SL55

[bigricho]

Hi Guys,

I am looking for some info on the SL55. I have done trawled the search function for info, but haven't really had my specific questions answered. Any helpful input would be greatly appreciated!

Assuming I was to buy a 25k example with around 50 000 miles on, how would you expect this to depreciate over the next couple of years based on no more than 6k pa. Also, could it be possible to get in and out of one for nothing or relatively little by the summer?

I've heard about suspension arms being a common fault, are there any other expensive problems that go wrong with these cars?

I'd be looking to buy one with the 'F1 race pack', but don't know exactly what is different to this from the standard car apart from split rims, slightly different front bumper and delimited?

Has anyone owned / driven both this and a Maserati Gransport and how do they compare?

Any more info on the car is welcome too!

Thanks for the help in advance.

Rich

[Gouki]

bigricho said:

Hi Guys,

Assuming I was to buy a 25k example with around 50 000 miles on, how would you expect this to depreciate over the next couple of years based on no more than 6k pa.

Sorry, my crystal ball has packed up today. But if we assume the car has already depreciated 75% over ~ 7 years, it will likely continue to depreciate over and additional 6 months.

bigricho said:

Also, could it be possible to get in and out of one for nothing or relatively little by the summer?

Again, it'll be a 7 year old car. You'll be lucky not to have to replace a consumable or have it serviced since intervals are every 10k miles/year.

bigricho said:

I've heard about suspension arms being a common fault, are there any other expensive problems that go wrong with these cars?

I'd be looking to buy one with the 'F1 race pack', but don't know exactly what is different to this from the standard car apart from split rims, slightly different front bumper and delimited?

Define expensive!

F1 performance pack also comes with an LSD.

[Big Brin]

Hello Rich,

I have an SL55 AMG with the F1 Performance pack. There are people and dealers who swear that the performance pack transforms the car. Bigger breaks, different exhaust, additional oil cooler and a limited slip diff. It also loks slightly different as it has the SL65 vented front apron. I would describe my car is 'brutal' having 'circa' 500 bhp and 700 odd NM of torque. Each one was handbuilt so that's as much definition as Merc give. I had a 911 turbo before this car, and I believe this to be much quicker. Well; the power and torque make it feel so. And the sound of the car is out of this world.

A few years ago when I was looking to change my 911 (996) turbo I drove a Gransport and found it underpowered. And the gearbox was odd. Personally I didn't take to the cloth dash of the gransport.....Good Ferrari-esque noise and a more 'exotic' brand though!

I believe the SL55 is a seasonal car even though it has a hard top. I would reckon that buying now and selling in April (if the weather's nice), and putting a few 'ooo miles on it will have negligible impact on the resale price. If you get a good one, and that in itself might be a challenge, you may not have any issues to contend with. I bought mine from Merc themselves and had to spend some time and effort with Merc Warranty to get the car how I wanted it. I had both the front suspension changed as they made a knocking noise, which was suposedly down to drop links. They were 1500 squid a piece.

Most people don't know what a super 'super car' is in their midst as it's not red or yellow Italian. Now and again I spot 'wise' people taking a look when it's on the road or in a parking place....As some might say, "If you know....you know".

Good luck.

Rgds, Brin

[bigricho]

Hi Brin,

Thank you for your most informative of posts. I'm off to look at one on Saturday, yet to try one, but at the moment I am torn between this and the GranSport. I'm expecting the performance of the SL to really blow away the GranSport.