SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Sl600 v sl63 v sl65
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Sl500
Sl600 v sl63 v sl65
I want one of the 3 
- What car is more reliable?
- What car is faster?
- What car is the best bang for the buck?
What car is the best answer for these 3 questions?
What's is the poo poo about the 5speed tranny? Isn't it suppose to be "bullet proof"?
Please help I'm a serious buyer.. Want an 2005 - 2009 ish
- What car is more reliable?
- What car is faster?
- What car is the best bang for the buck?
What car is the best answer for these 3 questions?
What's is the poo poo about the 5speed tranny? Isn't it suppose to be "bullet proof"?
Please help I'm a serious buyer.. Want an 2005 - 2009 ish
Last edited by 94sl500; Nov 10, 2015 at 11:08 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 11
From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
Cannot comment on the SL63, but i owned an SL600 for 10 years. I purchased a SL65 about 3 months ago. I loved the 600 and it was reliable. It was smooth and fast. I thought i would keep it another 10 years. A lady popped me in a von's parking lot an caused me to start looking. Hence the 65. The ride is different, it feels more solid, even though the 600 had no noticeable negatives to it. I was surprised at the extra response and power. I was going to tune the 600 if i kept it, but the 65 (for now) makes me think that might not be necessary. Long and short, the 600 is a great car, and if you get a good one, reliability will not be an issue. With that said, i now know why they charge $60,000 more for the 65 new. It is the greatest luxury hot rod (drop top hard top) on the road.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Sl500
What year did they change the 65 to 7speed?
Why is the 7speed better? Don't you get more power out of each gear with the 5speed?
How can you say the 12 isn't as responsive as the 8? From what I've seen is the 8s can't hang with the 600s & 65s..
Why is the 7speed better? Don't you get more power out of each gear with the 5speed?
How can you say the 12 isn't as responsive as the 8? From what I've seen is the 8s can't hang with the 600s & 65s..
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 11
From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
I suppose it has a great deal to do with your personal preferences. I have only test driven an SL63 once. It is a great car. When i punched it, I had the impression it was louder than fast. I'm used to an '05 SL600. When i purchased the 600 new, these cars were like gold. Almost impossible to find and tough to get a good deal on. My research convinced me a 12 cylinder for such a heavy car was the best long term decision. Time has shown the 8's hold up well. Having driven the 12 cylinder for 10 years, i'm afraid i'm spoiled. The way it delivers the power and speed is unique, but i was seriously thinking about a SL63 because of all the good things said about them on this forum and elsewhere. The 12 is my cup of tea, but if you're not already tweaked like me, I'll bet you'll love the 8 cylinder.
Trending Topics
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 17
From: Chicago
'06 SL65
Make sure you look at the VMI and quantify the car's condition from a holistic approach.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Sl500
Let's say a well maintained sl600 & sl65.
30-50k miles... What's a "steal/good" price for each 2005-08ish?
Also I understand that it depends on how they are maintained.. My question was more of an average life span on the motor/tranny.
30-50k miles... What's a "steal/good" price for each 2005-08ish?
Also I understand that it depends on how they are maintained.. My question was more of an average life span on the motor/tranny.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
I've seen sub 50K mile 2005 SL65's sell in the high $20's and very low $30k range. I would consider a 2008 with low mileage a steal for $38k and a very good price would be $40k.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 11
From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
My SL600 (2005) had 86,000 miles. The motor and trans were as solid as the day i bought the car. Standard maintenance, 2 coil paks at about 70.000 miles, and one radiator (my own fault, put the wrong coolant in it. From what i've experienced and read on this forum the trans and motor will last well into the hundreds(thousand) if properly maintained. I bought my SL65 for the fifty's but got about 10 grand extra on my 600. The 65 had 34.000 mi. and every option available.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Sl500
If the engine/tranny hold up I don't mind spending $ on maintaining it.. I know they can be expensive to maintain I just don't want to have to replace the Engine/tranny... So the consensus is the 65 is the way to go? Honestly I like both But if I'm going to take the plunge I prefer the faster of the two and status :-/
If I find a 600 for a great price I may buy it I guess.
Anyone recommend a NY or Florida MB technician that wouldn't mind checking some out with me in the next few months (towards the end of winter) (Florida or Tristate area is where I will prob by the car from)
If I find a 600 for a great price I may buy it I guess.
Anyone recommend a NY or Florida MB technician that wouldn't mind checking some out with me in the next few months (towards the end of winter) (Florida or Tristate area is where I will prob by the car from)
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
where are SL65s selling in the $20k range? Finding even an SL55 anywhere near me (Kansas) for under $25k was difficult (I bought my 2003 with 74k on it for $20k earlier this year)
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 397
Likes: 11
From: san diego
2001 viper rt-10, 2007 SL65
Live in SoCal. Can't help you with recommendations. Just to reiterate. I owned the 600 for 10 years and loved it. I thought i would own it another 10 years, but having made the jump to the 65, I get a smile on my face everyday. The 65 does have status, but it is earned.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
South Florida around the Miami area. Used high end cars do not retain value in that market. Everyone wants the latest and greatest model and change cars as often as you would a pair of running shoes.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 271
Likes: 3
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 488
Likes: 4
From: Seattle
1992 911 C4, 2008 P2 E63 AMG (gone but not forgotten), 2007 SL65 Renntech
LOL Where? I paid $49K for a 26K 2007 with 40K of Renntech goodies on it. when I got it back to Seattle the dealer told me it would be on their lot for $90K and would sell in a week. this was a year ago. Granted cars are priced higher here cause everyone has cash but.......
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Sl500
So what's faster and by how much
sl600 vs. cts-v
&
cts-v vs. sl65
This is the only other car I can probably see myself in at this stage.. And how do you feel an s600 & s65 would match up agains it?
I love the sl's.. I just have a thing for corvette engines too
sl600 vs. cts-v
&
cts-v vs. sl65
This is the only other car I can probably see myself in at this stage.. And how do you feel an s600 & s65 would match up agains it?
I love the sl's.. I just have a thing for corvette engines too
Member
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 107
Likes: 17
From: Chicago
'06 SL65
LOL Where? I paid $49K for a 26K 2007 with 40K of Renntech goodies on it. when I got it back to Seattle the dealer told me it would be on their lot for $90K and would sell in a week. this was a year ago. Granted cars are priced higher here cause everyone has cash but.......
With that being said: I still think a solid 2006-2007 SL65 is in the $45-60K range. Not raped, scraped, dinged, or abused. The problem is finding one in that condition. Usually when I ask to see the VMI report its 25 pages long. Granted, that could be good or bad. Most of the time its the latter.
