My brother (TTAC’s doctorv8) always dreamed of owning an array of cars, ever since Hot Wheels. After nine years of post-graduate labor and years of cancer killing, 1:64 scale dreams became full-size reality. He’s secured a Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series. But not without a fight.
The doctor’s bedside manner is no different than his horse trading demeanor: personal. There were at least six
salespeople seeking his next bi-turbo V12 whip. But the good doctor trumped all his delegates. doctorv8 sourced this Black Series at invoice from an Ohio dealer eager to move before the next floorplan installment. The deal completed via FedEx. The intangible soon became very, very real: an SL65 Black Series in stunning black paint, with less than two miles on the odometer.
Peeking underneath exposes treasures never listed in the PR blather (now receiving the oxygen of publicity): twin differential coolers (fed via electric pump) set amazingly low to the earth. Remote fluid reservoirs for the unique coil-over shocks. Beefy H&R anti-sway bars in lieu of the regular SL’s unnatural, robotic active body control bits. Brake cooling ducts of brilliant carbon fiber, delicately and perfectly placed. And topping (bottoming?) it all off, an AMG partnership with Eisenmann GmbH for the perfect exhaust note on a Bi-turbo Beast.
Unbelievable. No wonder there are only 175 of these in the USA.
Expect a detailed, hard-nosed, critical TTAC review of this beast after my bro breaks-in AMG’s wolf in wolf’s clothing. Until that moment, remember one thing: pictures cannot do this car justice.
Hell I’d just be happy to settle with an SL500, still my favorite dreamcar (that’s not beyond the realm of my wallet). They have just an amazing ride quality to them, and the interior is gorgeous.
So yeah, looking forward to this review. I predict 4 stars, however.
Will he change his nickname to doctorv12 now?
I’m eager to hear what you think of the car. Clarkson didn’t seem to care for it very much – on yesterday’s TG he said that it was a bargain compared to the SLR but because it can’t put the power down without liquefying the tires, it’s only for people with more money than sense. But they’re only getting 8 (IIRC) of them in the UK, so maybe he was just upset that he couldn’t buy one himself.
In the immortal words of Ferris Bueller:
“It is so choice. If you have the means, I highly recommend picking one up.”
Judging by looks – Darth Vader car. :)
Turn the boost UP!!!!
remember one thing: pictures cannot do this car justice.
Which doesn’t mean we don’t want them!
Maybe its just me, but I don’t really understand the appeal of this. I’d rather have a Gallardo, at least that looks like something.
These are soooo gorgeous in person. There has been one at the last 2 Cars & Coffee gatherings in Dallas. It makes the CLK63 Black look like a grocery getter (also one of those at the same event).
remember one thing: pictures cannot do this car justice.
I can’t believe this picture doesn’t more than do justice to the car. My huge complements to the photographer. This is a fabulous photo. Sajeev, if you took that photo, you’re being much too modest.
David Holzman : I can’t believe this picture doesn’t more than do justice to the car. My huge complements to the photographer. This is a fabulous photo. Sajeev, if you took that photo, you’re being much too modest.
Dog’s eye views make just about any car look cool. The craftsmanship and uniqueness of the SL Black kinda goes beyond pictures. You gotta see one in person to really get it.
But I have borrowed an SLR (camera) and I won’t be afraid to use it.
I predict a lower review. I just saw Jeremy Clarkson review this on Top Gear yesterday, and he noted that it is “Brilliant and rubbish at the same time.” And he pretty much gave it a negative score. It seems like after the awe factor of this car is gone, there is nothing left going for it.
He must have been monumentally cross with Jeremy Clarkson’s review of it on last night’s Top Gear.
I still want one, Clarkson’s opinion be damned.
Runfromcheney : I predict a lower review. I just saw Jeremy Clarkson review this on Top Gear yesterday, and he noted that it is “Brilliant and rubbish at the same time.” And he pretty much gave it a negative score. It seems like after the awe factor of this car is gone, there is nothing left going for it.
Can’t say just yet, but Clarkson lives in a cramped little country where everything’s expensive and people actually care about 0-60 and 1/4 mile times on Exotic cars. I, on the other hand, do not.
He doesn’t live anywhere near a little event called the Texas Mile. (google it) Expect a different point of view for this review.
Congratulations and pictures please!
He must have been monumentally cross with Jeremy Clarkson’s review of it on last night’s Top Gear.
Actually, not at all. JC always has an entertaining take on things, mixed in with some inaccuracies…and this review was no different. The ESP is NOT just on/off…it has a Sport mode. And I love how he’s drifting away behind a properly driven SLR…of course oversteer is the slow way around a track! He probably should’ve learned about that ESP sport mode…..
I was impressed that a two ton behemoth still ran 1:23 around their road course.
I just love the way the car looks and feels, and the TT V12 was already one of the all time greatest engines out there…..even before the AMG fiends went ballistic with it. The clownish proportioned SLR with its inferior supercharged V8 is not even close, IMO.
Plus…due to side airbag legislation, the US version of the SL65 BS gets much comfier seats. ;-)
I cannot look at this car without hearing John Williams’ The Imperial March in my head. Follow this link and hit play ib the top right. Makes the picture even more badass.
DoctorV8, congrats on the purchase. I guess the little kid in you has become even more energized now, eh? Hopefully it will be reliable. If I ever catch you driving it too slow there will be no TV watching for you for at least a week.
Props to the doctor on his purchase.
While this is one fine car, the practical side of my brain can’t get over the fact that it will (probably?) depreciate faster than a new Vegas condo.
Of course, the word ‘practical’ doesn’t really belong in an AMG post. That said, there are a lot of YSE deals on gently used AMG iron.
While this is one fine car, the practical side of my brain can’t get over the fact that it will (probably?) depreciate faster than a new Vegas condo.
I had a friend put 100k down on a condo – he had to move for his job or get laid off so that 100k is gone forever. At least if he had bought a SL550 he’d still have the car.
Congrats on the purchase! When the earth’s rotation starts rotating backwards, I’ll know who is doing a burnout. I hope to see a gallery of pictures of those nice little details that nobody talks about…ducts, coolers, the way the wires are tucked, etc.
Do the Black Series continue to use brake-by-wire?
Congratulations on the acquisition, doc! (Good choice on the color selection, too – this ride shouldn’t be sold in anything BUT black, if you ask me.)
I’m looking forward to getting a proper TTAC take on this Teutonic beast. I have read the articles and I have to admit I rolled my eyes a bit at the stats, but I’m eager to see if MB/AMG have made their take on the classic tiny chassis/big engine equation accessible and fun rather than insane and scary.
Sajeev, your link sent me to an old GMDW post – did you mean to link this one?
Dog’s eye views make just about any car look cool. The craftsmanship and uniqueness of the SL Black kinda goes beyond pictures. You gotta see one in person to really get it.
I believe it, and I am dying to see one of these for myself. Speaking of photos (and flay me alive for this if you feel you must), my wife agrees with me that, from certain angles, this car looks to us like…a Mustang. Obviously all those swoopy carbon fiber scoops and vents, the ride height, etc., etc., ruin the similarity up close, but are we crazy here or does anybody else see this too?
I remember something about the SL65AMG BS Euro-spec being much lighter than the US version.
Obviously the US market probably won’t get the kevlar seats, but the weight difference was much bigger apparently…
So maybe, the car is actually quite different in the US compared to the Euro spec JC drove. In general we Europeans like to go fast through corners more than just in straight lines, but still I had expected Jeremy C. to have a more positive opinion on this, seeing as he owned an SL55 AMG and owns a CLK AMG BS…
Either way, not really my thing this car (Mercedes, AMG…meh…too little effort), but still congrats on being able to purchase something like this. If you don’t like it you can probably sell it with little loss now…In a year or two though, that may be a different story. So, if you(r brother) say(s) 3 stars…I would think act quickly.
The SLS will no doubt be superior and I’d have waited.
Top Gear says it’s apparently lesser than the SLR, and I’ve read the SLR isn’t great. Says a presumably-base F430 is faster (which is significant).
I saw a (new) S65 in the parking lot the other day. Came up to it thinking sport package BUT NO, v12 all over the fenders
But, of course, it’s still awesome.
Expect a detailed, hard-nosed, critical TTAC review of this beast after my bro breaks-in AMG’s wolf in wolf’s clothing.
I don’t think you should say that.
I’d rather have a Gallardo, at least that looks like something.
I would tend to concur, especially if you’re spending the $ to pick this up new. The same kind of money could get the stunning Spyder plus maybe a low buck open wheel racer for superior racing thrills.
I’d rather have a Ford GT than a Gallardo. Oh wait, I already do. ;-)
@doctorv8:
It’s not just that I prefer the Gallardo’s looks to what is basically a vanilla SL with a big fat Fast and Furious body kit on it. If I have anything over 450 horsepower, I want AWD, period. Your choice in all of the mega powered RWD cars either seems to be TC on, with it constantly going BRAKE, BRAKE!!!!, or TC off, where you’re backwards in a hedge.
Snap over-steer just isn’t my idea of fun, at least not on a public road with other cars on it.
Comparing this Beast to anything is pointless. At that segment, one is making a purchase because one wants it!
For example, a Gallardo is technically slightly faster than its big bro Murcielago (LP560 vs. LP640 according to C&D tests). That doesn’t make the case for getting the Gallardo if the Murci speaks to you… Heck, staying with the Lambo example, the Reventon of last year had almost the same horsepower as the Murcielago it was based on, but cost 2.5 times the price.
Once you’re considering cars phenomena like the SL Black Series, Carrera GT, Reventon, Aston Martin One-77… you are choosing to acquire just that: a marvelous automotive phenomenon.
I am looking forward to the write-up and photos of this Beast.
BTW, DoctorV8, I also recommend the name-change to DoctorV12.
For example, a Gallardo is technically slightly faster than its big bro Murcielago (LP560 vs. LP640 according to C&D tests).
With exotics, it’s not so much about the speed as much as the subjective virtues of a car. A lambo is, well, a lambo, and a gallardo spyder is simply stunning. It’s better proportioned for the drop top than the murci.
The amg black cars have the dtm look, which is more tuner than sex on wheels.
Snap over-steer just isn’t my idea of fun, at least not on a public road with other cars on it.
It’s all about judicious throttle control. It isn’t hard to control a well engineered 600+ HP RWD car as long as you have some experience driving performance automobiles. Hit the gas with cold tires or an a dusty surface, and even a 225 HP 1987 Mustang can bite you quick.
That said, I am also a big fan of AWD. If they made an SL65 4Matic, I’d be first in line….that would be a budget Veyron.
LOL! An SL65 4Matic is not a “budget” anything!
Compared to the 7 figure Veyron….anything can be classified as “budget.” It’s all relative…..