SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Who has ugrade to/from the SL 55

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Old Oct 23, 2004 | 01:29 PM
  #1  
ChrisB's Avatar
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From: Abbotsford, BC, Canada
1999 SL 500 & 2011 E 550 4Matic
Who has upgraded to/from the SL 55?

Being familiar with R129 SL 500, and being interested in buying R230 ... I would appreciate some feedback from others who have owned R129 SL 500 and R230 SL 500, SL 55 and SL 600.

Does any one think they should have stayed with the R129 (I'm guessing probably not)?

Now contemplating the characteristics of the R230 alone:

Are 0 to 60 mph performance and muscle car sound the main advantages of the 55 over 500?

Are highway passing (due to extra tourque), quite motor sounds and the potential for after market performance enhancments the main advantages of the 600 over the 55?

Is maintenance or reliability over the long haul on either the 55 or 600 going to be significantly different than the 500?

Will depreciation trend over say 10 years of the 500, 55 or 600 be significantly different compaired to the new price diferential for each?

SL 65 and SLR are over kill for what I want. Although I like the buzz about fast track times being reported by SL 65 owners.

Hopefully you will write down a few thoughts about the cars you have owned to help me out here.

Last edited by ChrisB; Oct 23, 2004 at 09:37 PM.
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Old Oct 29, 2004 | 07:30 PM
  #2  
Tony Musgrave's Avatar
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From: West Sussex, England
2007 Porsche Turbo Cabriolet
Drive an R230 SL500.
Drive an R230 SL55.
You will know the answers to your questions.
As for depreciation, if you can afford either you don't care.
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Old Oct 29, 2004 | 09:05 PM
  #3  
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From: Colts Neck, NJ
08 CL600 Black
I agree. Once you've driven both, you will know the difference. For me, the 55 is the way to go, if money is not an issue.
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Old Oct 30, 2004 | 09:48 PM
  #4  
IngenereAMG's Avatar
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From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I have had alot of cars. The SL55 was my first MB and I am thouroughly impressed. Everything from the dealer experience of being treated like gold vs. Ferrari's attitude problems to the performance of the car as well as the reliability.

I have used the car as a daily driver, a track car, a trip car and everything in between and it has been fabulous. At the track I have embarrassed some pretty heavy metal on road courses. My car is derestricted (no 155 limiter) and has gone 202-203 and been uterly stable. The looks are great...It's like the Germans hired an Italian to draw it.....bella machina!!
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Old Nov 1, 2004 | 06:08 PM
  #5  
AMG Jerry's Avatar
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I cannot say it better than the previous poster did. Although I have a different auto background (BMWs, not Ferraris). The 55 is not a white knuckle sports car, but it is a very capable performer. Its such a winner though. Great looks, great performance, and it can do it all!
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Old Nov 1, 2004 | 10:20 PM
  #6  
blueSL's Avatar
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
Originally Posted by IngenereAMG
The looks are great...It's like the Germans hired an Italian to draw it.....bella machina!!
Actually, (he said in a rare occasion of flag waving), the SL was designed by a Briton, Steve Mattin.
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Old Nov 2, 2004 | 06:56 AM
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AMG Jerry's Avatar
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And Merc had the good taste to hire him and use his design. I think this whole generation of Mercs is great looking, but the SL is the best of the bunch.
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