RE: Mercedes SL55 AMG: Spotted
Discussion
My dad had a 55 plate SL55 AMG for a few years.
He absolutely thrashed the thing in that time - and on a number of occasions we saw the speedo as high as 210mph.
It was tuned to 560bhp and sounded glorious.
Despite the abuse, nothing went wrong with it. Sadly, he sold it to buy an SL350 (which was actually pretty good).
I'd love one but knowing the cost of repairs if things were to go wrong puts me off!
He absolutely thrashed the thing in that time - and on a number of occasions we saw the speedo as high as 210mph.
It was tuned to 560bhp and sounded glorious.
Despite the abuse, nothing went wrong with it. Sadly, he sold it to buy an SL350 (which was actually pretty good).
I'd love one but knowing the cost of repairs if things were to go wrong puts me off!
BigBen said:
Lostprophet said:
Wait till you have an engine problem... You'll be crying.
My friend had a V12 SL. The car developed an engine issue which cost him £12k to fix at Mercedes. Nice.
The 55 engine is considered 'bomb proof', the V12 isn't.My friend had a V12 SL. The car developed an engine issue which cost him £12k to fix at Mercedes. Nice.
There seems to be a lot of confusion and panic when it comes to ABC. From my research I think what you have to put into context is that most of the figures bounded around the internet are either warranty repair invoices or main dealer fixes. The truth is that you can now get parts for a lot lower than the main dealer prices, ABC pumps are £200/£300 (or £30 for a rebuild kit) not £1000+ like you'll see quoted, re manufactured legs are £600 each, not £2,000+ like you'll see quoted, ABC hoses can be made up by shops that deal with hydraulics with the correct ends for a fraction of what MB will charge for 'Off the shelf' ones, etc.
Edited by 279 on Wednesday 11th February 02:42
279 said:
BigBen said:
Lostprophet said:
Wait till you have an engine problem... You'll be crying.
My friend had a V12 SL. The car developed an engine issue which cost him £12k to fix at Mercedes. Nice.
The 55 engine is considered 'bomb proof', the V12 isn't.My friend had a V12 SL. The car developed an engine issue which cost him £12k to fix at Mercedes. Nice.
There seems to be a lot of confusion and panic when it comes to ABC. From my research I think what you have to put into context is that most of the figures bounded around the internet are either warranty repair invoices or main dealer fixes. The truth is that you can now get parts for a lot lower than the main dealer prices, ABC pumps are £200/£300 (or £30 for a rebuild kit) not £1000+ like you'll see quoted, re manufactured legs are £600 each, not £2,000+ like you'll see quoted, ABC hoses can be made up by shops that deal with hydraulics with the correct ends for a fraction of what MB will charge for 'Off the shelf' ones, etc.
Edited by 279 on Wednesday 11th February 02:42
Agree 100% on the ABC, nothing magical about it
I took the plunge and bought one last year......decided that Merc approved with 12 Month warranty was a little more bearable.
The price was very competitive with some of the private listings that I went to view. Also this one had been owned by an indie Mercedes specialist. My guess was that most of the problems would have been sorted.
Prior to picking my 55 up, and in order for it to be sold as approved used, the roof seals were replaced, ABC fluid change, new discs and pads all round, wheel refurb, B service, also they were not satisfied with a windscreen chip repair so replaced the complete screen! New ashtray, new AMG mats, and AMG brolly. Having viewed the garage job sheet, I saw that the car had over £5000 spent on it.
Driving back from Bristol with the roof down was a dream. Cruising at 70 ish speed limit it returned around 28 mpg.
That figure is certainly ok with me.
In my opinion, the car is a bargain, costs new with extras fitted it listed well over the 100k.
Hard to think what could replace it.?????
The price was very competitive with some of the private listings that I went to view. Also this one had been owned by an indie Mercedes specialist. My guess was that most of the problems would have been sorted.
Prior to picking my 55 up, and in order for it to be sold as approved used, the roof seals were replaced, ABC fluid change, new discs and pads all round, wheel refurb, B service, also they were not satisfied with a windscreen chip repair so replaced the complete screen! New ashtray, new AMG mats, and AMG brolly. Having viewed the garage job sheet, I saw that the car had over £5000 spent on it.
Driving back from Bristol with the roof down was a dream. Cruising at 70 ish speed limit it returned around 28 mpg.
That figure is certainly ok with me.
In my opinion, the car is a bargain, costs new with extras fitted it listed well over the 100k.
Hard to think what could replace it.?????
gracey said:
I took the plunge and bought one last year......decided that Merc approved with 12 Month warranty was a little more bearable.
The price was very competitive with some of the private listings that I went to view. Also this one had been owned by an indie Mercedes specialist. My guess was that most of the problems would have been sorted.
Prior to picking my 55 up, and in order for it to be sold as approved used, the roof seals were replaced, ABC fluid change, new discs and pads all round, wheel refurb, B service, also they were not satisfied with a windscreen chip repair so replaced the complete screen! New ashtray, new AMG mats, and AMG brolly. Having viewed the garage job sheet, I saw that the car had over £5000 spent on it.
Driving back from Bristol with the roof down was a dream. Cruising at 70 ish speed limit it returned around 28 mpg.
That figure is certainly ok with me.
In my opinion, the car is a bargain, costs new with extras fitted it listed well over the 100k.
Hard to think what could replace it.?????
The SL65 k AMG of course or the F1 edition The price was very competitive with some of the private listings that I went to view. Also this one had been owned by an indie Mercedes specialist. My guess was that most of the problems would have been sorted.
Prior to picking my 55 up, and in order for it to be sold as approved used, the roof seals were replaced, ABC fluid change, new discs and pads all round, wheel refurb, B service, also they were not satisfied with a windscreen chip repair so replaced the complete screen! New ashtray, new AMG mats, and AMG brolly. Having viewed the garage job sheet, I saw that the car had over £5000 spent on it.
Driving back from Bristol with the roof down was a dream. Cruising at 70 ish speed limit it returned around 28 mpg.
That figure is certainly ok with me.
In my opinion, the car is a bargain, costs new with extras fitted it listed well over the 100k.
Hard to think what could replace it.?????
. daytona365 said:
Surely this is an age old conundrum. To old for the seriously well to do, to expensive for the penniless enthusiast and not even yet a 'classic' in the true sense of the word..........A no-mans land car, however nice it may be, and it certainly looks very nice indeed.
I beg to differ. I bought my E39 M5 when it was exactly in this twixt position. Given none of these cars are for the pennyless to buy (unless a complete bucket case) 80,000 miles later, it has cost only consumables, returned 20+ average over that time and given huge pleasure to this Pertolhead every time it starts. Moreover I see prices are "hardening" nicely now. How much nicer than a Focus...ReaperCushions said:
I agree with the previous poster about this being a future classic. I wonder when the 'right time' will be to pick one up at the bottom before they head on up again. All SLs pretty much without fail have hit the bottom, with good ones rising slowly but surely.
If you need a set of wheels, I would say now is the time... Fill your boots and smile every time you jump in it...
BigBen said:
It was coil packs that I meant and even they won't be expensive as soon as someone figures out how to make an aftermarket one.
Agree 100% on the ABC, nothing magical about it
Ahh, I see. I thought maybe you were thinking of the oil cooler issue on the NA V12 or something.Agree 100% on the ABC, nothing magical about it
The coil packs seem unnecessarily expensive until you realize that they aren't just coilpacks. They've got some pretty sensitive electronics built in for detecting denotation way before a traditional knock sensor. Apparently they are the same packs used in the pre turbocharged V12 and they don't even have a knock sensor and instead rely entirely on the readings from the coil packs for knock detection. Rumour has it this is why the V12TT engine can make large power gains on high octane fuel on just a standard/'generic' map. I think I found new OEM packs for $800 each at the cheapest, so let's say a £1100 - £1200 for the parts to your door. Not really THAT much of an issue every 50/60K on a V12TT.
Same sort of thing with the ABC. Don't assume its going to work all the time and that if it doesn't it is rubbish. It needs maintenance that has probably been over looked for many years. Budget a grand or so to Blitz the system with new fluid, filters, refurb/replace the pump and sort out any weeping or leaking hoses. If you get any subsequent ABC warning lights, stop driving the car immediately (to save the pump disintegrating and sending metal shards through the system wrecking everything else - I wonder how many people complaining about ABC brought more pain on themselves by continuing to drive, because that's what I'd have done!). Worst case scenario its a leg - 600 euros odd. Or something electrical which is probably something minor like a sensor. Any Merc specialist worth their salt will have a STAR diagnostic tool by now, in fact at circa £500, I'd wager it'd be a good investment for DIY enthusiasts as well.
Any excuse for a photo.
Had mine 4.5 years. Make sure you get the ABC fluid and filter changed. It should be part of regular servicing but never was. I have had a C32,SLK32 and SL55 and all have been superb like SLK32 said earlier people don't come on the forum and write 'I have no problems with my SL55'
Mine came with 18" 5 spoke but I soon changed for genuine 19" 5 spoke. The ride comfort is no different between the two.
I thought a 2005 model year should have the NTG2 COMAND not the older COMAND 2 like in the picture.
Cracking car - bought my 03 (also in Tanzanite) in 07 at 27,000 miles and have owned it now about fourteen times longer than I've ever owned any other daily. It's running a DMS kit for 598.6 bhp and is as happy pretending to be a 500SL as it is at Santa Pod or Goodwood. Had some simply epic transcontinental blasts in the old girl, and honestly can't imagine ever selling
Now at 97,000 miles, I had to paint the rear arch lips a couple of years ago as they were starting to rust, and I've had the occasional modest bill over the years, but nothing of any significance. All those considering buying one - don't let the doom-mongers and nay-sayers put you off!
Cheers
Matt
PS what's the betting she'll throw a wobbly on the way home now I've said that?!
Now at 97,000 miles, I had to paint the rear arch lips a couple of years ago as they were starting to rust, and I've had the occasional modest bill over the years, but nothing of any significance. All those considering buying one - don't let the doom-mongers and nay-sayers put you off!
Cheers
Matt
PS what's the betting she'll throw a wobbly on the way home now I've said that?!
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