The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Is a V12-Powered Monster 

The music choices Doug uses when showcasing convertible roofs going down is one of the most captivating parts of any of his videos.

nearly 10 yrs old and it still looks quite modern

The SL65 has always been one of my favorite cars from Mercedes-Benz. The kind of car you'd cross continents in, while having the top down and the sound of a V12 under the hood.

The engine builder is well known but why aren't people talking about the engineers that designed the convertible part? It's two metal frames that fold in on themselves while the back glass part hinges in the center, all coordinated so both frames get stacked on top of each other and the trunk cover goes on top of all that. How many systems go into that movement? It's genuinely insane.

For 2012 this thing is an absolute masterclass in engineering. I didn't even know the tinting glass was even a thing back then.

As an SL65 owner... I really appreciate this. SL65 reviews are hard to come by.

This 2013 made car seems way more modern than todays cars. Seats that inflate? A sunroof in a convertible? This is still amazing even in 2022

Doug is so gloriously goofy sometimes. He can make any car an interesting watch. So glad I found this channel 4 years ago

The SL65 was a really cool car. Every 65 model, even the G65 was awesome. Fun fact: in these years, Brabus came up with the Bullitt, a 65 powered (although bored to 6.3) C Class.

these V12 Models are so underrated and I kind of hope they stay that way! They're such AWESOME deals!

Had a CL65 a few years ago, monstrous power.

You can't tell that the car is already 10 years old. Very good design!

I am very fortunate to own an R230 SL65 AMG V12 and a R129 SL600 V12. And I will NEVER sell either one of them. No matter what anybody says, there is NOTHING like driving a beautifully made V12 Mercedes Benz convertible. These cars will be in museums some day.

I never understood the phrase "deceptively quick" until I drove an S65 AMG Coupe. The speed builds with such quiet confidence - it feels like the gears are super tall, and the acceleration force is just as consistent at any speed.

9:50 In the newer SLs (2017+) they made the divider powered. When you open or close the truck, the roof and the divider move automatically.

10:38 OMG it's been so long since I've seen Doug lower the convertible top with his choice of music! Classic Doug 😄

LOL @ the "eco" button at 04:49, that definitely helps when your driving your $200k+ convertible V12 when you gotta "save gas" LOL 😂

8:03 A knee pad!!? Great to see production value has increased since the old Doug days

There really is some great engineering behind the car and it’s features. Beautiful

Doug would be an amazing composer with those wild flailing jazz hands

my friends dad had one of these. it was always an experience when he'd let us take it out. an insane and unlimited amount of power. and the materials and attention to detail were immaculate, I think this car is one of the best Mercedes has ever made.

"There's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes" -My dad. 😆

Harsh ride part: got an 2009 '65 and it rides like an S-Class. My deep suspicion is 2013 was the first year for runflat tires on SL's [no spare in the trunk anymore] and the active suspension tuning didn't quite compensate for the stiff sidewalls. Prime reason most owners go back to standard tires for the ride quality. Of course the German autobahns are smooth as glass where SL's are bred. Excellent review with some surprisingly profound insights into the AMG V12 driving experience. Good segue into a 2022 SL review. 👌🏾

Back in 2003 I had the 600SL convertible with the AMG package and that thing could haul ass. It had just shy of 500 horsepower, and was one of my favorite cars that I've ever driven. My buddy had leased it, and he decided to buy a boat, so he asked me to take over his lease. It was $1,700 a month, but worth every penny. It had only 5 thousand miles on it. I kept it for 18 months and then bought a 911.

I like all of Doug's content (been watching since 2015) but this is the type of content that I love! What an excitement that came about from seeing this video

I'd say that the passing power at high speeds in terms of like hitting the pedal at 80 and still feeling strong acceleration is kind of an AMG hallmark. I use a C63s as my daily driver and if you punch the gas even while already going 90 on the expressway it'll still pull you back into your seat

The SL is definitely a great car to drive with the top down. Or the top up. The four window feature is really cool, especially when the top is up - I can choose to only have the small rear windows down for ventilation if it is raining or too chilly for the windows to be down, but as Doug says you can always turn on the Air Scarf. The dynamic seats are cool, I love the way the seat hugs you as you drive around corners quickly. I think one of my favorite things about the car is that you can keep the top down and the windows up when you go in for a little shopping. When you lock the doors it also locks the center console, glove box, and driver side storage bin (behind the driver) and they cannot be opened with out a key. I suppose you could force it but it would be awkward to be climbing over the rear of the car to reach any of that. One other thing they did sometime between 2013 and 2017 is they made the trunk divider powered and part of the roof lowering process and also the trunk opening sequence. If the divider is open and cannot close the car will tell you and the roof will not be lowered. However, if it can close you can do so using the lower roof lever. You can even open the trunk with the roof down and still put stuff under the divider as it will slide back when opening the trunk and slide closed when closing the trunk. The only issue I have is that, while you can drive up to 25 mph while putting the top down, you have to start the process with the car at a standstill. However, there are aftermarket products that will allow you to open while driving up to 25 mph. You will probably get some looks if you put the roof down at a stop light. I also like the wind deflector is manual and not fixed like my friend's convertible. One thing to remember about the non-AMG SLs is that they are really GT cars, not sports cars, designed to get in and drive all day without being fatigued. The suspension in the non-AMG is a little more comfortable and the newer ones have the ability to change between 5 driving modes, Comfort, Sport, Sport+, Individual, and, probably the least used in these cars, Eco mode. It even has auto start/stop to save fuel, haha. Regarding Doug's complaint about handling in the other SL models is they definitely added better handling to the later models. Very little steering input is required to change lanes or maneuver in traffic without feeling squirrely. However, I think that much power maybe too much. Mine has a little more than half of this HP and it still has trouble putting it down to the pavement, and the stock tires are not the best with dry traction, they tend to spin, many times without even making a noise. Plus the price premium I think was too much, more than double the price. The Magic Sky feature is neat but on my 2017 SL450 I think it was a $2,000 option. If I had bought it new I would have got the premium package instead. I also lucked out with mine as I bought it 2 years ago before the prices went nuts as recently at the dealership I saw a similarly equipped 2018 model with similar mileage going for almost 40% more than what I paid. I had originally thought about getting the 2018 SLC but when I saw the SL in person, and also drove it, I changed my mind. I think the SL looks and drives a lot nicer than the SLC. Then again I paid about 15% to 20% more for the 2017 SL over the 2018 SLC. But if you like the looks of this car, and have the means to buy one, I would say go for it, I doubt you would be disappointed. Even driving in traffic I often have a smile on my face 🙂 I also do not know why people get black leather interiors in a convertible. I much prefer the off-white (officially crystal grey I believe) leather, and contrary to what people always say it does not get dirty easily and I only wipe it clean a few times a year. It is way cooler to the touch than black leather when the top is left down. sorry for the long comment, I just really like this car. TL/DR - Great car, if you like the looks and handling buy one, especially 2017 and newer, you won't be disappointed. But I think you need 2018 and newer for App connected vehicles.

Only just subscribed a couple of days ago, but I love this channel Doug! 🔥👍

SL65's are peak SL. Especially the sleek R230 gen prior. They're Mercedes flagship roadsters and engineered so exclusive, they can't even make them like this anymore. Glass roof V12 roadsters are autobahn bred nirvana. Great choice Doug.

Doug is the king of review! I literally stop what Iam doing when I get a notification of a new video!

This is one of my top 20 favorite cars ever. So glad you reviewed it!

Now we're talking Doug. I have an R230 (5th generation SL). Aside from the brand new ones, I think the 5th gen looks the best. Like this one, they have timeless styling that looks ahead of its time for years to come. Not to mention all those quirks and features. Thinking about getting an AMG model next. Great video.

Just about the perfect mix of style, luxury, and power

More AMG content please Doug!! Love this beautiful car!!

When i drove to sweden this year i had one of these pass me multiple times. It would pass me, then i’d catch up later at some cafe, and then it would pass me again just 10 minutes later. The sound and power of these are incredible, and i haven’t even driven it. I was just passed by it twice. Cool car.

We love our 2009 SL550 which is similar to this. Wish I had that V-12 in ours! Wow the torque is incredible!

This option of putting all the windows down (or up) with one single button was famously part of the Renault Avantime about 10 years earlier. That even included the sunroof (a second setting within the button) and was called the Grand Air function.

This body has aged well. It still looks great.

Doug , you are correct with every detail that you mentioned. Great video. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

i love the amout of details they put into this even the little window waits for the bigger one to go up so they dont scratch

10 year old Merc with twin turbo V12. I can’t stop thinking about each $10K repair bill

The SL 65 Black Series is one of my favorite cars ever. Those fender flares. I wish Doug covered the Black Series

The 65 AMG’s are just something else.. I rode/filmed an R230 era of the SL65 and I fell in love.

Amazing review Doug, and without music! I really like, thank you

Ah yes, When AMG used to throw a V12 in everything, the good old days…

The maintenance puts it out of my price range. Sick ride

Another informative video Doug. Keep them coming!

Legendary quote of the DaimlerBenz CEO in 2015: Men driving SL's are men of small things. That quote crashed the market of SL's. Bigger PP surgery was the trend back then

Those are incredible and here in Gemany having seen these pass me on the Autobahn at over 200km/h with their incredible Sound, is quite the Experience by itself. I'm glad to see they were also sold in the USA, i always assumed they weren't. Here on the German Car Market there are quite a few for Sale, but that makes sense because they're obviously more common here and from what i see in German TÜV & other Data, they're also pretty reliable, despite having a massive V12 Prost & Cheers from the Berchtesgadener Land in the Bavarian Alps

One of the best GT cars and Rally cars I would buy! The guys has everything you need to go on a Rally!

I’ve never wanted a car as a long term goal as badly as this one. I never knew it was so special and incredibly well thought out.

Great video Doug! I can tell you like this car!

Twin turbo V12… perfect 👍

Love the car and incredibly well maintained for a 10 year old car!

The wind deflector is incredible. It looks so clean in both positions, shoutout to the engineer. By the way: this is the first video I've seen without the usual 'quirks to drive' transition.

Seeing a new Doug video makes me so happy😄

Such an innovative and beautiful car! Would be absolutely dreadful to get a repair bill though because I know there’s nothing cheap to fix on this car

What a beautiful machine. I own the little brother 2007 black/black SLK 55 (V8) and the car has given me zero problems. It is a hard top convertible as well. Although its now 15 years old, I still love the car.

I got hypnotized by the motor at 1:36.

I have a silver 2014 65 With 13k miles Doug, love it and cherish it with all my heart. So happy you finally reviewed one. They really are a piece of art

Those early 2000s models were stunning and proved no other SL (so far anyway ) has been able to match the looks.

0:00 Thiiiiiiiiiiis 0:35 Cars & Bids 1:12 Can I pleeease borrow your car? 1:20 Quirks and Features 13:28 The Drive 18:28 Inconclusive 18:55 Doug Score

absolutely adore how these cars look. gorgeous machines.

As always an excellent review.

I wonder if it's a coincidence this was released a day or 2 after the C63 AMG revealed with a 4 cylinder

Mexico IS IN NORTH AMERICA DOUG!

I'm honest amazed by how great and modern it looks . Ageless design The power train is also impressive and it's still more powerful than most new sport cars

have had a go in a few of the SL550 of this generation and it's one of my favourite cars I've ever driven. While I have sat in and moved one of these, I didn't get to even really use the gas pedal but I can only imagine how much more amazing it is

Mercedes really thinks about everything 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

A new exhaust will sound amazing

Doug, I like you so much ! Listening to you helps me to keep my english understanding on a good level. It is amazing to see, that you always can describe so many hidden details about the cars. Greetings from Switzerland from Thomas

Doug been eating good! Glad to see you doing well!

beautiful looking car especially when the next c63 is a 4 cylinder, a v12 looks unreal in this era

Imagine how much it’ll cost to fix your convertible top when the motors and sensors die out or breaks

It’s a real transformer. So freaking cool. Probably my favorite car you’ve ever featured.

Interior still looks so good I loved this gen 😍

The SL65 has been one of my favorite cars from Mercedes-Benz. The V12 sounds absolutely phenomenal whether if you're driving carefully or driving really fast. One of my friends who I used to go to had a black one until he sold it for an EQS.

It is hard to describe how a V12 biturbo feels if you never experienced it yourself. It is not only power and torque it is also „ease“. This machines could power basically AFV … incredible!

All SL's are ageing well ..cudos for those who bought it new and now we gave chance to buy it at a realistic price ,1/4th of mrsp

9:55 Doug the kind of dude to make the ground wear a kneepad when he kneels 😂

Out of warranty nightmare

For the price difference, I’d prefer the slightly older SL55 AMG. Aside from the massive price difference, I find that the exhaust note was a deeper rumble than the then V12 variant and the styling was just flashy enough, all whilst looking meaner and more upscale looking. This newer SL looks great, but the front end looks too Mercedes-Benz ‘generic’. And lest we forget that this was (is) a quarter of a Million! dollar car… when new. Without sounding like a hypocrite… I’d still sell my left nut for a car like this! Thanks for the video.

Milestone in convertible engineering. It's madness when you look at all the options and features.

My dad had the first year 2003 SL500, there was a multi CD player in one of the cubbies behind the seats. Great times.

I wish to own a car like this one day.. 😁

That car is beautiful. I’m a huge fan of high horsepower

Love the sound of those AMG engines. Also the little spidey on the camera spooked me lol

10:39 Oh my god, the return of the convertible open/close music has returned

The purchase price is just the beginning for this money trap

first

Awesome review and Shmee loves the engine as well.

I was lucky enough to get to drive a SL65 for a weekend - it was amazing. I would love to own this car.

It's funny how many things that amaze Doug on this car my SL600 V12 has. 8 years earlier. Mercedes was always ahead of their game

One of my all-time favorite cars. So underrated.

10:39 convertible music is back!!!!! YES!!!!

Thank you Doug. Great car, great review.

Looks fantastic 🔥

Wish my EOS had the roof trunk lift option! I’m always “negotiating” stuff in/out of the trunk w the roof down! Genius! 😊

The Doug score should be a candle lit dinner with that convertible lowering music playing

I had a Volvo C70 hardtop convertible that did the same thing with the trunk and top. It had a divider and then you could press a button to lift up the top slightly to be able to get at the trunk when you had the top is down. I really liked it when I had it.