RE: Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG: Spotted

RE: Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG: Spotted

Saturday 23rd June 2018

Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG: Spotted

Your £29,000 could get you a refreshed Mercedes C-Class, or it could get you a F1 Pace car...



So the day is here already, when we're comparing a brand new, warrantied C-Class with SL63 that's just 10 years old. Mercedes, no doubt, want you to but their new car; whereas we are much more interested in daydreaming about making our money go further on something fast and with a large number of cylinders. And we'll conveniently ignore the potentially ruinous running costs, thanks very much.

With that in mind, here's a tidy Mercedes SL63 AMG that you could buy today for £29,000. That's very reasonable when you consider the low 28,000 miles it's covered and the fact it's presently with a large, franchised BMW dealer in Coventry - just opposite the old London Taxi factory.


The SL63 was the replacement for the SL55 AMG, that was known and loved for its brutal power, fabulous engine note and its relaxing demeanour when you weren't on the loud pedal. Another significant change from '55 to '63 was the introduction of the then-new seven-speed AMG Speedshift gearbox that replaced that torque converter with a "clutch pack" with multiple clutches inside. Back then, dual-clutch gearboxes were all the rage for their quick response times, but couldn't handle the high torque of big engines, so Speedshift was AMG's solution.

It also fitted in quite well with the car, which had been tuned to give a sharper drive, or as sharp as you can get for something that weighs over two tons! The newer engine wasn't as torquey as the old supercharged V8, but it did produce a little more power, so, combined with the faster shifts it was similarly quick. But this time, you had to thrash it more.


And when you did explore the higher reaches of its rev range, you could enjoy that AMG growl; the same deep growl you probably heard over the shrieking V8 F1 cars because, yes, an SL63 was used as a pace car in F1 during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Which was an appropriate use of the SL because it came with multiple driving modes to alter throttle response and shift speed, ideal for track work. There was even an aptly named 'Race Start' mode for quick getaways.

So, £29,000 for a fast AMG Mercedes that looks like an F1 pace car and is much more interesting than a dull executive saloon. Job done. Well, not quite. That gearbox is great when it works, but there have been complaints on forums from owners having some reliability issues with it. Plus, being an ultra-posh Mercedes means that there will always be a concern that all those electrics work. But, if you do your homework and find a good one from a reputable seller, there's no reason why it couldn't be a great purchase. So, keep daydreaming. It could be you holding up Hamilton on the front row of the F1 grid in your bargain SL63.


SPECIFICATION - MERCEDES-BENZ SL63 AMG

Engine: 6208cc, V8
Transmission: 7-speed multi clutch auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 525@6,800rpm
Torque (lb ft): 465@5,200rpm
MPG: 20.3
CO2: 330g/km
First registered: 2008
Recorded mileage: 28,000
Price new: £101,975
Yours for: £29,000

See the original advert here.



 

 

Author
Discussion

E65Ross

Original Poster:

34,946 posts

211 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Love these, although I prefer the face of the earlier R230 cars. It's dated but I still think the rear end of these is just so nice, simple and elegant.

Engine isn't bad, either!

Helicopter123

8,831 posts

155 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Still plummeting towards earth I suspect.

samoht

5,633 posts

145 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
E65Ross said:
Love these, although I prefer the face of the earlier R230 cars. It's dated but I still think the rear end of these is just so nice, simple and elegant.

Engine isn't bad, either!
Agree, the original peanut-light front is the one that the car was designed with and looks best and most cohesive imo. This facelift has had the front spoilt by the heavy-handed, clunky styling they were moving towards at the time. On the upside, the rest of the car still looks nice, unlike the R231 where the whole thing is ugly - plus you get the 6.2L V8 with the facelift, so perhaps a good trade-off.

Helicopter123 said:
Still plummeting towards earth I suspect.
It's no appreciating classic, but compared to a brand new C-class it's fairly sure to lose less. Look dear, it's a sound financial decision!

ZX10R NIN

27,494 posts

124 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
These & SL55 prices have steadied right off over the last couple of years so whilst they're not appreciating they're no longer shedding money.

I like the facelift but prefer the 55 power delivery but both engines are epic, the facelift benefits from a much better ABC system though.

only1ian

684 posts

193 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
I own a 2009 SL63 with the performance package. It transforms the car. I’ve had it 3 years and it hasn’t been as ruinous as the £145000 new price would suggest. Bought it after a passenger ride in the actual F1 pace car! Fab thing that does so many roles from so well! Supercar been to the track , comfy GT easy to drive in town to the shops with everyday practically.

Bargains!

Edited by only1ian on Saturday 23 June 16:59

Mr E

21,583 posts

258 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Mmm. *That* 6.2...

Ahbefive

11,657 posts

171 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Aes87 said:
5.8L aspirated V12

an aspirated V12 CL600
I assume you meant to say "naturally aspirated" but missed a word out twice.....

flatso

1,240 posts

128 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Never understood why they ruined the gorgeous original design and stuck on this porcine front end.How this Facelift ever managed to get through into production is beyond me, it just Looks like a very poor effort and may go down as one of the best examples of how to ruin a beautifully cohesive design.

BIRMA

3,803 posts

193 months

Saturday 23rd June 2018
quotequote all
Owned one for a year and really enjoyed it, lovely sound too not forced and farty like a few cars these days. It could hustle along the twisty bits with amazing grip but turned into a luxury quiet limo with the hood up at motorway speeds. Replaced it with a CL65.

only1ian

684 posts

193 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
BIRMA said:
Owned one for a year and really enjoyed it, lovely sound too not forced and farty like a few cars these days. It could hustle along the twisty bits with amazing grip but turned into a luxury quiet limo with the hood up at motorway speeds. Replaced it with a CL65.
Who did you use in the uk to service it?

trickywoo

11,706 posts

229 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
Ahbefive said:
Aes87 said:
5.8L aspirated V12

an aspirated V12 CL600
I assume you meant to say "naturally aspirated" but missed a word out twice.....
I was thinkg the same.

If it wasn't aspirated you'd be looking at a squirrel nest in the airbox at the very least, maybe worse.

sinbaddio

2,357 posts

175 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
Yes please!

Christian85

842 posts

137 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
A face only a mother could love. Still wouldn’t say no though.

BIRMA

3,803 posts

193 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
only1ian said:
BIRMA said:
Owned one for a year and really enjoyed it, lovely sound too not forced and farty like a few cars these days. It could hustle along the twisty bits with amazing grip but turned into a luxury quiet limo with the hood up at motorway speeds. Replaced it with a CL65.
Who did you use in the uk to service it?
Because I only keep my cars about a year and sell them on I used my local main dealer to service it. I was not impressed, I keep a close eye on my cars mechanically and check things like tyres etc far too often.
So when the service guy approached me to declare that the mechanic had found four bold tyres on the car and that along with the windscreen wipers I needed to spend £1400. I politely declined as I knew the tyres were OK I did explain the term was bald not bold and decided to never darken their doors again, having thought about it afterwards I guessed someone has to pay the enormous number of smart dressed dudes that seemed to far outnumber the people actually doing something with their hands.
I've since had the CL 65 serviced by Brooklands Mercedes who seem to be an altogether better set up and they service SLS's and the like there I figured I'd go there. I took out a service plan with MB which seems to be a good deal for V12 engined AMG models

akashzimzimma

179 posts

76 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
Aes87 said:
forget this - buy a 2000 to '05 CL instead, also used as a safety car for F1

5.8L aspirated V12 hugely underrated because of complex cylinder deactivation system and problems turning up on high mileage cars... in reality one of Mercedes' best efforts - enough power for the public road and, having experienced a mate's car for myself around a decade ago, frankly ridiculous smoothness and refinement from memory

an aspirated V12 CL600 in a light blue colour on black for me would rank as one of the most beautiful of all Mercedes, and still available for under 20k???
Actually the CL600 was never used as a safey car. It the was CL55 AMG Kompressor.
Also the sohc naturally aspirated V12 in that model was in all ways inferior to the DOHC M120 V12 usee from 91-99 in the W140 and previous CL. That engine went on to be used in the Pagani Zonda .
The SOHC V12 M275 in NA form was much less powerful ( 367 vs over 420) and less torquey, had a weak top end and was much problematic.
That's why they strenghtened it and added 2 turbos later on in the W220 facelift.

Aluxo

115 posts

70 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
Mr E said:
Mmm. *That* 6.2...
I had a 6.2 AMG for a week. Ended up doing mostly town driving. This thing drinks like nobody’s business! Went through a tank in 150-200 miles with a light foot. Great engine but needs to be used outside the city.

urquattroGus

1,845 posts

189 months

Sunday 24th June 2018
quotequote all
akashzimzimma said:
Aes87 said:
forget this - buy a 2000 to '05 CL instead, also used as a safety car for F1

5.8L aspirated V12 hugely underrated because of complex cylinder deactivation system and problems turning up on high mileage cars... in reality one of Mercedes' best efforts - enough power for the public road and, having experienced a mate's car for myself around a decade ago, frankly ridiculous smoothness and refinement from memory

an aspirated V12 CL600 in a light blue colour on black for me would rank as one of the most beautiful of all Mercedes, and still available for under 20k???
Actually the CL600 was never used as a safey car. It the was CL55 AMG Kompressor.
Also the sohc naturally aspirated V12 in that model was in all ways inferior to the DOHC M120 V12 usee from 91-99 in the W140 and previous CL. That engine went on to be used in the Pagani Zonda .
The SOHC V12 M275 in NA form was much less powerful ( 367 vs over 420) and less torquey, had a weak top end and was much problematic.
That's why they strenghtened it and added 2 turbos later on in the W220 facelift.
Qudos for this info... smile

bozzy.

778 posts

77 months

Monday 25th June 2018
quotequote all
If it were me, I’d go for the older SL55AMG for half the price! The change could be used as a slush fund for repairs as well.

Mushroom12

157 posts

90 months

Monday 25th June 2018
quotequote all
Would LOVE one, but the cost of repairs makes me recoil in terror.

leedsutd1

770 posts

185 months

Monday 25th June 2018
quotequote all
In 5 years it will have lost another 15k ,and the interior is dated now ,