I am thinking of giving my wife a birthday present so which one should I look into? the 6.3 N/A Motor or get the new 5.5 F/I one?

Never had an experience with either so how reliable are those 6.3 motors?

Also have in mind that i have a mod bug in my head, so which one will be better to start off with for modding it later?

 

New one. It's Bi-Turbo, so that helps a bit. I'm sure you can get 650 HP easy out of the new one. Renntech already has a tune for the CLS, so in no time they will have one for the ML.

 

but if i get N/A i can do my own TT kit and stuff like that and wouldn't that be faster? It's more displacement...

 

Yes, it will probably be even faster with the larger engine,, BUT it will cost you at least 10 times more and you wont get 10 times more power.
The new FI engine will get you 650HP for under $5k. I think turbo kits are at least $40k.

 

I never heard of a turbo kit for the 63 motor, only of a supercharger.

 

I had an ML63. I was a brilliant vehicle, considering I'm a Porsche guy. At the time the previous model Cayenne Turbo was too much mini-van looking for me. Hence, the ML63. It was a stupendously terrific package. I would buy another without question, despite being a fan of the new Cayenne Turbo.

I'm on my 3rd "6.3" engined-vehicle, and one 5.5 S/C. The 6.3 is simply a treasure in the world of great engines.

However, I don't really think it is really a mod-friendly engine. Then the question, if this is for your wife, it's an SUV that can tow 7200 lbs, already has 510 hp, why do you want to mod it? If you were my friend I'd tell you to leave it alone, you'll likely ruin it. If you want it faster, buy a cayenne turbo S. Otherwise it its brilliant.

I have no experience with the new 5.5 biturbo.

 

ML 6.3 it's a great car ,fantastic transmission , you can do exhaust ,engine tune and be done with it.

 

well i want to get into modding AMGs and making my own products for them so i guess i am looking from that perspective as well, i specialize in turbo kits for various cars and that's why i wondered to go 6.3 (TT it) or new 5.5 and just come up with upgraded intercoolers, bigger turbos, etc... (kind of like what's out for GTRs)

 

The new 5.5 is already turbo friendly.
The old 6.2l may probably need more than just turbos. It was designed as a NA engine after all.

But simple mods only: the new 5.5l. It will cost less to mod, as a simple tune will probably yield more HP than every mod will yield for the old engine combined (supercharger excluded). The torque will also be higher, the HP will be higher, etc.

The displacement theory only works if the old 6.3 would have stronger internals than the new engine, which I don't know if it's true or not. I believe the new engine to be stronger.

For instance, here's what Brabus offers with just a tune for the 5.5 CLS:

455 kW / 620 PS
+ 69 kW / 95 PS

1000 Nm
+ 200 Nm

Another thing to consider is that the new ML interior is new, has more leather and for me, it's more luxurious.

 

i'd go with the 63. heard much better things about that engine!

 

i have a ML63, i just got it custom dyno tuned by AMS, picking up today, they told me it picked up 30 awhp, and 30 awtq throught the curve. But i agree with others, forced induction motors will yield much more with modest modifications.

 

very nice! i think i'll go with a new one as well

 

Bi-turbo FTW!!! Can't go wrong there Post up pics if you make the plunge Would love to see it.