Mercedes SL65 AMG - A monstrously torquey V12 sports car bargain - BEARDS n CARS
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 16 ก.ย. 2024
- The R230 shape Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG is a 6.0 litre twin turbo V12 monster of a convertible, which is belied by its elegant and simple approach to design, both inside and out.
But with used prices barely matching those of a brand new hot hatch these days, this monstrously powerful sports car which boasts more torque than most supercars on the market is strangely - something of a bargain.
Though certainly not one for the faint of heart given the figures of 603 bhp and 1000Nm of torque which these understated 2 tonne supercars are working with...
Special thanks to Philip Raby Specialist Cars - Check them out HERE: philipraby.co.uk/
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You're more spot on than you may realize. The R230 SL65 represents nothing less than peak modern SL in my opinion. From its brake-by-wire to it's Active Body Control to the superlative glass roof convertible engineering, this extraordinarily rare iteration was underrated in the extreme. However a 73k mile 2009 Sl65 recently sold for $59,000. SL's over depreciated do to the enhanced preventative maintenance required but well cared for examples certainly do not deserve anything less than reverence for their superpowers. BTW, modern tire technology has caught up to the SL65 and a set of Michelin PS4's will tame the beast noticeably. Definitely one of the better reviews of this car.
Cheers, glad you enjoyed
Yes, I've owned my 2008 SL65 for just over 18 months and it's an incredible car, It is my daily and I absolutely love it! a good services history and servicing the ABC system every 3-4000 miles will save you trouble in the future. Granted Mercedes had overhauled the ABC system in I think 07/08 models, mine currently sits at 48k miles and I paid just over 43k for her. Aside from a Euro-charged tune and the carbon rear lip, It's staying standard, I do think this reviewer is correct! with the way, the world is going at the moment these SL65's WILL become sought after by collectors, unlike the SL55 they didn't make too many of these.
@@Alps6408 Yes less than 3000 of the most desirable R230 SL65. After the new SL reveal and V12's extinction, the values are really taking off. This new SL gained 220lbs but lost the glass/hardtop roof. Just wait until spring comes back.
@@Alps6408 they only made around 900 w211 s65’s but my car isn’t worth much unfortunately, luckily I didn’t buy it to sell it
I've recently bought a 2004 SL600 Brabus, believed to be only one of 20 in the UK. Scares the bejeezus out of me but love it even more because of that! 30k miles so I'm hoping it could hold pretty well.
Great vid. No silly music. Straight into it.
I just sold my Z3M roadster & replaced it with a low mileage R231 SL500 in hyacinth red with cream leather. Not the AMG SL63 or 65 admittedly.
But not much less power or performance. It's more than enough. In fact I'm in awe of it.
The fact it takes an extra 200 or 300 milliseconds to reach the legal speed limit compared to the AMG is immaterial. 0 - 60 in 4.5 is fine with me.I'm loving it to bits.
I considered an SLK55. But they're almost as expensive. A great little V8 roadster, but less car for the money. SLK55 £55k new. SL500 £85k new but only £3 or £4k more second hand for the SL. And it's an almost all aluminium engineering masterpiece. When I test drove the Slk55 the engine felt special. When I drive my SL500 the whole car feels special
I appear to prove your conclusions correct: I don't know a great deal about cars but bought one of these for about £25k because it seemed like insane performance for the money. Turns out it was :-) Living in a city, I really don't need a car so it does indeed sit in the garage most of the time but boy does it make a trip out of town worth looking forward to!!
I highly doubt you got one of these for that price. Are you sure you didn't get SL500 or SL63?
LOL I know what I got ;-)
When random Aston drivers express envy over the sound of your V12, U know :-))
An excellent video. I drove an SLK 55 and it was like taming a wild horse. You had to give the car the respect it deserved. I can only imagine the drive is only a fraction of the SL65 .
I'm yet to drive the SLK, but am very keen to do so. That and the CL65 in particular
@@HSGAutomotive The SLK has a short wheelbase so it has a tendency to skid and slide. The car is fun to drive as it's a bit wild. I particularly like the engine and the sound from the AMG quad exhaust.
@@VishalGupta-od5mf I’ve considered buying one myself in the past but I’m not sure if I’d fit in it that well 😂
@@HSGAutomotive Fun cars but small inside. You will feel cramped. I'm only 5' 6" so it's fine for me.
I have an 07 s65 and the torque feels limitless, I can’t see a 55 feeling anything like it
Back in 1995, my dad bought an SL600. For the next 10 years "He was terrified to drive it" 😅
I can only imagine how terrifying the SL65 can be.
The Black edition is for sure a better investment, as all black editions are. Plus having a fixed roof should give it better handling.
If I remember correctly, the black edition was sold for $300K USD, when the SL65 was for $200k USD.
Can I think of a real alternative to the SL65? Short answer, not really.
Never understood posts like this. I have a 63.
I am well aware that I don't have to push my foot all the way to the carpet.
I've got a 98 600
@shucky ducky Bro im gonna be honest with you if you actually think you going to get into a SL65 and drive it with any modicum of aggressiveness your aren't mature enough to get behind the wheel of that machine, I understand that your SL500 might actually feel a bit sluggish which is incredible given it still has over 300HP. You don't need, nor will you want the SL65, you will spin that car out and wrap it around the nearest fixed structure, if you want something your actually going to be able to drive the way you think you want to drive get a 55 with with the super charged V8, even that has 500lb-ft of torque and can easily over power itself in a relatively normal traffic maneuver, or even better get the N/A V12 which you will be able to stretech its legs for a tiny bit before you encroach on 200MPH quicker then your imagination could even begain to fathom is possible stepping on the gas in a car with that kind of power is probably the closest sensation to time travel that modern humans will have in this millennium. Ive seen too many excited buyers who ended up ruining their lifes behind the wheel of Vipers, super cars, incredibly powerful modified Shelbys, corvettes and hellcats etc. The worst was a young man whose parents bought him a ZR1 Corvette which he ended up crashing in such a manner that the car essentially exploded from the force of the impact as it continued to accelerate AFTER it went through solid concrete barrier thats multiple feet thick and caused well over a million dollars in total damage as it as it caused structural damage to multiple miles of one of the major highways for months, it costed his family a great majority of their generations long wealth and not only that took the life of his girl friend who was in the passanger seat and the young man was left blind, severly disfigured and couldn't feel anything below his neck, you can and willl kill yourself if you don't respect the level of force that 700ft-lbs of torque can unleash in a split second ruining not only his life, his families image and deveistated the family of his partner. Don't be stupid you cant handle that type of power and its not needed, and if you manage to not cause your self bodily and finacial ruin you will regret your purchase and will either be force to sit it in your garage to allow it to appreciate in value or take the finacial hit of trading it in for a lower performance spec, and you may even lose your enjoyment of powerful fast cars after an encounter that shakes the fear of god into you.
I got the SL600 with the ecu tune. Just wow!!!
He should have gotten the SL 300 if the 600 was too much power for him.
My favorite kind of car, to have the biggest engine in the smallest possible package. Sadly I will never be able to afford one of these, so thanks for the virtual drive, I did though get an SLK55 so there is that to console me. Oh if only I had the money...
I’ve reviewed the SLK55 as well, and tbh you can use more of its ability than the SL on real roads anyway 😆
Yes I have watched and commented on that as well. I was just curious to see how insane the SL65 could be. It was great to see both sides of your reviews, which is why I like how you present the cars and your perspective on cars in the real world. Still somehow I would still love to that lucky person with a SL65 tucked away in their garage. Still I do have a SLK55 in very very good condition tucked away in mine, along with a 2007 BMW Z4M in red. I guess I am just a super car dreamer on a budget... So your reviews help me go where I never could afford to. Thanks for that.
I agree about the values, they are starting to creep up. I have a Silver 2006 SL65 with 43000km... Absolutely pristine condition. I loved it from the first day I saw it at a car show when I was still in University. I'm so happy that I was finally able to have one.
FYI: It has a 5 speed gearbox because at the time, the sheer amount of torque broke the then-new 7G-Tronic gearbox. Also, the true torque figure is 1350nm, limited to 1000nm.
Nice one! Awesome motor, and a phenomenal engine for sure
995lbft of torque is nuts. Holy shit!! 😂
I've got a 2006 with Renntech intake, Kleeman tune, Quaff differential, carbon fiber interior etc. HRE wheels. I really love it and I've never put it too the floor. Too dangerous. I also have two 911 turbos and a E55 AMG. I have too many cars so need to sell something but tough to decide
Im interested in your opinion on if you think the s/c 55 V8 or the 600 would be more useable and enjoyable to actually drive, the 65 just seems like it would be a terrible car to actually attempt to drive spiritedly on public roads, with even the most minor imperfections on the road or the slightest over engagement of the throttle resulting in your life flashing before your eyes.
@@timtresch4848 The SL 65 can't be driven like a sports car and when you first experience a biturbo V12, it immediately teaches you respect so that you stay out of trouble. Yes it's true, bad roads and curves are not the friend of the SL65 under power. I'll also say that both the 911 turbos, and the E55, feel 'small' compared to the V12, and they are both modded. There's something about throttle response of the V12 that nothing else captures. The only problems I worry about with the SL65 are motor mounts and hydraulic system. The mounts are a motor out repair. I got car with about 32K and now it has 46. I replaced the 24 plugs ad coil packs when I got it. Did it myself with plugs 10$/ea x 24, and both coil packs 1200$ exchange. No other problems. I'd get SL65 over 600 keeping in mind maybe 10K$ if mounts go bad no matter which car. SL55 may not have mount problem, I don't know . These cars are really fun and a singular experience as long as you're prepared for possible mount or hydraulic problem
Solid and fair review of this monster. Probably one of the most underestimated cars when you factor in how unique it is in terms of torque, comfort and brand but probably compromised by the suspension system which to me seems overblown after owning my SL65 AMG for 16 years. Yes, I had an issue about 12 years ago but that’s it. Otherwise very reliable. The delivery of power is addictive even compared to my 911 Turbo S. As for prices only time will tell.
The S class are to be admired. The SL 65 I reckon like the C 63 are wolves in sheep’s clothing. It gets taking off-guard even looking at its specs, but when you drive it, a complete shocker. The M156 engine found in the Zonda S is a Mercedes Engine, but as stated it has the advantage on a side by side. Now imagine that engine dropped into an even lighter car. I nominate it not as a Frankenstein build but rather a Widow maker. Awesome review!
A65 AMG swap anyone? xD
My dream car!
Absolute beast of a car
Solid review. 👍🏿
Great Vid, in market for a 65 so helpful.
Nice one, plenty to love for the money 👍
Wow great work on the video... I hope you hit 1 mil subs :)
It had so much power for its time, even some AMGs today don't make that kind of power
R230 SL65 AMG > SLR McLaren. Change my mind.
I have an 07 s65 with that engine, and even in this boat I never floor the car, and I drive it like an amg, the torque is amazing, I’d love to score one of these to go with my s65
I bet, and yeah would be a cool pair
Me while earning his conclusion about the car : « Shut up HSG ! Don't give rich collectors ideas until I get my SL 65 AMG ! The prices are low & I want them to be low as long as possible until I get my own one ! » 😅
My dream garage is CLK 55 AMG W208 as a daily & a SL 65 AMG R230 as weekend one .
Nice review mate . 👍
Haha, it seems they're actually having a surprisingly difficult time selling this one, its still up for 40k, which is insane
@@HSGAutomotive
Damn ...
If I only had the money . 😖
Great review to be honest, one of the best! the SL65 has no real competitors, it annihilated any Ferrari and Lamborghini, except the Enzo at the time! It's still a very fast supercar by modern standards. A GTR wasn't even around at the time of this car so they can't be compared.
even faster than limited run superamerica
My papa just passed and he has one in his garage can’t wait to make it mine
This was peak Mercedes. 😢😢😢I will definitely get one.
My buddy had a sl65 that gave soo many problems so I chickened out and bought a 04 sl500 now regretting slightly lol but no issues after 8k miles
Nice one, and at least the SL55 fits right inbetween them with the balance of prices and performance
This was like my fav merc until the sls
Here in Au you won't get any change out of £70,000 for this year and mileage.
A shmick low mileage one starts at £100,000...
Great review :)
Prices seem pretty crazy in Oz, lol. At least on more import-style stuff
@@HSGAutomotive All cars are imported. The Japanese stuff escapes massive tariffs because they were nice enough to bomb us🤣
Hang on, where's Au? I assumed you were referring to Australia, lol
@@HSGAutomotive Yep. 'Stralya Maaate!
Ah, wondered as you said all cars were imports, lol. I just did a conversion from GBP to Au dollars, and that 70k works out to about 38k here, so its fairly comparable to this cars' price.
With Benz officially announcing that the next gen C63 will be a 4 pot turbo hybrid, I firmly believe that all the big engines “old school” Benz’s gotta go up in value. Sure that new C63 will be super quick, but that doesn’t make it an AMG to many fans of the brand.
Agreed. Performance and muscle are very different feelings
I’ve got the sl 500 and that is fast enough 4 me 😮
That’s what I said until you drive the V12…. Keeps pulling 😂😂😂… and the SL600 is soooooo smooth …dangerous car 😂😂😂😂
Well I can understand how dangerously fast a car like this can be with 604hp and 738lb-ft of torque but come to America and you will see 28 year olds playing with 4500lb 717hp-797hp and 650lb-ft torque Dodge Hellcat Redeye Challengers and Chargers on public roads and highways. They can handle those AMG 63s and AMG 65s just the same!
Its not really a question of big numbers. On paper a Corvette should be more lairy than a Tuscan for example: Bigger motor, far more power and torque, higher weight etc. But its a teddy bear compared to the TVR.
Where this Mercedes catches you out is that unlike a Hellcat, you don't expect a heavy luxury Merc to feel as slippery as this is. Some cars make 1000 horses feel as controlled as 500. This makes 600 feel like 1000
Your seat position looks unusual. Are you very tall? The headrest looks like it’s going to break your neck in a rearender I do love the car. Liked your presentation, knowledge and opinion. My daily is an SLK.
Yeah had to recline it and hadn't done the headrest, 6'3
The problem is...a v6 worth 5k pounds can pull up next to you at the stop light with 90% of the looks as your 65k pound SL65
Very true, the original Porsche Boxster vs 911 problem
I have a SL600 with the AMG body kit, that looks like a SL350. Proper sleeper car the v12's. Love it 😇
lol. a v6?
I tried to buy an R230 from the Silverstone Car Auction back in May 2020. But it sold for just over £61,000, bit too much for me. It would have made a fantastic car to keep for a year and I would have got my money back.
This one is still for sale from Philip Raby if you're interested in it, for about £40k
Both the SL and CL of this generation with the 65 motor were absolute animals, I have a CL 500 and you have to respect that car you can't boot it everywhere, those 225 section rear tyres are pretty damn small for a car with 302hp. The 65 is 604hp! and the tyres are only 285! God bless Mercedes and their inability to appropriately tyre their cars.
They do have something of a reputation for eating tyres 😂 C63’s also of course
Doesn't that gen of MB V12 always fail due to thin wall cylinders and open deck block? The Chrapler years.
Crazy car. It was made because they could built it. For sure you can buy it and you should not drive it. Fixing any issue would cost you a big fraction of its price I belive. Do you know any problems this car have or can have? Or maybe prices for consumables?
Didn’t Jeramy Clarkson use this in a tug of war against a rugby team because of the torque? Or was that another merc?
That was a cl65
i love the SL65 black series, the normal SL65 never really spoke to me. bit too heavy, specially on the front axel so handling is not good. traction is terrible and it looks too much like any other SL
The sl is very good but brabus turned it when Jeremy review it on top gear
It's definitely a overachiever
I would like to add that this V12 was tuned down by AMG Xddddd
the german viper???? this like 10 times more class then anything american