SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: 1000 Mile Impressions and Pictures SL65
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Joined: Oct 2002
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SL65, E55T, Pending S65
1000 Mile Impressions and Pictures SL65
After finally getting through my 1000 mile break in I am very pleased with the performance of my SL65. Having owned an SL55 I think I can give many of you a good feel for the changes.
Overall, the car is quite a thrill to drive. It does not feel any heavier than the SL55.
The engine sound is all V12 but it is a bit quieter than the SL55. As I have mentioned the turbo's certainly quite the exhaust growl. I could stand for it to be a touch louder but the "Bark" when you start it is fantastic.
You can only feel a hint of turbo lag when you stand on it from a dead start. This car pulls like a freight train. The only issue is traction. With ESP on it is constantly cutting power to slow the wheel spin. You can really feel when the trans torque limiting comes off and from a 60 MPH roll this car is just sick.
The new brake program is fantastic but I never had a problem on my SL55. The two piece rotors and larger calipers are unbelievable. This car stops so hard you do not notice any additional weight at all.
Steeing and turn in feel unchanged, the car is as responsive as you could ever ask for considering what it weighs.
I have been asked by a couple of people if it is worth the money over an SL55. From my perspective it is, then again I know a couple of people that have spent 200K on their SL55's that don't perform as well as the SL65 so it is all relative. If you enjoy the SL55 for the performance that it has then you may not need an SL65. If you buy an SL600 or an SL55 and plan to modify it then I would spend the money and get the real deal.
Overall wow, what a fun car. Again this is just my perspective.
Enjoy,
Schiznick
Overall, the car is quite a thrill to drive. It does not feel any heavier than the SL55.
The engine sound is all V12 but it is a bit quieter than the SL55. As I have mentioned the turbo's certainly quite the exhaust growl. I could stand for it to be a touch louder but the "Bark" when you start it is fantastic.
You can only feel a hint of turbo lag when you stand on it from a dead start. This car pulls like a freight train. The only issue is traction. With ESP on it is constantly cutting power to slow the wheel spin. You can really feel when the trans torque limiting comes off and from a 60 MPH roll this car is just sick.
The new brake program is fantastic but I never had a problem on my SL55. The two piece rotors and larger calipers are unbelievable. This car stops so hard you do not notice any additional weight at all.
Steeing and turn in feel unchanged, the car is as responsive as you could ever ask for considering what it weighs.
I have been asked by a couple of people if it is worth the money over an SL55. From my perspective it is, then again I know a couple of people that have spent 200K on their SL55's that don't perform as well as the SL65 so it is all relative. If you enjoy the SL55 for the performance that it has then you may not need an SL65. If you buy an SL600 or an SL55 and plan to modify it then I would spend the money and get the real deal.
Overall wow, what a fun car. Again this is just my perspective.
Enjoy,
Schiznick
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 233
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From: Sunny Fort Lauderdale, FL USA
2004 E500 w/ AMG Sport Package
are my eyes deceiving me or does this thing play mp3 cd's and also dvd's?
by the way its awesome. thats what you call "the truth".
my young self gonna have to start making some more money. LOL
by the way its awesome. thats what you call "the truth".
my young self gonna have to start making some more money. LOL
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1
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Bridgestone-POTENZAS?????
Mercedes putting Potenzas on a 200kus$ super car.Tell me thats not what i am seeing , please!! If it is than i understand why they just changed top management at Mercedes and why they are so concerned with quality issues. At last years AMG Challenge they brought in Michelin to give us a big sales + performance pitch , (Michelin) gave us a special gift and Mercedes used them as a sponser for the Challenge. My personal and professional experience with Potnezas has been terrible.Over 5000.00 in warranty tire replacement ; not including all the time and cost to Hunter force balance the tires to get them dead on . Good luck???
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2002
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SL65, E55T, Pending S65
On the Bridgestone issue. I have to tell you that I am happier with the RE050's than I was with the P Zero's that my SL55 came with. When I swapped out my rims for 19" on the SL55 I used Bridgestone's as well and had no problems with them.
My preference would have been the new Pilot Sport 2 but at the time they did not have the load rating for the SL55.
So far so good!
As for the grass, I know, I know, I just can't stop long enough to clean it out......
My preference would have been the new Pilot Sport 2 but at the time they did not have the load rating for the SL55.
So far so good!
As for the grass, I know, I know, I just can't stop long enough to clean it out......
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 6,340
Likes: 22
From: Southern California, USA
2003 CL55 AMG
Originally Posted by lyrixmajor
are my eyes deceiving me or does this thing play mp3 cd's and also dvd's?
by the way its awesome. thats what you call "the truth".
my young self gonna have to start making some more money. LOL
by the way its awesome. thats what you call "the truth".
my young self gonna have to start making some more money. LOL
Yes, all 2005 COMAND units play MP-3 CD's now.
Member
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 172
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www.streamload.com/waldis/is300/MOV00029.MPG
www.streamload.com/waldis/is300/MOV00015.MPG
Check those two links in the next 10 minutes or so. The car sounds great!
www.streamload.com/waldis/is300/MOV00015.MPG
Check those two links in the next 10 minutes or so. The car sounds great!
Last edited by waldis; Aug 19, 2004 at 11:20 PM.
Member
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 137
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From: France
SL65/ML55/BMW M3 CSL
Originally Posted by peggym
Mercedes putting Potenzas on a 200kus$ super car........The Potenzas RE050 are the only "AMG-certified" tyres on the SL65 - when you want to go for the official speed delimitation at Affalterbach - you have to sign a paper (confirmation) that you will only use this tyres otherwise they do not guarantee that the car will be safe at this speed!
@Schiznick
Congrats to your new SL65 - looking really good - do you keep the wooden trim parts or do you change them to something different? Mine came with the "silver Alu trim" and I have to admit this looks really "cheap" - so I have to change this, either to dark wood - or carbonfibre.
What is your average consumtion by the way ? I am using 14 ltr / 100 km in average on the first 5000 km.
Kind regards from France
Walter
Thread Starter
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SL65, E55T, Pending S65
Walter,
Sounds like you are enjoying your car as well. I am currently getting about 14 miles per gallon on average but about 6 to 8 when pushing.
I currently have lighter wood and do not like. I am looking at either the Black Birseye Maple or the Carbon Fiber. Probably going with the Carbon fiber, it is gorgeous.
Enjoy!
Scott
Sounds like you are enjoying your car as well. I am currently getting about 14 miles per gallon on average but about 6 to 8 when pushing.
I currently have lighter wood and do not like. I am looking at either the Black Birseye Maple or the Carbon Fiber. Probably going with the Carbon fiber, it is gorgeous.
Enjoy!
Scott
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 834
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From: Manchester, UK
Mercedes-Benz A170 CDI
Thanks very much for the sounds. I must say, the 65 engine has character, but the SL55 engine has "soul". The gurgle of that big V8 is intoxicating, same can't be said IMO of the 65 engine.
