It appears that the SL65 pricing with its debut in 2004 will follow the pricing of the CL65, which is much higher than the 180,000 Euros originally thought.

So instead of dropping in price, it'l come in at 230,000 Euros or, given the current exchange rates, at a whopping $272,000

Wolfman

Strikes me that the pricing will not be competitive with upgrades performed by other tuners. It would make more sense to buy an SL600 for $130K and have it upgraded by someone else.

Wolfman/Others:

Where did you get the SL 65 price from? If the price is double a normal V12, I find it difficult to justify the additional expense for the AMG version. The difference between a SL 500 and the SL 55 is about $30k. Why wouldn't the SL 65 be analogously priced?

Mike

This price is currently circulated in Germany as the suggested retail price. As the CL65's will actually be delivered in fall you can consider the price reasonably accurate as cars are already ordered and spec'd.

The difference to the SL55 is somewhat extreme, but more in line with AMG's two ways of producing cars.

First you have the "production" AMG's, produced in larger quantities and in case of the SL55, on the same assembly line in Bremen along with the SL350, 500 & 600. Most of these are the ones that MBUSA offers.

Than you have the "small series" AMG's, which are build in low quantities and usually customized to the customer. Think of it like a custom tailored suit...

In the case of the V12's the production numbers will be at most in the low hundreds. These cars so far have never made it to the US, at least not through MBUSA.

Like other tuners, the V12 AMG's started off as a standard car which was then were modified. I believe that this is different with the CL65/SL65, but I am not certain.

Wolfman

The CL and SL 65 are collectible items. You can't compare with tuners works.

Our contact at AMG told us that the CL 65 AMG will not be ready before by the end of this year / beginning of next year. They still have some work to do.

Regarding the pricing of the SL 65 AMG, a price around 205.000 Euro seems more realistic according to our sources. I personally don't think it will reach 230.000 Euro.

Any word on the US market?

--Dan

Car and Driver said that the price for the CL65 will be around $190K. I do not know their sources, but I reckon they have some credibility. Although, if you see the piece on the SLR, in the same issue (the current one) you will notice that they referred to a pic of a modified SL wilth swing-up doors as the convertible SLR

$190K seems more reasonable, but still a bit high in my opinion. I agree with Paul that the AMG name holds more cachet than the other tuners, and in that regard it is more "collectible", but this is not a product that necessarily has to be limited in production. Mercedes understands the price-volume relationship as well as anyone, to be sure. Production volumes and prices will be set to maximize profits. Look, this thing is not the SLR or the Enzo; with the exception of the badging, the wheels and maybe a little body trim, the SL65 will look remarkable similar to the SL350, SL500, SL55 and SL600. I agree with Mike P. There is no reason the SL65 needs to be priced more than $30-40K over the comparable 600 series, whether the CL, SL or S. If it is, it is because M-B determined that the higher price maximized profits, due to a more limited demand for the 65 than the 55 and not because it is trying to keep the 65 rare and collectible.

I agree that there is certainly no reason to charge more than $35K over the SL600. At this point it's just not a regular (and higher volume) production car which reduce a variety of manufacturing/assembly activities and costs. The SL55 is about $25K, give or take, over the SL500 and this could be the same if the SL65 would be build in Bremen. It just isn't, at least at this juncture...

My take is that they simply like to recap all development and R&D costs. Fewer vehicles = higher costs. Or does anybody think that the CLK-GTR should have actually been priced at a rediculus $1+ million?

Btw, Car and Driver has a wrong price. The Cl65 will without a doubt cost more than $190K. Current retail on a CL600 in Europe is $154k.

Wolfman

I think Mercedes are confident they can raise prices. If you ignore the Maybach and the SLR, the most expensive Mercedes is less expensive than anything from Ferrari, Aston Martin, Lamborghini, Bentley, Rolls Royce, Pagani, Bristol, so with a top of the line model like the CL/SL65, they can afford to pitch the product at a higher level and so fill the gap between the SL55/CL600 and the SLR.

blue sl- how do you compare the sl55 to the ferrari you show listed?

think all of you are wide of the mark on pricing of sl65'; remember that there will be a plethora of high line, high hp cars coming to market in the next 12-24 months. the laws of supply and demand still obtain.

Both cars are extremely quick, as fast as I could ever use on the road but you can drive the Mercedes harder because its handling is more predictable; the brilliant ABC disguises the car's weight and it has a very neutral cornering stance. The other electronic gizmos will also help to keep you out of trouble but there's an element of detachment from the major interfaces - the steering, brakes and throttle - which makes for a slightly anodyne driving experience. Still, a thrilling car which is very well made and will last forever.

The Ferrari is not in the least forgiving. Overstep the mark and you need to catch that oversteer. It's a viscious car when provoked and quite a number of them, mine included, have been stuffed into something unyielding at some point in their lives. Mine cost $40000 to fix.

The F355 is not in the same build quality league, though better than the 308, 328 and 348 which preceded it. But, you'd never call it a daily driver. It's too temperamental, too fragile, too low slung, too noisy for every day driving. So why do I keep it? Well, it's because it has a handling sensitivity which the Mercedes lacks; the steering, brakes and throttle plus the gear shift (I'm not in the F1 school of thinking) put you in touch with the car and you really feel it when driving on your favourite roads. But, after 50 miles, you've had enough, the noise is getting to you and you want to go home. And, really, you cannot take it anywhere because you cannot leave it anywhere. Oh, and every three years, the engine has to come out. $3k+ to replace $100 of drive belts. That single requirement pretty much equals all the other running costs if you're only running a few thousand miles a year.

If I could only have one, it would be the Mercedes, of course. It is so competent, so complete. The Ferrari just has that driving edge born out of its lower weight and more direct interfaces which makes it great to drive when I'm in mood.

The price being quoted here for an SL65 is £100k + taxes which translates to $160k + taxes at current exchange rates. Don't forget you guys in the US are living on borrowed time because the current US prices were set before the dollar depreciated 20% against the euro. So whoever the politician in the US was who said they don't really mind about the weak dollar because it's good for US exports, he forgot to mention there's one group who do - MBWorld forum members! We have exactly the same problem with the pound against the euro.

blue, you're right, i didn't take into consideration the dollar debacle. it will hurt us.

nicely said

that price may have not come from someone with a reliable source
..i dont think the price would be set that high,b

if it was...
would you rather buy a ferrari or stick with the sl65?

He already has a Ferrari F355 and stick with the SL65? You mean SL55 right? SL65 isn't even on sale yet, we're debating the price

But it is a V12 AMG. The succesor (am i correct here?) from the previous 6.3 liter. Once in a lifetime cars almost. It is possible for Mercedes to set a higher price (USA market) because that's what it is worth. Also, that is speculating that it WILL come to USA. From what i've heard around here is that you have to purchase a SL600 and send it for the AMG Special Wishes department to get it bored out to the maximum size.