Viewing SL55 this week

[Catpuddle]

We're going to view this car shortly.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...

It's a 2005 SL55 AMG with 28,000 miles.

What should I look for on the test drive ?

I have heard horror stories about struts. I am also concerned about the lack of an SL55 AMG badge on the boot lid. Does this imply a rear end impact, or a rebadged 350 with a body kit. any views welcome.

How can I tell if the struts are knackered ? Anything else I should look for ?

Thanks all.

[MURRAY007]

OPTION LIST FOR YOU

H70 AMG aluminium trim
M55 CAPACITY 5,5 LITRE
NQ6
NR1
N99 CONTROL CODE BREMEN PLANT
U72 DVD-PLAYER WITH REGIONAL-CODE 2 EUROPE,JAPAN
220 PARKTRONIC system (PTS)
386 Convenience telephony
390 LINGUATRONIC English
401 Climatised front seats (heated and ventilated)
404 Multi-contour seat, left
405 Multi-contour backrest, right
415 Panoramic glass roof
423 5-speed automatic transmission
461 Instrument with mileage reading
487 Active Body Control (ABC)
500 Electrically folding exterior mirrors
527 COMAND APS with navigation system
581 THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
618 Bi-xenon headlamps f. left-side dr. traffic
666 Prod. prot. f. freight pkging w/o tie-down hooks
673 High-capacity battery
726 Basic fitting for roof rack system
772 AMG bodystyling
796 AMG multi-spoke wheels 45,7 cm (18")
806 Technical modifications
810 Surround-soundsystem Harman Kardon® Logic 7®
819 CD changer, MP3-capable, for 6 CDs
860 TV tuner analogue
875 Heated windscreen washer system
882 Interior motion sensor
889 KEYLESS-GO
983 CoC document EU4 without Reg. Cert. Part II
989 Identification label under windshield

[Catpuddle]

MURRAY007 said:

OPTION LIST FOR YOU

H70 AMG aluminium trim
M55 CAPACITY 5,5 LITRE
NQ6
NR1
N99 CONTROL CODE BREMEN PLANT
U72 DVD-PLAYER WITH REGIONAL-CODE 2 EUROPE,JAPAN
220 PARKTRONIC system (PTS)
386 Convenience telephony
390 LINGUATRONIC English
401 Climatised front seats (heated and ventilated)
404 Multi-contour seat, left
405 Multi-contour backrest, right
415 Panoramic glass roof
423 5-speed automatic transmission
461 Instrument with mileage reading
487 Active Body Control (ABC)
500 Electrically folding exterior mirrors
527 COMAND APS with navigation system
581 THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
618 Bi-xenon headlamps f. left-side dr. traffic
666 Prod. prot. f. freight pkging w/o tie-down hooks
673 High-capacity battery
726 Basic fitting for roof rack system
772 AMG bodystyling
796 AMG multi-spoke wheels 45,7 cm (18")
806 Technical modifications
810 Surround-soundsystem Harman Kardon® Logic 7®
819 CD changer, MP3-capable, for 6 CDs
860 TV tuner analogue
875 Heated windscreen washer system
882 Interior motion sensor
889 KEYLESS-GO
983 CoC document EU4 without Reg. Cert. Part II
989 Identification label under windshield

Thanks Murray. Presumably that is the correct options list for a SL55 ? Is it on a sticker somewhere ? Doesn't say anything about "rear badge delete"

[whoami]

Catpuddle said:

MURRAY007 said:

OPTION LIST FOR YOU

H70 AMG aluminium trim
M55 CAPACITY 5,5 LITRE
NQ6
NR1
N99 CONTROL CODE BREMEN PLANT
U72 DVD-PLAYER WITH REGIONAL-CODE 2 EUROPE,JAPAN
220 PARKTRONIC system (PTS)
386 Convenience telephony
390 LINGUATRONIC English
401 Climatised front seats (heated and ventilated)
404 Multi-contour seat, left
405 Multi-contour backrest, right
415 Panoramic glass roof
423 5-speed automatic transmission
461 Instrument with mileage reading
487 Active Body Control (ABC)
500 Electrically folding exterior mirrors
527 COMAND APS with navigation system
581 THERMOTRONIC automatic climate control
618 Bi-xenon headlamps f. left-side dr. traffic
666 Prod. prot. f. freight pkging w/o tie-down hooks
673 High-capacity battery
726 Basic fitting for roof rack system
772 AMG bodystyling
796 AMG multi-spoke wheels 45,7 cm (18")
806 Technical modifications
810 Surround-soundsystem Harman Kardon® Logic 7®
819 CD changer, MP3-capable, for 6 CDs
860 TV tuner analogue
875 Heated windscreen washer system
882 Interior motion sensor
889 KEYLESS-GO
983 CoC document EU4 without Reg. Cert. Part II
989 Identification label under windshield

Thanks Murray. Presumably that is the correct options list for a SL55 ? Is it on a sticker somewhere ? Doesn't say anything about "rear badge delete"

The one I had (fleetingly, as it broke all the time) did not have a rear badge either.

I ordered it from MB but before I could fit it, the car was returned to the dealer for the umpteenth and final time.

Still got it, the badge not the car, somewhere.

[Catpuddle]

whoami said:

The one I had (fleetingly, as it broke all the time) did not have a rear badge either.

I ordered it from MB but before I could fit it, the car was returned to the dealer for the umpteenth and final time.

Still got it, the badge not the car, somewhere.

What year was yours, were the later ones more reliable ?

If I buy the car, do you still have the badges for sale ?

[KAAMG]

I've owned a 2002 for the past 18 months. There will be far better qualified people on here to comment, but in my experience the following (at the very least) should be checked:

1. Any weeping of fluid from any of the four struts (£1k per corner)
2. That the adjustable suspension functions correctly (replacement pump is around £1k I think)
3. Age and wear on brakes including disks (£700 - £1k all round)
4. Central locking all works fine (New PSE pump = £1k)
5. That performance is as should be, even after a long run, as the car can go into safety mode (without any warning light showing) after a bit of a run if the cooler pump is faulty (£600)
6. Any dampness in the boot area. Could suggest faulty seals and could cause the unwanted damage to the PSE and Roof pumps which are located there

These are the key things from my experience, but someone will be back with more areas to check. Alternatively you could opt for an earlier less expensive 2002 model currently for sale which has already had most of the above corrected

Hope this helps. They are wonderful cars, you just need to go in with eyes open and get the best example you can.

[Catpuddle]

Thanks KAAMG. I've found another one to view as well, I like the look of. I'm excited, but full of trepidation.

[whoami]

Catpuddle said:

whoami said:

The one I had (fleetingly, as it broke all the time) did not have a rear badge either.

I ordered it from MB but before I could fit it, the car was returned to the dealer for the umpteenth and final time.

Still got it, the badge not the car, somewhere.

What year was yours, were the later ones more reliable ?

If I buy the car, do you still have the badges for sale ?

Yeah, still have the badges if you need them.

From recollection (it was a few years ago), mine was a 2003 car.

I think it was about a year old at the time, so thankfully under warranty.

The suspension, supercharger/engine, braking system, roof mechanism, cooling system and pretty much all of the toys broke.

Repeatedly.

To make it worse, the dealer struggled to get some of the spare parts necessary from AMG.

It was so bad that the car went back and I got a full refund.

Good luck and if you are going to run it without a warranty, I hope you've got a sizeable bank balance.

[Catpuddle]

Thank you. I shall tread carefully.