SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 2013 SL65

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Old Jun 2, 2012 | 09:39 PM
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2013 SL65

Any ideas how many would come to US this year?
So far it seems it will be as rare as the G63.....
Almost no dealer has any allocated yet.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 06:48 AM
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Originally Posted by absent
Any ideas how many would come to US this year?
So far it seems it will be as rare as the G63.....
Almost no dealer has any allocated yet.
The SL63 has a far superior Gearbox (Wet clutch MCT Vs. Classic torque converter 7G-tronic)

The 5.5 Twin turbo engine is more technologically advanced than the Old 3 valves per cylinder V12.

A simple tune can make the 63 more powerful than the 65.

I don't see any reason to buy a 65.

The R231 SL65 is gonna be as rare as a Self-employed Hooker.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 07:23 AM
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Originally Posted by DCMETRO22Z
The SL63 has a far superior Gearbox (Wet clutch MCT Vs. Classic torque converter 7G-tronic)

The 5.5 Twin turbo engine is more technologically advanced than the Old 3 valves per cylinder V12.

A simple tune can make the 63 more powerful than the 65.

I don't see any reason to buy a 65.

The R231 SL65 is gonna be as rare as a Self-employed Hooker.
2013 SL65 has a modified V12,new turbos and most importantly the same 7 speed Wet clutch transmission as the SL63,modified to handle the enormous torque it has.
Btw,self-employed hookers still make the majority as the agency (pimp) controlled girls make only about 35%.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 07:32 AM
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Originally Posted by absent
2013 SL65 has a modified V12,new turbos and most importantly the same 7 speed Wet clutch transmission as the SL63,modified to handle the enormous torque it has.
Btw,self-employed hookers still make the majority as the agency (pimp) controlled girls make only about 35%.
No No No The R231 SL65 AMG Has the 7G tronic transmission with a Torque Converter.

Do not confuse the 7G-tronic with the Seven Speed MCT transmission.

Last edited by DCMETRO22Z; Jun 3, 2012 at 07:34 AM.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 10:55 AM
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Interesting thread.........difficult to choose between the cars and in the end depends on how you are using it......cruising or racing at the drop of a hat from stop lights or rolls............

From what I understand the MCT 7 has not always had the best reviews based on forum's feedback.....don't know about 7G feedback.....

You also can tune a 63 to come close or match hp, but can be costly to match the 65's torque numbers without doing some more additional work.......and watch out for transmission issues, etc....

Last edited by abiazis; Jun 3, 2012 at 11:00 AM.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 07:35 PM
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Originally Posted by DCMETRO22Z
No No No The R231 SL65 AMG Has the 7G tronic transmission with a Torque Converter.

Do not confuse the 7G-tronic with the Seven Speed MCT transmission.
My bad,you are right of course.
Still,the point is that tranny should improve performance vs the old 5 speed.
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Old Jun 3, 2012 | 08:38 PM
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No bad at all.........

Newer generations of SLs bring innovation and sometimes a first year model will surprise the engineers with how much better something worked out and sometimes how somethings did not.........

7 or 8 speeds definitely improve performance if they are refined as engineers designed it......curious to see if the 7 speed in the SL is smoother than originally in some 63s, etc...
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 01:59 PM
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Originally Posted by abiazis
Interesting thread.........difficult to choose between the cars and in the end depends on how you are using it......cruising or racing at the drop of a hat from stop lights or rolls............

From what I understand the MCT 7 has not always had the best reviews based on forum's feedback.....don't know about 7G feedback.....

You also can tune a 63 to come close or match hp, but can be costly to match the 65's torque numbers without doing some more additional work.......and watch out for transmission issues, etc....

a Simple ECU remap gives you 730lb ft of torque with the M157 engine. Same numbers as the M275/M279 engine.

Check renntech or other tuners websites.
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 04:40 PM
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Question

Thanks for info on torque tune upgrade.....I will peruse the websites of Kleeman, renntech, etc. for more info.......

What is your opinion on coil packs being over stressed and eventually failing when you upgrade with a tune? I have heard differing opinions on this forum......what is the real deal on this....
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 04:52 PM
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Originally Posted by DCMETRO22Z
I don't see any reason to buy a 65.
only two reasons really...

V12 sound > V8 sound
exclusivity/status

for the upper echelon elite, the exclusivity alone is probably why they purchase it, to have the best of the best.
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 05:33 PM
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Got my answer,77 cars for the 2013.
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Old Jun 4, 2012 | 05:36 PM
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In 2005 they built 390 the first year as a comparison and 1305 from 2005-2008........I believe around 100 in 2009, skipped 2010 and about 100 in 2011, zero in 2012 I believe.......
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Old Jun 5, 2012 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by abiazis
Thanks for info on torque tune upgrade.....I will peruse the websites of Kleeman, renntech, etc. for more info.......

What is your opinion on coil packs being over stressed and eventually failing when you upgrade with a tune? I have heard differing opinions on this forum......what is the real deal on this....
I'm not an engineer... But IMO big tuners like renntech won't sell a product that will overstress the engine.
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Old Jun 5, 2012 | 03:24 PM
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Yes, do agree on mechanicals on the engine are definitely OKAY for tune upgreades.....

The early coil packs on V-12s I believe were upgraded on 07/08 65 models as they are notorious for failing and some people say it is the tune that overloads them...............no engineer here either......just repeating what I have read........I'll have to call renntech directly, etc...
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 02:35 PM
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The SL65 has been fiddled with but it is still a big lazy cruiser, on the other
hand the new 63 is going to handle better, change gear better, and sound better, and with my friends comments , a quick re map, increase in boost
and it will be incredible, it's time for the 65 to retire.
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 03:43 PM
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Depends on the driver))))
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 03:48 PM
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Originally Posted by sound 8
on the other hand the new 63 is going to handle better, change gear better, and sound better
slow down there captain... lets examine the facts. i found the following info from mercedes AMG site, and their press releases.

Weight - theyre within 25lbs (63 is 4274 vs 65 is 4299) this amount is almost negligible

Brakes - 63 has 14.2front 13rear, 65 has 15.4front and 14.2rear... also, the 65 can get the SLS carbon ceramic brakes as an option (not sure if that is available for the 63, could not find info)

Suspension - quote i found "The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control is a further developed version of the setup in the SL63 AMG" both have the same 2 modes, which are tied to whatever transmission setting you choose.

Handling control - both have the same 3 stage ESP system

Transmission - this is the one area where the 63 might have an advantage, although how much of one it really is, is yet to be seen. the 63 has the 7speed speedshift MultiClutch, while the 65 has the same transmission but with a single clutch. the 63 has 3 shift modes, the 65 has 4 shift modes.

Power - the 65 has almost 60% more torque than the 63... any mod you can do to the 63, you could also do to the 65 and it will always make more power.

0-60 - 63 is 4.5 and the 65 is 3.9 (torque!) At highway speeds, the extra torque of the V12 will also walk away from the 63.

Sound - well, this is purely individual opinion, but to me the V12 will always sound better than the V8. Don't get me wrong, i think the V8 sounds amazing, but not as good as the exotic howl of the V12. You hear a V8 at almost every stoplight.... but when a V12 revs up, it is much more distinct and exclusive. Once again, there is no winner here, just personal preference.


The only areas I can see where the 63 beats the 65 is the multiclutch vs the single clutch. Both will shift lightning fast, but IME, the multiclutch will be somewhat smoother. I'm not really sure why MB didn't use the multi in the 65, my only assumption is that the multi had issues handling the extra torque of the V12.
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 04:00 PM
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Nice synopsis

Road Warrior speaks with straight tongue.....+1
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 04:38 PM
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Originally Posted by TheRoadWarrior
slow down there captain... lets examine the facts. i found the following info from mercedes AMG site, and their press releases.

Weight - theyre within 25lbs (63 is 4274 vs 65 is 4299) this amount is almost negligible

Brakes - 63 has 14.2front 13rear, 65 has 15.4front and 14.2rear... also, the 65 can get the SLS carbon ceramic brakes as an option (not sure if that is available for the 63, could not find info)

Suspension - quote i found "The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control is a further developed version of the setup in the SL63 AMG" both have the same 2 modes, which are tied to whatever transmission setting you choose.

Handling control - both have the same 3 stage ESP system

Transmission - this is the one area where the 63 might have an advantage, although how much of one it really is, is yet to be seen. the 63 has the 7speed speedshift MultiClutch, while the 65 has the same transmission but with a single clutch. the 63 has 3 shift modes, the 65 has 4 shift modes.

Power - the 65 has almost 60% more torque than the 63... any mod you can do to the 63, you could also do to the 65 and it will always make more power.

0-60 - 63 is 4.5 and the 65 is 3.9 (torque!) At highway speeds, the extra torque of the V12 will also walk away from the 63.

Sound - well, this is purely individual opinion, but to me the V12 will always sound better than the V8. Don't get me wrong, i think the V8 sounds amazing, but not as good as the exotic howl of the V12. You hear a V8 at almost every stoplight.... but when a V12 revs up, it is much more distinct and exclusive. Once again, there is no winner here, just personal preference.


The only areas I can see where the 63 beats the 65 is the multiclutch vs the single clutch. Both will shift lightning fast, but IME, the multiclutch will be somewhat smoother. I'm not really sure why MB didn't use the multi in the 65, my only assumption is that the multi had issues handling the extra torque of the V12.
That is not a matter of simple clutch Vs multi clutch like E60 M5 Vs F10 M5.

THe 65 has a traditional Automatic Gearbox with a torque converter. Reliable, smooth , but slow and not really sporty.

The 63 has tha MCT Speedshift AMG gearbox, wich is a unique type of Tranny, it's the 7G tronic trans but the torque converter has been replaced with a wet clutch pack.
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 05:28 PM
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Originally Posted by abiazis
Road Warrior speaks with straight tongue.....+1
Haha, I think you and Road may have just gotten your first taste of sound 8. I love the guy, but if its not an SL63 with 6.3 N/A, he won't have much good to say about it.
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Old Jun 8, 2012 | 10:18 PM
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Originally Posted by DCMETRO22Z
That is not a matter of simple clutch Vs multi clutch like E60 M5 Vs F10 M5.

THe 65 has a traditional Automatic Gearbox with a torque converter. Reliable, smooth , but slow and not really sporty.

The 63 has tha MCT Speedshift AMG gearbox, wich is a unique type of Tranny, it's the 7G tronic trans but the torque converter has been replaced with a wet clutch pack.
Yes, as I mentioned, that is the one area where the 63 has an advantage.
Although the 65 is also billed as a AMG SpeedShift PLUS 7 Speed, it does use a torque converter.
As mentioned above also, I would logically assume this is due to MB worrying about the MCT handling the amount of torque the 65 makes, otherwise they certainly would have used the MCT version in the more expensive car as well.

I would MUUCCCCCH rather have 60% more torque, rather than shifting a few hundredths of a second faster and smoother.
After all, the SL is a gt-cruiser type of car, not a track car where .00001 milisecond shifts would even matter.
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Old Jun 9, 2012 | 01:01 AM
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Originally Posted by TheRoadWarrior
only two reasons really...

V12 sound > V8 sound
exclusivity/status

for the upper echelon elite, the exclusivity alone is probably why they purchase it, to have the best of the best.
Exactly... Drive one (not on a test drive) / own one / experience it.

There will Always be a demographic for the V12.
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Old Jun 9, 2012 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by abiazis
Interesting thread.........difficult to choose between the cars and in the end depends on how you are using it......cruising or racing at the drop of a hat from stop lights or rolls............

From what I understand the MCT 7 has not always had the best reviews based on forum's feedback.....don't know about 7G feedback.....

You also can tune a 63 to come close or match hp, but can be costly to match the 65's torque numbers without doing some more additional work.......and watch out for transmission issues, etc....
.

My opinnion is that SL65 V12 is the king of the roads.... no doubt....
The SL63 is at the second "level" and if I can buy an SL65 I'm not even gone think to buy an SL63..
At the moment I own an SL600 (Speedriven ECU / TCU tune) and I love the torgue and the sound. You can only compare the V8 to V12 engine.
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Old Jun 9, 2012 | 06:37 PM
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Originally Posted by TheRoadWarrior
Yes, as I mentioned, that is the one area where the 63 has an advantage.
Although the 65 is also billed as a AMG SpeedShift PLUS 7 Speed, it does use a torque converter.
As mentioned above also, I would logically assume this is due to MB worrying about the MCT handling the amount of torque the 65 makes, otherwise they certainly would have used the MCT version in the more expensive car as well.

I would MUUCCCCCH rather have 60% more torque, rather than shifting a few hundredths of a second faster and smoother.
After all, the SL is a gt-cruiser type of car, not a track car where .00001 milisecond shifts would even matter.
Actually,the transmission with torque converter is the one that is smoother.
I have MCT in my current car and when with passengers,I have to keep it in "C" mode to make the car smoother.
None of the multi clutch transmissions is smooth as conventional.
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Old Jun 9, 2012 | 07:23 PM
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Originally Posted by TheRoadWarrior
Yes, as I mentioned, that is the one area where the 63 has an advantage.
Although the 65 is also billed as a AMG SpeedShift PLUS 7 Speed, it does use a torque converter.
As mentioned above also, I would logically assume this is due to MB worrying about the MCT handling the amount of torque the 65 makes, otherwise they certainly would have used the MCT version in the more expensive car as well.

I would MUUCCCCCH rather have 60% more torque, rather than shifting a few hundredths of a second faster and smoother.
After all, the SL is a gt-cruiser type of car, not a track car where .00001 milisecond shifts would even matter.
I agree 100%.

Brabus successfully mated the MCT trans to their 6.3 tuned V12 engine producing 800 hp and 1000nm (On the CLS Rocket 800)

So that Gearbox is technically able to handle such a massive amount of torque.

Why MB didn't want to do so is a mystery.
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