SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Need your opinion between SL63 and SL65
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Joined: May 2015
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2012 E550 Cabrio
Need your opinion between SL63 and SL65
I could buy a 2013 SL63 or SL65 and can't decide which one is a better car!
Both cars I found have the options I want, the price difference is manageable, I'm not worried about gas consumption and I like both cars. I want and need speed as I do a lot of rallys and I want the power. I would probably Renntech the SL63, but not the SL65 as it has enough for now.
I'm told to buy the SL 63 by some as it's lighter, more nimble, better sound and smoother to drive. Others say to buy the SL 65 because it'll be the king of the road with the V12 and nobody can up me!
I test drove both found the SL 65 to be quirky when I hit the gas. It didn't seem as smooth as the SL63 but I'm not sure if it's because I wasn't used to the car.
Please give me your thoughts on this as you might have more experience with these cars! Thank you.
Both cars I found have the options I want, the price difference is manageable, I'm not worried about gas consumption and I like both cars. I want and need speed as I do a lot of rallys and I want the power. I would probably Renntech the SL63, but not the SL65 as it has enough for now.
I'm told to buy the SL 63 by some as it's lighter, more nimble, better sound and smoother to drive. Others say to buy the SL 65 because it'll be the king of the road with the V12 and nobody can up me!
I test drove both found the SL 65 to be quirky when I hit the gas. It didn't seem as smooth as the SL63 but I'm not sure if it's because I wasn't used to the car.
Please give me your thoughts on this as you might have more experience with these cars! Thank you.
Last edited by Kamtrac; Nov 4, 2015 at 09:41 PM.
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Joined: Jul 2007
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From: Oldsmar, FL
2005 E55 Wagon, 2017 C63S Cab, 1986 560SL
I just bought an 05 SL65. A little older, of course. I drove an 08 SL63 and didn't enjoy it as much. Not as visceral. But then again, I like our E55 better than an E63, so maybe it is me.
In the end, this is a personal question. You can get opinions, but buy the one you like. That said, if you have any desire to mod, go with the SL65. A simple tune makes an AMAZING differences (says the guy with the Eurocharged Stage 2 tune).
In the end, this is a personal question. You can get opinions, but buy the one you like. That said, if you have any desire to mod, go with the SL65. A simple tune makes an AMAZING differences (says the guy with the Eurocharged Stage 2 tune).
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
If you do the 63 and do the renntech youll have more hp and torque. I would personally rule out a v12 because of the added cost of maintenance and price difference of the car
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2013
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From: salt lake city, utah
2007 sl65 amg
You are talking about V8 bi-turbo and V12 bi-turbo correct? They are very similar according the performance numbers, I for once know first hand that is very hard to put all the power and the torque to the wheels on SL65. Car needs bigger wheels and tires. I would think SL63 would do just as good as SL65 because its lighter and has enough power.
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From: Seattle
1992 911 C4, 2008 P2 E63 AMG (gone but not forgotten), 2007 SL65 Renntech
If you want nimble you don't want either. Neither of them handle all that well. But in a straight line not much can take them.
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'15 T&C & '14 SL63
I just picked up a '14 SL63. There is a red SL65 in Buffalo that I thought long and hard about, but ultimately decided against.
I'm sure the SL65 is the absolute King of power.
But the M157 SL63 is wayyyy more visceral than my M156 was (CLK63 cab). The M156 is a thing of beauty, it builds revs and power and feels like everything a muscle car should be.
But the M157 is a whole other deal. It's only nominally more "powerful" by peak HP, but it's the completely different nature of that power that makes the difference. It hits hard and low and stays strong through the range. It's ALWAYS right there in your face, 2000 RPM and up, it always wants to go. The M156 you could forget you had a beast on tap... it was almost normal in C mode. Low RPM short shifting before it gets in the power band. Not so with the M157. It never lets you forget that its there and ready to go.
And the MCT in the '14 is sooo much better than the older ones. Night and day.
Would the SL65 be faster, better... I can't speak to the difference as I didn't go drive one. Maybe I should just for kicks.
But end of the day, the 63 to me represented everything about the MB that made me want an SL rather than a Maserati, Aston Martin, or Jaguar.... Namely they are bullet proof reliable well planted (TC works well and is adjustable) cars. Seems the ABC issues are gone. Trannys are holding up, M157 engines are absolutely rock solid. Basically, just change the oil and air filters, and drive it. Tranny service is once at like 60k miles or something.
While I'd LOVE to drive the V12, and LOVE to have "the premiere best", I really just DO NOT want to maintain one.
Just my own perspective on it. YMMV.
I'm sure the SL65 is the absolute King of power.
But the M157 SL63 is wayyyy more visceral than my M156 was (CLK63 cab). The M156 is a thing of beauty, it builds revs and power and feels like everything a muscle car should be.
But the M157 is a whole other deal. It's only nominally more "powerful" by peak HP, but it's the completely different nature of that power that makes the difference. It hits hard and low and stays strong through the range. It's ALWAYS right there in your face, 2000 RPM and up, it always wants to go. The M156 you could forget you had a beast on tap... it was almost normal in C mode. Low RPM short shifting before it gets in the power band. Not so with the M157. It never lets you forget that its there and ready to go.
And the MCT in the '14 is sooo much better than the older ones. Night and day.
Would the SL65 be faster, better... I can't speak to the difference as I didn't go drive one. Maybe I should just for kicks.
But end of the day, the 63 to me represented everything about the MB that made me want an SL rather than a Maserati, Aston Martin, or Jaguar.... Namely they are bullet proof reliable well planted (TC works well and is adjustable) cars. Seems the ABC issues are gone. Trannys are holding up, M157 engines are absolutely rock solid. Basically, just change the oil and air filters, and drive it. Tranny service is once at like 60k miles or something.
While I'd LOVE to drive the V12, and LOVE to have "the premiere best", I really just DO NOT want to maintain one.
Just my own perspective on it. YMMV.
Last edited by nycphotography; Nov 5, 2015 at 11:40 AM.
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Joined: Nov 2005
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From: orange county ca
2019 S63,2015 SL63, 2007 SL55, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
I have owned 4 SL's and currently have a 2015 SL63. I have driven a few 65's and as much as I loved the power I did not enjoy the feeling of the extra weight over the front axle. Neither are sports cars per say but the 2013-2015 SL did rank very high on the car and driver shoot out. Lap times at VIR were very close to the Audi R8 5.2
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Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
I assume the 13 sl65 does have the 7 speed mct. I think that is the year they started putting the mct in the sl65, previous was the 5 speed. The 7 speed mct is the improvement in the SL that makes it so much better to drive than the old 5 speeds. I drive my 63 in all the best driving roads in the US, N Carolina, Georgia, Arkansas. Believe me (or go drive it yourself) it is a great handling sports car, it feels and handles as good as any. The bummer is when you have to drive home and follow the flat, straight interstate all the way home. Bummer, Buzz Kill.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
That's hilarious when the owner of a brand new SL claims ABC problems are solved. It is just a matter of time and heat before the new SL ABC has issues too. For example, in 2005, the new SL owners were proclaiming the same thing over the earlier models. Now the 2005 and later models are also seeing serious ABC issues.
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 139
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From: Northern Virginia
1999 E55, 2005 SL65
To me, it's a personality matter. Both are great cars and, as a previous responder cited, if you're looking for nimble handling, neither is the car for you. If you're interested in doing well vs. others on the circuit, go with something like a Porsche (I've had one; loved it; but love my 65 WAY more). If quarter mile is your thing - either 63 or 65 will do great. The 65's traction isn't all that great from the start due to the incredible torque.
On the road - nothing touches the 65; especially from a rolling start. The power from 30 mph on up is unf'n touchable for the price you'll pay for a used one. I have Meisterschaft exhaust and they purr at idle and growl at speed. I highly recommend them...
As for maintenance; sure, if it's going to be used very hard and as a daily driver, the maintenance may be high. I've been very fortunate as my 65 has had no issues in the last several years but has only 45k miles. I still have one original coil bank, no ABC probs (I attribute this to the magnetic filter I installed in the system several years ago), no roof issues, etc.
In the end - take em both for a drive. If, like Mick Jagger says, you like the bigger piece of meat, the 65 may be for you. Either way, they're winners both...
On the road - nothing touches the 65; especially from a rolling start. The power from 30 mph on up is unf'n touchable for the price you'll pay for a used one. I have Meisterschaft exhaust and they purr at idle and growl at speed. I highly recommend them...
As for maintenance; sure, if it's going to be used very hard and as a daily driver, the maintenance may be high. I've been very fortunate as my 65 has had no issues in the last several years but has only 45k miles. I still have one original coil bank, no ABC probs (I attribute this to the magnetic filter I installed in the system several years ago), no roof issues, etc.
In the end - take em both for a drive. If, like Mick Jagger says, you like the bigger piece of meat, the 65 may be for you. Either way, they're winners both...
Last edited by pjdough; Nov 6, 2015 at 08:05 AM.
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From: Sunny So Cal
Sl65, SL600 RENNtech, Verde Ithaca LP640, 3 highly modified Panteras, Maserati Biturbo, 300D turtle
I drove all the V8s and V12s, and settled on an SL600, then liked that so much picked up a low mile SL65 too. SL600 with RENNtech is just unreal bang for the buck. V8s just didn't seem to have the extra oomph for me. If you are not in a hurry, go drive them and see. Plus the V12 Biturbo seems to get the women wet, if that matters in the pros and cons list.
