Let's Examine the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG
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- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- Inexpensive power and speed is a seductive idea. Associate Editor Jason Connor found that out when he drove a C5 Corvette Z06. Now he's cranked up the prestige a bit and this time he's taking a look at the Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG.
Put away your golf clubs and let's go for a drive...
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As the years have gone on there are more affordable replacement parts for the ABC, brakes and other components. You can always tell who’s owned one and who hasn’t by reading these comments.
I loved my SL55 and I bought an SL65 and love it as well. Germans know how to build cars but if you beat on anything after time it will break. The difference is you can take an 05’ AMG and it will walk a new car that cost $100,000 +
Every journey is an event in any Mercedes SL. They all have their charms but the R230 is, in my opinion, the prettiest, most resolved design.
100% for sure.
Besides suspension issues, this car is bulletproof. SL55 and E55 are one of the last most reliable Mercedes cars.
I don't know why people slag off the 5 speed.
To appreciate what a good transmission it is, you must only use the gear lever and not the steering wheel buttons.
When changing up, always change at 500 RPM lower than your target RPM.
In other words, practice early changes.
You will appreciate the 5 speed even more when changing down, as you get excellent engine braking and the sound of the engine going up in revs makes it sound like a manual racing shift.
The 5 speed can take 1000+ hp, that's never been shit in my book
Drove this car like that in Gran Turismo 4. You have to shift earlier than you think. That said though it's actually a good gearbox for the kind of car it is. The gearbox is so smooth in its shifts.
This would be the perfect car with a Car Max warranty
That's only way I would buy an AMG.
My 2003 SL55 had $21,000 worth of warranty work in ONE YEAR! It was always broken but I loved it. NEVER without a warranty though! NEVER! You have been warned.
+To The Floor! Do tell, what could have possibly gone wrong within a year of ownership?
Jason Connor (TerminatorConn)
I bought the car used in 2008. I picked up an aftermarket warranty. It had 22,000 miles when I purchased it.
+To The Floor! But what exactly equated to $21k of work?
Jason, lot's and lot's of stuff. Don't do it unless you have a warranty. That goes for an E55 or CL55 as well. Also the 65's!
Ummmm yeah I don't think I am going to buy one...ever
I own this exact car . I purchased a 2005 Sl 55 AMG with @24,000 Miles . This Car is Gangster !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I just got an 2004 SL55 AMG with only 68k miles on it. Love it. Car is a beast. I don’t mind the transmission but I definitely need to upgrade the stereo system/navigation etc.
This car is a must buy
Right along with a "Car Shield" PROTECTION plan
Great car I own one and still love it
Owned one. Will not do that again. Repairs cost a ludicrous amount of money. It was a great car, when it wasn't in the shop.
Some comments are hilariously ridiculous. This is not a cheap car to start with, therefore either you have the money to fill the tank, insure it and maintain it or you don't. The ABC suspension system is the main critic on that car, like the IMS on some Porsche. Yes, if you don't flush the hydraulic suspension fluid as required and replace the filter as well, then this is a recipe for potential troubles, but if you do, then this suspension is absolutely amazing and literally turn flat around corners. Another issue mentioned often is the compressor bearing. Yes indeed that bearing has tendency to go bad but this is a relatively easy task if you like to work on cars. If you don't then the dealer will rip you off because they can, assuming you can afford it.
To summarize my point, every cars has issues and buying a used SL55 AMG thinking this is the deal of the century and praying the god of cars nothing will ever happen is called denial.
Just replaced my bearing. Most shops will try to rip you off to do it. I ended up doing it myself spending about $50 for the Nachi bearing and $20 to have it pressed in after spending an hour knocking it out myself.
I'm looking to pick one up tomorrow for 5 grand with only 75k miles. I'm very stoked.
5k for sl55 amg doubt it.
Bruh gonna send you car parts in the mail
I own one out of warranty 40k now it got 54k 4K on work on it 😅 abc to new battery I love it
you can get a full coilover kit for the R230s now.
Exactly. The top complaint for maintenance is the suspension, but if it goes - just swap it for adjustable coilovers
@@vitasmart3830 I've heard the coil overs kill the car's cornering because there is no room for a sway bar.
These model years through to 2012 had the best interiors. Today’s look like a video game with stupid tablets glued to the dash. The Airmatic suspension can be replaced sport springs for a permanent semi low stance and firm ride near.y identical to the sport setting of the Airmatic, slightly firmer actually and costs a mear $600 vs $5000 to 6500. There are a few expensive items that can be fixed and or maintained for well under $1600 vs nearly $10,000-12,000.
Has an hydraulic suspension, not airmatic. But can still go the coilover route for about $1600 in parts, not including labor.
We’re great cars in their day. Slow by today's standard. 0-60 in 4.7 sec.
Wasnt this the car steve jobs would only drive!?
Yes. He actually swapped it out for a "fresh" one every 6 months so that he didn't have to put a license plate on it.
bruh my 2005 sl55 amg i had since 2013 and it never broke
lol
This car has a fault that will cost $500.
There is a little plastic flap on each side of the roof cover (approx 3 inches x1 inch) and the right hand side flap does not close when the roof has folded away.
This is due to the tiny closure spring being broken, or the spring retainers being broken and these items cost pennies.
But if you ask a Mercedes garage to fix it, they will only replace the large panel that this is just a small part of for about $500
Rog5446 good to know man thx i was going to buy one not anymore!!!
Don’t ever ask a Mercedes “garage” to fix anything 🤔
I bought an E55 AMG a few years ago which has the same running gear...it actually is a bit faster than the SL as it is significantly lighter...it was a steal...but we got an extended warranty with it...which was a good move...we had the pneaumatic suspension pump fail which would have been 4k to fix, but was covered...this supercharged engine is remarkeable...and if it isn't fast enough for you, it is easy to get mod to get more power...after the E55 came out of warranty we bought a V10 M6...it was a nice, well made car...but we always missed the torque of the blown 5.4...I think we will try a 2012 E63 next...I hear the twin turbo V8 is all that and a bag of chips...if you want a fun toy, take the dive and get one if these...they are remarkeable
how much does it coast now ....used ?????
You can get an early 2003-05 SL55 with relatively low miles (under 60k which will let you still get an extended warranty) for $23-25K...The extended warranty I think is the key...because even though it is relatively cheap to get, the maintenance costs are still for a $125k car...
+Shawn Weed its really a good price right ???
i saw people buy it low miles for like 17 k
+rabe3 alsett 17k for a low miles would be a steal! I would write the check now if I saw that!!! Get the extended warranty though! If the roof goes out, or you have suspension issue without a warranty, it will make you cry! The other cool thing with the SL55 is if you want it faster, because it is supercharged, it isn't rediculously expensive...Renntech, Kleeman, and others give you a path to make the car insane...the stereo is fantastic too...the only real shortfall is the navigation which for some is a real negative as it is old by modern standards...jump in and get one!
+Shawn Weed thanks aloot man
And these are high maintenance. Forget the woman in your life, this car will outdo her in maintenance costs every time. You gotta pay if you wanna play. Lots of people don’t understand that 100k+ cars are every bit as expensive to maintain. The value of the vehicle may be around 22-35k but the maintenance will still be the same or more than when it was new. Beware. And make sure you maintain it at a shop well versed in AMG products.
He's right about the ABC, my 05' SL500 with only 90kmi, is starting to have this issue! I love the look and drive of the Car but, just like having a beautiful Girlfriend/Wife if she starts costing you more and more $$$ sorry but, you need to dump her!!
He slagged off the transmission, but there's nothing wrong with it.
If you are shifting manually and you think it's too slow selecting a higher gear, with a little practice shifting earlier, you can get it spot on.
As for shifting down, no other Auto I've driven gives you such good engine braking and the sound is glorious.
I shift with the selector instead of the paddles and it's just like a real manual.
He said it was 100 degrees and he was driving with the windows up??????
I love this car but it gives my right calf and thigh immense pain. The seating position just doesn't work for me.
Don't forget the front suspension lower ball joints, £1000 each
Got an E 55 also built by miko wold mine is from 2005
Maybe we should call this the "Heilkat." OK probably not.
+Robert Read Haha that's awesome!
+Robert Read Good point, these cars 12 years ago when they came out were the v8 horsepower/torque kings like the hellcat is today
+Robert Read hahahahahaha
THERE ARE EARLY 2003 /04 FOR SALE 2020 FROM 3K TO 8 K!!!!! SOME 1 OWNER FULL OPTION AMG !!!!! CRAZY
The scariest repair on that car is by far the roof. And then the suspension. Although, that has gotten more affordable as the pump can be rebuilt, and the shocks aren't near as expensive as they once were. The key to these cars on a budget without 10k in reserve is working on them yourself. Then you can get by with a couple grand in the bank. Lol. It is possible for someone with tools and the will to find online instruction (forums along with RUclips) to get just about anything repaired yourself. Do not take this car to Mercedes dealer for repair unless you have stupid money to throw away/get raped for, because we all know what the stealership will do to you bringing that car in for repairs. Lol.
True. And trying to keep low mileage doesn’t help with these cars. They actually need to be driven. But the roofs are pretty solid - basic lifters
When that adaptive body control goes out. You'll be paying 8 grand to fix it...If you can twist some wrenches...take it out and put regular shocks in.
The whole system can be rebuilt with lifetime warrantied rebuilt struts, new accumulators, and rebuilt valve blocks for half that nowadays.
The suspension hydraulics will run between $8k and $10k and it will be in the shop at least 1 week for the repair. If you are lucky it will fail while in your home town. But it will fail, count on it.
Just go coilovers when it happens
If you can afford the repairs on a used Merc, then you can afford the payments on a new one.
+Malicious SRT
Except you still have to afford the repairs while dealing with payments. Even an oil change will cost you a pretty penny.
VestedUTuber
New cars come with a thing called a warranty, you should look it up sometime. Also, if you can't afford an oil change then you might want to keep riding the bus or getting rides from mom, like you clearly still are :)
+Malicious SRT
And normally I would agree... but you're talking about a car that costs upwards of six figures. As for a warranty, if it covers regular maintenance then you're REALLY lucky.
Also, don't be an ass. The only reason why I don't have a car of my own is because I'd rather wait until the company I'm starting starts making money. That way, I can afford the kind of car I want out of pocket instead of bothering with financing.
+Malicious SRT Repairs on a sl55 cannot be more than $1000 a month. MAXIMUM. This is if you have bad luck. Payments on a $100k car, i think easily are more than $2000 a month.
Rauta Bogdan
The avg repair for a non AMG Benz is $3500. Used to work for them. But by all means go try your theory.
Only poor people complain about repair costs. I work on mine myself and spend money on it when needs be. I love it!
Same here Michael. My work takes twice as long since I'm not a mechanic but i know whats been done and I know that its been done right. Thank god for youtube videos showing us the way!
It’s an icon
I'm thinkin.....take off the hydraulic suspension...Put fixed shocks on it...
Independent shop
The SL65’s or even the 600’s, anything with the V12 in it will be a financial load, a big one. By a V6 320 series car from the 2000 to 2007 or a 350. The V6 is much more reliable and easy to maintain.
best read up on balance shaft issues on the 350 v6 - after 2009 you better off. may or may not break, but....
not!
Wrong. Mercedes V12's are the most reliable around with proper preventative maintenance, which few Americans have the will for. MB's has been doing V12's since the '30's.
really hope you hit at least 120 on a straightaway w that. it would be a waste of that horsepower
luke lannon this car tops out at 200mph
Anyone know how the reliability is on those M113 engines? I might be in the market for a CLS55 with 120k+ miles
+Dat Carguy
Good but expensive. It's not likely to break down on you, but even regular maintenance will brutally murder your wallet.
+VestedUTuber I disagree I owned the m111 engine Supercharged wuth 147k miles and put 10k on it in 9 months, i tracked it and drove 1000 mile trip, if you know how to do basic maintance as in oil changes etc you should be good. again these cars are cheap to maintain if you know how to take care of them
the airmatic suspension pump that you didnt want to know the cost to replace... $400.
This car has ABC, not airmatic
R230Tuner is there any way to avoid messing with ABC?
The suspension can be a nightmare. It cost from $4500 to $10000 if back and front goes out. That is what it cost me. Yes have money in the bank. It's a Benz what do you think.
I dont wont to..and i dont have timeee to spend every week in mechanical shop for repairs..cmon man......hey bro where is merc,u sell it?? Noo its broken....and every week its broken
Car has a ton of issues from the suspension to the engine to the convertible top.
much easier to just buy a good r129, no electronic bullshit
__________ doesn't like transmission thinks 25k is a good buy blah blah blah doesn't anything else
5.5L V8
User37495936 5.4*
I'm in India, I found one Sl55 AMG 2007 model which has 8000 miles on it right now and costs around 45 grand, Is it worth it?
Hemant Somnathe no
It costed the owner like twice the price as of in the U.S and the UK because it is imported and taxes in India is 100% price of the car
Car weighs 4,200 not 4,500 lbs.
inertiaforce wow 300 pounds of difference
Eidrian111 that's still 300 pounds of weight. acceleration is based on power to weight ratio.
the r230 is not a 90`s model i think it was launched back in 2000 or 2001 this guy talks shit about may fav car :D
I was saying the interior is still reminiscent of the 90's models which is a good thing. I didn't say this car was from the 90's. Technically it was designed in the 90's...so
You are probably terrible at golf because you think your clubs are as important as your swing.
The 2nd most expensive SL was the SL600 not the SL55
+PumpUPdaBase I'm talking about AMG variants.