RE: Mercedes SL55 AMG: Spotted

[mrclav]

Motorrad said:

But really, who wants an SL without a V8?

I did.

I ran an R230 SL350 for just under a couple of years. I specifically wanted one that didn't have a panoramic roof or ABC. Tried an '06 500 but was quite happy to settle for an '08 350. I also notice that the later, post -07 V6s seem to really hold their value as long as the mileage wasn't stratospheric. Bought mine with 38k on the clock.

Great car, very comfortable and no problems with it at all - admittedly I was fastidious with servicing. It was definitely brisk enough and cost very little more to run than the CLK I had previously. £510 annual fully comp insurance and £485 tax were the biggest single bills I had during the entire time I owned it; serviced by an indie for about £150-250 a time and other than consumables (petrol, two rear tyres, a couple of light bulbs and some windscreen wipers) it cost me nothing. Best part is, no-one outside of the enthusiast community knew or cared whether or not it had a V6 or a V8 although I guess a few people were puzzled as to why I drove one (I guess I'm a fair bit younger than the general demographic who goes for these cars). A friend of mine promptly bought one after driving a Lexus SC430 although to be fair, anything was better than that!

I can honestly say the SLS was a much less comfortable (but far more enjoyable!) car on a day-to-day basis than the SL was.

Edited by mrclav on Tuesday 10th February 13:01

[adzpz]

With the suspension issue, could you not swap this for a decent coilover set up if required or would the computer say no?

[thatguy11]

Have a look at the 5th image in the advert - is it me or is that brake disc on the wrong side?

[74merc]

Don't forget that the ABC struts can be refurbished for reasonable money.

[whoami]

Limpet said:

whoami said:

Limpet said:

Looks good, goes like stink, sounds fantastic. Sticks a grin on my face every time I see one on the road.

How can anyone not love these?

Because they break a lot and cost a shedload to fix.

Same applies to a lot of the more interesting cars out there.

I was answering your question from experience.

The worst car I ever owned.

[SuperchargedVR6]

thatguy11 said:

Have a look at the 5th image in the advert - is it me or is that brake disc on the wrong side?

??

Do you mean the caliper?

[Fittster]

slk 32 said:

The reason I mention it is that the large majority of the time these cars are pretty reliable and apart from the fuel costs and higher cost of consumables don't really cost significantly more to run than lesser models- i just think these catch all scare stories can put of potential owners

As with all these types of issues (e.g. Porsche RMS) how do you know what percentage of cars will be impacted with a huge bill?

I doubt even Merc have accurate statistics.

[CliveM]

I think the key point in the article was the comparison with what else you could get for the money.
Yes it's an expensive car that will cost a fair amount to keep healthy. What else does 200mph, isn't a cloth top convertible, rides so well and looks so good? The fact you can get them for £14k is a bit of a red herring - what else under 50k does that?
Not much in my view, plus I love the sound....

Mine has had its fair share of maintenance, but I've done 25k miles with a smile on my face. What price that for something you can park on the street?

[Blu3R]

Mac355 said:

However the ABC suspension gives the car a fabulous ride quality,

I literally couldn't disagree more. My 03 car had a terrible ride which felt like it was much higher and more wobbly than it really was. There are US companies that will sell you a full coilover kit and there are people over here who can programme the ABC software out. I looked into it when I had my car but decided it would cost a bloody fortune to do it and then another fortune to move it on. So I just sold it.
The slushbox was just about the worst part of the whole experience for me. You could never go anywhere quickly because it was either in the wrong gear or changed like a sloth. I spent most of the time in manual mode and desperately tried to change with the paddles allowing for the 1-2 seconds it took to change.
If it came with coilovers and a manual box I'd still have one now.

Mind you pulling away from everywhere in 2nd made some truly excellent noises

[Buffyd]

soad said:

Did, (in 2006?) the introduction of a higher-speed supercharger, saw a slight increase in power?

I believe they always produced 500hp, Merc just didn't release that figure initially - I think a member on here emailed Merc about it and that's what he was told.

[soad]

Buffyd said:

soad said:

Did, (in 2006?) the introduction of a higher-speed supercharger, saw a slight increase in power?

I believe they always produced 500hp, Merc just didn't release that figure initially - I think a member on here emailed Merc about it and that's what he was told.

A quick search reveals this thread, cheers.
Thinking of buying SL55 AMG - Any advice please?

[SmartVenom]

I've always liked these and remember a friends dad buying one for about £115K, merc certainly encouraged him to add a few things. When they hit £30K I was very, very tempted, but then the wife said "you don't play golf and you're not retired". That shattered the dream slightly. That said I still get tempted every so often so maybe one day.

[thatguy11]

SuperchargedVR6 said:

thatguy11 said:

Have a look at the 5th image in the advert - is it me or is that brake disc on the wrong side?

??

Do you mean the caliper?

No the disc, look at the direction of rotation of the drilled holes. That disc should be on the n/s wheel, not the o/s wheel

Edited by thatguy11 on Tuesday 10th February 14:40

[DSLiverpool]

I bought this in 2010 it was a 2004 car paid £30k but it was the right colour and the right wheels, I find the right wheels essential on these cars or they can look meh.
Had no issues in 3 years apart from a reversing sensor and an AMG badge coming off the seat (huge job to put back) was great fun but needs the right tyres also as it can get skitty under hard acceleration on cheaper tyres.
Sold it for £22k last year.

[mrclav]

DSLiverpool said:

I bought this in 2010 it was a 2004 car paid £30k but it was the right colour and the right wheels, I find the right wheels essential on these cars or they can look meh.
Had no issues in 3 years apart from a reversing sensor and an AMG badge coming off the seat (huge job to put back) was great fun but needs the right tyres also as it can get skitty under hard acceleration on cheaper tyres.
Sold it for £22k last year.

Oh boy... That is lovely in blue.

[DSLiverpool]

Ive got "real" pics at home will post later but its called Tanzenite Blue a lovely MB colour and rare on a SL

[KillerHERTZ]

thatguy11 said:

No the disc, look at the direction of rotation of the drilled holes. That disc should be on the n/s wheel, not the o/s wheel

Edited by thatguy11 on Tuesday 10th February 14:40

Yes your right, my CLS55 AMG has them (the holes) facing the other way.

[Dog Star]

Motorrad said:

You forgot to mention the suspension which is what really put me off buying a R230 with a V8.

My R230 with ABC cost me more than that car in the article costs in servicing and repairs. In three years.

Beautiful car, but avoid.

[blueSL]

It's a lovely car. Mine is a 2002 and has done just 25k miles, cost me £96k and the dealer recently bid £12950 for it. No thanks. This car is much too enjoyable to give away at even much more than that price. Sure, maintenance is expensive and you need some money in reserve in case of big bills but the rewards more than compensate. Mine is silver with red interior and I love it.

[dvs_dave]

Schermerhorn said:

Active Body Control suspension problems need to have been addressed before buying though. Mega expensive to put right.

I believe that the basic ABC system is Citroen tech but licensed and modified by Merc for extra functionality. Hardly a suprise that it has questionable reliability given its provenance