SL55 - Should I do it?

[L33]

Well guys, as the title says SL55 - should I?

I currently run a BMW 535D as my everyday car and a TVR Tamora as a weekend toy

My plans are to sell both and spend about £15k on a 4x4 for everyday use (probably Lexus RX or BMW X5) and with the money left over, buy an SL55 for my weekend toy.

I am mearly after some feedback if spending approx £23k on an SL55 is wise as techniceally, I know this is the bottom rung of SL55 ownership. I know I'm likely to get an 2002 model with about 50k miles on the clock.

While reading some posts yesterday, I get the feeling that the SLs are not the most reliable and cost an arm and a leg to put right should they go wrong. HOWEVER, being a TVR owner, I know this forum (Pistonheads) attracts a great deal of people willing to poo-poo a certain type/make of car without actually knowing anything about them - nevermind even owning one! I know TVRs have a terrible reputation, but being an owner, the rubbish that some people write on this forum is complete nonsence and gives the brand impression of the marque which is very much unjustified

Please can a few of you who actually run / own (or have previously run or owned) an SL55 / SL500 comment please?

For info, car will be a weekend, mainly dry weather car, living in a garage and doing approx 5k miles per year. I'm not bothered about insurance and petrol costs, although some insight into future depreciation thoughts and general routine servicing costs wouldn't go amiss.

Many thanks in advance.


L33.

Edited by L33 on Thursday 8th January 11:03

[mikial]

I`ve had my `03 example now for a year, apart from a slightly squeaky roof which was rectified there have been no problems whatsoever.

The front discs and pads were replaced under warranty upon purchase after I highlighted the fault to the dealer , it`s imperative the discs are not warped. I also decided to have a suspension and engine modification from DMS , my insurance company made no protest and the premium remained the same

I think in today's economical climate you could find a later model than an `02 for your budget.

My criteria was the lowest mileage example I could find , the example pictured has no panoramic roof or keyless go but the mileage was under 27 thousand.

They are extremely quick, with a sub 10 second sprint to one hundred.

Good luck in your search.

[AlexRWD]

Hi Lee - I've only had my SL55 4 months, and no servicing so far or problems to rectify, so can't give you too much insight there.

My car is an '03, had about 31k, I'll prob be doing about 6k annually.

I also used to have a Tamora, loved it and was disappointed with BMW Z4M replacement, but I now really love the SL, it's a great car

mikial said:

I also decided to have a suspension and engine modification from DMS , my insurance company made no protest and the premium remained the same

Hi Mikail - impressed this didn't affect your insurance, who are you insured with?

Would you mind saying a bit more about what the suspension and engine mods are, how much they cost (or PM me) and what effect they have on the car?

cheers

Alex

Edited by AlexRWD on Thursday 8th January 17:24

[mikial]

AlexRWD said:

Hi Lee - I've only had my SL55 4 months, and no servicing so far or problems to rectify, so can't give you too much insight there.

My car is an '03, had about 31k, I'll prob be doing about 6k annually.

I also used to have a Tamora, loved it and was disappointed with BMW Z4M replacement, but I now really love the SL, it's a great car

mikial said:

I also decided to have a suspension and engine modification from DMS , my insurance company made no protest and the premium remained the same

Hi Mikail - impressed this didn't affect your insurance, who are you insured with?

Would you mind saying a bit more about what the suspension and engine mods are, how much they cost (or PM me) and what effect they have on the car?

cheers

Alex

Edited by AlexRWD on Thursday 8th January 17:24

[/quote

Zurich Private Clients.

The A. B. C. suspension is re-calibrated by means of a module supplied and fitted by DMS. In essence you retain three ride height settings , controlled by the O.E.

Engine mods as in my car : a larger supercharger pulley is fitted , this enables more boost and adds 90 bhp accompanied with 90lb ft of torque. It`s also de-restricted.

Based in Hampshire , two DMS engineers drove to my property and carried out the work on the premises. Can`t recall the cost but perhaps if you contact them to disscuss a clearer picture will emerge.

I hope this helps Alex.

[saulk]

Hi L33,

I have just taken the SL55 plunge and pick it up on Monday. Like yourself I have come from the TVR (Tuscan ) fold and the SL55 is the only car that I think ticks all the boxes for me. As i'm sure most of the guys on here would say try to make sure you can buy the latest, lowest mileage car you can afford. I made sure that the brakes were renewed before I agreed the deal and have about 9k miles until the next service is due. (only do 3k miles a year)

Mikial,

How does the DMS remap perform? I have a friend who has had 3 cars mapped by them and they were all fantastic, I've heard nothing but good things about them.

[L33]

saulk said:

Hi L33,

How does the DMS remap perform? I have a friend who has had 3 cars mapped by them and they were all fantastic, I've heard nothing but good things about them.

Thanks for the replies so far guys - all positive stuff.

On the subject of DMS remaps, I have one on my BMW535D Msport. All I can say is that it was well worth the money and totally transferred the car.
The 535D is a quick car anyway (3 litre, twin turbo diesel), but now 0-60 in a shade over 5 seconds, 350 bhp and a whopping 700NM of toruqe really does it for me. Obviously, I can't speak for the work they perform on Mercedes, but what I can say is that although they are by no means the cheapest, you get an excellent service and their work is top notch.
Do it.

[TonyF]

Had DMS come to my property to do my SL55 also, as mikial says and the transformation is superb, almost 600 bhp, full de-limit and ooodles of torque now make it a very quick car. I paid DMS £2800 + the vodka and tonic at the time, not sure what it is now ( approx 1 year ago )
Since then I have p/ex my SL for an 07 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. ( now where did I put DMS"s phone number !! )
Good luck with your search for one, they really are a bargain buy at the moment.

Edited by TonyF on Saturday 10th January 07:47

[mikial]

saulk said:

Hi L33,

I have just taken the SL55 plunge and pick it up on Monday. Like yourself I have come from the TVR (Tuscan ) fold and the SL55 is the only car that I think ticks all the boxes for me. As i'm sure most of the guys on here would say try to make sure you can buy the latest, lowest mileage car you can afford. I made sure that the brakes were renewed before I agreed the deal and have about 9k miles until the next service is due. (only do 3k miles a year)

Mikial,

How does the DMS remap perform? I have a friend who has had 3 cars mapped by them and they were all fantastic, I've heard nothing but good things about them.

As Tony F describes , buckets of low down torque delivered in a linear spread . I went to DMS after reading Tonys post last year.
The Lamborghini , a rapier to the SLs broadsword Tony ??

Elsewhere on this forum a poster declared "huge understeer " in relation to the SL55, this I`ve not experienced in my car, perhaps the example driven had geometry issues or similar ?

[AlexRWD]

TonyF said:

Since then I have p/ex my SL for an 07 Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder. ( now where did I put DMS"s phone number !! )

Edited by TonyF on Saturday 10th January 07:47

A friend recently got a Gallardo LP560 and has been to DMS, think he got about 30bhp extra. Very impressively fast car, felt nailed to the road in cold damp conditions on a twisty B-road! Very aggressive gearshifts as well, couldn't be more opposite to the gentlemanly SL in that respect.

[CycleSi]

l have to say how pleasantly surprised l am that my 2004 SL55 doesn't understeer and is in fact very neutral handling wise - until l boot it then the torque takes over and the rear twitches a little !!!

Pulling onto the M4 yesterday down the slip road the Traction Control light flickered on at 110 'ish but the clever Merc electronics 'dealt' with it admirably.

[TonyF]

Mikial, yes the lambo is very fast but in all areas not just in a straight line. The grip is night and day in comparison but it should be !
Different kind of power delivery and im not sure if its as fast as my 55 to say... 100mph.
The e-gear takes some getting used to ( paddle shift ) and no where near as comfortable as the merc but they are 2 completly different cars in that respect.
Ref understeer on the 55"s.. never experienced any of that in mine so I would suggest that who ever is, gets a geometry check done sooner rather than later.
How are getting on with yours ?

Tony.

[AlexRWD]

mikial said:

The A. B. C. suspension is re-calibrated by means of a module supplied and fitted by DMS. In essence you retain three ride height settings , controlled by the O.E.

Engine mods as in my car : a larger supercharger pulley is fitted , this enables more boost and adds 90 bhp accompanied with 90lb ft of torque. It`s also de-restricted.

Based in Hampshire , two DMS engineers drove to my property and carried out the work on the premises. Can`t recall the cost but perhaps if you contact them to disscuss a clearer picture will emerge.

I hope this helps Alex.

Thanks for reply - with regard to the suspension, assuming this basically lowers all 3 settings, on the normal setting do you now have to be more careful with the nose over speed bumps, down ramps in car parks etc? Is it just a lowering job, or is it stiffened at all? A worthwhile change in your opinion?

[Anipat]

L33, I recently did exactly what you are considering. Bought an 04 RX300 and an 04 SL55 with the Performance Package. Coming from a 911, the SL is a little less involving to drive, but very satisfying all the same. I have a squeeky roof which is due to be fixed next week but I am told by the dealer that they estimate at least 10 hours labour just to set the right expectation in case they cant get the problem fixed with a lube and initial adjustment.

I have a faulty seat heater which apparently costs £1800 to replace so it gives you an idea of how the costs can spiral. A good warranty will help.

Very happy with both the Lexus and the SL.

[mikial]

AlexRWD said:

mikial said:

The A. B. C. suspension is re-calibrated by means of a module supplied and fitted by DMS. In essence you retain three ride height settings , controlled by the O.E.

Engine mods as in my car : a larger supercharger pulley is fitted , this enables more boost and adds 90 bhp accompanied with 90lb ft of torque. It`s also de-restricted.

Based in Hampshire , two DMS engineers drove to my property and carried out the work on the premises. Can`t recall the cost but perhaps if you contact them to disscuss a clearer picture will emerge.

I hope this helps Alex.

Thanks for reply - with regard to the suspension, assuming this basically lowers all 3 settings, on the normal setting do you now have to be more careful with the nose over speed bumps, down ramps in car parks etc? Is it just a lowering job, or is it stiffened at all? A worthwhile change in your opinion?

Alex, The re-calibrated lowest height is , I feel, very well suited to the handling characteristics of the car.

Very rarely do I drive on other than the lowest setting , I`m able to drive on the lanes in Suffolk with no problems. In my view worthwhile change, yes.

Tony, it`s just got better in the last twelve months, an easy car to live with , great GT car and as well you know a bad boy if needed ! By no means perfect but can`t think what would suit my needs better .

[G Man]

I bought a Sl55 AMG 2 months ago and love it, I think prices are hardening compared to pre-Xmas
Bought a warranty from warrantydirect, negotiated the price down to 500 quid from 750 for the year
Common fault is the intercooler pump failure, apparently MB sold or exchanged 500 of them last year

Get mine serviced by http://www.auto-class.co.uk/index.html in Milton Keynes all ex MB mechanics and save 1/2 the money

[mpaul0055]

Hi G-Man

Is that a £500 Per Year Warranty for the SL55?? Thats very very tempting that.

[SimonV8ster]

Can't comment on the servicing or the reliability but hired one of these for 3 days for my 40th at the end of Novemeber. Monster of a car !!

God knows what a remapped version is like !! I've never accelerated so hard and so fast up a hill as though the hill wasn't there before !!

Haven't they come down a bit in price too ? I'm sure i've seen them for well under 20K with not alot of miles on.

[G Man]

mpaul0055 said:

Hi G-Man

Is that a £500 Per Year Warranty for the SL55?? Thats very very tempting that.

Yep they wanted it to be £750 but I said I was quoted online £500 and it became £500 in 2 secs

G Man

[Scuba Paul]

Just found the thread.
I bought a 2004 with the Performance Pack in October.
Still not fully played with but soon as 10 day trip to Spain comes later this month.
Front offside wheel lost a rim bolt last month, bit luckily replaced under goodwill by MB. They are almost £1k list EACH.
Just keep watching the traction light, longest on is 6 secs so far on dry road.

[mike360]

Could anyone reccomend how to ooze every ounce of perfomance out of the car without spending a small fortune , going on a VMAX runway day soon and want to achieve 190 the car has been tuned and derestricted. just wondering re air filters etc.