Mercedes SL65
 

I went to my job interview last week in St. Louis and after about three hours with the owners and other managers, the CEO asked me what my hobbies are, naturally I said "cars". He then proceeded to ask me if I saw anything in the parking lot that I like. "yeah, that SL55 is nice"...

"No, thats an SL65, would you like to drive it?" he said.

After about 30 seconds of not breathing, I said "yes, please"

All the eyes dropped at that moment, he just got the car two weeks prior, and its under 1k miles and still being broken in. His son's who are the VP's have not even driven this car! So, we walk to the hallway to fetch the keys, he ask's if I am familiar with "keyless-go" I said yes, but my escort does not have it.

Walking out of the building, there it is, in two parking spaces so nobody gets close, the prettiest Mercedes I have ever seen. Black on black, 19 inch wheels, 15inch eight piston brakes....

So I get in, familiarize myself with a car that is slightly different than my 89 escort. Push the start button on the gear shifter and it roars to life, I heave never, never heard something that sounded like this car, it actually resonates in your chest....

He asks if I like to drive fast, "yes, but this is your baby, I am not going to hurt your 200k machine"

"don't worry" he says, yeah right, I can imagine my wife hanging me for the bill if I even scratched it.

Anyways, so I I pull out on the street and give it a little gas, there goes 40, 60, 80! but I barely even touched it. Then he says, "josh, this is a deserted street, no cops, besides, the radar detector is right here, GET ON IT!"

HOLY ****! the pedal hits the floor and the tail snaps out just a little, then the traction comes on and boom, 100, 130, 140, brakes!!! "we are on a side street in a St. Louis business park, I gotta slow down" I am thinking to myself.

"Take a right up here, lets get on the freeway, and floor it, pass the guy up ahead before you merge, you can do it".

"OK" but I am feeling a little speed drunk, yeah, I wanna pass that ******* too.

125mph before I got on the freeway, I didn't even need to shift, this car does not even feel like it has a transmission, more like 1 gear that just keeps going and going.

so I slow down to about 70mph and settle in for a cruise when the boss says "get over in the third lane but punch it as you change lanes"

"OK" BAM, pedal hits the floor again, by the time I am in the third lane, 135mph. and the biggest **** eating grin I have ever felt.(****, I am still grinning writing this a week later). I think it's good that this car has a gevernor at 150 or so because that speed is so easy in the car and so addictive, I could see myself needing rehab soon....

I drove it for about a mile more before the next exit came on, and at this point I am trying to call my caraholic brother to let him hear the beast, but no answer, oh well, next time Jordy...

Well, the trip back to the office was slower, but damn, I will never forget the ride.

Oh yeah, I got the job too!

604hp Biturbo v12
738 lbs torque
0-60 3.8
1/4 11.8

Great story. I love those cars :thumbsup:.

And what was the job you were interviewing for? I'd like to apply.

I was grinning just reading it.

Its probably a safe bet that you got the job then...

Peryn: read above.

Anyway, those germans sure do know how to make some damn good cars. I have a 525i and love it, absolutely love it.

I have a friend of mine that just bought a new BMW M5. What a ride that is.

Mercedes are great cars too. Not being rude here, I just happen to like BMWs a little better.

Yeah, I love the beemers too, my dad sells them...but truly no comparison for power versus the two.

BMW M5 = 394hp
New V10 M5 = 500hp 390lbs torque

SL65 = 604hp 738lbs torque

It seriously had more grunt than the jet I left St. Louis on. I just sat there in the plane at takeoff and said "this is nothing compared to the mercedes."

Man, that is awesome. I wish the bosses I had in the past were that cool. I love Mercedes-Benz, well practically all German cars. I have a '05 E55 AMG, not as badass as the SL65, but I love it. Its got a AMG built 5.5L supercharged V8 @ 469HP, 515lbs of torque. Its probably the most fun-to-drive car I've ever driven. The brakes took a few days to get used to (they are kind of touchy), and the gas mileage isn't the best (14mpg city, 21mpg highway), but overall I'm glad I bought it. Its so much better than my Lincoln LS, which is a great little car itself.

mmmmmm - SL65. That's what my car wants to be when it grows up! :)

I seriously hate you.

Not in black, but a beautiful automobile!

http://www.fast-autos.net/mercedes/sl65.jpg

Nice...:)

Just imagine what the guys at Brabus can do with that biturbo V12...if stock output is 604/738. :o

What is the starting price of one of these?

Great story, and nice to hear you got the job! :)

Starting price is a mere $180,000. I'll be able to buy one...oh, in fifty years or so.

Wow.. that's a lot of money.

Is the SL65 the most expensive "non-racing" Mercedes or are there more expensive ones still?

There's the SLR, which is $400+k. Then the road-legal version of the CLK-DTM (sold in europe) is $250k. I'm not sure if the CLK-DTM would qualify as "non-racing," though... It's the homologation version of a race car, and can apparently destroy the SLR (already no slouch!) on a track.

Niiiiiiiiiice.

Great story...you are one lucky dog.

Amazing story..I've driven faster rides that buddies from school own (I attend an automotive tech. school)..but I dont exactly have your literary talent.

For those interested - specs from their website:

engine type. . Intercooled supercharged, 90 degree V-8, high-pressure die cast alloy block, alloy heads

displacement. . 5.5 L

bore. . 3.82 in

stroke. . 3.62 in

compression ratio. . 9.0:1

output. . 469 hp @ 6,100 rpm

torque. . 516 lb-ft @ 2,650 - 4,500 rpm

valve gear. . Belt-driven SOHC, 3 valves per cylinder

redline. . 6,500 rpm

drivetrain
type. . 5-speed SpeedShift™ automatic with Touch Shift and fingertip

manual mode final drive ratio. . 2.65

1st gear. . 3.59
2nd gear. . 2.19
3rd gear. . 1.41
4th gear. . 1.00
5th gear. . 0.83
reverse gear. . 3.17

performance
acceleration1 . . 0 - 60 mph in 4.5 seconds
top speed. . 155 mph (Limited)

1. Stated rates of acceleration are based upon manufacturer's track results and may vary depending upon model, environmental and road surface conditions, driving style, elevation and vehicle load.

I think I may have a new favorite car.

So did you get the job?

You put the specs for the SL55, I drove the SL65.... Here are the specs...

MSRP $182,820.00*
EngineAMG-built twin-turbocharged 6.0L SOHC 36-valve V-12 engine
Net Power 604 hp @ 5500 rpm
Net Torque 738 lb-ft @ 2,000 - 4,000 rpm

I have pics of the car I drove if anybody wants them, just message me....

All that and the top folds down into the trunk to make a sweet convertible for that sunny day. Good as it gets!