SL55 - decisions decisions... help!

[vinnie83]

Hey guys... former E55K owner here, looking forward to getting that sledgehammer of torque back in convertable form this summer!

So first things first, any advice on what to look out for? ABC, electronics, rear seal leaking on roof, intercooler pump... those are the ones I know about, anything else you would recommend looking over?

My other decision is:

My budget is probably ~£20k... I could get an immaculate early model with very little mileage, or a later car with more mileage, or an early car with maybe ~50k miles and have a few thousand left over to modify.

I would like to get the mid silencers removed (I'll prob do this no matter what choice I make re. the above), but if I buy cheaper, I can remap and pulley upgrade....

How reliable are these cars with those mods? What kind of cost? What kind of power increases? Opinions of the car before/after from owners who have done this would be great!

Unfortunately it seems SL65s are still over my budget (seem to be £30k+) so I need to make the most of this one

Any advice appreciated!

[vinnie83]

Thanks for the replies guys.

My budget is going to be around £20k, and if I were looking at close to £30k my man maths would probably convince me to get an SL65 instead

I think the majority of issues seem to be the same as my old E55 + ABC and roof.

I'm interested that you've quoted about 550bhp as some of the tuners claim ~600 with pulley and remap, wonder how realistic it is....

May I ask, how much difference did the exhaust mod make, and what was the cost? And what tuner and cost are you considering for pulley and remap? (if you don't mind my asking)

I'm going to try to get a car with 19" wheels as I think, as you said, the smaller wheels just don't fill the wheels.

How much difference to the ride did the lowering make?

Oh, and LSD - something I hadn't thought of... I remember the E55 being terrible in anything other than a straight line with perfect dry - I assume the SL is the same.. how much difference did it make? And again, if you don't mind, what was the cost?

Thanks!

[vinnie83]

JohnRS4, thank you for the info, I'm sure it will come in handy over the coming months - I plan to get the exhaust mod done as soon as I get the car - can any exhaust fitter do it or does it require any special parts?


Slacker - I have sent you a PM

[vinnie83]

JohnRS4 said:

As mentioned in a previous post the auxiliary battery can be a problem if the car is not used regularly. I have battery condition chargers connected all the time and never have any problems.

I'm just going to have to make an effort to take it for a drive every week or so as I live in a top floor flat and car is parked in the outdoor car park with no power supply....

What happens if the aux battery goes flat? Does it simply turn off electrics until the alternator has charged it? I assume that the car will still start..?

[vinnie83]

Slacker - I sent you a PM, just in case you hadn't noticed it....

[vinnie83]

tigerkoi said:

edgun - I try

Vinnie - notice you've had some tasty metal past and present, so you're no ingenue! However if I can gently offer any form of advice at all, get the car checked before you do anything 'extra' to it. I see on the other thread mention of upgrades and the like that you're thinking of, however, make sure all the simple things are in excellent nick: bushes, axle ball joints, steering play, pump etc.

It's a two tonner already harnessing a steroidal engine. Personally I'd at least get a Service B done to ensure that any further BHP increases won't exacerbate some latent issues. It's best part of £1k at a dealership, but will give you piece of mind.

Great post tigerkoi, and thanks for your comments above.

I am viewing one this Friday with a view to buy. Professional well off chap selling due to his new Bentley GTC, just had a service and roof serviced - said a £2k bill. 66k miles, full history, 3 owners.

Looks like a nice car at a decent price. There are probably others with half that mileage for similar cost but the seller of this car gives me some confidence and I would prefer a well looked after car that's been lightly used - I know small mileage cars can be just as risky (new gearbox on a 4 yr old 10k mile 997!) so am hoping this ends up being a sensible buy!

I will of course get a good check over before any mods, no sense paying thousands on mods only for a car to break and me left with no money to fix the bloody thing!

I will however be getting the rear cats and silencers removed ASAP!

BTW guys - 2003 car - will it have an AUX input in the car?

[vinnie83]

Gouki said:

Yes there is a 3.5mm Jack aux in the glove box.

Hello chap, could I ask the year of your car?

I ask as my googling suggests that some of the early cars may NOT have the aux, however these are mainly american sites so may be different...

Cheers!

[vinnie83]

Slacker - it's a shame you didn't get back to me, would have loved a jasper blue car. Would have appreciated a quick PM or response though!

Never mind, hopefully buying a black one tomorrow pending a viewing/test drive.