SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: discontinued SL55 ????
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discontinued SL55 ????
http://www.imakenews.com/autospies/e...e000151492.cfm
to be replaced by the SL65
I really wonder wtf the germans are doing
to be replaced by the SL65
I really wonder wtf the germans are doing
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sl and M-class E320 4Matic SLK350
Just keep in mind these are the same guys who promised us that the new CLK cabriolet would have a folding hard top. That said, has anyone attempted to confirm the reporting with their dealer? I can see how the new SL600 may be seen as too closely overlapping the SL55. Also I can see the marketing guys assuming that 50% of SL55 buyers will probably want to upgrade to the SL65 as soon as they can get out of their leases so there is a built in ready market for the car which (with the SL600 coming on line) will likely be built in smaller numbers anyway than the SL55 was.
Now the question that remains - for those holding onto their SL55's will they appreciate in value (or at least lose less in depreciation) more than they otherwise would have with SL55 production now ceasing? If so, it looks like a win-win situation all the way around.
Now the question that remains - for those holding onto their SL55's will they appreciate in value (or at least lose less in depreciation) more than they otherwise would have with SL55 production now ceasing? If so, it looks like a win-win situation all the way around.
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From: canada
2002 S430, 2001 ML 55, SL 55 on order
If there is any truth to the fact that the sl55 will be discontinued i think it is great news for current owners. As for myself i love the car and would much rather have the 55 over a 12 cylinder as it has more power than i will ever need. If the price of the sl65 is much higher as it surely will be that will enhance the value of the sl55 in my opinion.
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In a magazine here in England, they have spy shots of the SL65 and they say it will not be a car you can but just like that. You will have to buy an SL55 and basically take to/ book it into AMG yourself in order for it to be upgraded to a 65. The main visual difference is said to be that it has a front bumper similar to the CLK safety car or something like that. If I have time later I will type up the article as I do not have a scanner. Hope this helps someone.
Zishan
Zishan
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Originally posted by zishan03
In a magazine here in England, they have spy shots of the SL65 and they say it will not be a car you can but just like that. You will have to buy an SL55 and basically take to/ book it into AMG yourself in order for it to be upgraded to a 65. The main visual difference is said to be that it has a front bumper similar to the CLK safety car or something like that. If I have time later I will type up the article as I do not have a scanner. Hope this helps someone.
Zishan
In a magazine here in England, they have spy shots of the SL65 and they say it will not be a car you can but just like that. You will have to buy an SL55 and basically take to/ book it into AMG yourself in order for it to be upgraded to a 65. The main visual difference is said to be that it has a front bumper similar to the CLK safety car or something like that. If I have time later I will type up the article as I do not have a scanner. Hope this helps someone.
Zishan
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This seems to me as a highly doubtful rumor. They can't just discontinue the SL55. They would have to discontinue the whole 55 line (S and CL included).
This makes more sense if they are talking about the next generation S and CL, in about three years or so. In that case, the SL55 would also have to be discontinued, although it won't even be middle-aged by then.
Not that discontinuing the 55 engine family does not make sense at all. It is not like this engine was new from the ground up. It has been around for years in 500 guise, it has just been bored and supercharged.
And yes, the 55 and 600 models are way to close to each other for comfort.
I also heard that in the future we may have a naturally aspirated 6.3 liter V8 from AMG.
This makes more sense if they are talking about the next generation S and CL, in about three years or so. In that case, the SL55 would also have to be discontinued, although it won't even be middle-aged by then.
Not that discontinuing the 55 engine family does not make sense at all. It is not like this engine was new from the ground up. It has been around for years in 500 guise, it has just been bored and supercharged.
And yes, the 55 and 600 models are way to close to each other for comfort.
I also heard that in the future we may have a naturally aspirated 6.3 liter V8 from AMG.
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Originally posted by internet_mafia
Well then technically they are not discontinuing the SL55 because what's to stop someone from buying a Sl55 and NOT getting the upgrade. I am not saying that your source is incorrect, but that program doesn't sound like something MB would implement. MB would not inconvience the customer like that. If something were to go wrong with car, who would you take it to, the Dealer or AMG? -- If so, I can see a several scenarios of finger-pointing between the two separate groups, leaving the customer stuck in the middle.
Well then technically they are not discontinuing the SL55 because what's to stop someone from buying a Sl55 and NOT getting the upgrade. I am not saying that your source is incorrect, but that program doesn't sound like something MB would implement. MB would not inconvience the customer like that. If something were to go wrong with car, who would you take it to, the Dealer or AMG? -- If so, I can see a several scenarios of finger-pointing between the two separate groups, leaving the customer stuck in the middle.
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Originally posted by benznut
I also heard that in the future we may have a naturally aspirated 6.3 liter V8 from AMG.
I also heard that in the future we may have a naturally aspirated 6.3 liter V8 from AMG.
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Personally, i think there is NO way possible the 55 will be replaced with the 65. The 65 is a special order and you have to take a 600 to up it up. That's what i'm guessing will be the same situation here.
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That the SL65 will be coming is already old news anyway. Here is another link which also introduces the new Brabus V12 (the real one, not the highly questionable 7.3l version mentioned on this board).
http://mbspy.bacosys.be/r230sl65.htm
As to the "replacement" of the SL55, just assume that this info is just plain nonsense.
1. The time window to bring a new model into production takes longer than 3 months for Mercedes, not just for tooling, but also documentation, training and all relevant logistics.
2. Mercedes does not abandon models short-term, period. Not even models (engines) that have received less than glorious press. They would also risk some serious backlash from influentual high-end (S,CL,Sl) 55 buyers.
3. The 55's are higher margin sales as the V8 engine is much cheaper to build than the V12, even though the new Bi-turbo is much simpler than the old V12's.
4. There are a fair number of people that would not opt for a V12.
5. As for the model year, the car will officially be introduced in March 04 in Geneva which will make this an 05 model.
Btw, what is interesting is that the Brabus V12 does not really have significant performance improvements though besides tuning they even increased the displacement from 5.5l to 6.3l. With that I don't mean hp or torque, but pure acceleration numbers. Anybody know why?
But you gotta love those brakes! 12 caliper brakes with (almost) 15" discs
http://mbspy.bacosys.be/r230sl65.htm
As to the "replacement" of the SL55, just assume that this info is just plain nonsense.
1. The time window to bring a new model into production takes longer than 3 months for Mercedes, not just for tooling, but also documentation, training and all relevant logistics.
2. Mercedes does not abandon models short-term, period. Not even models (engines) that have received less than glorious press. They would also risk some serious backlash from influentual high-end (S,CL,Sl) 55 buyers.
3. The 55's are higher margin sales as the V8 engine is much cheaper to build than the V12, even though the new Bi-turbo is much simpler than the old V12's.
4. There are a fair number of people that would not opt for a V12.
5. As for the model year, the car will officially be introduced in March 04 in Geneva which will make this an 05 model.
Btw, what is interesting is that the Brabus V12 does not really have significant performance improvements though besides tuning they even increased the displacement from 5.5l to 6.3l. With that I don't mean hp or torque, but pure acceleration numbers. Anybody know why?
But you gotta love those brakes! 12 caliper brakes with (almost) 15" discs
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Originally posted by Doctodd33
Hey Wolfman, that car in the link you posted looks like an SUV. It is very high up and there is a tremendous amount of room in the wheel wells.
T
Hey Wolfman, that car in the link you posted looks like an SUV. It is very high up and there is a tremendous amount of room in the wheel wells.
T
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Originally posted by Doctodd33
Hey Wolfman, that car in the link you posted looks like an SUV. It is very high up and there is a tremendous amount of room in the wheel wells.
T
Hey Wolfman, that car in the link you posted looks like an SUV. It is very high up and there is a tremendous amount of room in the wheel wells.
T
front bumper and some aftermarket exhaust pipes. The wheels look odd as they are non-staggered.
But I question the picture in the story anyway. There is really no reason to have a "disguised" test car when it is only an engine mod. on a currently available model. As seen with the CL65, the car looks just like the CL55 with upgraded wheels.
If they wanted to test a SL65, they could just put aSL55 sticker on the back and nobody could tell...
Wolfman
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To me it looks that the wheels are much smaller than the ones that will/should go to the production car. they almost look collapsible, very similar to the tires and wheels in the test SLR. That should contribute to the raised appearance of the car.
The car is indeed a normal bodied SL with AMG front bumper and side fascias. The spied S65 was similarly bodied.
Who knows, it may be the final testing of the SLR for all we know.
The car is indeed a normal bodied SL with AMG front bumper and side fascias. The spied S65 was similarly bodied.
Who knows, it may be the final testing of the SLR for all we know.
