Purchasing an SL55 AMG
Discussion
I've decided I want to trade my ageing (but much loved) 1998 SL320 in for a 2003/4 SL55 AMG.
Not being a a great DIY mechanic though, I'm aware that I really need to get someone that knows the SL55 to inspect it to make sure its got no issues with leaky struts, accident damage, etc that might come back to sting me.
So, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a vehicle inspector that knows the SL55 and inspect a few cars for me. They're mainly in the Midlands area.
If seen someone mentioned, Terry Gates, but was wondering if there was anyone that might be a bit closer to the cars.
Thanks.
Not being a a great DIY mechanic though, I'm aware that I really need to get someone that knows the SL55 to inspect it to make sure its got no issues with leaky struts, accident damage, etc that might come back to sting me.
So, I was wondering if anyone could recommend a vehicle inspector that knows the SL55 and inspect a few cars for me. They're mainly in the Midlands area.
If seen someone mentioned, Terry Gates, but was wondering if there was anyone that might be a bit closer to the cars.
Thanks.
Please take a look at my garage to understand running costs and potential problem areas, I think I've had them all!
Regarding leaky struts, my car has one at the moment and I'm looking into a more uk based resolution compared to Arnott this weekend (rather than the £1k per shock from mercedes).
Also in hindsight when the tandem pump failed during the first year of ownership, I could have saved a fortune on a re manufactured one from a power steering company.
These cars are not cheap, many owners can attest to that but there is a reason I've kept mine for 4 years. In the summer, it's hard to beat.
Regarding leaky struts, my car has one at the moment and I'm looking into a more uk based resolution compared to Arnott this weekend (rather than the £1k per shock from mercedes).
Also in hindsight when the tandem pump failed during the first year of ownership, I could have saved a fortune on a re manufactured one from a power steering company.
These cars are not cheap, many owners can attest to that but there is a reason I've kept mine for 4 years. In the summer, it's hard to beat.
I'm in a similar postion to Gouki but I reckon I've had more problems than him, in fact the only thing I didn't have was the fuel tank baffles fail, but that's just cos it didn't have any. Mine cost me about 18K in repairs and servicing in just under 4 years.
I know they're fab cars but just to add my 2p and balance things a bit - I'd steer clear and buy something else. Anything else. SLK 55 for example.
I know they're fab cars but just to add my 2p and balance things a bit - I'd steer clear and buy something else. Anything else. SLK 55 for example.
Thanks for the comments.
No SL is cheap to own... having had the R129 SL320 for the last 7/8 years, I am quite used to big bills. Had the gearbox go in the first year of ownership, and the warranty wouldn't cover it. .. just want to avoid too many in the first year if I can help it on an SL55! :-)
No SL is cheap to own... having had the R129 SL320 for the last 7/8 years, I am quite used to big bills. Had the gearbox go in the first year of ownership, and the warranty wouldn't cover it. .. just want to avoid too many in the first year if I can help it on an SL55! :-)
atonewell said:
Thanks for the comments.
No SL is cheap to own... having had the R129 SL320 for the last 7/8 years, I am quite used to big bills.
The build quality of an R129 Vs and R230 might surprise you.No SL is cheap to own... having had the R129 SL320 for the last 7/8 years, I am quite used to big bills.
The early R230 is also chock full of overcomplex, unproven tech such as ABC and SBC; I am convinced that whoever came up with this car went to Amsterdam and did a s
t load of mind-bending drugs in order to make the car as awkward and shoddy as possible.I've spent £8000 ish on servicing and repairs in the last 4 years, covering 56000 miles in the process. Dogstar and I have experienced similar problems with our cars, and have very different feelings towards the R230. Part of the reason I believe that our opinions differ is because the SL55 is a significant step up from the SL500, and therefore the expenditure and heartache is in my mind worth it. However many of the ancillaries are almost identical and these are common failure points.
When you compare the SL 55 to its contemporaries then the cost isn't as eye watering; equivalent Porsche warranties will set you back £1200/year, Jag XKR £1500/year, BMW M5/M6 depends on mileage but can range from £1-2k per year. My overall cost above includes servicing and consumables, the figures are summarised in 'my garage'.
Leaking struts are an MOT advisory/fail. Also probably worth getting the gearbox oil changed (though they are sealed for life).
When you compare the SL 55 to its contemporaries then the cost isn't as eye watering; equivalent Porsche warranties will set you back £1200/year, Jag XKR £1500/year, BMW M5/M6 depends on mileage but can range from £1-2k per year. My overall cost above includes servicing and consumables, the figures are summarised in 'my garage'.
Leaking struts are an MOT advisory/fail. Also probably worth getting the gearbox oil changed (though they are sealed for life).
Cost wise, that would make the SL55 AMG cheaper to run than my '98 SL320.
In the last 6 years I've spent in excess of £14k keeping her on the road (adding 61k miles in the process).
Makes the 55 look very affordable! ;-)
However, after long discussions with the missus, I think we might stick with the R129 for now. She loves the car, and prefers the styling to the R230. She prefers the styling of the R231 over the R230, but they're a bit more than we want to pay for a car that doesn't get a lot of use these days apart from weekends!
We're contemplating keeping the R129 & getting a 55... but need to think about that a little more. Not exactly the most practical of ideas. :-D
In the last 6 years I've spent in excess of £14k keeping her on the road (adding 61k miles in the process).
Makes the 55 look very affordable! ;-)
However, after long discussions with the missus, I think we might stick with the R129 for now. She loves the car, and prefers the styling to the R230. She prefers the styling of the R231 over the R230, but they're a bit more than we want to pay for a car that doesn't get a lot of use these days apart from weekends!
We're contemplating keeping the R129 & getting a 55... but need to think about that a little more. Not exactly the most practical of ideas. :-D
If you arnt into some DIY then a 55 will/could bankrupt you! As already said they are lovely but old now and overcomplex with some parts simply not that good. Even getting a reasonable one could still hurt if you use it. If your limited in budget and stretching to buy a 55 in any way then its not the car for you.... But its your money 
Mates just got a 650 BMW Cab which is far better in the real world than my old SL500 so why not look at an M6 cab? Apart from some gearbox issues they appear ok, although very poor mpg.
Mates just got a 650 BMW Cab which is far better in the real world than my old SL500 so why not look at an M6 cab? Apart from some gearbox issues they appear ok, although very poor mpg.
atonewell said:
Thanks for the comments.
No SL is cheap to own... having had the R129 SL320 for the last 7/8 years, I am quite used to big bills. Had the gearbox go in the first year of ownership, and the warranty wouldn't cover it. .. just want to avoid too many in the first year if I can help it on an SL55! :-)
That is very very very rare. The R129 is a bulletproof car as long as you buy right. Its successor however is a completely different ownership proposition.No SL is cheap to own... having had the R129 SL320 for the last 7/8 years, I am quite used to big bills. Had the gearbox go in the first year of ownership, and the warranty wouldn't cover it. .. just want to avoid too many in the first year if I can help it on an SL55! :-)
The bitter truth is that the R230 is turning out to be a bit of a disaster if what one reads is true . My father in law has just replaced a nearly new R230 350SL with the new model ( 350 ) and the difference is huge in terms of interior quality and general feel .
The biggest disappointment is that the SL has a 60 year history of being a desirable top quality product with almost instant classic status ; a byword for longevity , quality and style . While the R230 looks great and moved the technology on from the 129 , I can`t see it being coveted in the future owing to it`s costly niggles .
I`ll stick with my 135,000 mile 300-24 129 I think ....
The biggest disappointment is that the SL has a 60 year history of being a desirable top quality product with almost instant classic status ; a byword for longevity , quality and style . While the R230 looks great and moved the technology on from the 129 , I can`t see it being coveted in the future owing to it`s costly niggles .
I`ll stick with my 135,000 mile 300-24 129 I think ....
You can lease a brand new slk 250 amg aport for £225 pm or e63 amg for £525 pm.
Brand new, warranty, no problems or depreciation and now an 11 year old car with old tech.
A new e63 is as cheap as the repairs and servicing youre quoting over 3 years.
Lovely cars but too expensive compared to a brand new £70k car. Just doesnt make sense.
Brand new, warranty, no problems or depreciation and now an 11 year old car with old tech.
A new e63 is as cheap as the repairs and servicing youre quoting over 3 years.
Lovely cars but too expensive compared to a brand new £70k car. Just doesnt make sense.
Everytime I do the maths on a lease car it doesn't add up. First, unless a business lease you are paying an extra 20% vat above the quoted prices above. You also need to adjust for mileage, servicing and consumables are still required and at the end of it you are left with nothing.
I've just driven 700 miles in a 62 plate S350 CDI and it didn't feel 'that' much more advanced than my 10 year old SL. But it wasn't that well specified.
The 0% PCP BMW deals offer on the M range seem to make more sense than a lease deal. But that balloon payment is a killer.
Am I missing a trick?
I've just driven 700 miles in a 62 plate S350 CDI and it didn't feel 'that' much more advanced than my 10 year old SL. But it wasn't that well specified.
The 0% PCP BMW deals offer on the M range seem to make more sense than a lease deal. But that balloon payment is a killer.
Am I missing a trick?
jonah35 said:
You can lease a brand new slk 250 amg aport for £225 pm or e63 amg for £525 pm.
Thing is, I don't want either of those, and leasing an SL63 is not currently an option, although from a financial perspective, it would make more sense to put it through the company books as a lease.
Had my SL55 for 2.5 years and it hasn't cost me anywhere near as much as some on here have spent - mine is not a daily driver though.
The ABC suspension and the SBS brakes do bother me though. They are both very nice to have but if they kick off then it is serious money to sort it. I had the brake fluid changed on mine by Mercedes Main Dealer as the specialist would not touch it as it requires STAR to do it so not a DIY prospect. I have also had my ABC fluid changed along with the filter as a precaution. My boot does not leak, my roof works, the car starts every time.
I bought mine from a Mercedes Main Dealer and had a crap experience with it being delivered with a faulty kompressor pump, broken exhaust bracket and badly chipped windscreen and a dealer who couldn't give less of a toss. I did however have a tier 1 warranty and extended it into the second year which is one way to go as it covers everything.
It is a great GT car and fast as you will need on UK roads with a great sound when you put your foot down.
The ABC suspension and the SBS brakes do bother me though. They are both very nice to have but if they kick off then it is serious money to sort it. I had the brake fluid changed on mine by Mercedes Main Dealer as the specialist would not touch it as it requires STAR to do it so not a DIY prospect. I have also had my ABC fluid changed along with the filter as a precaution. My boot does not leak, my roof works, the car starts every time.
I bought mine from a Mercedes Main Dealer and had a crap experience with it being delivered with a faulty kompressor pump, broken exhaust bracket and badly chipped windscreen and a dealer who couldn't give less of a toss. I did however have a tier 1 warranty and extended it into the second year which is one way to go as it covers everything.
It is a great GT car and fast as you will need on UK roads with a great sound when you put your foot down.
Absolutely amazing car. I loved mine.
From what I recall when buying, the 2005MY onwards cars are considered more reliable, have updated nav, which actually worked very for me, and there is a bit of a premium on them.
During 8000 miles of ownership I had my intercooler pump go, costing me £300. This car was a joy to own and not the horror story many on here would lead you to believe!
I did look at quite a few cars though and bought the best car I could at the time.
On a side note, prices on these have really firmed up and have even risen slightly in the last year.
From what I recall when buying, the 2005MY onwards cars are considered more reliable, have updated nav, which actually worked very for me, and there is a bit of a premium on them.
During 8000 miles of ownership I had my intercooler pump go, costing me £300. This car was a joy to own and not the horror story many on here would lead you to believe!
I did look at quite a few cars though and bought the best car I could at the time.
On a side note, prices on these have really firmed up and have even risen slightly in the last year.
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