Just been looking at an SL55

[B15TT0]

Hi all,

After months of deliberation and all the johnny foreigners stealing our uk C6 Z06 Corvettes i'm pretty much 100% decided I'm going to change tack and get an SL55.

I had a look at one today a friend is selling (privately) and liked what I saw. The comfort, looks, sound, gadgets, roof and speed were all good. Shame they're not manual and personally I'd like the exhaust a bit louder (i'm sure there are ways and means...)

Anyway, it's a 53 plate black one with 60k, panoramic roof, suede and leather all over and massage heating / cooling seats. Anyone got a glass's guide handy to give me a ball park figure?

It's had the boot seals replaced before, and a new ABC unit recently - i'd been warned about them. Are there any other things I need to look out for?

Finally, I'm planning to get the car looked over by a specialist to spot any issues it may have. Does anyone know if Merc dealers will do this inspection for you and if not, can anyone recommend a specialist in the North East?

Many thanks,

Chris

[B15TT0]

Cheers Mark. Thought as much. Don't know how well he's going to take that but we'll see. There are a few more on Autotrader if this one doesn't work out. Must be Black and have Command Sat Nav.

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

Hello Chris, I test drove a C6 Z06 last year courtesy of David Slocombe from Manchester, we met half way between there and Suffolk. I was mightily impressed with the Z . The figures were discussed which were relatively favourable and I was contemplating life again with American muscle, I was not relishing the drive back to Suffolk in the SL55 , as the journey homeward unfolded and I settled into a rhythm , approaching slower traffic,no more than caressing the throttle ,all and sundry dispensed in a flash I began to re-asses my thoughts , "this is some unique machine" was the outcome. By the time I returned home , all thoughts of a changeover were dismissed , since then, in my eyes, the 55 has grown to icon status. It`s simply the best deal for the moneyout there , value for performance is not matched , ( All i m h o of course ! )

I`d like to add, brakes discs tend to be abused and can be warped , it`s critical these are replaced if this is the case, I would also say have a good look around , maybe lower your criteria re: the spec you want for a lower mileage example.

Good luck in your quest , buy the right car and you will not be disappointed.

Hi Mikial, I know what you mean about deal for the money - i just can't ignore the value they're showing at the moment.

It's funny how you came back to the SL55 after being impressed with the Z06. I think i've felt similar as I was originally thinking an SL55 would be a nice stop gap but after the trip out in one yesterday i've been realising it actually is a damn good car in its own right. The weather this week is helping as well!

Thanks for all the posts so far all. I've spotted this one now and am trying to arrange flights to go and take a look at it. Thoughts? Black SL55 at http://www.topautomotive.co.uk

[B15TT0]

Callughan said:

THX138 said:

I too considered a Z06 but in the end decided the SL55 was just too much of a good all rounder.
Incidentally I drove a friends new 599 a few weeks ago and it has a wonderful presence and sense of occasion, but it didn't seem/feel much faster than my car, although the figures I read suggest it is?. Maybe Italian horses are smaller than German ones?
Above all I just love that big slug of instant torque in the SL.

I've driven a 599 and there was a huge difference compared to the 55. Were you in the right mode, the 599 is set up in a way that you are always in control so it may have not felt that fast for that reason. Either way glad you chaps like your 55's.

I was going to say I hope the 599 feels a lot faster than a 55. One day I hope to have a 599 and I expect it to be every bit as fast and wonderful as the current reviews suggest. Catastrophic depreciation on new V12 Ferraris is to be welcomed imo

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THX138 said:

Cheers Callughan!

I think the only real comparison I was trying to make was for the benefit of the original poster, that the SL55 is astonishingly good value when compared with pretty much anything else out there right now.

Don't suppose there'll be any £26,000 599's for sale any time soon..unfortunately!

Too late THX138! I no longer want an SL55 and am now on the hunt for a F599! I refuse to settle for anything less ;-)

Seriously though, I appreciate hearing the comparison - for the car to even be discussed in the same thread as a 599 is good enough for me. Plus you can take the roof off!

The 55 i linked to above has a deposit on it now. Unfortunately not mine despite my efforts to fly down from Newcastle to Cardiff to look at it as someone who looked at it last weekend has decided to go for it before I've had a chance to view.

Nevermind - I'm a firm believer in there always being a better deal just around the corner!

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

If we hunt in a pair , more chance of success , I fancy a 599 too !!

( BOGOF ?)

Good attitude to have , " buy in haste , repent in leisure " as my dear old grandad would say !

I'm in but how about a group buy? Hands up who wants a 599....

I'll draft the email to Ferrari later. "Dear Mr Di Montezemolo, In these credit crunch impacted times i'm sure you'll be very interested in our offer, which to put simply is to purchase 15 of your unused 599 motor vehicles.

As we are buying in bulk i'm sure you will afford us a discount. How does 88% off RRP grab you?"

[B15TT0]

irish boy said:

hi mate i had an sl55 and went to a z06 and dont regret it for a second! sl is a great piece of kit but the savage kick and rawness of the Z makes it a much more special machine to have in the garage......hold out for the right car and you wont be sorry!!

Don't start that!! I've sneaked off the Corvette forum to avoid people like you telling me to hold out for a Z06. Used black Z06's? There are none out there! I'm getting an SL55 and i'm going to enjoy the summer in it!

[B15TT0]

Argh. Decision time. 2004 28k black without keyless go, pan roof or the nice 'spline' alloys up for 32 or a 2002 black with full red interior (looks awesome) keyless, pan roof, etc for 30? Or a 2003 that needs some tidying and has 60k on it for say 25?

I really like the red interior and keyless go... Lot of money for a 52 car though..

Thoughts?

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

B15TT0 said:

Argh. Decision time. 2004 28k black without keyless go, pan roof or the nice 'spline' alloys up for 32 or a 2002 black with full red interior (looks awesome) keyless, pan roof, etc for 30? Or a 2003 that needs some tidying and has 60k on it for say 25?

I really like the red interior and keyless go... Lot of money for a 52 car though..

Thoughts?

My `03 was a low mileage example, ( 28 k )when purchased a year ago, with a Mercedes warranty but no keyless or Pan roof , no regrets here, tbh , I would have prefered one with all the options but low mileage was my criteria and I stuck to the plan .

Keep on searching until you find exactly what you desire ?

Easier said than done now i've seen a couple that are almost perfect. To be fair the black with red would be mine by now if we could agree on a price but he won't shift from 30 and that feels too much for a 52 car.

[B15TT0]

Update on this one - hanging on to hear about the car with SL65 wheels on it linked to above. Apparently the guy who has a deposit on it is struggling to get the finance sorted and may turn out to be a bit of a dreamer. Fingers crossed as it's got all the spec i'm after....

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

B15TT0 said:

Update on this one - hanging on to hear about the car with SL65 wheels on it linked to above. Apparently the guy who has a deposit on it is struggling to get the finance sorted and may turn out to be a bit of a dreamer. Fingers crossed as it's got all the spec i'm after....

Any further developments ?

Flying down to see it in Cardiff on Monday

The guy who had it on deposit first kindly had an AA check on it which came back absolutely clear. As long as it's as described (which i'm assured it is) i'll just be agreeing the deal and when to pick it up!

[B15TT0]

DSLiverpool said:

B15TT0 said:

Flying down to see it in Cardiff on Monday

The guy who had it on deposit first kindly had an AA check on it which came back absolutely clear. As long as it's as described (which i'm assured it is) i'll just be agreeing the deal and when to pick it up!

I wouldnt trust a AA report on a 55 S/C - get the engine checked at MB at least

Agreed - taking the AA report with a pinch of salt. It's got full MB SH though and was last serviced 600 miles ago so hoping it's ok. Obviously i'll be reviewing all the previous invoices etc and if there's any question marks at all it'll be off to the MB dealer for a good going over.

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

How did you get on in Cardiff?

Assuming everything goes through ok this morning i'm flying down this afternoon to pick it up!!

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

Don`t forget your camera , pictures soon as possible please .

Ta da....

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

Excellent, how about the drive from Cardiff homeward, impressions please !

Re: post above - PP? What does that mean?

Anyway, the drive back from Cardiff was fantastic! There was some rain knocking about in places which I thought I might hit but i didn't see a drop of it until about 5 miles from my folk's place (where that picture was taken) so i could just sit back, play with all the toys and let it effortlessly eat up the miles while the setting sun cast a beautiful light over proceedings.

I've never had such a comfortable and swift motorway car. With all the light (pan roof) space and light leather it felt a bit like piloting a luxury motor yacht up the M1 - especially with that deeeeep rumble.

I'm also impressed with it's body composure considering its weight - it really does hide it well. Definitely no out and out sportscar though with a fair bit of wobble and wallow compared to the GT3 (no suprises there!).

The pace of the thing is just awesome. I want to shake the hand of a a german called Florius to thank him for the engine he built for my car. A magnificent thing with so much urge it's a real battle with self restraint to keep the speeds sensible. I think it feels most surprising from about 80 leptons up - that's where the huge torque seems to wow me the most and make me realise i'm in something properly quick. I can imagine it ramming into it's limiter incredibly easily.

The fiancee loves it. Loves the roof (I feel a total show off when I drop it), loves the luxury, loves the style. I can't say I disagree with her.

Some of the gadgetry seems a bit spurious I must admit. Keyless go is lovely (pressing the button on top of the gear stick and hearing it erupt really appeals to my inner child!), as are the heated / cooling seats, auto wipers, auto lights and air con system. I could live without a bazillion seat adjustment / pumelling things though. I think it's harder to get comfortable with so many variables than it is with just a few. Massage thing is just weird. Linguatronic works ok. The application of a slight german accent seems to help. Nav is outdated compared to a tom tom. Works ok in its own way I guess. I need to get a kit of some description so I can plug my iphone in for calls and music - I imagine there are a few options. Any suggestions as to which is best?

The only things I'd possibly change from stock would be:
1) make it a bit louder
2) get the ABC rejigged so it had a lower setting
3) get it derestricted and the supercharger upgrade

All in all, very happy

Edited by B15TT0 on Monday 11th May 20:54

[B15TT0]

mikial said:

All sounds good, glad you`re impressed. The modifications you are considering are worthwhile , DMS are the obvious choice but I`m sure there are other outfits who are their equal . My 55 has the DMS upgrades you seek and after a year I have no complaints,

Yours sits how i'd like mine to. Lovely.

Can't disagree with you about the noise of the GT3. Especially with the GT3 Cup air filter on and a cargrpahic full system like I put on mine.

I'll post some more pics when I get a chance to give it a full clean up. Not going to be for a while though as we're off to visit the outlaws this weekend.