cohenmd86

Hey all,

Been doing some research and have driven 05 sl 65 higher miles and have not driven an sl63 (drove an e63 2011) love both of the sl's but concerned with older model, and high cost of maintenance. Have read the forum extensively. Also I want the latest and greatest but don't want to take a Huge hit on depreciation. So leads me to an 09 sl63 and 08 sl65. Can you guys helps in terms speaking of performance, is the 65 worth it? How about putting the power down and that all important launch off the line? Thanks for your input hoping buy one soon.

justthebest

Go with the 63 - 65s are for old guys at the country club or drag racers. 63 is a good balance of power & sportiness.

okbarnett

the 65 is going to be more torque and hp. but the 65 only comes with the older 5 speed trans. the 63 is slightly less engine but alot more technology updates and new 7 speed trans, and if you get the performance pkg, you get sport trans and suspension settings and the car will probibly feel quicker and be more responsive. Plus it will look more up to date than the old style car.

Dave in VA

That all maybe true but that V-12 in the SL65 is so smooth and the power delivery is very linier. And with over 600HP it moves out very nicely.

An Old Guy,

Dave

JumpinJim

The 65 will be the better car. Interior materials are an upgrade over the 63s. The V12 is extra smooth and has a lot of grunt. The 63 with the NA engine has considerably less torque, particularly in the low RPM band. The R230 is a heavy car and the lack of torque hurts it. The NA 63 will feel sluggish trying to get its weight going whereas the 65 will not have that problem. I've had a 55, 65, and a 63. The 63 was the least enjoyable of the 3 by far. The NA 63 engine is good in a lighter car, but has no place is something with the heft of an SL.

pjdough

I drive a 55 and 65; and, haven't driven a 63 yet. So, several thoughts: the 65, mine being a 230, is ufb! Like an energizer, when jumpin on her she jus "keeps goin, and goin, and goin." Does a 5-speed disappoint? Not, in my opinion. Are more speeds better? I suspect so, but that doesn't mean there's something missing or wrong with 5 speeds.
The torque is something that is, until you drive one, unbelievable. Combined with 600 ponies, the power makes it a classic muscle car, a la american, but full of luxury and made by germany's finest.
Admittedly, to some a 231 may look more up-to-date; however, I like the looks of a 230 more. Personal taste...
Lastly, leaving 55s and 63s (as well as most others) breathing exhaust and, after tire-chirping at 70+ mph, burning rubber is...priceless!
65s are beasts to be reckoned with...
Most importantly, search for the right car for you then enjoy the hell out of it!

sound 8

It's quite easy, if you want a comfy long distance car that goes like a
rocket ( tweaked ) in a straight line, then it's the SL65.
If you want a sporty head turning car with firm suspension and lots of fun
then it's the SL63. Of course a new SL63 is going to be expensive, unless
you go for the older 63 which is neither, or a SL65 about 2007, low mileage
which will set you back around 48 grand. Looks wise I think the first SL63
2008-2012 is the best, the new 63 looks grow on you, the 65 or R230 goes
by without being noticed. I had a 2009 SL63, changed it for a 2007 SL65 which I tweaked and now I have the 2013 R231 SL63 , so ask away as I
have knowledge of all 3, also had a SL55 first.

pjdough

s8 - a 63 turns heads but a 65 doesn't? hmmm

If a potential buyer is looking to take on laguna seca or lime rock, forget the benz and go for a car designed for em (porsche). if you're looking for a great luxury road car, go for the 6X. whether that be a 63 or 65. should you, like me, decide not to drive in "a straight line" understand/ embrace the 65's handling. to begin, you're gonna be in front when entering the corner; brake hard (HUGE BRAKES (mine are 8 caliber up front (stock)) then accelerate the sh*t out of her coming out of the corner. you'll still have no one in front and just a few embarrassed wanna be's in the mirror!
65s are not for the improverished nor faint of heart!
Like I said b4, search for the right car FOR YOU then enjoy the hell out of it!

Dave in VA

I was wondering why aren't you considering a SL55? If I didn't have a 65 I'd look at the SL55. And not being noticed? I just hope that would work with the Cops, can't say I driven anywhere and not been noticed, must be the Storm Red color. I know that by the reaction I get anytime I drive it. I don't think I'd get any more attention if I wore a rainbow wig with the top down.

I think on my SL65, I have 6 piston calipers up front and 4 piston in the rear, the only thing about the 65 you will go through rear tires and I noticed today the rear pads, (which I think is used to control wheel spin) are starting to show some wear. Hummm but I have had a blast driving it.

I do have to say most people don't know what it is (and that accounts for most SL's), they know they are special, but they don't know its a V-12 or that it has two turbos, it's funny watching their faces when they read it written on the side panels.

Also for those Folk in VA/DC/MD there is an all German car show at Nottoway Park in Vienna VA, this Sunday, PCA, BMWCCA and MBCA will be showing.

Dave

carlsturm

V12 bi-turbo - doesn't get noticed? Want more torque than a 65 then add lots of zero's to the purchase price. Want better handling shop a P-car or M-series.

Want a beautiful head turning car? - any SL will do.

okbarnett

dont forget, you are going to end up with a 8 or 9 year old car. Are you going to be getting it for pnuts? whats it going to be worth when you try to sell it?

sound 8

When I first got a SL55 I was dissapointed by the way nobody ever looked
at it, or asked about it, I had come from a Porsche 966 Turbo which had
looks all the time. Still I loved it and kept it for 4 years until it had lots
of faults. When I got the R230 SL63 it was like a Porsche, you saw it, you heard it and you couldn't go anywhere without getting comments. When
I sold it and when back to a SL65 R230, it was like going back to the 55 in
terms of peoples interest, in fact friends said I was mad changing my 63
for a 65. I tweaked the 65 and it went like a rocket, in a straight line, in
fact I had some heart stopping moments in the 65 on fast corners, it handled
like a drunk elephant, and most boy racers would leave you behind on twisty
stuff, the new 63 is wonderful on bends, But I suspect Ferrari, Porsche will
still leave you after a while. SL's were never meant to chuck around, the new 63 is much better with it's firmer ride, but at a cost of being more uncomfortable. I think I will change the new 63 in about a year to 18 months, back to a 65 with a black ed body.

desant89

Wow, not sure where some of you are from, but I have never been out with my SL55 and not gotten comments. I still think it is one of the nicest cars ever made. I think we are all spoiled in here, and taking the SL's for granted. I sure remember when I did not have one, looking at them and noticing them ALL the time!

I just modded my SL55 and now have over 500 to the wheels. Car is plenty fast, and handles great. Not sure how many of you are professional track racers on here, but assuming not many. For anyone else, I do not think you would ever reach the capabilities of an SL55 with the P30 package (whatever it is called) that mine has.

Last thing is that I drove through Brooklyn yesterday on my way home from TTM, and cannot even count how many comments I got on the car. For this car not to be noticed, the population would need to be zero!

sound 8

Like everything you can only judge on what you have.
I have experienced driving all the models, and believe me flashy and fast
draws much more attention.

cohenmd86

Thanks everyone for your response. I also have a 13 ml550 with the 4.7biturbo and just love the power. I am going to continue to look for the right sl65 more power=more fun in my book. Everything has a trade off and usually in my case the trade off is $$$$$. Thanks for your help maybe ill just pony up and buy an 09 sl65. I just don't want to get smoked by some dude in a vette or a dweeb in a camero because he hooked up better off the line. Love Mercedes benz think they are just a world class car and you get a hard top convetible with Liz and performance how can you go wrong?!!!!

johno530

I have a couple of AMG V8s which are awesome - especially the '63 - but I have to admit that my first love, and probably always will be, is the SL65. Sure the CLK Black handles way better, and has that serious V8 sound, but I find the '65's seductive combination of silky smooth luxury cruising, and flat out rude power when you need it, or even when you don't need it, to be the sh*t.

sound 8

Horses for Courses,

alx

the sl65 is for introverts.

the sl63 is for extroverts.

in the handling department if you can overpower your inner diaper/ rectum convulsion reflex the sl65 can be driven just as fast around the track. it will understeer a bit more than the 63, but the extra power helps rotate the car when needed to compensate for it. the 65 feels softer but when on full boil it defies physics as long as you know what you are doing and dont wrestle it (like you would wrestle a viper for example)

and i dont know where the porsche thing about attention comes from, but i've driven my wife's 997.2 turbo cab and nobody gives you the time of the day. just like in the sl65 and just as i like it

sound 8

The new SL63 feels quite different to any of the R230's , 55,65 etc. It can
drive like a 65 smooth and quiet, not quite as comfy as a 65, but when you
drive in anger it feels much more hairey than either 55 or 65. Although the
new 63 has an auto box it's vastly superior to the old auto box, particularly
in manual and kick down. I get more tingle getting in it than anything before
and with all the power and torque you hope you might meet a Porsche or
GTR along the way. It draws attention but I think it's down to colour, white
with carbon pack and black wheels does get looks, but I think you would get
less looks in another colour, mind you everything from Audi, BMW , Jaguar
seems to come with white paintwork and black wheels, even saw a Prius in
the same colours Actually the most attention I got was from the previous SL63, especially the noise, and Paladium silver with a carbon pack.
I really like the new 63, right down to the different dash board which definitely looks better than previous. At the end of the day All SL's are great
and I wouldn't mind a 350 if that's all I could afford.

rune solem

Sound 8, how's the sound compared to the sl 55?

Is the turbo taking away some of the "music", or is it just as good or even better sounding?

sound 8

Hi, it certainly makes a similar but louder sound to the SL55, the previous
63 was naturally aspirated and had a very loud rasp to the growl, the
new 63 is quieter but has a lower growl than the rasp. I imagine the turbos
are breaking up mid/high frequencies hence the loss of rasp, which will
give you more lower frequencies hence the new 63 growl. I think both 55
and 65 are muted (shame) by MB who are now coming to their senses and
giving the SL's an exhaust note they deserve.

boba fett

Sorry to be negative - both are/have typical fragile Mercedes build quality with inherent issues

Buy the cheapest one!!!!!

boba fett

Just read the thread thoroughly and you have bought your car.

Please ignore my previous post, it should say, hope all goes well with your new car, nothing goes wrong and you get the utmost enjoyment from it!!

Nice car.

Thanks

over the edge

I've been going through this same decision making process....

I had an 03 SL55 for 5 years that got hit and totalled recently so I went out just shopped all of them as potential replacements. There really isn't a simple answer...

The 09-12 SL63 looked great on paper (and sounds amazing - the snap-crackle-pop with the DCT is awesome), but the revvy V8 disappointed somewhat performance-wise. The car felt heavier and slower than a 55. The lack of gobs of torque takes the sporty feel away from such a heavy platform. That said, I think an aftermarket blower on the SL63 could make it close to the perfect car.

Also, the 63 cars have quite a bit of depreciation left in them if that matters to you. Financially, you'd probably be much better of with a pre-09 65 (as long as maintenance/repairs are up to date).

At the end of the day, I also decided I didn't like the styling of the face-lifted SL. I can't look at a facelift car without thinking it has taken something away from the original R230 02 (03 in US) SL-class styling.

Equipment is also something to consider. The air-scarf on the 09+ cars would be pretty awesome to have here in SF where the temperature can drop 15 degrees in a few miles.

Everyone has different tastes. Go and test drive them all before you make a decision.