SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL55 or SL65- I am in the market
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From: Baltimore Maryland- travel all the time
Current-2011 E550 4MATIC, 2007 SL55, past 2013 C300 4MATIC, 2005 CTSV, 2004 Audi TT, 1998 Volvo S70
SL55 or SL65- I am in the market
I love my 2011 E550 but have found myself in the market for a weekend driver. I have done some research and have narrowed it down to 2007 SL AMG's either the SL55 or SL65 in the 30-40K range. There are some great buys out there right now and I can get a really nice white or black SL55 with 45-80K miles for 30-35K. There are a few SL65's out there under $45k but they are more like 80K+ miles. I am all about no regrets, I have test driven the SL55 and loved it, but it was a 2005 and needed some work, but it got me hooked. I just dont want to get a year into it and wish that I got the SL65 instead.
The SL55 is more power than I will ever need, and this car will really be an extra fair weather driver that my 25 year old daughter may get the chance to drive every once in a while. Any advice would be welcomed I am getting one soon no one can talk me out of that, once I get a car into my head I have to buy it and ready for this one yesterday
The SL55 is more power than I will ever need, and this car will really be an extra fair weather driver that my 25 year old daughter may get the chance to drive every once in a while. Any advice would be welcomed I am getting one soon no one can talk me out of that, once I get a car into my head I have to buy it and ready for this one yesterday
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From: Baltimore Maryland- travel all the time
Current-2011 E550 4MATIC, 2007 SL55, past 2013 C300 4MATIC, 2005 CTSV, 2004 Audi TT, 1998 Volvo S70
Also another question that I have- who is the best after market Warranty company to go with? My E550 has a Carmax Warranty and it is pretty good and worth every penny.
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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
So I have actually owned an SL55 and currently own an SL65, I would highly recommend driving both. Because after I bought the SL55 I really regretted not buying a SL65, you don't need to do much for power you can leave it stock or tune it and it will prob be more than enough for you, but that M275 engine is really something special in how the power is delivered. However I will say the exhaust note on the 55 was alot better as the 65 was really quiet unless you do catless and muffler delete then it sounds like a diesel truck at idle but at redline to the next gear is prob one of the best sounds imo for the 65.
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Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Saint Johns FL. USA
05 SL55, 10 C63, 12 SLK3, 20 S560, 08Bentley GT Speed, 16 Aston Martin Vanquish
I have now owned 75 cars and currently own 7. My SL55 is my all time favorite car. I currently own a 2003 c32, 2012 Renntech tuned e63estate, 2005 SL55, 2012 Porsche 911, 2002 Audi ALMS TT, 2008 Bentley GT Speed, and a 2015 VW Tiguan R. They are all extremely low mileage cars but the SL is still my favorite. It along with the Audi have never even been in the rain. The SL is just such a great car and I feel very fortunate to own it.
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SL65 AMG
I have owned both a SL55 and current SL65 and loved both! I had some exhaust work done to the 55 and still prefer that exhaust battle roar to the 65. However the 65 is an all around better more fun to drive car.
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Joined: Jul 2010
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From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
if a 55 car is faster than you would ever need, then why would you pay extra for the 65, which is going to have higher maintenance costs?
The 65 has a nicer interior as it is nappa leather instead of MB tex, but that's the only non-performance item that isn't the same between the two that's significantly better on the 65 vs the 55 (the wheels and front bumper are different on the 65, but the majority of people probably would not notice this difference)
A 65 or a 55 in the hands of an experienced or irresponsible driver (which is a lot of 25 year olds, though yours might not be. She might have a bonehead boyfriend that convinces her to let him drive though) is dangerous.
The 65 has a nicer interior as it is nappa leather instead of MB tex, but that's the only non-performance item that isn't the same between the two that's significantly better on the 65 vs the 55 (the wheels and front bumper are different on the 65, but the majority of people probably would not notice this difference)
A 65 or a 55 in the hands of an experienced or irresponsible driver (which is a lot of 25 year olds, though yours might not be. She might have a bonehead boyfriend that convinces her to let him drive though) is dangerous.
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From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
The higher costs on the sl65 will include:
-higher insurance
-higher property taxes
-front rotors that are 1k each
-8 more spark plugs (each cylinder has 2 in both the v8 and v12)
-coil packs that go bad on the v12 (its suggested you buy a set with a lifetime warranty from a place like advance auto parts as you will be replacing them often)
-motor mounts in the v12 require the entire engine cradle to be dropped and is a 20+ hour job, so multiple whatever the shop labor rate you use times at least 20 to get the motor mounts done on the v12. The motor mounts on these wear out due to the high amount of torque the v12 makes.
most other maint will be the same for things like the convert top actuators wearing out (designed for 10k actuations), ABC suspension maintenance (like needing to rebuild the valve blocks & replace the accumulators at about every 10 years or 100k), and SBC brake replacement (which occurs after the brake pedal has been pushed 300k times). Most aftermarket warranties will not cover these items, especially the ABC suspension system.
Just know that one of the reasons these cars have become so cheap relative to their MSRP is that maintenance costs can add up fast if you are having someone else do the work.
-higher insurance
-higher property taxes
-front rotors that are 1k each
-8 more spark plugs (each cylinder has 2 in both the v8 and v12)
-coil packs that go bad on the v12 (its suggested you buy a set with a lifetime warranty from a place like advance auto parts as you will be replacing them often)
-motor mounts in the v12 require the entire engine cradle to be dropped and is a 20+ hour job, so multiple whatever the shop labor rate you use times at least 20 to get the motor mounts done on the v12. The motor mounts on these wear out due to the high amount of torque the v12 makes.
most other maint will be the same for things like the convert top actuators wearing out (designed for 10k actuations), ABC suspension maintenance (like needing to rebuild the valve blocks & replace the accumulators at about every 10 years or 100k), and SBC brake replacement (which occurs after the brake pedal has been pushed 300k times). Most aftermarket warranties will not cover these items, especially the ABC suspension system.
Just know that one of the reasons these cars have become so cheap relative to their MSRP is that maintenance costs can add up fast if you are having someone else do the work.
Last edited by carguyshu; Aug 11, 2016 at 04:11 PM.
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SL65 AMG
if a 55 car is faster than you would ever need, then why would you pay extra for the 65, which is going to have higher maintenance costs?
The 65 has a nicer interior as it is nappa leather instead of MB tex, but that's the only non-performance item that isn't the same between the two that's significantly better on the 65 vs the 55 (the wheels and front bumper are different on the 65, but the majority of people probably would not notice this difference)
A 65 or a 55 in the hands of an experienced or irresponsible driver (which is a lot of 25 year olds, though yours might not be. She might have a bonehead boyfriend that convinces her to let him drive though) is dangerous.
The 65 has a nicer interior as it is nappa leather instead of MB tex, but that's the only non-performance item that isn't the same between the two that's significantly better on the 65 vs the 55 (the wheels and front bumper are different on the 65, but the majority of people probably would not notice this difference)
A 65 or a 55 in the hands of an experienced or irresponsible driver (which is a lot of 25 year olds, though yours might not be. She might have a bonehead boyfriend that convinces her to let him drive though) is dangerous.
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 23
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From: Baltimore Maryland- travel all the time
Current-2011 E550 4MATIC, 2007 SL55, past 2013 C300 4MATIC, 2005 CTSV, 2004 Audi TT, 1998 Volvo S70
Thanks for all of the advice! I have decided on the 55, going to see a black one, silver and a white one tomorrow- so 99.999% chance I will be driving one home
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 212
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From: Northern California,USA
2012 C63 P31 Coupe. 2007 SL55. 1992 911 C2 Coupe
EJbrock
I love my 2007 SL55 . I change all the fluids religiously. I would recommend changing the ABC system ASAP after your purchase.
Good luck with your ultimate purchase.
I love my 2007 SL55 . I change all the fluids religiously. I would recommend changing the ABC system ASAP after your purchase.
Good luck with your ultimate purchase.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 531
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From: EDH, CA.
2012 E63 AMG
All good info here and well laid out by both SL55 and SL65 owners. There are pros and cons with each car.
I have never owned a SL65, but can tell you the SL55 will have all the power you need. If the power of the SL55 is not enough for you, you can always do performance upgrades. The AMG 55 motor is a very good platform for doing this, while retaining the stock like attitudes.
The 2007/2008 SL55's were the end of the production and have more goodies than the previous years. Study the differences when you are looking to see what suits your needs.
I have never owned a SL65, but can tell you the SL55 will have all the power you need. If the power of the SL55 is not enough for you, you can always do performance upgrades. The AMG 55 motor is a very good platform for doing this, while retaining the stock like attitudes.
The 2007/2008 SL55's were the end of the production and have more goodies than the previous years. Study the differences when you are looking to see what suits your needs.
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
True you could get the Napa leather interior that's in the 65 as an option on the 55, but it wasn't a common option. You could also get the 030 perf package on a 55 which has the front bumper, wheels, & brakes of a 65 along with a limited slip diff.
The 07/08 55 had a more efficient supercharger that produced slightly more boast along with a larger 80mm TB. this is why they are rated as having more power. The supposed upgrades to the ABC system are minimal & if memory serves me right the rotors on a 07/08 55 are way more than on the 03-06. The tail lights I think are also the newer version in the 07/08.
The 07/08 55 had a more efficient supercharger that produced slightly more boast along with a larger 80mm TB. this is why they are rated as having more power. The supposed upgrades to the ABC system are minimal & if memory serves me right the rotors on a 07/08 55 are way more than on the 03-06. The tail lights I think are also the newer version in the 07/08.
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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
+1 the engine is really something, I think its even the most producing torque engine in a modern mass produced car for 200k+ actually I just looked it up,
http://blog.dupontregistry.com/featu...s-most-torque/
65 Amgs and the Audi V12TDI are 738 lb and tied for 9th and the Pagani Huayura at 740 for 8th which is basically the same engine and we all know these cars were limited do to factory's concerns about the transmission not taking any more torque. Everything else on that list is 400k, 800, 1 mill+ with the exception of the Fisker Karma which is 981 at 0 rpm which I'm guessing is on full battery mode for that 15-20 miles the car can do without gas.
Literally I had more fun with the 65 engine then the 55 and it is worth the extra expense if you can afford it, not really surprised why mercedes didn't do much to the M279 engine except turbo change and some minor modification but engine internals are still the same. The engine is pretty good even though its now a 10+ year old platform for the most part.
http://blog.dupontregistry.com/featu...s-most-torque/
65 Amgs and the Audi V12TDI are 738 lb and tied for 9th and the Pagani Huayura at 740 for 8th which is basically the same engine and we all know these cars were limited do to factory's concerns about the transmission not taking any more torque. Everything else on that list is 400k, 800, 1 mill+ with the exception of the Fisker Karma which is 981 at 0 rpm which I'm guessing is on full battery mode for that 15-20 miles the car can do without gas.
Literally I had more fun with the 65 engine then the 55 and it is worth the extra expense if you can afford it, not really surprised why mercedes didn't do much to the M279 engine except turbo change and some minor modification but engine internals are still the same. The engine is pretty good even though its now a 10+ year old platform for the most part.
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 135
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From: Port Coquitlam BC
2018 E63S AMG
Looking forward to what car you buy!
If the difference in cost is not an issue, I would get the SL65. This by no means says the SL55 is not good. It's like having a double patty on your burger instead of a single. If you want that bit extra, there is definitely extra
. I have a 2007 SL55 Performance Pack. This site really helped me with my decision and the price I paid for mine was excellent (bought from Alberta that was a distressed Province in January from the low cost of oil). I love how fast my car is. Love the comfort. Love the top down cruising with the wife. Been great. I love fast cars so if it was a bit faster, yeah that would be awesome. That would be the SL65
There were none around for the price I wanted to pay, so I am just loving my SL55 030 
Really, there is no wrong choice...
Shaun
. I have a 2007 SL55 Performance Pack. This site really helped me with my decision and the price I paid for mine was excellent (bought from Alberta that was a distressed Province in January from the low cost of oil). I love how fast my car is. Love the comfort. Love the top down cruising with the wife. Been great. I love fast cars so if it was a bit faster, yeah that would be awesome. That would be the SL65 There were none around for the price I wanted to pay, so I am just loving my SL55 030 Really, there is no wrong choice...
Shaun
Thread Starter
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Joined: Aug 2016
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From: Baltimore Maryland- travel all the time
Current-2011 E550 4MATIC, 2007 SL55, past 2013 C300 4MATIC, 2005 CTSV, 2004 Audi TT, 1998 Volvo S70
OK got it and love it great ride, thanks for all the advice
Last edited by davidewell; Aug 12, 2016 at 09:59 PM. Reason: new pic
Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 135
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From: Port Coquitlam BC
2018 E63S AMG
Sweet!
Enjoy the car Dave! That was the one for sale on this forum a couple months back. Glad someone on this site bought it. It looks beautiful..
Cheers!
Cheers!
Last edited by PoCoAMG; Aug 15, 2016 at 01:33 PM.
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Mercedes SL65 AMG
Warranty
I have a Fidelity Platinum Exclusionary Warranty on my 2005 SL65, it came at a steep price but will be well worth it in the long run, covers everything mechanical and electrical and specifically states what is not covered (excluded), I have been told it's the best aftermarket warranty available. The car had a new ABC system, ignition coils, motor mounts replaced in the last year and all covered under the warranty. Be mindful of buying an 8 - 10 year old SL65 for under $35k, because I can almost guarantee all of this work will need to be done sooner than you think and it's not cheap!
The aftermarket warranty and a garage that knows the insurers is well worth it for piece of mind.
The aftermarket warranty and a garage that knows the insurers is well worth it for piece of mind.
