Need your opinion on choosing SL63 or SL65

Nov 4, 2015 | 10:58 PM

Kamtrac

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Member

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 110

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2012 E550 Cabrio

Need your opinion on choosing SL63 or SL65

I could buy either a 2013 SL63 or SL 65 and can't decide which one is a better car to buy!

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.
(I originally posted this on R230 forum by mistake)

Nov 9, 2015 | 11:20 PM

france2112

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Joined: Feb 2006

Posts: 763

Likes: 12

From: South Florida

2015 Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG S

I had a CL65 for many years and an R230 SL600 with RennTECH ECU upgrade. I feel the SL63 is the way to go. The SL65 is very front heavy and the 5 speed transmission, while being very strong and bullet proof, is slow shifting and old technology. I recently test drove the SL63 with PP and RennTECH edu upgrade and the car was awesome! So much so that I put a deposit down on the one I test drove and I am in the middle of a sale. V12 biturbo on the SL65 is quirky and really needs a cooling upgrade manditory! Intake air temperatures rise fast and the car pulls timing for protection from heat. I would just go with the SL63 and leave the V12 biturbo alone...It is very good when it works but horrible when it has problems and it is prone to have problems.

Dec 19, 2015 | 09:19 AM

cybercord

Newbie

Joined: Jan 2015

Posts: 13

Likes: 1

From: Lawrenceville, GA

R231 SL63

Have no experience in the 65, but I am extremely happy with my 2009 SL63. Little older, but I also have the AMG package on the AMG. Yea go figure. 2nd owner. I say go with what you like the best, but how many people are going to up either car. I say go with the best driving car for your experience and enjoy.

Dec 20, 2015 | 06:53 PM

abiazis

Super Member

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 603

Likes: 2

From: Asheville, Atlanta

SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited

65 rocks....does take some time to learn how to optimize driving in different situations due to the torque and power combo......once you drive one, difficult to have anything else satisfy you.......an amazing ride.....not a sports car but can hang with them once you master the car........

Dec 23, 2015 | 11:17 PM

Wolfman

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Joined: May 2002

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From: Land of 10,000 lakes

AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe

Quote:

Originally Posted by france2112

SL65 is definitely front-heavy, there is no denying that but the V12 in the R231 is using the M279 engine (improved engine, turbos, waste gates, ignition coils plus more power. Not sure about the intercoolers but those can/should be bigger on both). The car also has a 7 speed auto rather than the older lazy 5 speed.
The SL63 has a fantastic, highly tunable engine couple with a much maligned 7 speed MCT which I would rank below the V12 speed shift.
The SL63 is nicely balanced package though.

The SL65 clearly has the better interior and is significantly more expensive than the SL63. Depreciation on both are horrible of course.

Personally, the old R230 can't be compared to the R231 which has a dramatically better chassis, lower weight and a better performing engine/transmissions, nicer interiors.

Before choosing either keep in mind that the car is already facelifted for MY17 which will be available to order in March/April. A 2013 will takes another dive in value then..

Last edited by Wolfman; Dec 23, 2015 at 11:20 PM.

Jan 3, 2016 | 11:14 PM

Kamtrac

Thread Starter

Member

Joined: May 2015

Posts: 110

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2012 E550 Cabrio

Bought SL65, want more power

So I ended up buying a 2013 SL65, R231, with a Renntech tune! I love the car as not only is it awesome looking but the V12 has a smooth high end speed!
Need/want to do 2 mods:
1- the car needs to be louder so I'm thinking about ge Renntech exhaust. Is there a better option that you can recommend?
2- I want more power and speed so I'm thinking of upgrading to Renntech intercooler pump. Again, any experience?
3- is there any other reasonable mods that you can recommend besides bigger turbos?

Thanks