SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL65 Confirmed for US
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From: Hilton Head Island
1999 E55 AMG
SL65 Confirmed for US
Page 34 of the Sept. issue of Car and Drives states that the CL65 and SL65 are headed for the U.S. next year. MB has decided not to deliver the S65 to our shores.
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From: House of Imports, MBZ (So. Cali.)
'06 ML500 w/Apperance pkg & '07 SL550 w/AMG pkg
MB is actually bringing the CL65 first and will see how the reponse goes before introducing the SL65. But from my source, it is try that they will both more than likely hit the US shores in very limited numbers by MY05.
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Originally posted by Bob718
I think the new Bentley GT looks a little ugly on the outside at least - it looks like a 2-door station wagon.
I think the new Bentley GT looks a little ugly on the outside at least - it looks like a 2-door station wagon.
I do hope the S65 comes. What's better than a 500hp four door sedan that runs quarter miles in less than 13 seconds? ONE WITH MORE POWER!
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SL65(R231), SL65(R230), 600SL, 560SL(86), 560SL(89),250SL(68),250SL(67), 190SL, 300SL(GW)
My dealer called me on Saturday to confirm the US availability of the SL65. I had a SL600 on order with the instruction to convert to the AMG version if possible. He also told me to expect a price of $160-175k.
Mike
Mike
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Originally posted by vraa
Finally another one that agrees! I always thought they were ugly.
Finally another one that agrees! I always thought they were ugly.
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Originally posted by Bob718
Ironically, I also thought I was the only one who thought it was ugly, especially after hearing that over 3200 orders had been placed for it already.
Ironically, I also thought I was the only one who thought it was ugly, especially after hearing that over 3200 orders had been placed for it already.
Also does any one know how many blind people there are?
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From: House of Imports, MBZ (So. Cali.)
'06 ML500 w/Apperance pkg & '07 SL550 w/AMG pkg
I totally agree, I think the car is way too big IMO!!! Although there is a nice article in Automobile on pg 53. They interviewed the CEO of Bentley and he states that they have over 3500 "firm" orders on hand. Even stating that some markets are sold out until 2005!!!!!
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
The opinion of road testers here is that the Bentley is stunning, handsomely beating the Mercedes CL600 which is its closest competitor. One magazine said that the price difference over the CL600 could be justified on either driver appeal or luxury but that the Bentley has the CL comprehensively beaten on both counts.
This is no blind loyalty to something British, everyone recognises that the Bentley is essentially a German car. The main criticism of it is that it has huge thirst for unleaded - 12 mpg is common - and limited range from the undersized fuel tank as a result. The Bentley is being built in the original, but now much modernised Rolls-Royce plant and by the same people, and the quality of the craftsmanship is really evident in the car. 18 hours to hand-stitch a leather steering wheel just hints at it.
It's not a direct competitor to the SL and will be built in much smaller numbers than either the SL or the CL. It's still a welcome entrant to the marketplace and will prove that Mercedes does not always have it its own way, which is good for them too. It's nice when an established order is threatened. Ferrari must be just that little bit concerned that the Lamborghini Gallardo is turning out to be something the 360 Modena is not.
This is no blind loyalty to something British, everyone recognises that the Bentley is essentially a German car. The main criticism of it is that it has huge thirst for unleaded - 12 mpg is common - and limited range from the undersized fuel tank as a result. The Bentley is being built in the original, but now much modernised Rolls-Royce plant and by the same people, and the quality of the craftsmanship is really evident in the car. 18 hours to hand-stitch a leather steering wheel just hints at it.
It's not a direct competitor to the SL and will be built in much smaller numbers than either the SL or the CL. It's still a welcome entrant to the marketplace and will prove that Mercedes does not always have it its own way, which is good for them too. It's nice when an established order is threatened. Ferrari must be just that little bit concerned that the Lamborghini Gallardo is turning out to be something the 360 Modena is not.
Last edited by blueSL; Aug 13, 2003 at 01:27 AM.
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From: Boca Raton, FL
2003 E55,2005 Ferrari F430 Spider, 2005 Corvette 427 TT, 2005 Range Rover
I personally like the bently better than the CL. I can't stand the c pillar on the CL. It makes the roof look like a canopy. It is a deal braker for me.
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Originally posted by Blocktrader
I personally like the bently better than the CL. I can't stand the c pillar on the CL. It makes the roof look like a canopy. It is a deal braker for me.
I personally like the bently better than the CL. I can't stand the c pillar on the CL. It makes the roof look like a canopy. It is a deal braker for me.
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From: nyc
04 BMW m3
Originally posted by internet_mafia
I know what you mean. Overall, the CL is an overage looking car. The front looks a little boring and as if it is missing something. From the side, it looks a little elongated for a coupe. And then there's that awful rear bulbous window, too radical of a design. But the interior is nicely appointed, as it should be for a car this price. I really can't find a STRONG reason to buy a CL over an SL though. The SL has the best of both worlds.
I know what you mean. Overall, the CL is an overage looking car. The front looks a little boring and as if it is missing something. From the side, it looks a little elongated for a coupe. And then there's that awful rear bulbous window, too radical of a design. But the interior is nicely appointed, as it should be for a car this price. I really can't find a STRONG reason to buy a CL over an SL though. The SL has the best of both worlds.
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
The problem with all these increasing HP numbers is actually putting that power down on the road. The testers of the CL600 found the standing start times were limited by the traction control backing off; either that or burning rubber so a CL65 isn't going to help that much, same with the SL65. They found in the wet that the Bentley was much quicker off the mark than the CL600; nothing to do with power, or power to weight (where the CL600 wins) but traction.
The highest performance cars around either need the weight of the engine over the driven wheels (F360, Zonda), four wheel drive (Bentley, Murcielago, Veyron) or both (911 Turbo). In the Mercedes SLR McLaren, they've moved the engine back behind the front axle line to increase weight balance - I expect traction was a major development issue for that car.
I personally like the driving security of 4 wheel drive. My little Subaru has 4 wheel drive and in the wet it's a much better car to drive than the Ferrari which is as nervous as a kid before his first job interview...
The highest performance cars around either need the weight of the engine over the driven wheels (F360, Zonda), four wheel drive (Bentley, Murcielago, Veyron) or both (911 Turbo). In the Mercedes SLR McLaren, they've moved the engine back behind the front axle line to increase weight balance - I expect traction was a major development issue for that car.
I personally like the driving security of 4 wheel drive. My little Subaru has 4 wheel drive and in the wet it's a much better car to drive than the Ferrari which is as nervous as a kid before his first job interview...
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SL55 AMG
No apologies for that, Evo and Car are two of the best reads and other people on this board may appreciate extracts of their informed opinion. They do rate the SL55 highly (4.5 and 5 stars respectively) which shows we're on the same wavelength.
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Originally posted by Bilal
Regurgitating views from CAR are we?
Serisouly have you read the article in CAR about what mercedes plans to do to mclaren? What are your views?
Regurgitating views from CAR are we?
Serisouly have you read the article in CAR about what mercedes plans to do to mclaren? What are your views?
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Right now, i'm being extremely lazy, however, I will try and scan the article, don't worry, its nothing to do with F1. Rather, its Mercedes quest to bring out all the Mclaren know-how into road-cars. you can read the rest of the stuff in the article
you can read the rest of the stuff in the article
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Originally posted by ano0oj
i thought that they werent gonna bring the sl65 to US, well thats what my dad is saying rite now, but miracles can happend! :-D
i thought that they werent gonna bring the sl65 to US, well thats what my dad is saying rite now, but miracles can happend! :-D
While I think they make awesome cars, I don't believe that they are worth the price (official MSRP in Europe is at about $220,000 for the CL65). Sorry, but the small performance boost over CL55 is not worth $100k, especially as they are nearly identical in options and appearence.
Keep in mind that if current indications hold true, the SL55's engine to due to be upgraded in 05 for the 06 model year, moving to 600hp...
Btw, I agree with blueSL on the Bentley; one can always argue about the looks of the car, but it has received excellent first look reviews in the German car press as well (with the exception of the gas milage). It actually goes over 200 mph, but consumption increased to a startling 3.7 miles per gallon(US)
During testing, the full car was running on empty within 45 minutes Wolfman
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From: Kenilworth, il usa
GT63S ePerformance 4dr, '25 Bentayga Black Ed.(wife), Wrangler and 250 MLB(kids)
I'm afraid all this power will be mostly useless in a CL65,it was extremely frustrating to me in a CL600.
That was one of the reasons to get rid of it ,in my experience E55 has much better traction(it is slower though).
The future for these ultra powerful cars lies in all wheel drive definitely.
That was one of the reasons to get rid of it ,in my experience E55 has much better traction(it is slower though).
The future for these ultra powerful cars lies in all wheel drive definitely.
