The E63 M6 might be a good way to get myself off of my fascination with the R230 SL55 AMG, so I figured I'd bring it up.
Compared with the SL, it's slightly more power, slightly less weight, and the gearbox is an SMG or a manual, both of which, in their own way, should be better than the SL slushbox, plus no ABC system to fail.
Any opinions? Learn me...
I know nothing about it but I really like it.
all I can tell you, uncorked V10s will make your years bleed if you follow one at full throttle
The SL55 is way more reliable.
Other than that, the v10 in these sound amazing when getting revved out with an exhaust.
Backseat is useless
It's a beautiful car, but I just can't get into modern BMWs because of their reputation for being extremely expensive to maintain.
I never thought I could hate a 500hp car.....until I drove one of these. Heavy, bloated, ugly (in my opinion) and extremely complex when maintenance comes a calling.
Granted the car I drove had the horrid SMG trans. I'd imagine one with a manual would be a much better experience. The SMG really sucked--- especially when lurching and bucking around town. If I want to drive a car "like" a manual.....I'll get a manual! 
The Merc doesn't have a Bangle Butt like the BMW so I would purchase the SL55 with money I very much do not have.
You know what's more expensive than replacing rod bearings on an M series V8 or straight 6? Replacing the rod bearings on a BMW V10. Add that to complete Vanos system replacement and you have a 5 figure repair bill...easily.
I would buy one from CarMax and get their extended warranty Doug Demoro style
I guess that's the kind of thing I'm wanting to know about. The SL65 has ABC, motor mounts and coil packs. The SL55 has ABC. Porsche in my budget has IMS and RMS. Maybach has water spotting on the stemware. Elise in budget has clamshell. Viper in budget has essentially the same problem. Jaguar XK has green shower, timing chain tensioner and Nikasil.
What is the trademark failure mode of an M6?
"What is the trademark failure mode of an M6?" - Being fat and ugly.
Mike wrote: The E63 M6 might be a good way to get myself off of my fascination with the R230 SL55 AMG, so I figured I'd bring it up.
All I see there is a suppository shaped way to get boat-like spending in a car.
pres589 wrote: "What is the trademark failure mode of an M6?" - Being fat and ugly.
I was going to say "The purchase" :)
Joe Gearin wrote: I never thought I could hate a 500hp car.....until I drove one of these. Heavy, bloated, ugly (in my opinion) and extremely complex when maintenance comes a calling. Granted the car I drove had the horrid SMG trans. I'd imagine one with a manual would be a much better experience. The SMG really sucked--- especially when lurching and bucking around town. If I want to drive a car "like" a manual.....I'll get a manual!
I'm definitely going to drive both if I decide I'm interested. The missus can't drive stick, and I miss it after a year or two. With a household limit of two vehicles, the SMG would be more practical by making the car drivable by both of us, but I doubt I'd be as happy.
In reply to Joe Gearin:
The 3rd pedal really improves the car. If you let off the throttle before clicking the up paddle, it's no worse than a real manual. Unfortunately, the automatic mode will always be a E36 M3 load of berkeley.
Can't do anything about the heavy problem, but considering everything with that kind of power is even heavier these days, it might be worth revisiting.
Mike wrote: I guess that's the kind of thing I'm wanting to know about. The SL65 has ABC, motor mounts and coil packs. The SL55 has ABC. Porsche in my budget has IMS and RMS. Maybach has water spotting on the stemware. Elise in budget has clamshell. Viper in budget has essentially the same problem. Jaguar XK has green shower, timing chain tensioner and Nikasil. What is the trademark failure mode of an M6?
Go on e60 m5 forums, the e63 m6 shares the same issues. They're very expensive to maintain. There's a reason you can get an e60 m5 for under 18k these days! They cost way too much to keep for me.
And IMS is overblown.
Mike wrote: Jaguar XK has green shower, timing chain tensioner and Nikasil.
Green shower is just the convertibles and it's a $300 fix to permanently eliminate the issue. Nikasil was only in the early examples (4.0 liters) not the later 4.2s, and the timing chain tensioner is a simple DIY fix (the timing chain guides are a bit more involved but $1500 and a weekend can get the job done)
Of the cars you listed, the Jag would get my vote 5 times out of 5. As always, get the newest and best maintained you can afford. Pics for clicks:
I guess I'm in the minority, I think it's a good looking car and a big powerful GT car that can eat up the miles is fantastic to drive on a normal commute.
The V10 sounds glorious, but I too am terrified of maintenance on that car.
Cactus wrote: In reply to Joe Gearin: The 3rd pedal really improves the car. If you let off the throttle before clicking the up paddle, it's no worse than a real manual. Unfortunately, the automatic mode will always be a E36 M3 load of berkeley. Can't do anything about the heavy problem, but considering everything with that kind of power is even heavier these days, it might be worth revisiting.
Yeah, I drove the SMG like a manual, and lifted off the gas before shifting......it still lurched more than I would have if driving a stick. It was just impossible to drive smoothly--- especially in auto mode. Three pedals would make it much more enjoyable.....but still not my bag of wax.
In reply to Chris_V:
We've entered Bizarro World when a Jaguar is held up as the reliable choice among late model luxury coupes. 
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