Just got an SL55!
Discussion
Hey guys, after much deliberation and lots of man maths, I picked it up yesterday.
I have owned an E55K for a few years back in 2006, so have a bit of experience with the car, but the SL seems to bring with it a whole host of potential issues of its own!
So having viewed it in the pi$$ing rain yesterday, the car that appeared immaculate was not so much as I sat in it for the 4 hour drive home (in the rain)..
So I now have a list of 'projects' to fix - any advice or pointing to helpful threads would be very much appreciated!
1. Intercooler pump issue - there seems to be a chap on MBClub UK ANDY@EC who sorts this and lives locally to me for under £250 with a bosch pump, so will be speaking to him (unless anyone here knows of a lower cost option?)
2. Door card compartments seem to be loose fitting - the 'panel gaps' are noticeable, a friend has an SL350 and this is not the case with his.
3. The parking sensor issue - two red lights and a beep when the car starts, then they turn off.
4. The keyless lock button on drivers side door doesn't work - I have read this will probably require a new handle - any idea of costs?
5. Steering pulls to the left - booked in at my local MB dealer to get aligned and steering centered - apparently a common complaint with Mercedes (although I never noticed it at all on my E55, although my GF's CLC does the same)....
Apart from that, the car does seem in great condition. It was owned by a well off solicitor with 3 MB's all looked after by the local MB dealer who confirmed he always did the work needed on the cars - recent service and roof repair.
Also, a list of planned upgrades:
It has the TV tuner - I understand it can be converted to receive digital channels - any info on this?
New steering wheel - can the newer wheel with paddles be fitted?
Wheels - it has the later 19" SL65 style wheels (all silver) so I want the centers painted black
Remap + Pulley - any recommendations around London/the south? I keep hearing DMS, but also keep hearing that others can do just as good a job at a far lower cost!
Exhaust - remove rear cats and silencer - again, any London recommendations? And what kind of costs should I expect here also?
Lowering - I have read about lowering links, and also reprogramming the suspension - any further info about both methods - any disadvantages/dangers and what kind of costs?
The car otherwise is as I would have expected a 10 year old £100k car to be like after near 70k miles - it drives well, is tidy and looks great - just those niggles before I can rest!
Thanks in advance for any advice guys!
I hadn't realised I had left the suspension raised when I took the pics!
I have owned an E55K for a few years back in 2006, so have a bit of experience with the car, but the SL seems to bring with it a whole host of potential issues of its own!
So having viewed it in the pi$$ing rain yesterday, the car that appeared immaculate was not so much as I sat in it for the 4 hour drive home (in the rain)..
So I now have a list of 'projects' to fix - any advice or pointing to helpful threads would be very much appreciated!
1. Intercooler pump issue - there seems to be a chap on MBClub UK ANDY@EC who sorts this and lives locally to me for under £250 with a bosch pump, so will be speaking to him (unless anyone here knows of a lower cost option?)
2. Door card compartments seem to be loose fitting - the 'panel gaps' are noticeable, a friend has an SL350 and this is not the case with his.
3. The parking sensor issue - two red lights and a beep when the car starts, then they turn off.
4. The keyless lock button on drivers side door doesn't work - I have read this will probably require a new handle - any idea of costs?
5. Steering pulls to the left - booked in at my local MB dealer to get aligned and steering centered - apparently a common complaint with Mercedes (although I never noticed it at all on my E55, although my GF's CLC does the same)....
Apart from that, the car does seem in great condition. It was owned by a well off solicitor with 3 MB's all looked after by the local MB dealer who confirmed he always did the work needed on the cars - recent service and roof repair.
Also, a list of planned upgrades:
It has the TV tuner - I understand it can be converted to receive digital channels - any info on this?
New steering wheel - can the newer wheel with paddles be fitted?
Wheels - it has the later 19" SL65 style wheels (all silver) so I want the centers painted black
Remap + Pulley - any recommendations around London/the south? I keep hearing DMS, but also keep hearing that others can do just as good a job at a far lower cost!
Exhaust - remove rear cats and silencer - again, any London recommendations? And what kind of costs should I expect here also?
Lowering - I have read about lowering links, and also reprogramming the suspension - any further info about both methods - any disadvantages/dangers and what kind of costs?
The car otherwise is as I would have expected a 10 year old £100k car to be like after near 70k miles - it drives well, is tidy and looks great - just those niggles before I can rest!
Thanks in advance for any advice guys!
I hadn't realised I had left the suspension raised when I took the pics!
Edited by vinnie83 on Saturday 26th April 12:40
Congratulations on the new car
re intercooler pump i would recommend the Johnson marine pumps over the oem bosch. .If memory serves me correctly they do not have the plastic impellor that the bosch does and because of this don't fall apart after 30k miles. I put a new cm 30 on my old slk 32 three years ago and it'sstill going strong
Regarding the exhaust I used infinity exhausts in Hampshire based on another ph recommendation ..They did a great job and charged me £300 all in for the decay and resonator delete plus X pipe. Worth the journey as the workmanship was first class on my slk 55
re intercooler pump i would recommend the Johnson marine pumps over the oem bosch. .If memory serves me correctly they do not have the plastic impellor that the bosch does and because of this don't fall apart after 30k miles. I put a new cm 30 on my old slk 32 three years ago and it'sstill going strong
Regarding the exhaust I used infinity exhausts in Hampshire based on another ph recommendation ..They did a great job and charged me £300 all in for the decay and resonator delete plus X pipe. Worth the journey as the workmanship was first class on my slk 55
Edited by slk 32 on Saturday 26th April 13:34
Andy is part of Euro charged UK in Watford, They are more than capable of tuning your SL to any level, lots of options to spend money in the crusade for performance, with a plus of giving out unbiased advice, really educational to talk to them, I use them myself for my own highly modified E55, they will also carry out repairs etc, the door handle thing you have being one of them, as they just did my own drivers door. For Exhaust work, EMP in St albans (just down the road), 1st class workmanship, easy to get on with, Euro charge also know these guys well, and are well known and respected within the Mercedes tuning guys. Andy or Paul at Eurocharged, Andy, 07595388188 Paul 07769332524, look up EMP in St Albans, ask for Eldin or Simon,
Best of luck with your car and its forth coming mods.
Best of luck with your car and its forth coming mods.
ecain63 said:
Panel gaps, pulling to the left, parking sensor issues and intercooler problem. Not to worry you but are you sure it's straight?
The panel gaps are in the pop out door cards, not the bodywork - hoping that it's just an adjustment issue. I probably didn't describe it well - the bodywork is fine (as much as you can expect in 10 yrs/66k miles) with a few stonechips and swirls.. Assuming all is well when I get it checked by MB, I'm getting it machine polished so it should look great.None of the panels on the car have any uneven gaps, they are all equally dull from swirl marks so don't indicate any recent repair.
Intercooler problem - almost every 55K engine has or will suffer from - a known weak point. I got my E55 from MB dealer at 3 yrs old and it had this issue! Having just driven 45 mins each way, put my foot down when I had the chance, I couldn't replicate it, so I can believe a genuine owner may never have the issue if they only occasionally thrash it.
Pulling to left, I read that it's common in SL's and Merc in general, however I hadn't realised how bad it was until later when it dried up and I got a chance to give it a proper drive. I honestly cannot recall what the E55 was like. Got it booked at MB this week to get it looked over and the geo checked. Fingers crossed.
In hindsight, I should probably have walked.... but it seemed like a very tidy car in the rain, and having left to drive to Bristol at 6.30am I was probably far easier 'sold to' that I otherwise would have been!
I did call his servicing dealer and asked them to confirm the history is legit, and the service guy knew the owner and the car and told me he always had done what was required, and at the last service and roof repair, there were no recommended repairs/replacements so as far as they could tell from having it a month prior, the car appeared sound.
I'm hoping that it's just some niggly issues that area reasonably sorted.
Door handles - £175 a few years ago, if memory serves.
TV tuner - not a lot can be done, however mine had a two sets of AV in RCA plugs on the tuner - it's behind the passenger seat under the false seat compartment. You can hook an iPhone or whatever up to this and use it for audio and or video. I had a phone mount on the dash so I could control the music etc. iPhone connectivity with these is poor unless Comand Online have got something. It'll be £££££££s though.
TV tuner - not a lot can be done, however mine had a two sets of AV in RCA plugs on the tuner - it's behind the passenger seat under the false seat compartment. You can hook an iPhone or whatever up to this and use it for audio and or video. I had a phone mount on the dash so I could control the music etc. iPhone connectivity with these is poor unless Comand Online have got something. It'll be £££££££s though.
Dog Star said:
TV tuner - not a lot can be done, however mine had a two sets of AV in RCA plugs on the tuner - it's behind the passenger seat under the false seat compartment. You can hook an iPhone or whatever up to this and use it for audio and or video. I had a phone mount on the dash so I could control the music etc. iPhone connectivity with these is poor unless Comand Online have got something. It'll be £££££££s though.
There is a thread on one of the MB forums about converting to a digital tuner using a small freeview box and wiring the an IR remote receiver up to the dash. Did not look like too bad of a job and cost about £20 iircBen
Just dropped the car off at Eurocharged in Watford... they say that it's in good condition, the steering is easily fixed, and they're fixing all of the mentioned points other than the interior door handle fittings and paintwork, although they commented that the paintwork will polish up nicely.
So I have gone for a large crank pulley, remap, exhaust with only the primary cats and rear boxes left in place, lowering suspension, estimated at anything between 550-600bhp and up to 650lb/ft torque.
Should be a monster car when I get it back - can't wait!
So I have gone for a large crank pulley, remap, exhaust with only the primary cats and rear boxes left in place, lowering suspension, estimated at anything between 550-600bhp and up to 650lb/ft torque.
Should be a monster car when I get it back - can't wait!
Vinnie, not looking to rain on your parade here and all the best with your mods mate, but forget the exhaust for moment, if this if as far as your going at this stage, get your cooling sorted! 'should' your car become a monster, it will be for only a short big pull, then an over heated SC, resulting in no power mate. believe me, I and many others know this, talk to Andy and Paul again. Your exhaust money will be better spent on cooling, then revise the exhaust later on, when no doubt you will have other things done, to 'monster' your car.
Ricky, thanks for the comments.
I know the cooling will be an issue, but TBH I will rarely drive it and then around London rarely get to a point to cause issues.... then in a couple of months, I'm getting an additional charge cooler fitted (as well as downpipes and sport cats) to deal with the cooling....
The guys there agree this sounds reasonable, since the thing I will enjoy every time I drive it - in traffic or not - will be the sound
I know the cooling will be an issue, but TBH I will rarely drive it and then around London rarely get to a point to cause issues.... then in a couple of months, I'm getting an additional charge cooler fitted (as well as downpipes and sport cats) to deal with the cooling....
The guys there agree this sounds reasonable, since the thing I will enjoy every time I drive it - in traffic or not - will be the sound
That's fair enough Vinnie, your car and money mate. Noise is good as well, and real good to hear your proposing to deal with cooling thing later on, so all should be good, enjoy your car mate. Euro charged are due to fit a further mod for myself, potentially may meet you there for a chat. All the best.
Hi there,
Good news that you've finally found something. Mine is black like yours, but have different wheels.
Be sure to wave if we roll past each other around London
About any steering play - I had the same: I always service at Mercedes and this resulted in left and right steering knuckle joint replacements. With some other axle strut rods done, it came to around £5-600.
Have you checked the engine mounts? If not, I also would. More power = more shakes.
I think one valid reason for holding off on any enhancements is that apart from exacerbating any latent issues that may be there, you'll only spend more money when trying to diagnose if things start playing up. Get it spot on first, gearbox flush, oil change, STAR diagnoses, ABC rodeos etc etc, and then spend time exploring it's potential.
Then you'll have a good baseline to build on. You'll know the car better then. Adding pulleys, remaps and whatnot now, well, if you had to draw a truth chart when trying to logically resolve an issue, you wouldn't know where to start.
As to the sound, well my car is totally 'factory', but one late summers evening, as I was dropping off a pal after football, I gave the car some cheeky but not a huge amount revs, as he got his kit out of the boot. Terrifically antisocial I know, but it set off his neighbour's car alarm. I reasoned with myself then, that if I had had a louder car, I would be persona non grata around his close...so I tend to now feather the car around tranquil residential streets.
Anyway best of luck and if you see another black 55...beep!
Good news that you've finally found something. Mine is black like yours, but have different wheels.
Be sure to wave if we roll past each other around London
About any steering play - I had the same: I always service at Mercedes and this resulted in left and right steering knuckle joint replacements. With some other axle strut rods done, it came to around £5-600.
Have you checked the engine mounts? If not, I also would. More power = more shakes.
I think one valid reason for holding off on any enhancements is that apart from exacerbating any latent issues that may be there, you'll only spend more money when trying to diagnose if things start playing up. Get it spot on first, gearbox flush, oil change, STAR diagnoses, ABC rodeos etc etc, and then spend time exploring it's potential.
Then you'll have a good baseline to build on. You'll know the car better then. Adding pulleys, remaps and whatnot now, well, if you had to draw a truth chart when trying to logically resolve an issue, you wouldn't know where to start.
As to the sound, well my car is totally 'factory', but one late summers evening, as I was dropping off a pal after football, I gave the car some cheeky but not a huge amount revs, as he got his kit out of the boot. Terrifically antisocial I know, but it set off his neighbour's car alarm. I reasoned with myself then, that if I had had a louder car, I would be persona non grata around his close...so I tend to now feather the car around tranquil residential streets.
Anyway best of luck and if you see another black 55...beep!
Tigerkoi, Bigben, JohnRS4 - nice cars 
Where about in London are you all? We should get the cars out together one sunny weekend...
I had an update this morning :
Car cannot be lowered by STAR.
I/C pump was screwed, IAT's were significantly higher after normal driving than should be, so power was down to ~440bhp. No wonder it felt slower than my old E55.
Steering is dead straight now.
Door handle changed, parking sensor (only one was faulty) being changed today.
Interior door pull - they took the door card off and a clip is broken, they are trying to see if MB sell the part in isolation.
Remap + Pulley, still to be done today.
Exhaust, getting sorted on Friday morning. Will be there for the final dyno run, will post up a vid.
They told me the car was checked with a fine tooth comb, and while it had a few niggles cosmetically, they say the car has been looked after perfectly mechanically and that it's a car they would buy after a check up, which is a great relief.
Very happy with things so far!
Where about in London are you all? We should get the cars out together one sunny weekend...
I had an update this morning :
Car cannot be lowered by STAR.
I/C pump was screwed, IAT's were significantly higher after normal driving than should be, so power was down to ~440bhp. No wonder it felt slower than my old E55.
Steering is dead straight now.
Door handle changed, parking sensor (only one was faulty) being changed today.
Interior door pull - they took the door card off and a clip is broken, they are trying to see if MB sell the part in isolation.
Remap + Pulley, still to be done today.
Exhaust, getting sorted on Friday morning. Will be there for the final dyno run, will post up a vid.
They told me the car was checked with a fine tooth comb, and while it had a few niggles cosmetically, they say the car has been looked after perfectly mechanically and that it's a car they would buy after a check up, which is a great relief.
Very happy with things so far!
vinnie83 said:
Tigerkoi, Bigben, JohnRS4 - nice cars
Where about in London are you all? We should get the cars out together one sunny weekend...
I'm a north-of-the-river guy, so fairly easy to synch up with little notice. I'm up for seeing how you are getting on with your tweaks and mods Where about in London are you all? We should get the cars out together one sunny weekend...
. Will be interesting to see a bunch of '55s!Let's do it, and good news that all seems to be going to plan: it's heartening to know that the guys you've chosen 'get' the car, and its in capable hands.
Now what you need is something from D2Forged...
tigerkoi said:
I'm a north-of-the-river guy, so fairly easy to synch up with little notice. I'm up for seeing how you are getting on with your tweaks and mods . Will be interesting to see a bunch of '55s!
Let's do it, and good news that all seems to be going to plan: it's heartening to know that the guys you've chosen 'get' the car, and its in capable hands.
Now what you need is something from D2Forged...
I am in the bit of London that is in Cambridge but well up for a North London meet. Perhaps at the Ace one evening ?. Will be interesting to see a bunch of '55s!Let's do it, and good news that all seems to be going to plan: it's heartening to know that the guys you've chosen 'get' the car, and its in capable hands.
Now what you need is something from D2Forged...
BigBen said:
tigerkoi said:
I'm a north-of-the-river guy, so fairly easy to synch up with little notice. I'm up for seeing how you are getting on with your tweaks and mods . Will be interesting to see a bunch of '55s!
Let's do it, and good news that all seems to be going to plan: it's heartening to know that the guys you've chosen 'get' the car, and its in capable hands.
Now what you need is something from D2Forged...
I am in the bit of London that is in Cambridge but well up for a North London meet. Perhaps at the Ace one evening ?. Will be interesting to see a bunch of '55s!Let's do it, and good news that all seems to be going to plan: it's heartening to know that the guys you've chosen 'get' the car, and its in capable hands.
Now what you need is something from D2Forged...
Ace is less than 10 miles away from me so sounds good... I have exams for the next 4 weeks though, so unfortunately am rather busy until then, how about early June when the weather is better also?
ETA Tigerkoi - the guys there really seemed to know their stuff and come recommended here (in a post above) and on mbclub.co.uk too. Really made me feel comfortable as they knew everything I do about these cars/engines and a hell of a lot more, whereas some 'specialists' seemed to be surprised at some of the info I have about them!
I will reserve final judgement till I get the car back of course, but the initial conversation on the phone, meeting when I dropped the car off, and subsequent update so far has made me feel good about them.
He also has a 700+ bhp E55 AMG of his own!
Edited by vinnie83 on Wednesday 30th April 22:53
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