SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Looking to buy first SL65 & noticed many are difficult to sell, Why?
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From: Orlando
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
I was thinking about this earlier today. I saw a new E class and was remarking about how similar it looks to the new CLS class, and all the other recently restyled MBs.
Then I remembered how similar the fleet from 10 years ago looked as well. If you don't know your Mercedes, you can't tell an SL from a C class or a CLK approaching in your rear view.
Then I remembered how similar the fleet from 10 years ago looked as well. If you don't know your Mercedes, you can't tell an SL from a C class or a CLK approaching in your rear view.
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From: Orlando
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
Comparing the SL to a Maserati when discussing reliability and resale is like comparing a used car salesman to a crack dealer when discussing moral virtue.
And there's nothing disingenuous about calling it junk, that's my opinion and it's not unfounded. Perhaps a bit hyperbolic you could say, to reinforce the notion that if you're considering one of these and coming from something much more reliable such as a Corvette, to at least know what you're potentially getting yourself into.
If you're okay with that, then proceed. Despite having an abysmal reputation in the repair industry, people who own SL AMGs love them! They're bags of fun and a joy to be behind the wheel of when nothing's broke.
I agree that they represent good value, as long as you can fix it yourself. There's a reason that my SL55 with a sticker price of just under $140,000 will sell in the open market for less then a comparable (06) year Z06 Corvette despite the Z06 having higher production numbers and stickering for half of the SL55. The expected maintenance/repair cost is factored into the market value.
And there's nothing disingenuous about calling it junk, that's my opinion and it's not unfounded. Perhaps a bit hyperbolic you could say, to reinforce the notion that if you're considering one of these and coming from something much more reliable such as a Corvette, to at least know what you're potentially getting yourself into.
If you're okay with that, then proceed. Despite having an abysmal reputation in the repair industry, people who own SL AMGs love them! They're bags of fun and a joy to be behind the wheel of when nothing's broke.
I agree that they represent good value, as long as you can fix it yourself. There's a reason that my SL55 with a sticker price of just under $140,000 will sell in the open market for less then a comparable (06) year Z06 Corvette despite the Z06 having higher production numbers and stickering for half of the SL55. The expected maintenance/repair cost is factored into the market value.
Have to agree with EXECMALIBU. My last car which was a Maserati dropped in value like a rock and talk about expensive to own and operate. I think the misconception here is that you can't afford to own one. Even with the potential repairs, this car still represents real value. To call it junk is a bit disingenuous.
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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
Yeah I don't think you can compare a Maserati to a R230 AMG, I think the SL is gonna be more reliable. I had a friend who bought Maserati back in 2006 told me stories about how bad the semi- auto transmission was and how often the clutch would go out. Plus the repair job on the clutch wasn't cheap.
I did hear from someone last year that sometime in 2008-2009 they fixed the transmission issue but I never really looked further into it. I know for a fact my SL is way more reliable then my Jaguar and Jags have a history of the worst maintance. If you wanna talk about losing value own a Jag you'll see what I'm talking about. I just have it sitting home if I need a spare car cause all I'll get is 4 grand if I'm lucky.
2 years ago my friend had a 2011 Jaguar XK-R, he had the engine blew 3 times under warranty, at that point he got sick of the car and got himself an Audi TT RS before finally getting an Audi R8 GT
I did hear from someone last year that sometime in 2008-2009 they fixed the transmission issue but I never really looked further into it. I know for a fact my SL is way more reliable then my Jaguar and Jags have a history of the worst maintance. If you wanna talk about losing value own a Jag you'll see what I'm talking about. I just have it sitting home if I need a spare car cause all I'll get is 4 grand if I'm lucky.
2 years ago my friend had a 2011 Jaguar XK-R, he had the engine blew 3 times under warranty, at that point he got sick of the car and got himself an Audi TT RS before finally getting an Audi R8 GT
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From: Orlando
1967 Pro Touring turbo LSX Camaro
On a side note, I have a spare brand new engine for a Jaguar like yours sitting on an engine stand. If you wound yours or know of someone in need, get a hold of me I'll hook them up big time.
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From: Atlanta, GA
SL550 Designo Crystal & Red Interior - SL55 Silver & Black Interior - E550
The comparison I was using was in terms of value since they are nothing alike except in price. The Maserati cost about the same as an R230 brand new, The resale on a comparable model year is less and they are much more difficult and expensive to maintain. I agree the SL has it's demons, ABC especially, but it is by no means a piece of junk. So far I've had about 9 months trouble free use of my SL as a daily driver. I've put 7K aside should I have any real issues but even if you add that 7K to the purchase price of my SL, I still think it's a great value for such a beautiful car. 
Yeah I don't think you can compare a Maserati to a R230 AMG, I think the SL is gonna be more reliable. I had a friend who bought Maserati back in 2006 told me stories about how bad the semi- auto transmission was and how often the clutch would go out. Plus the repair job on the clutch wasn't cheap.
I did hear from someone last year that sometime in 2008-2009 they fixed the transmission issue but I never really looked further into it. I know for a fact my SL is way more reliable then my Jaguar and Jags have a history of the worst maintance. If you wanna talk about losing value own a Jag you'll see what I'm talking about. I just have it sitting home if I need a spare car cause all I'll get is 4 grand if I'm lucky.
2 years ago my friend had a 2011 Jaguar XK-R, he had the engine blew 3 times under warranty, at that point he got sick of the car and got himself an Audi TT RS before finally getting an Audi R8 GT
I did hear from someone last year that sometime in 2008-2009 they fixed the transmission issue but I never really looked further into it. I know for a fact my SL is way more reliable then my Jaguar and Jags have a history of the worst maintance. If you wanna talk about losing value own a Jag you'll see what I'm talking about. I just have it sitting home if I need a spare car cause all I'll get is 4 grand if I'm lucky.
2 years ago my friend had a 2011 Jaguar XK-R, he had the engine blew 3 times under warranty, at that point he got sick of the car and got himself an Audi TT RS before finally getting an Audi R8 GT
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From: Sarasota, Florida
2004 SL600
V12 Hypnosis
I have to admit, I'm mesmerized by the sound of my SL600 V12...since I took off the two resonator mufflers...just cats with straight pipes. No winey, Italian screeches, or revvy rattles, just a golden resonance with kick...kind of like a Ferrari...with *****.
I've had my SL600 for three years, and it's the best car I've ever owned, after about 70 others. The first year, I had 8k in fix-ups (ABC, Intercooler, susp rubber, motor mounts, etc...even the usual, frozen shifter), and since then, the car has been flawless. You just have to save up an extra $200 to $300/month for repairs of your V12 (It's worth it!)
I got some custom wheels, put on a tasteful spoiler, and got a V12 label on the trunk (it scares away tailgaters). Every time I go out, someone comments on the car. I've even had unknown women say how they like the sound of my car, hehe. I'm sure you guys have had similar experiences.
But, with so such Mercedes bliss, is it worth it to buy up to an SL65? (I've only got 45k miles). I only drive around town, not expressway, and since my last ticket, have taken a more race-free approach to life. With a cruizin and schmoozing lifestyle, is a few tenths of a second 0-40 worth it?
Ty for the great forum...my first post! Oh...twinkletoes is my ballroom dancing nickname (maybe I should have used something like Merc Maniac for this forum ;-)
I've had my SL600 for three years, and it's the best car I've ever owned, after about 70 others. The first year, I had 8k in fix-ups (ABC, Intercooler, susp rubber, motor mounts, etc...even the usual, frozen shifter), and since then, the car has been flawless. You just have to save up an extra $200 to $300/month for repairs of your V12 (It's worth it!)
I got some custom wheels, put on a tasteful spoiler, and got a V12 label on the trunk (it scares away tailgaters). Every time I go out, someone comments on the car. I've even had unknown women say how they like the sound of my car, hehe. I'm sure you guys have had similar experiences.
But, with so such Mercedes bliss, is it worth it to buy up to an SL65? (I've only got 45k miles). I only drive around town, not expressway, and since my last ticket, have taken a more race-free approach to life. With a cruizin and schmoozing lifestyle, is a few tenths of a second 0-40 worth it?
Ty for the great forum...my first post! Oh...twinkletoes is my ballroom dancing nickname (maybe I should have used something like Merc Maniac for this forum ;-)
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From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
My SL65 AMG
I absolutely love this car.......very difficult to drive anything else after driving this combination of luxury and mind blowing power......really tough to say what my next car will be, as I will probably keep this one and just add cars to my garage.....was hoping the AMG GT would be an option, but doesn't look so great and SLS not that practical as the SL......I have a post on here about cost of maintenance for a SL 65 and once you sort these cars out as a pre-owned buyer, the expenses and depreciation rate go down dramatically after the 50K miles mark.......parts are expensive, but that is the price of admission......For the last two years and 10,000 miles I have spent zero on repairs.......the first three years were quite costly with over 20K miles driven on top of original 27K, I now have 57K..........I had the typical repairs mentioned in this forum and I believe I averaged about $ 3K a year in repairs all covered by warranty........I do not have a warranty now and will pay as I go as the warranty rates are absurd....and could pay for almost anything major short of total engine or ABC failure......also mileage is not bad if you drive it normal (not often) as I have averaged 21 MPG on trips and 15 around town.........it is nice though when you can make a Lambo or Ferrari owner grimace when they can't catch you in a straight......I had a new Panamera Turbo driver tell me he had to keep down shifting to just keep up....I had my car in DRIVE and didn't have the heart to tell him.......65 is quite a number...
