What are the main differences between these two models?
Reliability?
Power?
Fuel Mileage?

 

I think the supercharged V8 has just under 500HP and the turbo V12 is slightly above 500HP so not a big difference there.

Price aside, because I'm looking at used cars and they both cost about the same, what about Reliability, and Fuel Mileage?

How's the big V12 compared to the supercharged V8?

 

you should drive both, the V8 sounds great and is powerful, but the V12 is impressive and you will notice quite a difference in the way that V12 pulls, and its so smooth and picks up speed instantly without even half throttle. if i had the money id go with the V12. now that mercedes benz has the new 550 engine vs the old 500s, the 550s are almost the same performance as the 55 AMGs. the new 550s are nice, i love driving them, but no comparison to the V12s still. you can do 40mph and floor it and fishtail it with smoke rolloing off the tires if you really want to. it puts a smile on my face and im always impressed every time i drive one. the V12 is not a car id keep for a long time because they are more difficult to work on and repair and parts are outrageously priced. i think the new v12 are more reliable than the older v12s. also tire wear is common.

 

I had to laugh at that statement.

Thank you for your reply it helps tremendously. I was raised in S class and didn't get interested in SL's until I recently drove an older SL600, of course WITH the V12. My friend picked up a 2000 for 14k at the local auto auction and I was instantly hooked.

When you say the new V12 are more reliable than the older v12s, what year does that start? I recently looked at a very slightly used 2004 SL600 with a RENNtech stage 2 kit and if the price was better I may have drove it home but now I'm wondering what years to wait for.