Thinking of buying SL55 AMG - Any advice please?

[TVP993]

As per title. Car is a 2003 with 51k on the clock, 2 owners and full MBSH and looks in great condition.

Is there anything that I need to look out for and would you recommend a ppi?

Also what are the rough service costs?

Thanks

[TVP993]

Anyone?

[d8ean]

my 55 plate SL55 with 21k on the clock cost 1300 to service (fluids, etc etc)
suspension problems a common one
roof leaking
soft leather wear if its got nappa
get a warrenty on it if you can

[Gouki]

Hello, have a search through some of my posts on the subject. I've been over it a few times and have a 2002 SL with 60k miles on it. Feel free to PM me anything that I haven't covered before. Some more details would help, cost, options etc.

[benzito]

as above searching the forum is the best place to start. Other points would be to try to find a car with the upgraded dvd-based command (i think introduced from 04 onwards). Also check thoroughly for rattles or leaks.

Also remember that even though summer is just around the corner, amg cars can still be hard to shift for dealers esp if not low miles. This doesn't mean they will be any less reliable though. I remember a silver 2002 car being sold by keighley's for 23k with 60k miles on the clock and was on sale for a very long time so bargain with the vendor! Infact just checked autotrader and its still on for sale

[TVP993]

Gouki said:

Hello, have a search through some of my posts on the subject. I've been over it a few times and have a 2002 SL with 60k miles on it. Feel free to PM me anything that I haven't covered before. Some more details would help, cost, options etc.

Thanks guys. This is the car in question. Let me know your thoughts in regards to spec too.

http://www.carzone.ie/search/Mercedes-Benz/SL-Clas...

[Gouki]

Ok, being a complete nerd when it comes to this stuff:

• It looks like it hasn't got Distronic from the interior photo shot. You can probably live without it anyway.
• The alloy wheels look from a later model.
• The interior trim is likely to be painted plastic rather than brushed aluminium for that year. The aluminium trim is very expensive
• I think it has ventilated seats as well (not described in advert)

Also, cars are EXPENSIVE in Dublin!

[Nuisance_Value]

I've been watching the prices of these for a while as I would like one towards the end of the year or early next year, and just thought I'd add my thoughts, but to echo the previous poster, that car is massively overpriced imo.

Also, no panoramic roof (essential, again imo)
Standard silver interior trim, which I really don't like, much prefer wood (preferably black).
I also agree that I think it has the cooled seats, again essential imo.
Silver cars are generally cheaper, as there are so many of them and black usually commands a wee premium as they do look good in black. I wouldn't have a silver one. If you like silver then cool.
Nice wheels though.

[Gouki]

Only essential part of the SL55 amg is the 5.5 litre supercharged V8 in my opinion.

[TVP993]

Gouki said:

Ok, being a complete nerd when it comes to this stuff:

• It looks like it hasn't got Distronic from the interior photo shot. You can probably live without it anyway.
• The alloy wheels look from a later model.
• The interior trim is likely to be painted plastic rather than brushed aluminium for that year. The aluminium trim is very expensive
• I think it has ventilated seats as well (not described in advert)

Also, cars are EXPENSIVE in Dublin!

Thanks Gouki.

Ventilated seats sound good. I actually don't like the alooys on the car but they have the original wheels which I prefer.

Do wish it had panoramic roof but not too much choice over here and yes stupidly expensive!

What BHP do these come with as standard?

[TVP993]

Nuisance_Value said:

I've been watching the prices of these for a while as I would like one towards the end of the year or early next year, and just thought I'd add my thoughts, but to echo the previous poster, that car is massively overpriced imo.

Also, no panoramic roof (essential, again imo)
Standard silver interior trim, which I really don't like, much prefer wood (preferably black).
I also agree that I think it has the cooled seats, again essential imo.
Silver cars are generally cheaper, as there are so many of them and black usually commands a wee premium as they do look good in black. I wouldn't have a silver one. If you like silver then cool.
Nice wheels though.

I actually don't mind silver however as I already have a black car but I prefer the other silver which has a blue hint to it?

Not as much choice here as in the UK so may have to make do.

[theturbs]

TVP993 said:

What BHP do these come with as standard?

IIRC 476bhp to begin with, later increased to 493bhp (not sure when but I'm sure someone will be along to correct me on the figures/timings)

[AlexRWD]

TVP993 said:

What BHP do these come with as standard?

I was keen to find this out when bought my car as had seen a few different figures quoted in different places, 476 and 493 and 517 etc.

I contacted Merc HQ in Germany, they replied that all the earlier cars were 500bhp, but for marketing reasons they were initially a bit modest in their claims, not wanting to mention the 500 figure.

There was definitely a later upgrade to 517 - not sure if that was in 2006?

[AlexRWD]

Found the reply Merc sent me:


Thank you for contacting the Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N.V.

Further to your recent enquiry regarding the bhp of Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMGs, we are please to be able to provide the following information:

They actually have 500bhp and always have done. It was the case that with the early models, there were complications with certifications and other documentation issues.

We trust that the above information is pertinent to your requirements, however, should you have any further enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Yours sincerely

Helen Major
Customer Service
Mercedes-Benz Customer Assistance Center Maastricht N.V.
Gaetano Martinolaan 10
NL-6229 GS Maastricht, The Netherlands

[Chad_Hugo]

So does that mean that the same 5.5 supercharged V8 in the 2005-2006 cls 55 amg is also 500 bhp?

I have heard or read this once or twice, the engine is officialy rated at 476 bhp- is it really 500 too?

[DSLiverpool]

Chad_Hugo said:

So does that mean that the same 5.5 supercharged V8 in the 2005-2006 cls 55 amg is also 500 bhp?

I have heard or read this once or twice, the engine is officialy rated at 476 bhp- is it really 500 too?

Ive had both 2006 CLS55 and 2004 SL55 (loving the SL55) and they are as fast as each other so I guess the CLS is 500BHP or near as dam it so you cant tell. Someone may mention exhausts killing a few BHP but you wouldnt notice.

OP - if your still looking for a SL55 try to get one with the F1 / SL65 split rims they make the car.

[TVP993]

Beautiful looking car DS. What colour is it?

DSLiverpool said:

Ive had both 2006 CLS55 and 2004 SL55 (loving the SL55) and they are as fast as each other so I guess the CLS is 500BHP or near as dam it so you cant tell. Someone may mention exhausts killing a few BHP but you wouldnt notice.

OP - if your still looking for a SL55 try to get one with the F1 / SL65 split rims they make the car.

[DSLiverpool]

Tanzanite blue - since I picked it up its had a machine polish and a Zymol treatment and looks "wet" - its so different from a silver with turbine alloys its almost a different car.

[mr sagman]

DSLiverpool said:

Ive had both 2006 CLS55 and 2004 SL55 (loving the SL55) and they are as fast as each other so I guess the CLS is 500BHP or near as dam it so you cant tell. Someone may mention exhausts killing a few BHP but you wouldnt notice.

OP - if your still looking for a SL55 try to get one with the F1 / SL65 split rims they make the car.

That is absolutely stunning.... I will keep a look out for it as Im in Liverpool also...