SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Thinking about getting a SL65 AMG
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I mentioned that in the post but I think quad is right lol. If you do new turbos you need to build custom headers/manifold. No one sells M275 headers as the turbo is built into the manifold
The only turbos that don't require doing so are the rebuilt OEM turbo's will billet parts and larger wheel for spool up
The only turbos that don't require doing so are the rebuilt OEM turbo's will billet parts and larger wheel for spool up
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From: Norther CA
2014 cls63 a amg. 2018 AMG GTR
No headers on a SL65. I don't know of anyone who makes them. There is just no room. The turbos are integrated into the exhaust manifolds. It is very tight.
all I can say is good luck with an under $40k Sl65.
you seem to not want to heed people's advice, so go forth and good luck.
you seem to not want to heed people's advice, so go forth and good luck.
Fact is they can be had for under 40K if you look around just a little bit. I just did a two minute search and came up with 5 of them. one has only 45K miles on it to boot. What advice is it you think I am not heeding ? I guess you think people just shouldnt go out and buy a SL65
I already said I would get a warranty. I also decided to ditch upgrading the turbos since other members are getting in the 660 WHP range with bolt ons.Maybe some of you aren't really reading all my posts ?
Last edited by dllhg; Jan 30, 2014 at 02:09 PM.
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Everyone should own an SL65 once in their life. Nothing compares to the nonchalant, casual, unassuming way a V12TT achieves speed. It just goes fast in it's sleep.
I'd recommend you take some time to find an SL65 that is covered under CPO. It's major peace of mind knowing your Benz dealer will take care of you when you have an ABC failure, ignition coil failure, transmission failure, whatever.
ABC suspension may have it's issues but IMHO it's superior for everyday driving. I don't track my SL and love the way ABC keeps the car flat and composed in the curves, when braking & when accelerating. The SL65 never feels like it's sweating or stressing.
I'd recommend you take some time to find an SL65 that is covered under CPO. It's major peace of mind knowing your Benz dealer will take care of you when you have an ABC failure, ignition coil failure, transmission failure, whatever.
ABC suspension may have it's issues but IMHO it's superior for everyday driving. I don't track my SL and love the way ABC keeps the car flat and composed in the curves, when braking & when accelerating. The SL65 never feels like it's sweating or stressing.
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This definitely is not a cost effective car to build, but it's really not a car to be building. Flash it, runs 10's and just drive it around with the top down. I've owned mine since last August. Already needed 2 coils and a IC pump. Found the coils for a tick under $800 each and the Bosch 010 pump is $100 on Amazon. About an hour and half for each job at home on the lift. Did a Eurocharged ECU/TCU immediately after I bought it. Went to the track and went 10.99, almost 128 2nd pass. I think there's more in it as is. I don't plan on doing a lot more to it...maybe sticking my meth kit on, maybe some catless DP's...not sure I want it that loud though...already have no mufflers.
Just buy the nicest, newest one you can afford, hopefully it already has a bunch of new stuff. Good luck with your search..you won't be disappointed..
Just buy the nicest, newest one you can afford, hopefully it already has a bunch of new stuff. Good luck with your search..you won't be disappointed..
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I just read a thread stating they were quoted $700 parts and labor for all three mounts. I had all my mounts done with my header install on the E55. Only had to pay for the extra parts. So not too bad.
Is it hard/expensive to do the ABC flush and fluid ? Seems like a pretty easy thing to take car of unless you need to do it every oil change.
nothing scaring me away from this car yet. Unless I hear the trans or engines are weak I am in like Flynn
Really seems about the same price wise as my E55.
Is it hard/expensive to do the ABC flush and fluid ? Seems like a pretty easy thing to take car of unless you need to do it every oil change.
nothing scaring me away from this car yet. Unless I hear the trans or engines are weak I am in like Flynn
Really seems about the same price wise as my E55.
On the good side, if you take the engine out you can easily get work done on the turbos
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From: Norther CA
2014 cls63 a amg. 2018 AMG GTR
Appreciate all the input. Needless to say I am sold on one of these. Tune only run 10s I thought about a SL55 AMG since they can be had for mid 20s all over the place. What I dont like about that is it is the same exact motor/blower I already have. Takes LOTS of parts, lots of fine tuning to get it in the high 10s. Probably even more since it weighs more than the E55. Just as good looking as the 65 and has the convertible factor. TT V12 is worth the extra price of admission.
As far as the mounts go I read a few threads saying you dont have to remove the engine which is why the price varies so much.
I thought about a SL55 AMG since they can be had for mid 20s all over the place. What I dont like about that is it is the same exact motor/blower I already have. Takes LOTS of parts, lots of fine tuning to get it in the high 10s. Probably even more since it weighs more than the E55. Just as good looking as the 65 and has the convertible factor. TT V12 is worth the extra price of admission. As far as the mounts go I read a few threads saying you dont have to remove the engine which is why the price varies so much.
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From: CT
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If you can wrench on it yourself, you will safe boatloads...labor is usually more than the parts, depending on the issue. I read all the horror stories and bought one anyway. Sure I has some failures within a month of buying it, but after reading this forum, I expected that and was ready. Found coils at RockAuto and it only takes about an hour and a half to change both. The only issue I would have is the ABC. If mine fails, I might consider aftermarket if it is available now...I hear it is...
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From: Northern Virginia
1999 E55, 2005 SL65
dllhg - the decision is binary. Do you have the $ to purchase [a reliable] 65 and maintain it (be sure to check service records and previous owners, if you can find em)? If not - go with a 55 or 63 (certainly no slouches, mind you).
If the $ is and will be there, does settling into and driving a V12TT truly put you in a special place above and beyond a V8TT or SC...so much so that the $ invested doesn't matter [that much]? Dont get me wrong, there are other places I'd rather be...some of the time. However, when I fire my 65 up and drive her like no other vehicle I've had (and I've had many), there's a zen-like quality to it.
SL65s are truly a luxury sports car that require detailed attention - not unlike high performance boats, aircraft...and women. If you don't treat em right, they'll break you.
Good luck in your search and keep the shiney side up!
P
If the $ is and will be there, does settling into and driving a V12TT truly put you in a special place above and beyond a V8TT or SC...so much so that the $ invested doesn't matter [that much]? Dont get me wrong, there are other places I'd rather be...some of the time. However, when I fire my 65 up and drive her like no other vehicle I've had (and I've had many), there's a zen-like quality to it.
SL65s are truly a luxury sports car that require detailed attention - not unlike high performance boats, aircraft...and women. If you don't treat em right, they'll break you.
Good luck in your search and keep the shiney side up!
P
Thread Starter
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From: Norther CA
2014 cls63 a amg. 2018 AMG GTR
dllhg - the decision is binary. Do you have the $ to purchase [a reliable] 65 and maintain it (be sure to check service records and previous owners, if you can find em)? If not - go with a 55 or 63 (certainly no slouches, mind you).
If the $ is and will be there, does settling into and driving a V12TT truly put you in a special place above and beyond a V8TT or SC...so much so that the $ invested doesn't matter [that much]? Dont get me wrong, there are other places I'd rather be...some of the time. However, when I fire my 65 up and drive her like no other vehicle I've had (and I've had many), there's a zen-like quality to it.
SL65s are truly a luxury sports car that require detailed attention - not unlike high performance boats, aircraft...and women. If you don't treat em right, they'll break you.
Good luck in your search and keep the shiney side up!
P
If the $ is and will be there, does settling into and driving a V12TT truly put you in a special place above and beyond a V8TT or SC...so much so that the $ invested doesn't matter [that much]? Dont get me wrong, there are other places I'd rather be...some of the time. However, when I fire my 65 up and drive her like no other vehicle I've had (and I've had many), there's a zen-like quality to it.
SL65s are truly a luxury sports car that require detailed attention - not unlike high performance boats, aircraft...and women. If you don't treat em right, they'll break you.
Good luck in your search and keep the shiney side up!
P
Doesnt the SL55 share the same ABC system ? I'll give it some time
. I am currently trying to wrap our new home purchase so it will be 5-6 months before either becomes a reality. I won't be doing any kind of financing. The 55 would be a lot easier to convince my wife of on a third vehicle but she is always really cool about my car purchases. Especially since I got her the Turbo Cayenne
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2016 S65 AMG coupe, 2010 E63, 2015 Z06/z07 m7 vert 735rwhp, 2000 f-350 crewcab w/ 16" kelderman kit
Best of luck!! i love my S65 and will soon own an SL65 when i find the right one.
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
coming from someone who's done them... in a S or CL car you do not need to take the motor out of the car. An SL65 r230 chassis it is impossible to remove the mounts with the assembly in the car. Any threads talking about keeping the motor in are on S's or CL's.
Best of luck!! i love my S65 and will soon own an SL65 when i find the right one.
Best of luck!! i love my S65 and will soon own an SL65 when i find the right one.
SL600 and SL65, the engine must come out to do the mounts. As a matter of fact, if you look at the procedure it says:
Step 1. Remove engine.
Not making that up.
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From: CT
CTS-V
Not that I am a nonbeliever, especially if you have done it. My RS6 was supposed to be the same way, but you always find a way. I'm curious to see how bad it is next time I get it on the lift. I would think with downpipes off, you had a route out...
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From: Northern Virginia
1999 E55, 2005 SL65
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2014 cls63 a amg. 2018 AMG GTR
The mounts will go out too .... bummer. Mine were replaced on my E when I had all the work done. They were shot with only 60K of stock driven miles on them.
The Sl55 or maybe even the CL65 are looking more attractive .... That or just make sure I have a good warranty I suppose. I really want that power train and I really like the body style of the SL. I thought about the CL65 since you can get those for mid 20s and have the same awesome power train. They dont really look any better than my E55 though. Maybe they do in person. At least it has a rear seat and a real trunk. Would probably end up driving a car like that 50% of the time where as the SL it would be 10%. The SLs just really get me going whenever I see one.
Why are the SL65s so much more than the CL65s?? Both were about the same MSRP but SL is $40K and CL is $25K
The Sl55 or maybe even the CL65 are looking more attractive .... That or just make sure I have a good warranty I suppose. I really want that power train and I really like the body style of the SL. I thought about the CL65 since you can get those for mid 20s and have the same awesome power train. They dont really look any better than my E55 though. Maybe they do in person. At least it has a rear seat and a real trunk. Would probably end up driving a car like that 50% of the time where as the SL it would be 10%. The SLs just really get me going whenever I see one.
Why are the SL65s so much more than the CL65s?? Both were about the same MSRP but SL is $40K and CL is $25K
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AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Sl65 are simply more desirable cars than a CL. You get a coupe and a convertible in one car plus it ages much more gracefully. Loved the CL when we had one though. Interior is beautiful.
That said I recommend getting a SL65. Don't bother with an SL55 or a CL.
I personally feel that the repair cost discussion is overblown. Consider it the cost of ownership of owning a former $200k+ car at a mere fraction of that.
Simply add $5-7k to you annual budget and enjoy! It will not diminish the experience...
That said I recommend getting a SL65. Don't bother with an SL55 or a CL.
I personally feel that the repair cost discussion is overblown. Consider it the cost of ownership of owning a former $200k+ car at a mere fraction of that.
Simply add $5-7k to you annual budget and enjoy! It will not diminish the experience...
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06 SL65AMG, 13 Tesla Model S 60kwh, 02 Jaguar S-Type 3.0, 12 S550 4 Matic, 07 E320 Bluetec, 06 LX470
If you want a 4 Seater with a a nice 65 engine then get a CL65, if you want a nice hardtop roadster then get the SL65. If your worried about maintenance just get a warranty and just make sure you have that 3.5-4.5k when the brakes need to be replaced.
For performance mods if you just want to do 10s just get a Heat Exchanger, IC Pump and an ECU/TCU and call it a day and you can do mid to high 10s np
Anything else will start costing money but considering where you get your ECU/TCU tune, your HE and pump its prob only 1500-3000 more for a constant 10s car.
But for 25k the CL is very attractive, I'm been thinking about buying an 05-06 CL65 on top of trying to purchase a 07-08 S65
For performance mods if you just want to do 10s just get a Heat Exchanger, IC Pump and an ECU/TCU and call it a day and you can do mid to high 10s np
Anything else will start costing money but considering where you get your ECU/TCU tune, your HE and pump its prob only 1500-3000 more for a constant 10s car.
But for 25k the CL is very attractive, I'm been thinking about buying an 05-06 CL65 on top of trying to purchase a 07-08 S65
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
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From: Norther CA
2014 cls63 a amg. 2018 AMG GTR
Sl65 are simply more desirable cars than a CL. You get a coupe and a convertible in one car plus it ages much more gracefully. Loved the CL when we had one though. Interior is beautiful.
That said I recommend getting a SL65. Don't bother with an SL55 or a CL.
I personally feel that the repair cost discussion is overblown. Consider it the cost of ownership of owning a former $200k+ car at a mere fraction of that.
Simply add $5-7k to you annual budget and enjoy! It will not diminish the experience...
That said I recommend getting a SL65. Don't bother with an SL55 or a CL.
I personally feel that the repair cost discussion is overblown. Consider it the cost of ownership of owning a former $200k+ car at a mere fraction of that.
Simply add $5-7k to you annual budget and enjoy! It will not diminish the experience...
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E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
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SL65
