RE: PH buying guide: Mercedes SL55 AMG
Discussion
GeeTeaEye said:
My motto with sports cars depreciating into this price bracket is "if you couldnt afford to buy it new, you cant afford to run it now".
If I did have the spare cash, I would be more tempted with a simpler piece of engineering, something like a monaro or vxr8, at which £12k to £15k you can find some very tasty examples.
Have to strongly disagree with that one.If I did have the spare cash, I would be more tempted with a simpler piece of engineering, something like a monaro or vxr8, at which £12k to £15k you can find some very tasty examples.
V8EVG said:
The car lost power after some spirited driving and then power resumed later once the charge pump had cooled. This is a common fault and was circa £1000
I've had my SL55 for about 2 months now and have done just over 3000 miles in it. I had this problem and it only cost me £300 to put right.What I love about this car is its wide range of abilities. Mind blowing performance, convertible, looks, a baritone sound to die for even just trundling about town. Just make sure you are going in a straight line before you hit the loud pedal as the engine is quite frankly fantastic but the chassis can not match it.
Ours (well its actually the misses' tbh) has been in the family from new and we're very lucky to have owned it for the last 2 years.
So far its been perfect and (IMO) miles nicer than the 997S she had before - certainly miles quicker, and the noise, oh boy the noise!!
Problem is really where do we go from here, ours is certainly not a new car - 9 years old - but we dont have the finances to buy something new with similar firepower, gadgets, style and noise...have I mentioned the noise...so will probably have it for another 9 years.
So far its been perfect and (IMO) miles nicer than the 997S she had before - certainly miles quicker, and the noise, oh boy the noise!!
Problem is really where do we go from here, ours is certainly not a new car - 9 years old - but we dont have the finances to buy something new with similar firepower, gadgets, style and noise...have I mentioned the noise...so will probably have it for another 9 years.
I'm sure most of you have seen this before, but this seemed like a good opportunity to, ahem, bring it up again 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ-MPOUBNMA&fea...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJ-MPOUBNMA&fea...
clarki said:
Ours (well its actually the misses' tbh) has been in the family from new and we're very lucky to have owned it for the last 2 years.
So far its been perfect and (IMO) miles nicer than the 997S she had before - certainly miles quicker, and the noise, oh boy the noise!!
Problem is really where do we go from here, ours is certainly not a new car - 9 years old - but we dont have the finances to buy something new with similar firepower, gadgets, style and noise...have I mentioned the noise...so will probably have it for another 9 years.
SL63 amg.So far its been perfect and (IMO) miles nicer than the 997S she had before - certainly miles quicker, and the noise, oh boy the noise!!
Problem is really where do we go from here, ours is certainly not a new car - 9 years old - but we dont have the finances to buy something new with similar firepower, gadgets, style and noise...have I mentioned the noise...so will probably have it for another 9 years.
As we speak mine is with an MB dealer as they try to find out why the warning lights have a habit of flashing like an apocalyptic christmas tree at least once every journey.
That will probably be a grand....
Since buying a 2003 car from a "specialist" 2.5 years ago it's probably cost about 4-5 K, particularly irksome due to the warrenty supplied being as much use a chocolate tea pot.
So don't buy unless you can maintain it, these a complex cars built in an era of poor mecedes quality control.
On the plus side? Well on the plus side is the fact that it is absolutely awesome and makes you feel like a rock star everytime you drive it, a fantasic car to burble around town in or to drive to the South of France overnight with the hood down, V8 roaring into the night.
Looks, speed , comfort, character.....
That will probably be a grand....
Since buying a 2003 car from a "specialist" 2.5 years ago it's probably cost about 4-5 K, particularly irksome due to the warrenty supplied being as much use a chocolate tea pot.
So don't buy unless you can maintain it, these a complex cars built in an era of poor mecedes quality control.
On the plus side? Well on the plus side is the fact that it is absolutely awesome and makes you feel like a rock star everytime you drive it, a fantasic car to burble around town in or to drive to the South of France overnight with the hood down, V8 roaring into the night.
Looks, speed , comfort, character.....
Patrick Bateman said:
GeeTeaEye said:
My motto with sports cars depreciating into this price bracket is "if you couldnt afford to buy it new, you cant afford to run it now".
If I did have the spare cash, I would be more tempted with a simpler piece of engineering, something like a monaro or vxr8, at which £12k to £15k you can find some very tasty examples.
Have to strongly disagree with that one.If I did have the spare cash, I would be more tempted with a simpler piece of engineering, something like a monaro or vxr8, at which £12k to £15k you can find some very tasty examples.
The fact that you didn't want to shell out 1 to 2k a month in depreciation doesn't mean you can't afford the running costs that bring it into Mondeo overall total cost of ownership. I drive a car that had £62k list price, bought for 14k at 6 years old, full service history, 55k miles. It has so far cost me 4 tyres and £150 for an electrical glitch. I pay £69 per month for a warranty and so far only one claim.
fozzymandeus said:
SLacKer said:
... as specialist will not touch the SBS system...
Any excuse for a picture
No need for me to quote the picture but I am anyway cos it looks lovely.Any excuse for a picture
Surprised a specialist with STAR won't change the brake fluid - I think that you can switch it into a mode where someone can pump the brake pedal and have the usual effect when the bleed nipples are open, so I don't see the difficulty.
Discs and pads are a DIY job, somewhat tangentially. You just need to know how to "sleep" the system.
SBC is a good braking system, however, one additional point to note is that the hydraulic unit (and controller) has a service lifetime. Mercedes are replacing them for free at the moment (and my dealership informs me this will continue to be the case) but it's something to check has been done.
Do you have any further information on the service life of the unit. My car is still under MB Warranty and if I can get it done before that runs out then that would be good. Was it a fault in original design?
In the view of balance to all the mottos and proverbs.....
The SL55 is an excellent car and I would recommend to any PHer. I have run mine over 47,000 miles (on 70k now) and 3 years with very few problems for a nearly 10 year old car. It is built very well as friends and colleagues would attest to. Please check out my profile for approximate running costs.
However the car should come with the following note attached, 'IF YOU TAKE ME INTO A MAIN DEALER WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM PLEASE BRING SUFFICIENT LUBRICATION'.
SL65 perhaps?
The SL55 is an excellent car and I would recommend to any PHer. I have run mine over 47,000 miles (on 70k now) and 3 years with very few problems for a nearly 10 year old car. It is built very well as friends and colleagues would attest to. Please check out my profile for approximate running costs.
However the car should come with the following note attached, 'IF YOU TAKE ME INTO A MAIN DEALER WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM PLEASE BRING SUFFICIENT LUBRICATION'.
- Leaking boot usually means that drain holes need to be cleaned rather than replacing all boot rubbers.
- ABC suspension can be purchased from http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCEDES-BENZ... for £385 each with a lifetime warranty
- Ball joints are £65 to repair not £1200 for new struts.
SL65 perhaps?
I've been scoping the classifieds for sometime and keeping an eye on values. I have to say that in my opinion now is definitely the time to buy this iconic car. Serious bang for your buck with bullet proof reliability. One for the garage me thinks to bring out on nice days and for trips down to the South of France and Le Mans, Goodwood etc. Who knows, in ten years time good ones may fetch some serious money ? Silver for me with red leather please.
I had one of these in 2006. Silver, berry red hide and the same 19" split rims as per the article.
The best way of describing it was like the noise of a spitfire engine, the closest performance feel to my Griff 500's (all 5 of them) but built better. I say better - I actually sold it eventually as it went wrong so often that I couldn't rely on it to get from one place to another. It was an almost new car with low miles but an early version.
The quality improved in later years but if mine had been out of warranty with Mercedes I would have been spitting feathers. Loved it to bits though, just a great pity it was just about as reliable as my TVR's.
What a sexy looking car though!
The best way of describing it was like the noise of a spitfire engine, the closest performance feel to my Griff 500's (all 5 of them) but built better. I say better - I actually sold it eventually as it went wrong so often that I couldn't rely on it to get from one place to another. It was an almost new car with low miles but an early version.
The quality improved in later years but if mine had been out of warranty with Mercedes I would have been spitting feathers. Loved it to bits though, just a great pity it was just about as reliable as my TVR's.
What a sexy looking car though!
Gouki said:
In the view of balance to all the mottos and proverbs.....
The SL55 is an excellent car and I would recommend to any PHer. I have run mine over 47,000 miles (on 70k now) and 3 years with very few problems for a nearly 10 year old car. It is built very well as friends and colleagues would attest to. Please check out my profile for approximate running costs.
However the car should come with the following note attached, 'IF YOU TAKE ME INTO A MAIN DEALER WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM PLEASE BRING SUFFICIENT LUBRICATION'.
Say, do you like Huey Lewis and The News?
SL65 perhaps?
The SL55 is an excellent car and I would recommend to any PHer. I have run mine over 47,000 miles (on 70k now) and 3 years with very few problems for a nearly 10 year old car. It is built very well as friends and colleagues would attest to. Please check out my profile for approximate running costs.
However the car should come with the following note attached, 'IF YOU TAKE ME INTO A MAIN DEALER WITHOUT ANY KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM PLEASE BRING SUFFICIENT LUBRICATION'.
- Leaking boot usually means that drain holes need to be cleaned rather than replacing all boot rubbers.
- ABC suspension can be purchased from http://www.arnottindustries.com/part_MERCEDES-BENZ... for £385 each with a lifetime warranty
- Ball joints are £65 to repair not £1200 for new struts.
Say, do you like Huey Lewis and The News?
SL65 perhaps?
Do you like Phil Collins? I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece. It's an epic meditation on intangibility. At the same time, it deepens and enriches the meaning of the preceding three albums. Christy, take off your robe. Listen to the brilliant ensemble playing of Banks, Collins and Rutherford. You can practically hear every nuance of every instrument. Sabrina, remove your dress.
In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist.
This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.
In terms of lyrical craftsmanship, the sheer songwriting, this album hits a new peak of professionalism. Sabrina, why don't you, uh, dance a little. Take the lyrics to Land of Confusion. In this song, Phil Collins addresses the problems of abusive political authority. In Too Deep is the most moving pop song of the 1980s, about monogamy and commitment. The song is extremely uplifting. Their lyrics are as positive and affirmative as anything I've heard in rock. Christy, get down on your knees so Sabrina can see your asshole. Phil Collins' solo career seems to be more commercial and therefore more satisfying, in a narrower way. Especially songs like In the Air Tonight and Against All Odds. Sabrina, don't just stare at it, eat it. But I also think Phil Collins works best within the confines of the group, than as a solo artist, and I stress the word artist.
This is Sussudio, a great, great song, a personal favorite.
Patrick Bateman said:
GeeTeaEye said:
My motto with sports cars depreciating into this price bracket is "if you couldnt afford to buy it new, you cant afford to run it now".
If I did have the spare cash, I would be more tempted with a simpler piece of engineering, something like a monaro or vxr8, at which £12k to £15k you can find some very tasty examples.
Have to strongly disagree with that one.If I did have the spare cash, I would be more tempted with a simpler piece of engineering, something like a monaro or vxr8, at which £12k to £15k you can find some very tasty examples.
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