SL55 running costs?

[Buffy d]

Hi all, I've been trying to brush it under the carpet for years but the desire to own an SL55 simply won't go away (I've been ignoring it for about 16 years…). I am seriously considering one as a second car in the near future and wanted to get a handle on real-world running costs. I've done my research so I know about the struts, ABC valve blocks, SBC, tandem pump, roof pump, roof seals, boot seals and intercooler pump, which I think covers most of the problems?! Realistically I'd only be doing maybe 3000 miles a year, which makes me think I could stomach the potential repair costs… I was thinking that if I had a war chest with a few grand set aside for emergency repairs that would probably be ok? Thanks in advance for any and all advice and guidance

Edited by Buffy d on Monday 7th May 11:36

[Buffy d]

Thanks for the advice, everyone

Daniel1 said:

Ive had my 2003 model for 3 years and 15k now (75k total) so thought id offer my voice too.

Costs can be huge.

I bought mine from mercedes approved with a tier 1 warranty package which covers everything apart from consumables (includes electrics oddly). Total retail price for the claims so far are over £25,000!

This is slightly terrifying though!

[Buffy d]

JaredVannett said:

You mentioned facelifted, but I thought the facelifted version of the R230 had different headlights?

There were two main revisions to the R230 AMG:
1) The 'soft' facelift, as seen here, which included steering wheel paddles, a slightly smaller supercharger pulley for more power and torque, different wheels and chrome surrounds for the fog lights
2) The major facelift, which saw the switch to the 6.2 NA V8, new headlights and other changes.

[Buffy d]

Welshbeef said:

N/a 6.2 is surely the inferior option for he SL55k

I haven't driven either so can only express my preference for the supercharger whine and massive low-end torque of the 55K From everything I've read I understand the 7-speed 'box with the 6.2 is much better and the engine sounds angrier and pulls harder at the top end, but I don't like the facelift looks and supercharger always wins in my book

Daniel1 said:

The major facelift also had some interior changes. I think the headunit was chamged to command2 which is superior plus a different binnacle which does the whole sweeping dials thing

The 2007 update may have had the command2 upgrade i dont know

2005 model year got widescreen Comand NTG1, facelift got NTG2.5 with Bluetooth, hard drive and card reader slot.