SL55 running costs?

[JaredVannett]

Candellara said:

Mine's been relatively trouble free but again it's a later facelifted 2007 car.

...

You mentioned facelifted, but I thought the facelifted version of the R230 had different headlights?

[Buffy d]

JaredVannett said:

You mentioned facelifted, but I thought the facelifted version of the R230 had different headlights?

There were two main revisions to the R230 AMG:
1) The 'soft' facelift, as seen here, which included steering wheel paddles, a slightly smaller supercharger pulley for more power and torque, different wheels and chrome surrounds for the fog lights
2) The major facelift, which saw the switch to the 6.2 NA V8, new headlights and other changes.

[Welshbeef]

Buffy d said:

There were two main revisions to the R230 AMG:
1) The 'soft' facelift, as seen here, which included steering wheel paddles, a slightly smaller supercharger pulley for more power and torque, different wheels and chrome surrounds for the fog lights
2) The major facelift, which saw the switch to the 6.2 NA V8, new headlights and other changes.

N/a 6.2 is surely the inferior option for he SL55k

[JaredVannett]

Buffy d said:

There were two main revisions to the R230 AMG:
1) The 'soft' facelift, as seen here, which included steering wheel paddles, a slightly smaller supercharger pulley for more power and torque, different wheels and chrome surrounds for the fog lights
2) The major facelift, which saw the switch to the 6.2 NA V8, new headlights and other changes.

Ah, now I understand - Thanks

[Daniel1]

The major facelift also had some interior changes. I think the headunit was chamged to command2 which is superior plus a different binnacle which does the whole sweeping dials thing

The 2007 update may have had the command2 upgrade i dont know

[Buffy d]

Welshbeef said:

N/a 6.2 is surely the inferior option for he SL55k

I haven't driven either so can only express my preference for the supercharger whine and massive low-end torque of the 55K From everything I've read I understand the 7-speed 'box with the 6.2 is much better and the engine sounds angrier and pulls harder at the top end, but I don't like the facelift looks and supercharger always wins in my book

Daniel1 said:

The major facelift also had some interior changes. I think the headunit was chamged to command2 which is superior plus a different binnacle which does the whole sweeping dials thing

The 2007 update may have had the command2 upgrade i dont know

2005 model year got widescreen Comand NTG1, facelift got NTG2.5 with Bluetooth, hard drive and card reader slot.

[Welshbeef]

Buffy d said:

Welshbeef said:

N/a 6.2 is surely the inferior option for he SL55k

I haven't driven either so can only express my preference for the supercharger whine and massive low-end torque of the 55K From everything I've read I understand the 7-speed 'box with the 6.2 is much better and the engine sounds angrier and pulls harder at the top end, but I don't like the facelift looks and supercharger always wins in my book

Daniel1 said:

The major facelift also had some interior changes. I think the headunit was chamged to command2 which is superior plus a different binnacle which does the whole sweeping dials thing

The 2007 update may have had the command2 upgrade i dont know

2005 model year got widescreen Comand NTG1, facelift got NTG2.5 with Bluetooth, hard drive and card reader slot.

E55 K (same engine) is such a nice machine and in he same shape E class far nicer than the 6.2v8 which followed

[BigBen]

Welshbeef said:

E55 K (same engine) is such a nice machine and in he same shape E class far nicer than the 6.2v8 which followed

I have driven both engines, the 55K in my SL55 and the 63 in a C63. The 55K engine is much more exciting with the combination of rumble and supercharger whine but that is not to say the 63 engine is no good, it was also fantastic fun. That said the lights on the later cars look terrible so the 55 would always be my choice.

[Welshbeef]

Ice driven the 55K and thought it a great power unit (slow changing 5 speed box being the only tiny downside vs modern equivalent).

X63 V8 N/A sounds very very dirty

[MercedesClassic]

Malmair said:

I have had a SL55 F1 (performance pack) for nearly four years now. Only used as a summer weekend car and does about 3k miles a year. Averages 20 mpg, two rear tyres were £150 each, a new consumer battery from MB was £130. You can get a value service from MB (effectively an A service) for £145. Have now signed up to a service plan which covers a full B service plus spark plugs, brake fluid etc and another A service for £850 total which with the mileage I do will cover servicing for at least three years. Payments are interest free over two years. Insurance covering 5000 miles a year with business use on a normal policy costs £200 a year.
Problems have been a failure of the gear module resulting in the car stuck in park. That cost £900 to fix at a specialist though to be fair I knew it was on its way out when I bought the car. Also took nearly six weeks to come from Germany as it had to be made and coded to the car as it is part of the security system. Crankshaft position sensor started going intermittent after a year, cost £50 and 2 hours of diy - could do it in ten minutes now I have done one. Last year got a ABC (suspension) failure. Rear left of car fully lowered, car effectively undriveable. Experts predicted many £000’s in repairs turned out to be £40 level switch which I got fitted at local garage as it was just so much easier on a ramp.
Overall considering the performance and complexity of the car I think costs are very reasonable and the best bit is that being a “F1” variant the car value has at least doubled in the time I have had it.

I have the Perf Pack on mine too. The insurance is due renewal and was thinking of choosing the 'Agreed Value' option but don't know what to suggest as agreed value. I've a late 2004, 72k I'm 3rd owner, it's in excellent condition. I'd appreciate any guesstimates on value?

[Candellara]

MercedesClassic said:

I have the Perf Pack on mine too. The insurance is due renewal and was thinking of choosing the 'Agreed Value' option but don't know what to suggest as agreed value. I've a late 2004, 72k I'm 3rd owner, it's in excellent condition. I'd appreciate any guesstimates on value?

Judging by the classifieds - i'd say circa £30k - £35k

[Welshbeef]

Candellara said:

MercedesClassic said:

I have the Perf Pack on mine too. The insurance is due renewal and was thinking of choosing the 'Agreed Value' option but don't know what to suggest as agreed value. I've a late 2004, 72k I'm 3rd owner, it's in excellent condition. I'd appreciate any guesstimates on value?

Judging by the classifieds - i'd say circa £30k - £35k

Surely if that policy exists then you should go for the top price +x%

[MercedesClassic]

Welshbeef said:

Candellara said:

MercedesClassic said:

I have the Perf Pack on mine too. The insurance is due renewal and was thinking of choosing the 'Agreed Value' option but don't know what to suggest as agreed value. I've a late 2004, 72k I'm 3rd owner, it's in excellent condition. I'd appreciate any guesstimates on value?

Judging by the classifieds - i'd say circa £30k - £35k

Surely if that policy exists then you should go for the top price +x%

Thanks for the insight I had been thinking £35k too. It then goes to the valuer in the insurance company who will approve or reject my value. Not sure if they counter it with a revised value and advise I accept it. Will soon see. Happy motoring!

[Malmair]

I would go higher if you are looking for agreed value.

Have a look at this advert. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

£45K

[MercedesClassic]

Malmair said:

I would go higher if you are looking for agreed value.

Have a look at this advert. https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

£45K

Yeah I'd noticed that car and another couple around £50k. However they are 1 owner and/or lower mileage etc. I think £35k-£40k would be max for mine. We shall see.

In general though I think values are climbing albeit for good ones so the OP might need to consider whether to go for it now or cost more later on.