Wagz

I searched to see if this has already been discussed on this forum so I would not waste anyone's time.

I recently sold my 2004SL55 and am in an all out search for a replacement. I'm pretty certain I want the same thing, but with less miles (under 25K) and a 06 or 07. Whenever I come across something that is close to what i want, it's either missing the PANO (must for me) or the guy is asking way too much for it. So the search continues.

I came across a couple of private sellers who are getting rid of 07 and 08 BMW M6 cars with extremely low miles (under 20K). The price is right as well, as the bimmers appear to be a little less expensive then the SL55's.
One guy is making me an extremely tempting offer.

My question is:
For anyone that is familiar with both the SL55 and the M6........what are the major differences? positives and negatives of both, and just your overall honest opinions. I know BMW is probably a taboo word on this site, but I figured I'd ask.

thanks

LukasBMW

I'm a huge BMW fan. I really do think that they make the best cars in the world. The driving experience you get from a BMW is unlike any other car.

That said, I'd take my old SL55 AND my current SL600 over an M6.

I tried really hard to like the M6...I really did, but I feel in the luxury coupe/GT category, Benz wins the battle.

-The Benz looks better....hands down.

-The Benz has a hardtop convertible. The BMW has a softtop. This is a huge drawback for the BMW in my opinion.

-The BMW SMG unit in the M6 is jerky...way too jerky for a luxury coupe/GT. (If BMW had put their new DCT unit in the M6, it would be a different story.

-Here is the "big one" for me: The supercharged V8 in the Benz pulls harder and feels faster then the V10 in the M5/M6. The torque of the supercharged V8 puts you back in your seat and the exhaust note and engine noise is incredible. I think the supercharged V8 in the benz feels the best and sounds the best of any car I have driven. The naturally aspirated V10 in the M6 is fun, but lacks the torque and pull of the Benz motor.

- The benz at least has a donut that will get you to the next gas station in a pinch. The BMW doesn't have any spare at all. Get a flat tire on a road trip and you are screwed.

- The interior on the M6 isn't as user friendly as the Benz...this is RARE as BMW usually has the best driver oriented interiors...but sadly I think BMW is doping the ball lately with this.

- The build quality on the Benz is slightly better.

- The BMW brakes feel better and the car handles much better...but that is about it.

I say hold out for a nice 2005-2007 SL55. I just picked up my current SL600 only because I couldn't find the "right" deal on an SL55 (like you I really wanted the glass roof. I also had to have ventilated seats and keyless go). The SL600 is great, but I think the SL55 is better. I test drove a few M5's and M6's and while they are great cars, for the reasons mentioned above, the Benz is a better bet.

That said, I think the BMW 3, 5, 7, and X series are far superior to the C, E, S, and ML class. Also...I test drove a new 2012 BMW 650i cabrio. Despite the fact that it still has a damn softtop...that car is incredible. The new twin turbo V8 pulls about as hard as the SL55 V8. BMW may win me back with a new 650i coupe or cabrio when it comes time to ditch the SL600.

LukasBMW

Also, the V10 in the BMW M5 and M6 gets HORRIBLE gas mileage. I have a friend with an M5 who had to TRY to crack 14mpg. He says he was getting 12-13 MPG in his car. That V10 sucks gas.

mjr24

Had a 2008 M6 cabrio from 2008 until this last December. Had an R230 SL500 right before that car and have a SL55 now.

SL55 is definitely faster.....it's the torque. The cabrio is pretty close weight wise to the SL. Didn't seem that fast at low end speed.....but the M6 torque doesn't come into play until you go over 60-80 mph.

They are both beautiful cars....hard to pick between the two. Cabrios have some roof problems, too.....something with a sensor and I don't think BMW has come up with a fix for it, yet. My top would not go down or up if the car sat in the sun......something about the sensor getting too hot. Problem is....many ppl had sensor replaced 4-5 times by dealer and still had problem come back eventually....so it obviously is an issue BMW doesn't know how to fix. Gas mileage SUCKED.....try 10 MPG, if that.

Exhaust....both cars sound great. SL has more bass....M6 is right there, though. Can't go wrong with either car.....

Oh, try to get a 2008 M6....they did a refresh on the headlights and taillights....but that's it....body panels are all exactly the same.

alx

There is one distinct diffence. The sl55 is not a driver's car. The m6 is. The sl is a sofa on wheels. Straight line kamikaze. It has no intuitive moves and feels disjointed, heavy and does not inspire pushing it. The m5/6 is everythng the sl is not. For good or for bad.

Also on the subject of faster- the sl wins up to 100- 120. Anything above that the m5/6 is faster. Almost sl65 fast.

On reliability- the sl is a reliability disgrace. All r230s are. The m5/6 is fairly reliable.

They each have their strengths. Drive both cars and decide. They offer very different experiences that appeal to different people toa different degrees.

LukasBMW

I absolutely agree and this is a big difference I forgot to mention. The BMW is definitely a drivers car and is much more sporty. That said, part of my animosity towards the M5 and M6 is that while they may be more sporty then any offering from Mercedes, they really are a let down from the BMW's of the past (In my opinion). I feel the M5 and M6 were a bit too toned down handling/ride wise and didn't have the typical BMW "feel", yet they were still far too harsh to compete in the luxury coupe/GT market.

If I could have picked up a good condition 2006 M6 in Interlagos for $32-$35k, I may have considered it. But most of the well kept 2006 M6's still fetch $40-$45k. I'd rather spend $35-$40k on a 2005-2006 SL55.

jrgator

I had an '07 M6 for 2 years, and in '09 I turned it in (lease) and bought an '07 SL55. There are pros and cons with each.
The M6 had a great interior, carbon fiber and black. I thought it actually looked better than the SL. It was quiet, gas mileage is about the same, 20ish on the road. More fun to drive in the mountains, but the top didn't go down. I liked the bigger trunk in the M6.
After 2 years I really hated SMG. In automatic mode it is worthless, and after a period you get tired of paddle shifting. I was really on the fence between a manual and SMG, and on hindsight I wish that I had opted for manual. The newer SMG is only marginally better, and the lack of torque gets old, too.
After having both for 2 years, back to back, I would opt for the SL55.

alx

true on the smg- it is not an auto by all means. but if you get attuned to it allows some very fancy technical driving in manual mode.

the lack of tq gets old around town - true. but gets more than compensated when you are the highway and at 80 you kick 3 down, floor it and are greeted with a 8k rpm banzai battle cry...

again- very different cars that please in a different manner.

the only true shortcoming of the m5/6 cars as i see it is their small tank. you will be looking for gas every 200-250 miles... that is what mostly drove me crazy when i had one back in 2006-2007.

you like tall or short women? same story

Wagz

I like them both..........providing they have a nice set of hOOters

Guys,
this is awesome information and help. It is true to form to what i've read and heard to date. I loved my previous SL55, but it was a maintenance nightmare ($32K in three years). But when it was well......it was well!
Will probably stick to my search for the Benz...........your help is much appreciated.

seattlekleeman

Install rear adjustable toe links from one of the sponsers. COMPLETELY transforms SL55's into the "drivers" car that it should be......period.

MBH motorsports

If it matters, When my SL was stock I beat an M6 to 80mph from the light. He even jumped on it before me. I dove my friends tuned M6 with exhaust. Its sound awesome, but a little more sound than go. I hear M6's are good up top.

jrgator

Ditto on the small tank, I forgot about that. When I was mostly driving around town, getting 10-12 mpg, it got to be a real annoyance.
It was more comfortable and quieter than the SL, too, but I still don't miss it. It was similar to my CL55, but the CL completely bored me after 6 months.