir

dang Ricker you know the SL600 too well haha I'm by no means putting the SL600 down...it's a very fast car, and it's really great I agree...but to me most of them (and most of them don't have the AMG package) look like and feel like (when sitting in them NOT while driving them) like an SL500...same speedo shocked me like I said almost stunned with that...plus the same exhaust as the 500 double ..and the wood sterring wheel which almost every SL55 I've seen has...I don't remmeber any nappa leather or alcantera on the ones I saw before...then again these all could be options maybe witht he nappa leather package or something I dunno... so the SL600 costs more that's cool but to me doesn't really matter, yes it's got the big brakes but it still has several details and ques common to the SL500...not that there is anything wrong with that it's simply an observation.

Brent72

Opinions obviously vary widely on this issue, but as far as I'm concerned the AMG cars are designed to be sports cars and the SL600 is just an SL with a much bigger engine. Not saying there's anything wrong with that, but for me personally the AMG moniker carries a lot of weight and ultimately led me to choose an SL55 over the SL600.

maxabo

Since he's considering a 65, I think the wallet's big enough for a 63...
But how come he didn't mension the 63..?

Well I'm not sure here but as I see it, he wanted a car with some umpf, which a NA engine lacks...