My 1st AMG - SL55
Discussion
So after having the performance models from most of the big German manufacturers I have never had an AMG model.....until today.
I picked this up earlier which has been a great day considering the weather. I've had lots of performance cars and currently have a C5 RS6 for family duties and a BMW 650 convertible for when its just me however I've always lusted after an SL55 and thought now is as good a time as any to bite the bullet.
Initial impressions....the interior is a bit dated and the sat nav and bose are rubbish, however that note from the engine is to die for. I'm not sure if I've been spoilt with the RS6 and the E92 M3 I had before that but I do feel the SL55 feels far lazier and not as sharp as either of them. It's undoubtedly quick but I haven't felt the push in the back as much as others have mentioned but maybe it's not as noticeable as the RS6 is 560bhp and the twin turbos on that have a very different power delivery.
It's got the SL65 front bumper and some 20" AMG wheels which I think suit the car down to the ground and I think it has probably been lowered too. The only thing I'm not sure on is the badging. The previous owner has it all badged as an SL65 and it certainly looks like one however i've never been a fan of badging cars to be something they are not. I mean this is no way as bad as badging a 320d as an M3 but I'm not sure how I feel about spending a fortune on the badging needed to put it right when I have a couple of other niggles I want to get sorted 1st.
First one is the centre compartment (armrest) catch has broken and so it does not latch shut. This is no big issue but it annoys me that it's not right. Secondly is some sort of MP3 / ipod connectivity. I don't own any CD's newer than about 8 years old and don't have a cd burner so have ordered the MP40 memory card player to replace the cd changer.
I'm then going to get it booked in at a specialist or MB Oxford, (any recommendations) to give it the once over.
Anyway, here are the obligatory pictures and look forward to being part of the community








Any reason this says special edition??

I picked this up earlier which has been a great day considering the weather. I've had lots of performance cars and currently have a C5 RS6 for family duties and a BMW 650 convertible for when its just me however I've always lusted after an SL55 and thought now is as good a time as any to bite the bullet.
Initial impressions....the interior is a bit dated and the sat nav and bose are rubbish, however that note from the engine is to die for. I'm not sure if I've been spoilt with the RS6 and the E92 M3 I had before that but I do feel the SL55 feels far lazier and not as sharp as either of them. It's undoubtedly quick but I haven't felt the push in the back as much as others have mentioned but maybe it's not as noticeable as the RS6 is 560bhp and the twin turbos on that have a very different power delivery.
It's got the SL65 front bumper and some 20" AMG wheels which I think suit the car down to the ground and I think it has probably been lowered too. The only thing I'm not sure on is the badging. The previous owner has it all badged as an SL65 and it certainly looks like one however i've never been a fan of badging cars to be something they are not. I mean this is no way as bad as badging a 320d as an M3 but I'm not sure how I feel about spending a fortune on the badging needed to put it right when I have a couple of other niggles I want to get sorted 1st.
First one is the centre compartment (armrest) catch has broken and so it does not latch shut. This is no big issue but it annoys me that it's not right. Secondly is some sort of MP3 / ipod connectivity. I don't own any CD's newer than about 8 years old and don't have a cd burner so have ordered the MP40 memory card player to replace the cd changer.
I'm then going to get it booked in at a specialist or MB Oxford, (any recommendations) to give it the once over.
Anyway, here are the obligatory pictures and look forward to being part of the community








Any reason this says special edition??

Nice car 
If you can be fagged with the journey take it to either MSL in Birmingham or Eurocharged in Watford. Acid runs MSL and is a hugely helpful chap, he will give it the once over for you or try Paul /Andy at Eurocharged for the same, again very helpful and knowledgeable guys.
The power delivery is a bit different to that of a turbo car and remember you are somewhat cosseted form the outside world so speed builds quicker than you think.
If I were you I would look at getting a dyno run (both MSl and EC have dynos) and then doing a remap and charger pulley upgrade... should see you get a bit more power, but more importantly better power delivery.
You can upgrade the sat nav to an Alpine unit so you get modern sat nav, iPod connectivity etc. Command Online are the people to talk to as they do the upgrade or can sell you what you need to do it. I am doing mine in the next few months as the sat nav is OK on the later model, but the sound is not great and I want decent iPod integration. The Bose amp/speakers with the Alpine works well apparently and sounds a heck of a lot better.
On your car I think the front bumper is the performance pack bumper, see if the spec sheet has the P030 option as that means it has the full performance pack. The special edition plate is confusing.... have a feeling that is something someone has stuck on, but maybe wrong. You should have the AMG engine builder's plate in the centre of the supercharger.

If you can be fagged with the journey take it to either MSL in Birmingham or Eurocharged in Watford. Acid runs MSL and is a hugely helpful chap, he will give it the once over for you or try Paul /Andy at Eurocharged for the same, again very helpful and knowledgeable guys.
The power delivery is a bit different to that of a turbo car and remember you are somewhat cosseted form the outside world so speed builds quicker than you think.
If I were you I would look at getting a dyno run (both MSl and EC have dynos) and then doing a remap and charger pulley upgrade... should see you get a bit more power, but more importantly better power delivery.
You can upgrade the sat nav to an Alpine unit so you get modern sat nav, iPod connectivity etc. Command Online are the people to talk to as they do the upgrade or can sell you what you need to do it. I am doing mine in the next few months as the sat nav is OK on the later model, but the sound is not great and I want decent iPod integration. The Bose amp/speakers with the Alpine works well apparently and sounds a heck of a lot better.
On your car I think the front bumper is the performance pack bumper, see if the spec sheet has the P030 option as that means it has the full performance pack. The special edition plate is confusing.... have a feeling that is something someone has stuck on, but maybe wrong. You should have the AMG engine builder's plate in the centre of the supercharger.
Thanks all, yep very happy with my decision to get one 
I've heard good things about MSL so will definitely take it to them I think, they are only 40mins away. As for the audio upgrades I've been stopped on my tracks on that one. Have made some enquiries and as it's the earlier system will be about 3k to change the system out for an updated double din and wiring to match with the most system!!!!!
I agree the misbadging isn't great but all other parts are genuine AMG so can't say I wholeheartedly agree 


cb1965 said:
Nice car 
If you can be fagged with the journey take it to either MSL in Birmingham or Eurocharged in Watford. Acid runs MSL and is a hugely helpful chap, he will give it the once over for you or try Paul /Andy at Eurocharged for the same, again very helpful and knowledgeable guys
..................
You can upgrade the sat nav to an Alpine unit so you get modern sat nav, iPod connectivity etc. Command Online are the people to talk to as they do the upgrade or can sell you what you need to do it. I am doing mine in the next few months as the sat nav is OK on the later model, but the sound is not great and I want decent iPod integration. The Bose amp/speakers with the Alpine works well apparently and sounds a heck of a lot better.
Thanks for the advice, I blame your thread a few weeks ago for this purchase 
If you can be fagged with the journey take it to either MSL in Birmingham or Eurocharged in Watford. Acid runs MSL and is a hugely helpful chap, he will give it the once over for you or try Paul /Andy at Eurocharged for the same, again very helpful and knowledgeable guys
..................
You can upgrade the sat nav to an Alpine unit so you get modern sat nav, iPod connectivity etc. Command Online are the people to talk to as they do the upgrade or can sell you what you need to do it. I am doing mine in the next few months as the sat nav is OK on the later model, but the sound is not great and I want decent iPod integration. The Bose amp/speakers with the Alpine works well apparently and sounds a heck of a lot better.
I've heard good things about MSL so will definitely take it to them I think, they are only 40mins away. As for the audio upgrades I've been stopped on my tracks on that one. Have made some enquiries and as it's the earlier system will be about 3k to change the system out for an updated double din and wiring to match with the most system!!!!!S3_Graham said:
Looks bloody ace btw!
Cheers I'm very happyalpinab3 said:
Looks like a council type has owned it.
Thanks, I'm glad your 16th post in 7 years has offered so much advice
I agree the misbadging isn't great but all other parts are genuine AMG so can't say I wholeheartedly agree sparks_E39 said:
Lovely, loose the badges though!
Thanks, yep it's on the to do list 
KillerHERTZ said:
As per my previous message, the badge is an eBay fake, but have just noticed the spelling on its wrong aswell 
AffalterVach
Maybe its a town near Affalterbach
Haha great spot. It will be removed trust me 
AffalterVach
Maybe its a town near Affalterbach


whoami said:
Looks great.
I have a set of unused, genuine badges somewhere if you are interested.
That is great thank you. Send me a message and we can sort something out. I have a set of unused, genuine badges somewhere if you are interested.
Lovely Car the only thing I will say is that the wheels have the wrong offset on them but it's not a major thing.
If you decide you'd like more noise & some extra horses message me.
You can add USB Input DAB & Bluetooth to the OEM Head Unit

My SL55 which produces 696.3 bhp at the Crank
These cars are great fun they aren't as sharp as an RS6 or M5 but they are good GT cars, mine has an uprated Brabus ABC module so the ride is stiffer & lower as well as a gearbox upgrade by Weistec all that =
all round.
If you decide you'd like more noise & some extra horses message me.
You can add USB Input DAB & Bluetooth to the OEM Head Unit
My SL55 which produces 696.3 bhp at the Crank
These cars are great fun they aren't as sharp as an RS6 or M5 but they are good GT cars, mine has an uprated Brabus ABC module so the ride is stiffer & lower as well as a gearbox upgrade by Weistec all that =

all round.
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff



