RE: Mercedes-AMG SL63 vs. SL65

[Calza]

BIRMA said:

Not wanting to be too picky but does .5 of a second really count as a great difference between the two cars when the SL63 was N/A. This has been extracted from the official MB specification brochure.

Surely you appreciate this just highlights how irrelevant a stat it's becoming?

In a 2wd car with >500bhp the 0-60 times are always going to be traction dependent.

If more in gear and rolling acceleration times were published the numbers would be even more impressive.

[swisstoni]

There used to be 30-70mph figures too. A good grunt measurement and more informative than 0-60.

[sealtt]

BIRMA said:

I'm guessing like me you have driven the new 5.5 SL63 around the test track for three hours then, are you a test driver for MB?
I would be most interested in hearing your in depth driving analysis of there cars as I've taken quite an interest in them since owning one and read up on every test report by people like Chris Harris etc.

My original point of the small time difference related to factory figures and my actual experience, talking of which the 911 Turbo S that I tried with a sub 3 second 0-60 time was certainly noticeable.

Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 9th March 17:26

Jeez, what's with the attitude? No I have not driven these cars on track... however you were talking specifically about the performance on British roads... specifically not on the autobahn/track/etc. I am not a pro driver, just a regular guy who loves SLs. When I was looking at buying a new SL in 2013 I actually managed to get the 5.5 (with PP) and 6.2 SL together for an afternoon and took them both out on some great A roads and B roads - driving them both back to back. It was pretty obvious to me that the 5.5 was far faster and a much better car.

Now with that being said, there is something absolutely magic about that 6.2 and it's incredible exhaust note - and I would not be surprised to hear someone say they prefer the NA SL63 to the new one because of that engine. However to say that there isn't any noticeable difference between the pace of the old and new SL63s I do find surprising to hear, as the 5.5 is very clearly much faster - or at least it was to me.

[Waploadtabernacle111]

The SL63 is my 5th version of the SL range, Have owned the latest one for 3 years.
It performs like a wild stallion if you drive it hard and you can sedately cruise around Monaco with the top down and feel like you belong there. Can be parked in a Supermarket without too much attention and has a large boot. I use mine nearly every day including winter months
"The V12 howls - The V8 rumbles" I can live with the latter on a 600 mile day trip, the former won't let you sleep after the engine goes silent...your ears are still ringing. I had the V12 for a weekend and covered 800 miles. V12 feels smoother than the V8 and because of that it doesn't feel like it's pushing you along like the V8 does. Best of all worlds in one package- top up or down ...V8 is my choice, cost is irrelevant!
50k miles in mine from new. A great touring car with lots of functions to play with. The suspension works very well switching from sport to comfort at 150mph+ will stamp out any doubt.

[BIRMA]

sealtt said:

BIRMA said:

I'm guessing like me you have driven the new 5.5 SL63 around the test track for three hours then, are you a test driver for MB?
I would be most interested in hearing your in depth driving analysis of there cars as I've taken quite an interest in them since owning one and read up on every test report by people like Chris Harris etc.

My original point of the small time difference related to factory figures and my actual experience, talking of which the 911 Turbo S that I tried with a sub 3 second 0-60 time was certainly noticeable.

Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 9th March 17:26

Jeez, what's with the attitude? No I have not driven these cars on track... however you were talking specifically about the performance on British roads... specifically not on the autobahn/track/etc. I am not a pro driver, just a regular guy who loves SLs. When I was looking at buying a new SL in 2013 I actually managed to get the 5.5 (with PP) and 6.2 SL together for an afternoon and took them both out on some great A roads and B roads - driving them both back to back. It was pretty obvious to me that the 5.5 was far faster and a much better car.

Now with that being said, there is something absolutely magic about that 6.2 and it's incredible exhaust note - and I would not be surprised to hear someone say they prefer the NA SL63 to the new one because of that engine. However to say that there isn't any noticeable difference between the pace of the old and new SL63s I do find surprising to hear, as the 5.5 is very clearly much faster - or at least it was to me.

No attitude intended, regarding driving the car on a test track this was at MB World around the MIRA designed test circuits which I understand are designed to replicate a very twisty A road. I did the three hour AMG drivers session in a 5.5 SL63 purely and simply to get an understanding of the car on the limits under 'safe' conditions. During the session I was able to push the car way beyond what could be considered safe on the roads and it was a very wet day too, the level of grip on these cars is really something.
Your comment about the V12 decimating the V8 like a lot of comments on Pistonheads sounded like it was coming from someone who had probably never even sat in any of the cars let alone had driven or owned them.
By nature I have a very analytical approach to the cars I buy and do a lot of research into the brand I buy, I just happened to enquire about the SL65 to one of the expert drivers there who said quite clearly you couldn't have driven the V12 around like I did the SL63 due to the heavier weight placement of the bigger engine despite the later stiffer chassis etc. Not to take anything away from the SL65 it is without doubt now a very good car.
My one and a bit hour drive home in my SL63 was one of careful comparison, having also thrashed my SL around my favourite roads locally since having it, when the instructor asked me how does it compare with yours my comment was I couldn't honestly tell any difference at high speed thrashing. I am far from a driving god but have done my share of track days and know that .6 of a second is so easily lost with a moments hesitation.

[BIRMA]

Waploadtabernacle111 said:

The SL63 is my 5th version of the SL range, Have owned the latest one for 3 years.
It performs like a wild stallion if you drive it hard and you can sedately cruise around Monaco with the top down and feel like you belong there. Can be parked in a Supermarket without too much attention and has a large boot. I use mine nearly every day including winter months
"The V12 howls - The V8 rumbles" I can live with the latter on a 600 mile day trip, the former won't let you sleep after the engine goes silent...your ears are still ringing. I had the V12 for a weekend and covered 800 miles. V12 feels smoother than the V8 and because of that it doesn't feel like it's pushing you along like the V8 does. Best of all worlds in one package- top up or down ...V8 is my choice, cost is irrelevant!
50k miles in mine from new. A great touring car with lots of functions to play with. The suspension works very well switching from sport to comfort at 150mph+ will stamp out any doubt.

Well put!