Discussion
Candellara said:
As per title,
Budget up to 40k, which car would you buy and why?
I sold my 2008 SL63 a while ago, I tried the SL55 a few years beforehand and it was a great car but I felt the SL63 had progressed into a really good handling car on the twisty bits.Budget up to 40k, which car would you buy and why?
The later turbo charged SL63's are another step up again but may be out of budget. I've had a lot of cars from V8 Esprits to Alpine A610 etc and I have to say the only car I'd buy again would be the turbo charged SL63.
Best try one of each and see what suits.
The SL55s draw is its supercharged delivery, however it is really let down by its slow old 5 speed box. If you must have one buy a late sorted one (2007) if you want a really special one look for the P30 Performance Pack.
The SL63 is in a different league. The 6.2 and the 7 Speed MCT box totally transformed the car. Buy one from the main dealer as they now come with a two year warranty, A must have is an LSD.
The SL63 is in a different league. The 6.2 and the 7 Speed MCT box totally transformed the car. Buy one from the main dealer as they now come with a two year warranty, A must have is an LSD.
Candellara said:
SL55 prices seem to be getting extremely firm / rising whereas 63 prices haven't really changed much. Is there some sort of a cult following for the 55? It seems a lot of car for £20k - £25k?
Put the 55 and the 63 side by side and look at them. Then you will see why the 55 is firming up.... it's about the best car aesthetically Mercedes have designed in the last 30 years, the front of the 63 is a dog's dinner in comparison!Candellara said:
SL55 prices seem to be getting extremely firm / rising whereas 63 prices haven't really changed much. Is there some sort of a cult following for the 55? It seems a lot of car for £20k - £25k?
People seem to mention cult to me a lot. At least I think that's what they are saying. 
I've got a 2007 SL55 with AMG Performance Package as described earlier.
If the OP really wanted to push the boat out, there is the SL65. Exactly the same to look at as the SL55 with PP, but with a biturbo V12 up front! V rare in the U.K.
swisstoni said:
People seem to mention cult to me a lot. At least I think that's what they are saying.
I've got a 2007 SL55 with AMG Performance Package as described earlier.
That is the one to have I think, can only see values increasing now for well maintained examples. Beautiful car you have there.I've got a 2007 SL55 with AMG Performance Package as described earlier.
It's between two cars that i plan to view on Saturday - both at used car dealers.
One has thorough MB service history and all receipts bills - the other has stamped service book (mix of Indies and MB dealer) but no receipts - although mileage is 10k lower
The warranties that used car dealers offer on these cars is as useful as a chocolate teapot with max claim limits of just a few hundred pounds and labour rates of £70
One has thorough MB service history and all receipts bills - the other has stamped service book (mix of Indies and MB dealer) but no receipts - although mileage is 10k lower
The warranties that used car dealers offer on these cars is as useful as a chocolate teapot with max claim limits of just a few hundred pounds and labour rates of £70
Neither the 63 or the 55 are sports cars, but the 63 is a better drivers car than the 55. I wouldn't really say it's in a different league though as they are both heavy and if it's a drivers car you want I'd be looking elsewhere. What they will do though is cruise beautifully and when you want to overtake something you have what feels like unlimited power to do so.
Anyway drive both and see what you think.
Here's my SL55 just to add to the pics posted already
Anyway drive both and see what you think.
Here's my SL55 just to add to the pics posted already
Candellara said:
I'm guessing they're a bit akin to an F Type V8.
GT cruiser with lots of grunt but really do feel their weight
The trickery of the ABC suspension does mask the weight to an extent on my 55, but at the end of the day the laws of physics can't be bent. The car weighs 1900kg and you will feel it when you chuck it around, but not as much as some very heavy cars.GT cruiser with lots of grunt but really do feel their weight
You really need to drive one and then you will know.
cb1965 said:
The trickery of the ABC suspension does mask the weight to an extent on my 55, but at the end of the day the laws of physics can't be bent. The car weighs 1900kg and you will feel it when you chuck it around, but not as much as some very heavy cars.
You really need to drive one and then you will know.
I'm not really looking for a drivers car. I regret selling my old R107 300SL as i loved it for cruising about on hot sunny days so a newer SL with a bit more grunt will suit.You really need to drive one and then you will know.
Have to say that i'm nervous about ABC issues. Is this a common affliction to every car?
I don't have any stats but my guess is that it's fairly likely that the ABC system will develop a problem at some stage.
That hunch is helped by the fact that the pump went on mine within 3 weeks of buying! Cost me over £1k at a Merc specialist. But if I get a few years out of it I won't be too upset. Any car in this category is capable of throwing up bills like this.
On the plus side, the engines seem very solid.
That hunch is helped by the fact that the pump went on mine within 3 weeks of buying! Cost me over £1k at a Merc specialist. But if I get a few years out of it I won't be too upset. Any car in this category is capable of throwing up bills like this.
On the plus side, the engines seem very solid.
Go for SL63 tt if you can stretch your budget a little further. Very undervalued car in the UK for whatever reason, a GBP50k example here sells for GBP70k over in Germany.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmO4iwZhp3c
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmO4iwZhp3c
Gassing Station | Mercedes | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff