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Thinking about buying an AMG SL63, likely 2013 or 2014 vintage. What are your thoughts on this vehicle? Good and bad please. Anyone with first hand experience? Thanks for all comments.
Why? I previously owned two SL55's with the performance package. Nice good looking heavy comfortable GT cars that don't handle very well. Good for highway cruising and around town errands with the top down but don't expect a lot of performance.
Quite heavy, more of a grand tourer than a crisp sports car, but great value I would assume for someone who wants a convertible with some good sound, despite the turbo engine, some nice interior color combos. Great for a Sunday stroll. Good luck
Thanks for the feedback. Looking more for GT type with all comfort features. Cooling seats, adaptive cruise etc. But still with performance and decent looks. Thinking maybe a 2013 has pretty much lost about 45% of initial MSRP.
Maybe I should consider a newer targa? Still topless but with newer comfort and still Porsche family. Repairs are a huge concern. Our turbos don't have many issues and cost to maintain is reasonable.
Thoughts on a newer targa since the AMG may not be the right car?
991 targa is beautiful, might be my favorite body of the current ones.
OP - I don’t know much about either the SL63 or the Targa in terms of drivability, but I agree with 911mhawk that the Targa is beautiful. Would definitely go with that based on looks, and like you said, to keep in within the Porsche family.
I own a 2008 SL55 - 510HP. It is not as fast as the turbo but it is plenty fast and handles pretty good for a car this heavy. The paddle shifters are OK - don't expect PDK like performance.
The fact that this car pulls off being a coupe so well and with the press of a button, is a convertible is something Porsche has not yet achieved very well. The exhaust note is perhaps the best of any V8 I have ever heard.
I actually love the SL55, it gets driven more often than the turbos because its very comfortable, very fast, and easy to drive in SoCal with traffic.
My buddy just bought a Blk/Blk 2014 621 HP MB SL 65 3 days ago from his neighbor before he traded it in to a dealer, with a $10k Renntech package (so it's over 700 HP he tells me) and an $8k chip of some sort (I know nothing about these cars) and he LOVES IT! I think it was about $240k new. He used to be in the car business and has owned Bentleys, MB's, lots of cars. The price was less than 1/3 of what it cost new.
"The range-topping SL65 AMG comes outfitted with a twin-turbo V12 engine, 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels (optional on SL63 AMG), most of the SL63 AMG's standard upgrades and all of the options shared by the SL550 and SL63 AMG.
The SL65 AMG comes with Mercedes' 6.0-liter turbo V12. Output is rated at 621 hp and 738 lb-ft of torque, a massive burden managed by a seven-speed conventional automatic with AMG "Speedshift" programming. In Edmunds testing, the SL65 AMG bolted to 60 mph in just 3.9 seconds. Fuel economy checks in at 17 mpg combined (14 mpg city/21 mpg highway).
Naturally, the AMG models are even more dynamic, with the SL65 AMG matching the performance of the flashier SLS AMG roadster in all of our instrumented acceleration and handling tests. However, despite the SL63's unique burbling exhaust note and the SL65's tire-melting torque, the three SL-Class variants are ultimately more notable for their similarities than their differences. We can understand the appeal of those AMG badges for impressing the neighbors, but truth be told, it's hard to imagine the SL550 being insufficient in any regard. Whichever Mercedes-Benz SL you choose, every drive will feel like a special occasion, and that's precisely what cars of this ilk are all about."
If you want one, get one!
The Porsche 991 Targa is so nice too. It's just up to your personal taste. Once you drive both back to back, you'll know immediately. Personally, I can't pull off the look of a 2 door MB SL 63/65. To me, it looks so... fancy. Too fancy for me.
I have a 2013 SL63 with the Performance Package and special sport suspension. I also have a 2012 TTS. Of course the TTS is faster, more racing. But the SL63 is a great everyday car. It has more power than you will believe, handles great taking curves with easy and no roll. All types of features that are useful and a thrill to have. The sound is awesome. It is also considerably lighter than the SL55 (which I had previously) and you can definitely feel the difference. Those 2 can not really be compared as the 2013 is mostly alumium construction, stiffer NVH and has a different type of suspension setup from the old one which had all the troubles. You will not regret an 2013 and up SL63. I flat love it.
Thanks everyone for your inputs. Lots to consider especially if I decide to also keep the tt. Comfort, performance and sound are high on the list along with ventilated seats. Someone mentioned potential high expenses with the suspension. How much of an issue when only looking for cars with less than 20k miles?
I leased a 2015 SL400 and really, really enjoyed the car. The SL63 is the V8 "AMG" version with more power, but if you want to go king of the road, pick up an SL65 of the same vintage. I looked real seriously at a used SL65 with only 4000 miles on it - for well under $100k. It drove fantastic with all that smooth, smooth V12 torque. Torque out the wazoo. Torque, all freaking day long.
In my opinion, the little bi-turbo V6 is the right engine for the SL series. It's got enough for anything the car is really good for, and that's just driving around enjoying it. The AMG versions - while I love me some GTS, the SL is just supposed to be pleasant and the AMG versions are kinda overkill. But if you like overkill, get the SL65, 'cause there ain't no more over-kill than that.
06-16-2018, 01:37 PM
Thoughts on AMG SL63
