I'm looking to buy either a 2009 SL65 or same year SL63. Which one would you buy? I know the SL63 is a little lighter in the front and has a better 7 speed trans, but the SL65 seems like such a beast! What are your opinions? Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Impossible question to answer since we have no idea what you're looking for, in a car's characteristics.

That said, the SL65 is better in almost every way possible.

let me see...

63 pros: lighter, more responsive, more tossable, less understeer, better stopping, better sounding..

63 cons: gives some ground from 60 to 120 or so...

He lives in LA. He's not tossing it anywhere...


TQ rules the world. The 63 does sound better though...that is, until you uncork the V12.

I did say "almost", BTW.

To reply to Benz-O-Rama:

Here in LA we have tons of curvy canyon roads between the valley and the beaches. Between Hollywood and the Valley, there a few good runs, and then you can take a 45 minute drive to the nearby mountains and have at it! And there is nowhere better (I'd never do this to take a car to its maximum speed than the run from LA to Vegas!! Make sure you have a good co-pilot and a Pano roof, though!!

I'm leaning towards the SL63, seems a little more refined and newer technologies in little places. But please any opinions are appreciated, I do not know all the nuances between these two vehicles and I'm getting ready to pull the trigger on either one!

If canyon carving is your thing, the SL63 will be a better choice. It's more nimble, has a tranny suited for it, and sounds intoxicating.

If you prefer ***** in your throat acceleration, torque that change the rotation of the earth, and the ability to do 60 mph rolling burnouts, the SL65 is going to be your weapon of choice.

Go test drive both, but drive the 63 first. Tell us what you think....

I've driven both, and own a tuned SL600 (quicker than a stock SL65), so I'm acutely aware of the differences. For me, nothing beats the smooth power delivery of the V12TT and the seemingly unending mountain of torque that comes with it.

Buy both and give me one. Problem solved.

No contest, the SL63 is the best, it's newer technology, the 65 is like driving
an old bus. Iv'e had mine nearly 3 years, still get excited driving it.
You would think the 65 with 600 bhp a time of 4.4 to 60 is dreadful, and says it all.I suppose you can tune the 65, but it needs excitement not more power, you may as well get a sedan, cos that's how it drives.
Good luck with what ever you buy.

^^^^^ Sigh....Not you again.


To the OP: Obviously you're going to drive both, before you purchase, correct? Nobody is going to be able to tell you what's better. You're going to get recommendations on the side of the argument that matches what that person bought. SL63 owner is going to crow about the transmission and exhaust note, the V12 guys are going to sing about the unbelievably smooth power delivery and gobs of torque. Test drive both and report back. Until then, you're not going to get any more information here, than what you can read online at the various automobile testing websites.

Neither is a bad choice, but they both do their own thing quite well.

Also, don't forget about the class action lawsuit against MB, for the M156 (63) engine. You might want to educate yourself on that before you make your decision.


M156 Lawsuit

http://www.lawyersandsettlements.com...gine-wear.html

http://www.newsinferno.com/legal-new...remature-wear/


The first link doesn't work because it links to a forum that MBWorld doesn't like. Hint: It starts with Benz and ends in Boost .com


V12TT for life!

That's like saying a 330lb man is lighter than a 360lb man. True but not that significant.

Good point if the race ended at 60mph. After 60mph wave goodbye as the SL65 pulls away.

Hah ha haa, this has been debated sooo many times, and can probably be debated further, untill hell freezes over...
And I can never understand WHY..?

IMHO, MONEY can be the ONLY reason why you will not go for the Top Of The Line Choice here!
The simple truth for just about everything! Since beginning of time.
And since you obviously have the money, why settle..?

I mean, would you also need to consider;
Go to war with a cal.22, or 44 Magnum..? (not saying the .22 has zero pros)
or
Host a party with some 100w speakers, or 1.000w..? (not saying the 100w have zero pros)
or even
If optional, be equipped with a 4" dick, or a 10"..? (not saying the 4" has zero pros)


Sure the 63 can have a pro or two, but please be realistic here.
I guess the SL350 is out of the question!
And why?
Because you want power right!
Nuff said.

And even IF you were to find a track where the 63 TIMEWISE has the upper hand (like a go-cart-track or something), so what..??
It wouldn't be as fun, as in the 65! For sure!
And BTW, how often do you visit one..??
So what the stop watch tells you there, is PRETTY INSIPID.

If you're gonna be a bear, be a grizzly!

It all depends what your looking for.
I feel like the SL63 is a more agile car because of its transmission and throttle response.
The SL65 is a completely different animal. It's a brutal car in terms of sheer speed and raw power.

I'd personally go with the SL65. Cant go wrong with that biturbo V12.

Hey thanks for all your responses. For me it also came down to a choice of color combo and interior, and mileage, condition of the car etc. which are obviously as important as speed and power. Plus the SL63 is a little easier on the pocketbook. I love white with black interior with the carbon fiber so I'm going to fly to dallas tomorrow and check out this car and hopefully if all checks out it shall be mine

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...ht_10321wt_982

Check out how it shifts.........check the forums for issues with it relative to software TSB upgrade from MB......

I have driven both.......but new transmission issues turned me off......

Thanks for the info about the transmission issues with the SL63. I'll be sure to thoroughly check that out on the car.

So let me get this straight. Four hours ago you didn't know the differences between the cars, haven't driven either model and posted a question about which one to get.

Now, after a few forum posts, you've settled on a car, booked a flight for tomorrow 1/2 way across the country, and if "all checks out, it shall be yours".

Hmmmmmm

Sounds like to me, you had made your decision before you even made this thread. Either that, or this whole thing is a joke. You've got a lot of fancy cars listed on your profile, so maybe that's just how you roll.

Hopefully it will be a smooth shifting car................you can have fun driving back from Dallas.........

Benz- O-Rama:

Yes, thats how I roll. I've owned many cars, I'm an enthusiast, and I've had an 03 Sl55 AMG that I loved. So I want the latest version of a car I really happened to enjoy. I also have other cars, but each suits their own purpose. I had an 08 M3 that was my daily driver and having owned many cars, that was probably my favorite car. I've got an F430 in the garage, and thats not the fastest car in a straight line by any means, if I wanted that I'd go buy a GT-R. But no car makes your blood boil and really makes you feel alive like a Ferrari. So we have different tastes, you are obviously a "bigger is better" guy. I wouldn't choose a .45 caliber over a 9mm, because I'd rather have the extra rounds. To each his own. I was simply looking for another SL and was hoping to get some good responses, which I did and I thank everyone for it. Like the transmission issue, for example, which I am now aware of and would not have been had I not posted.


Thanks for your response, and yes, that is how I roll. Feel free to check out my site at www.cityvibe.com, and let me know if there is anything I can do to help you if you happen to roll with any of them.

I'll post pics after I get the car.

Peace

Yeah, checked out your site already. Bravo!

Enjoy it in good health, she's a beauty. But, make sure to read up on the M156 class-action against MB. I wasn't making that up. It's a legitimate concern with the 63 cars.

Gonna need a video of a burnout, when you get her. That is, if the SL63 is even capable of doing a burnout.

Please put a NSFW on links like this. For those of us who are at work and have big brothers watching our every click.

Do some research on Straight Line Automotive. They've been discussed before with mixed reviews.

This is from AMG private lounge post from informed poster: MCT Transmission

"As I had predicted many months ago, several friends who had leased (despite my advice) '11 CL63 (who had leased numerous 65/63/SLS in past) detest MCT box to point where they want to get rid of the POS to get a new 65 instead (even at risk of severe deprec hits)

AMG needs to do more stress-testing drives in SF and BH on roads used by repeat buyers of these cars for daily commutes and wkend drives...which incl steep hills like Divisadero in PacHts, and just boring stop-and-go in SF (FinDt to PacHts) or BH (BH to Palisades) where Stop-Start, MCT jerkiness/throttle hesitation is infuriating for any driver of a $175+K commuter car (who has no desire to rem to switch gearbox out of commie mode upon each start-up)

Perhaps 95+% of repeat buyers of new 65s never bother with silly tracks, where MCT is allegedly more interesting (though most pro drivers can't beat NBR times in Manual mode vs SportPlus mode....hmmm)...or care what is theoretic MPG of a $200K+ commuter car in their <10mi drive to office

Looking fwd to leasing many new-gen S65s and CL65s, but this commie MCT and girlie V8 nonsense should be left in London or NYC....fairly useless in Woodside or BH mkt where $200K+ commuter cars are rather cheap and casually used in daily life, largely for maximal safety/reliability/smoothness/mid-range tq...none of which 63/MCT offer...."

LOL, you're a Pimp.

Literally.

thats exactly like mine. And thats a pretty good price. Best of luck.

Yes this subject has been up before, but so do shows on TV. If you missed it
then it will come up again in the future. I am glad you picked the 63 because
to me owning a car is all about fun and excitement. I have owned a SL55,
CL65, and had an extended test drive in a SL65. If you want just straight line speed the 65 would be the one, but it's old tech. Once you master the gearbox on the 63 you will be able to play tunes on the exhaust which is
fabulous, also it handles very well particularly with AMG button pressed.
There is something about the 63 that just makes you smile every time you drive it.