W211 AMG Discuss the W211 AMG's such as the E55 and the E63

SL65 experiences

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Old Feb 3, 2012 | 09:50 PM
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07' SL65, 04' E55, 03' Evo8, 08' GSXR, DSM's...
SL65 experiences

So, it seems this part of the forum gets more use than the SL section and noticed that there are a few of you who also have a SL along with the E55.

I am looking at purchasing a SL65, but cannot find one locally to actually check and drive in person. I do not mind flying out to actually buy one, as that's what i did with my E55, but i also was able to drive a friends before making that decision.

What are your experiences on how it compares to the E55, or just plain out comparison between any other higher HP cars you may have driven? Is it as big of a "beast" as some people say?

Thanks for any feedback that may or may not help my decision to buy the one i am interested in.

Aaron
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Old Feb 3, 2012 | 10:22 PM
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SL65 does not have the violent nature like the E55 does. There's just something the E55 does that gives it such a raw edge over most of the modern AMG cars nowadays.

Having said that and driven the SL65, the SL65 is faaaast in stock trim. It is smooth and deadly - the speedo gets to triple digits with a few blinks of an eye. It is nasty, down right dirty acceleration.
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 12:27 AM
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2004 E55 (sold) 2012 E350 4M
I drove my neighbors a lonnnng time ago, but what i do remember... That car is scary fast. Its almost like you can't even punch it without it getting into a complete out of control rage. I remember hitting it hard from like a 10 mph roll and it literally started to get so loose it was just scary. He did have 3 piece 20 inch wheels on it so that didn't help, but ya it was damn fast. Its a beast.

As far as the feel, it just feels like a more powerful sl600 or s600 if that helps. Just that smooth twin turbo feel that just sucks you into the seat and literally doesn't stop until you let off the gas. The exhaust note is super sick I'm sure you can you tube videos of it. Ya I hope that helps, long story short they are scary fast.
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by rchase
I'm sure you can you tube videos of it. Ya I hope that helps, long story short they are scary fast.
... because youtube videos are the tell all when it come to exotic high end cars...

... You know you want one, buy Chap's. Hell if you hate it, I'll work a deal with ya
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 01:18 AM
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2004 E55 (sold) 2012 E350 4M
Originally Posted by rchase
The exhaust note is super sick I'm sure you can you tube videos of it. Ya I hope that helps, long story short they are scary fast.
yup.... I just watched a youtube video of a sl65 exhaust note and... It sounded pretty much like it did in person your such a big goof tgoss!! ya big silly dork!
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 01:36 AM
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Originally Posted by rchase
yup.... I just watched a youtube video of a sl65 exhaust note and... It sounded pretty much like it did in person your such a big goof tgoss!! ya big silly dork!
Coming from the gentlemen who just quoted himself....


I do it from time to time as well... what of it
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 01:41 AM
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2004 E55 (sold) 2012 E350 4M
seeing how you took my comment out of context i had to quote myself..
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 01:43 AM
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'13 GT-R AMS Alpha 9+, CLA45, E55
Back to the OP's question...
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by tgoss
... because youtube videos are the tell all when it come to exotic high end cars...

... You know you want one, buy Chap's. Hell if you hate it, I'll work a deal with ya
What if it isn't his, but one in the same condition etc In that case, i'll go ahead and close this other deal

Aaron
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 02:55 PM
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I doubt you'll read/hear a bad word about SL65 ownership. They really are amazing cars.

If anyone reading this is ever fortunate enough to own one, the answer is always yes.
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Old Feb 4, 2012 | 09:21 PM
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SL65
I'm a newbie here but not to fast cars having competed in mostly 10.5" tire drag cars.
Being out of racing now I looked for a fast-ish car that had some refinement and an automatic. (I must be getting old)
I ended up with a 65 and I absolutely love it! The repair bills can be high but if you are not wealthy (I am not) and can turn a wrench with a little ability they can be relatively affordable. That said, I do have a warranty to cover most things......
My car has a Speedriven ECU/TCU tune and some mods to the low temperature cooling system and that is about it. From 45mph to 90mph on a back road takes literally a few seconds with the traction control light yelling in the dash (do have 305 rear tires). The car is dangerous, not because of how fast it is but how smooth and linear the power/acceleration feels. You can easily be over 100mph and not realize it just passing someone on the two lane! Acceleration does not stop until you let off of the skinny pedal, my car pulls as hard at 130mph as it does at 60mph, no lie.
I equate my old drag car to being punched by Tyson, the 65 is like being pushed by a Sumo.....
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 12:22 AM
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07' SL65, 04' E55, 03' Evo8, 08' GSXR, DSM's...
Well, looks like i may be making my deposit on the one i have been looking at, then getting my PPI done this coming week. I really hope the performance aspect of it impresses me.

Aaron
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 12:47 PM
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SL65

IMO the V12 in an R230 convertible is an awesome automobile.

I've had my SL 600 for 2 years, it is tuned and tweaked to perfection, the V12 torque/power in a super lux MB convertible provide an incredible adrenaline rush every time it goes anywhere. Very few cars can match the overall mystique I'll call it, this car has. Car buff people will notice you if you care about such things.

Without a doubt the best overall car I've owned to date, and I've had some nice metal in my day.

One big downside, aside from needing new rear tires what seems to be all the time, is that repairs are expensive. You are buying a car that was almost $200K new, about twice what a full boat E55 or E63 was, so expect to pay a lot for things that break.

You'll love the car, but get a warranty, it will make your ownership tenure much more enjoyable.

Oh and post up some pics when you get it!

Last edited by NCE500; Feb 5, 2012 at 12:54 PM.
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 01:06 PM
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2004 E55
Sounds like it's about as unpractical as you can get.

I love it. And would like to own one one day.

The new ones....just check out the fenders and how they flare out. That is one dead sexy car.

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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 01:12 PM
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Andy (MHP) let me drive his last summer and it was incredible. I have also ridden in Clayton's 600, the power delivery is soooo smooth it is amazing. If it was not for kids, I would have one.
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 04:10 PM
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07' SL65, 04' E55, 03' Evo8, 08' GSXR, DSM's...
I put in a deposit on one i have been eyeballing which has pretty much every option i would want in one of these. It was one of these or a GT-R. Anyways, scheduling a PPI this week and will go from there. I am pretty excited, and hope things check out as good as i think they should on this one owner maintained car. Hope the ride is as much of a adrenaline rush as people are saying it is stock.

Any other first hand experiences?

Will keep everyone updated.

Aaron
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 04:19 PM
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make sure it has new brakes before you buy it or plan on spending 3K plus
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 04:20 PM
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A 65 motor will not feel as quick as a modded E55. The delivery of the power is WAY different and the aftermarket is such, that the E55 is now quicker than most 65 cars.

The rawness of the 55K motor is much more noticable and violent, where as the delivery of power from the 65 motors are smooth and almost feels like a jet on take off. Honestly, I dont think you would be happy going from a e55 to a SL65 looking at your stable of sleds brotha.

I like utter violence out the whole and my E55 delivers that, I did drive a modded CL65, and although he would probably take me on the top end, out the whole I was antiipating alot more.
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 04:48 PM
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CL65
Try and find any 65 car to take for a ride(CL,S,SL). It should give you an idea of what is being said about the motor and the type of power it makes. It will hold you back in your seat. Everyone has their own feeling of what they prefer. The motor responds well to just a tune, but as mentioned, if your hardcore there are more e55's in 10's than 65's. The soft exhaust note of the 65 catches most by surpise. Also the pic with the big wheel flares is a SL65 "Black Series", not a convertible and $300k new.
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Old Feb 5, 2012 | 05:22 PM
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Just put $3k aside for Cory to work his black magic on once you take delivery
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 10:01 AM
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Originally Posted by tgoss
Just put $3k aside for Cory to work his black magic on once you take delivery
These days you can get it done for less than 1/2 that price

.
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 01:33 PM
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Originally Posted by chawkins2001
A 65 motor will not feel as quick as a modded E55. The delivery of the power is WAY different and the aftermarket is such, that the E55 is now quicker than most 65 cars.

The rawness of the 55K motor is much more noticable and violent, where as the delivery of power from the 65 motors are smooth and almost feels like a jet on take off. Honestly, I dont think you would be happy going from a e55 to a SL65 looking at your stable of sleds brotha.

I like utter violence out the whole and my E55 delivers that, I did drive a modded CL65, and although he would probably take me on the top end, out the whole I was antiipating alot more.
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...es-805whp.html

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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 01:39 PM
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My dad had a tuned R230 SL600 a few years ago (believe it was a Renntech tune). I know its not a 65, but my god it was an animal.

The car would just pull and pull - no matter how fast you were going.


With that said - 170 with the top down is hard on the ears.
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Old Feb 6, 2012 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by emoving
Andy (MHP) let me drive his last summer and it was incredible. I have also ridden in Clayton's 600, the power delivery is soooo smooth it is amazing. If it was not for kids, I would have one.
You know that by even admiting you were with andy, causes me to loose stock with you
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