sound 8

After driving my SL63 it is plainly aimed at a different market. No more a
GT cruiser, more like a sports car, even lighter. The ride is quite firm, but
not Porsche back breaking, but it handles superbly. Aston and Jaguar are
no longer competitors, I have driven a DB9 and the new XKRs and they feel
soggy by comparison, no the new SL63 is fast, great in manual, corners like
it's stuck on the road and sounds beautiful. They will loose customers expecting a soft ride, and a long distance capabilities , this is far fast boy
racer and I love it, but short journeys only.

DCMETRO22Z

Very interesting to read... Have you tried a regular R231 SL500 ?

LukasBMW

Question: How do you like it compared to your SL65?

On another note: I've been a BMW guy all my life. I never thought I'd see the day when BMW got beat by Benz in the "fun" department. That said, I was not very surprised to hear some automotive critics say that the new SL63 is better/more fun then the new M6. While I have not ridden in a new M6, I have driven a 640i and 650i and I was very disappointed. BMW is making their cars so soft now!

Additionally, when I took my SL into the dealership, they always gave me C class rentals. I was really impressed with the handling, ride quality, and road feel of the new C class. I think that the lower class (4 and 6 cyl) Benz engines still lack the responsiveness of the BMW 4 and 6 bangers, but I honestly thing that the C250's handle and ride more like BMW's then the new BMW's!

It's like Benz wanted to be more BMW and caught up while BMW wanted to be more Benz and caught up.

JumpinJim

I've spent a lot of time in the service loaner C250s as of late. They're actually pretty good now compared to the awful, lifeless previous gen. The new turbo 4 banger is actually surprisingly punchy when you stomp it at lower speed. Dare I say it, they're actually fun to toss around.

sound 8

I imagine the 350 and 500 are softer than the AMG, but I have not driven
either. I have never bought a BMW although I love the M3, because the ride
is too firm, but then they corner very well. I think MB have moved towards
BMW ride wise. 2 more negs on the new 63 is the Harmon Kardon system
is lousy, bring back the Bose, and there is a lot more wind noise with the roof down, especially above 60 mph, and why does it have 20 inch rims on the
back and 19 inch rims on the front, both are wider than my 65 wheels yet they fit the same size tyres as the 65, 20 of course on the back.

DCMETRO22Z

What is you general impression on R230 SL65 Vs. R231 SL63 ? Would you say the 65 remains more comfortable ?

sound 8

The R231 63 in my opinion has too firm a ride for long distance, it is also
much windier with the roof down than the 65. Don't get me wrong, I love
the look of it, and it's quick, but the 65 has laid back looks, quite pretty
but not super car looking. In many ways I would like both. Now for long
journeys I would choose my S class, and keep the new 63 for short fun
rides with plenty of looks. There again I wouldn't do a long journey in a
Ferrari, Porsche, Lambo, etc, maybe Jaguar and Aston.

Quadcammer

If you are suggesting that the sl63 is a competitor to a ferrari or a porsche, you must be talking about the panamera or the FF, because there is no way you are comparing it to the 911 or the 458.

I'm still convinced you are a 15 year old troll posting pics of your daddy's cars.

JumpinJim

Well the panamera is a 4 door so that wouldn't be a comparison and the FF is a 4 seater coupe. Better comparison would be the Ferrari California or P-turbo cab. They're in the same segment, but suited for different purposes. The turbo is sporty, but also very rough and has terrible road noise. I got rid of mine, just not that great a car overall. Never tried the California, but they're underpowered compared to either the SL or turbo and wouldn't interest me. The SL is geared toward the buyer who wants a comfortable and powerful car with sportiness throw in, but not at the expense of the ride.

As far as it not getting as much attention that's fine with me. I put an Ariel atom the road and that was annoying. Almost got killed several times from people trying to gawk at it as I drove. GT3 was bad too and the Turbo less so. To each their own, but I'll stick with flying under the radar for now thanks.

Wolfman

Interesting observation on the wind. This was my wife's first comment when taking the car on our first top-down ride.
It appears that the wind flow enters more of the cabin or you sit a bit higher. The R230 was better for open air driving.

That said, we only have the SL550 (500 in Europe), but this thing is firmer in sport than our old SL55 and faster than our SL600.

Steering is a million times better than the R230 though

DCMETRO22Z

Interesting comparison between the R230 SL600 and R231 SL550...

So the combination of 7 speed gearbox and less weight makes the 231 faster than the Torque Monster SL600 ?

sound 8

Please don't exaggerate, I never said it was as fast as a Porsche turbo or
A 458. Compared to previous SL s it is much firmer and better cornering
Than before, so if you we're in the market for a standard. 997 or similar
But you would like more comfort then the new r231 might be the answer.
The Panamera is a 4 seater so wouldn't be considered.
Something else, the gearbox is back to an auto, but they have worked on it
With 7 speed and almost as quick change and. Kick down it is almost as good
As the nat *** 63. I suppose there is too much torque for the mct box.
It is a quirky car, looks are great so is the engine, gearbox not as good as
Previous 63 more wind than the r230 and all in all a compromise, but a very
Good one.

sound 8

If I am a troll why do you bother answering. I am a world fanatic and would
Not bother spending my time just to argue with people..l

sound 8

I WISH I WAS 15.

Wolfman

These two cars just drive very different. The SL600 had tons of torque and showed it off, which was emphasized by the the shift pattern of the 5 speed. You just felt the rush as it was going through the (fewer) gears. Like a locomotive, this thing had a huge fun factor accelerating.

The R231 feels much less eventful but very fast off the line. The 550 V8 still has 512 lb/ft of torque already at 1800rpm and delivers it very smoothly and fast via the 7speed onto the road. No drama, a little tire squeal but definitely a 4 second car. I think it just does a better job delivering the power onto the road.

Overall, the car not only lighter, but feels more weight balanced. The V12's are just very front heavy cars.

Got rid of the run flats and put on the same forged AMG wheels that Sound 8 has on his 63 (in titanium) and plan to do an ECU upgrade to take it to 530 HP and 606 lb/ft. Should be real fun then.

sound 8

Getting away from the finer details of the new SL. 63 the reason I bought it
Was 24 grand discount fully loaded and it looks AWSOME diamond white with
Carbon fibre and mulisspoke 20 inch rims on the back in satin black! I was happy with my 65 but this looks in a different league

BobLibSL55

DCMETRO22Z

Very informative ! thanks ! keep us updated on mods you'll do ...

hyperion667