What you think and why

[sosinsur]

Hey...need help making a choice....giving my 330 Cic to my lady ....I am looking at the 2006 SL500 benz or the 650 BMW....went to both dealers and both claim they have a better car....I am test driving both this week....does anyone have any experiences (good or bad) with these models?......which one you think looks better (exterior and interior)....please give me feedback ..thanks

 

[mark49]

personally i would go with the 650, although it depends on the options. the bimmer is a lean mean power machine as is the benz, but both have faults. i dont think that the 650 is even available without the infamous idrive, but supposedly they have cleaned it up significantly. i prefer the handling and response from the bmw, it is more balanced as far as weight/traction is concerned. the benz has a reputation of being ass heavy, and more conducive to losing rear wheel traction than the bmw. and then it is hard to beat the look of the 650.

 

[selavia]

I hate to say it, but I think the SL500 looks better; I'm not a huge fan of the 6 series as far as looks. I think the MB looks much more classier than the 6 Series (please don't flame me). But I think the 6 would probably be more fun to drive. I would tend to think that both cars have there benefits in their own right, but I think the best way to know which is best is to 'experience' both personally.

I have no personal experience with either car.

Good luck, either choice will be exciting.

Sean

 

[Murray BMF]

I like the 650 better, in terms of the way it looks. I'm not sure of the technical specs, I'm sure both are impressive. I've always been a BMW person, never really a Benz guy. But thats just me...

 

[tool fan]

I wish I had your problem...........SL500 or BMW 650............are you serious????

 

[sosinsur]

I think your input is just how I feel....50/50...I will test the BMW 650 this Fri and SL500 on Sat...I will let you know..thanks

 

[epj3]

SL500 Mmmmmm

 

[deutsch100]

After having 2 SL500s, I would go with the Benz. I really like the 645/650, but let's face it...it's not the best looking car on the road, and the interior is awful compared to the SL.

With the SL you get a cabrio and a perfect hardtop.

 

[tool fan]

Just fork out the extra couple grand and get the M6

 

[adrean8j]

If you had said an M6 vs. SL55 then I would have said the M6 buuuut.....the stock 6er isnt in your face "cool" like the SL500 is stock...(esp. in that high gloss black for the SL500). The benz is definitely sexier but the 6er is probably more of a drivers car......go with the M6 like tool fan said!

p.s. the interior on the benz absolutely KILLS the interior on the Bimmer....sad but true...then again benz has always had better interiors than bimmer....

 

[Militant-Grunt]

You'll get a more lively enjoyable drivers car if you get the 650. While the Merc is a heavy behemouth, but it has its ups as well.. Id take the 650.. Just because 500's are slow, and arent the best handling cars.

 

[epj3]

You'll get a more lively enjoyable drivers car if you get the 650. While the Merc is a heavy behemouth, but it has its ups as well.. Id take the 650.. Just because 500's are slow, and arent the best handling cars.

But neither is the (pretty heavy) 6er's. Basically a 5er coupe. So I'm sure down right handling and whatever isn't his top priority. The merc is drop-dead good looking.

 

[sosinsur]

I agree..the interior is gorgeous compared to BMW...I am also worried about the little hidden problems that both cars might have....I really don't know much about them other than the positives that the dealers are telling me

 

[adrean8j]

Well....as you well know most of todays cars are ruled by electronics, gadgets and do-dads if you will, so that is more than likely where any problem would occur....i dont think you will have any MAJOR problems in the "mechanical" department. If you do have ANY kind of problem with electronics OR mechanical components you shouldlnt have to worry about it too much because it will all be covered by warranty anyway......go for whichever one is pulling you...Mercedes makes great cars and BMW makes great cars.....so it really is a win-win scenario...

 

[MReedBMWM3]

Benz! .........are you kidding?

The Benz is much more sexy ( I find the looks of the 6 to be very boring), and I bet it will hold it's value longer.

IMO that Benz is one of the best looking cars on the road. I bet they both resemble close handling characteristics. I drove the new Six last year and I prefered the new 540 over the Six. The 540 seemed to rip the road apart and the six just didn't feel that agressive.

And if your looking for a Status symbol please go with the Benz..... I see far more Bmw's in Tulsa than MB.

 

[codex57]

There are a ton of both running around me right now. Looks wise, it's no contest. The SL500 wins hands down. And yeah, for some reason, that black looks especially good on the SL. Black rims, chrome rims, regular, whatever. They all seem to make that car look even more stunning. And I don't even like black cars normally.

 

[epj3]

I have a feeling there wont be a 6 after this model...

 

[Beekbmwm3]

In Stl the SL500's are a dime to a dozen, granted they are really nice looking. However, for a car that costs $40,000 more than my M3 base, it sure is slow.

I also can't believe that cost doesn't play a small role here unless you are extremely loaded. I just built a loaded 650 for $80,000 and the SL500 starts at $94,000. Personally, I would get an M3, better handling and costs less, but I am a little biased.

Good luck with the choice and let us know what you choose.

 

[epj3]

In Stl the SL500's are a dime to a dozen, granted they are really nice looking. However, for a car that costs $40,000 more than my M3 base, it sure is slow.

I also can't believe that cost doesn't play a small role here unless you are extremely loaded. I just built a loaded 650 for $80,000 and the SL500 starts at $94,000. Personally, I would get an M3, better handling and costs less, but I am a little biased.

Good luck with the choice and let us know what you choose.

Dude remember, he's looking for luxury. Not to offend anyone but the non-M 6's are NO sports cars, and neither is the SL500.

 

[sosinsur]

FYI - update. I test drove both cars...getting the SL500 in Black...the car has a new 7 speed automatic shift that really makes a difference..It going to be awhile before they start making the car so the clock is ticking slowly....