SL 63 AMG 2011
Discussion
Test drove this yesterday as a alternative to a DBS
It's not as good to be fare.
The one I drove.
Squeaky roof is this common?
Lighter steering and a softer ride I fact very good in town in comfort mode.
Gearbox very smooth in comfort, in sport and paddles most odd doesn't change up when you ask it,
In manual mode on the paddles now it works however changes are lazy not snappy as the Aston.
Trim levels very good and higher than the Aston.
The exhaust note when pressing on in manual mode is unreal better than the Aston down right rude I really did like that.
Pressing on I found the car too soft in the bends even in sport mode.
Still enjoyed the test but I'm looking for another drive when I find a car.
Would like comments from owners please.
Thanks Paul
It's not as good to be fare.
The one I drove.
Squeaky roof is this common?
Lighter steering and a softer ride I fact very good in town in comfort mode.
Gearbox very smooth in comfort, in sport and paddles most odd doesn't change up when you ask it,
In manual mode on the paddles now it works however changes are lazy not snappy as the Aston.
Trim levels very good and higher than the Aston.
The exhaust note when pressing on in manual mode is unreal better than the Aston down right rude I really did like that.
Pressing on I found the car too soft in the bends even in sport mode.
Still enjoyed the test but I'm looking for another drive when I find a car.
Would like comments from owners please.
Thanks Paul
V8 Animal said:
Test drove this yesterday as a alternative to a DBS
It's not as good to be fare.
The one I drove.
Squeaky roof is this common?
Lighter steering and a softer ride I fact very good in town in comfort mode.
Gearbox very smooth in comfort, in sport and paddles most odd doesn't change up when you ask it,
In manual mode on the paddles now it works however changes are lazy not snappy as the Aston.
Trim levels very good and higher than the Aston.
The exhaust note when pressing on in manual mode is unreal better than the Aston down right rude I really did like that.
Pressing on I found the car too soft in the bends even in sport mode.
Still enjoyed the test but I'm looking for another drive when I find a car.
Would like comments from owners please.
Thanks Paul
Interesting because I recently bought a 2008 N/A SL63 after test driving a 2010 V8s soft top with the paddle shift.It's not as good to be fare.
The one I drove.
Squeaky roof is this common?
Lighter steering and a softer ride I fact very good in town in comfort mode.
Gearbox very smooth in comfort, in sport and paddles most odd doesn't change up when you ask it,
In manual mode on the paddles now it works however changes are lazy not snappy as the Aston.
Trim levels very good and higher than the Aston.
The exhaust note when pressing on in manual mode is unreal better than the Aston down right rude I really did like that.
Pressing on I found the car too soft in the bends even in sport mode.
Still enjoyed the test but I'm looking for another drive when I find a car.
Would like comments from owners please.
Thanks Paul
In my usual procedure in buying a new secondhand car I had arranged a test drive of three/four cars within my budget with no preconceived ideas or fan-boy bias just drive them all within a short period after having done a bit of research preferably all of them in one day.
The first was a 2010 Aston Martin soft top in pale metallic green from a dealership in Walton on Thames the car looked great but as much as I wanted to like it I couldn't. First off the paddle shift was a joke I tried to get the hang but it lurched just like a crappy Maserati 4200 Gambiocorsa I tried a few years ago. Tried it in auto in traffic again not to my liking I didn't much care for the crashy almost uncomfortable ride either and that was on decent A roads.
Second car Audi R8 having had a late V8 Esprit I found it better build quality wise but bland inside but I did try one with the wrong gearbox.
Next was the SL63 my first thoughts were if the Ason Martin had this gearbox and suspension adjustment I'd have bought it on the spot end of any further debate, not sure what the car you tried could have had wrong with it maybe you just prefer the way your car drives.
A few months down the line I am very pleased with my choice, it's unique selling point for me is the engine sound with the rather clever roof down. It's a hooligan of a car that brings out the hooligan in me I've nicknamed it George because it drinks a lot but that's my fault because I can't resist enjoying that wonderful sounding engine 13 mpg is my average but I'm sure I'll get better MPG after a while.
One other thing I have grown to like and something which does improve the fuel consumption is if you have a motorway journey of any distance. I put the roof up, set it in Sport Plus but changed the suspension setting to normal, with the decent sound system on it wafts along nicely and you feel you could drive all day it's that comfortable plus 25 MPG.
On the twisty bits after having previously owned a Boxster S I can't deny it's weight is obvious but at legal speeds in sport mode I have no reason to complain I do have a favourite 'route' on the A272 and I still manage to have a big smile the entire length of the road.
The design of the open roof seems to work well too my Boxster was always a bit 'blowy' but the SL is much more refined and pleasant don't know how they've done it but it works.
When buying a new secondhand car I have always applied the above procedure and to date have always been pleased with my choice. I am sure there are fans of each other marque that could raise perfectly reasonable counter points to my findings but ultimately it's my money.
I had come to the conclusion that I didn't really want an auto but at the same time didn't want a heavy clutch so PDK, MCT etc had to be checked out. I didn't mention my original preference which is the Porsche 911 997 Gen2 Turbo S soft top which is well worth checking out, the PDK is superb. People seem to dislike the brand but it is a superb car and worth checking out, it must be the drivers that wind people up because yesterday on the M27 a white one cut me up in a really unnecessary fashion.
One other reason my budget was all over the place was a rare old motorbike came up for sale so I settled on a lower budget figure for the car so as to buy the bike which I failed to buy in the end so I've put the balance towards my savings for an SLS in the future if that is they come down in price.
Just to add a note if you are looking for one, mine is the older/cheaper 6.2 normally aspirated engined model that also has the performance pack which is quite an expensive option this gives you bigger discs, limited slip diff, 525 BHP and a couple of other performance extras, worth getting one with as there seems to be very little if any premium to buy on a secondhand car.
The vented seats are a bonus on a hot day, the air-scarfs which are really effective and something I thought I'd never bother with but the other evening after my Lotus Anorak meeting we all left the pub at 11 it was a nice but nippy night so I kept the roof down and tried them out. They blow warm air on to the back of your neck something alien to me but I've come to the conclusion they are brilliant and just something else someone has put a bit of thought into for creature comforts.
One other reason my budget was all over the place was a rare old motorbike came up for sale so I settled on a lower budget figure for the car so as to buy the bike which I failed to buy in the end so I've put the balance towards my savings for an SLS in the future if that is they come down in price.
Just to add a note if you are looking for one, mine is the older/cheaper 6.2 normally aspirated engined model that also has the performance pack which is quite an expensive option this gives you bigger discs, limited slip diff, 525 BHP and a couple of other performance extras, worth getting one with as there seems to be very little if any premium to buy on a secondhand car.
The vented seats are a bonus on a hot day, the air-scarfs which are really effective and something I thought I'd never bother with but the other evening after my Lotus Anorak meeting we all left the pub at 11 it was a nice but nippy night so I kept the roof down and tried them out. They blow warm air on to the back of your neck something alien to me but I've come to the conclusion they are brilliant and just something else someone has put a bit of thought into for creature comforts.
Edited by BIRMA on Tuesday 21st July 15:58
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