My fat barge - S65 AMG review
Discussion
Thought I would chuck out a quick review of the S65 AMG as information on this model is sparse especially real world information.
Mine is a W221 Mk1 model, all come in LWB form.
I got mine from Mercedes Milton Keynes with one owner and 16,000 miles. It's an 06 model in tansanite blue with beige interior and orthopaedic seats front and rear.
Selling one of these is like selling Big Ben I suspect. The dealer must have been dancing a jig when it finally left the building.
Cough.
Having previously owned a W221 320 CDI, I'd had previous experience of a W221 and loved it. I was basically looking for something similar but with a proper engine in it. I'd tested the 500 before, but to be honest apart from being a bit quieter, performance wasn't hugely different to the diesel.
I've now put 5,000 miles on the car and the economy averages 18 mpg around town, and 20-21 mpg on a motorway run. I'm quite pleased with this as it rivals the sportscars I've had before and used as daily transport. It's pretty amazing for a 6.0 litre bi-turbo V12.
When I got the car I found it to ride almost as well as a standard 320. This was my only reservation going for the AMG as not only was I looking for more grunt and charisma than the diesel, I had to retain the S class ride due to the distances I travel. It's certainly a bit firmer, but due to the fantastic air suspension it still rides as it should. Result. I'd always poo-pooed those large wheeled S classes you see out there but am shocked that the wheels hardly effect the ride.
One of the big differences between the S63 and the S65 and most of the modern Mercs is the lack of the 7 speed auto. The five speed is still used to cope with the massive torque from the engine. This results in the car being slightly agricultural compared to the newer box and in standard form it hunts slightly when down around 20-40 mph. It seems to occasionally get confused over the best gear to be in. Over 40mph and it's a non-issue. My last car was an E-Class Cabriolet and the box in that was superb, pity the rest of it couldn't match the S class, far too floppy for me in the end.
As for the gearbox hunting at low speed, I've now fixed this after a visit to Rob at DMS. On the dyno the car produced 616 HP standard, but after tweaking, the car now produces 670 HP and close to 1100 NM of torque. The most important change is the effect on the box, it now changes gear better due to the way DMS have tweaked the map which overall makes the car much smoother and lasier to drive especially down low.
Now to the performance, the car is simply ballistic. No other way to express it, it's also quite loud which surprised me. Put your foot in it and the best way to appreciate the incredible performance is the way cars next to you seem to get flung behind you like an elastic band being let go. It's really quite surreal. The car despite it's massive bulk pins you to your seat like being strapped to the back of a Saturn V rocket.
The engine is also beautiful to listen to with a fantastic hard edge from the V12 and a supersonic note to the turbo. Even slowing down as the box slurs it's changes really shows off the character of the V12.
This is undoubtedly the best car I've ever had the privilege of driving and owning. At the price I got it for, simply something I won't be considering selling for some time. I can't imagine anything better for eating up the miles and enjoying putting your foot down from time to time. The comfort is also something which an old fart with a bad back like me needs. The car is certainly something from a bygone era in these times but I absolutely love it. Is that wrong?
Car will be at VMAX at the end of the soon where I will be interested to see what I can get out of the big bird, if I have the bottle of course! As it's now derestricted I hope to crack the double ton.
Some pics, Brabus wheels have been replaced with some AMG wheels these were a bit too bling for me.
Mine is a W221 Mk1 model, all come in LWB form.
I got mine from Mercedes Milton Keynes with one owner and 16,000 miles. It's an 06 model in tansanite blue with beige interior and orthopaedic seats front and rear.
Selling one of these is like selling Big Ben I suspect. The dealer must have been dancing a jig when it finally left the building.
Cough.Having previously owned a W221 320 CDI, I'd had previous experience of a W221 and loved it. I was basically looking for something similar but with a proper engine in it. I'd tested the 500 before, but to be honest apart from being a bit quieter, performance wasn't hugely different to the diesel.
I've now put 5,000 miles on the car and the economy averages 18 mpg around town, and 20-21 mpg on a motorway run. I'm quite pleased with this as it rivals the sportscars I've had before and used as daily transport. It's pretty amazing for a 6.0 litre bi-turbo V12.
When I got the car I found it to ride almost as well as a standard 320. This was my only reservation going for the AMG as not only was I looking for more grunt and charisma than the diesel, I had to retain the S class ride due to the distances I travel. It's certainly a bit firmer, but due to the fantastic air suspension it still rides as it should. Result. I'd always poo-pooed those large wheeled S classes you see out there but am shocked that the wheels hardly effect the ride.
One of the big differences between the S63 and the S65 and most of the modern Mercs is the lack of the 7 speed auto. The five speed is still used to cope with the massive torque from the engine. This results in the car being slightly agricultural compared to the newer box and in standard form it hunts slightly when down around 20-40 mph. It seems to occasionally get confused over the best gear to be in. Over 40mph and it's a non-issue. My last car was an E-Class Cabriolet and the box in that was superb, pity the rest of it couldn't match the S class, far too floppy for me in the end.
As for the gearbox hunting at low speed, I've now fixed this after a visit to Rob at DMS. On the dyno the car produced 616 HP standard, but after tweaking, the car now produces 670 HP and close to 1100 NM of torque. The most important change is the effect on the box, it now changes gear better due to the way DMS have tweaked the map which overall makes the car much smoother and lasier to drive especially down low.
Now to the performance, the car is simply ballistic. No other way to express it, it's also quite loud which surprised me. Put your foot in it and the best way to appreciate the incredible performance is the way cars next to you seem to get flung behind you like an elastic band being let go. It's really quite surreal. The car despite it's massive bulk pins you to your seat like being strapped to the back of a Saturn V rocket.
The engine is also beautiful to listen to with a fantastic hard edge from the V12 and a supersonic note to the turbo. Even slowing down as the box slurs it's changes really shows off the character of the V12.
This is undoubtedly the best car I've ever had the privilege of driving and owning. At the price I got it for, simply something I won't be considering selling for some time. I can't imagine anything better for eating up the miles and enjoying putting your foot down from time to time. The comfort is also something which an old fart with a bad back like me needs. The car is certainly something from a bygone era in these times but I absolutely love it. Is that wrong?
Car will be at VMAX at the end of the soon where I will be interested to see what I can get out of the big bird, if I have the bottle of course!
As it's now derestricted I hope to crack the double ton. Some pics, Brabus wheels have been replaced with some AMG wheels these were a bit too bling for me.
Edited by slinky on Saturday 10th March 20:10
Congratulatons, an incredible car for sure, enjoy it in good health. Also, thanks for starting this thread, your right not much real world info about these monsters!
The performance must be nothing short of scary, I can't even imagine acceleration that brutal.
The S65 AMG is starting to look quite good value considering the 06 cars are selling low to mid 40's. I would never use the word 'bargain' to describe an AMG but it is certainly tempting, especially when the current shape CL 65's get down to that level.
The performance must be nothing short of scary, I can't even imagine acceleration that brutal.
The S65 AMG is starting to look quite good value considering the 06 cars are selling low to mid 40's. I would never use the word 'bargain' to describe an AMG but it is certainly tempting, especially when the current shape CL 65's get down to that level.
Mid 40's. Of course it depends on mileage. I haven't seen any others going for the price I got mine for though, most are quite a bit more expensive and some with even higher mileage. I think MK just wanted rid as you can imagine the market for these isn't very large. Remembering the £170,000 sticker price for one of these and you can see why some people are trying to secure more for the cars. The depreciation is as ridiculous as the rest of the car!
Hopefully I can pick up a facelift in a 2-3 years for similar money. The only thing I'd like to upgrade is the Comand system as the new cars have better Ipod/phone integration etc. Minor issues!!
Hopefully I can pick up a facelift in a 2-3 years for similar money. The only thing I'd like to upgrade is the Comand system as the new cars have better Ipod/phone integration etc. Minor issues!!
Worryingly benign looking for 670hp.
What's the performance like at lower speeds? Is it better at 100+ or, responsive low down too? I'm guessing it's fitted with long gearing. Reason I ask is in my experience larger cars don't feel as responsive at low speeds, and pull well at high speeds. I'm trying to understand if that's all or just some of them.
What's the performance like at lower speeds? Is it better at 100+ or, responsive low down too? I'm guessing it's fitted with long gearing. Reason I ask is in my experience larger cars don't feel as responsive at low speeds, and pull well at high speeds. I'm trying to understand if that's all or just some of them.
Pentoman said:
Worryingly benign looking for 670hp.
What's the performance like at lower speeds? Is it better at 100+ or, responsive low down too? I'm guessing it's fitted with long gearing. Reason I ask is in my experience larger cars don't feel as responsive at low speeds, and pull well at high speeds. I'm trying to understand if that's all or just some of them.
Looking at that torque curve I'd think epic at any speed!What's the performance like at lower speeds? Is it better at 100+ or, responsive low down too? I'm guessing it's fitted with long gearing. Reason I ask is in my experience larger cars don't feel as responsive at low speeds, and pull well at high speeds. I'm trying to understand if that's all or just some of them.
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