In the market for SL...Sl55 vs. Sl65 for ~$50k

[jbaker1121]

My father is in the market for a new sports car, his XK8 is no longer doing it for him. Looking to spend around $50k, we love the Porsche turbo but the Sl55 is more practical for him (auto, hardtop vert, more comfort) since he'll drive it to the office and on the weekends. Is it worth it to get the v12 biturbo over the v8 kompressor, or is it really more of a headache? I've seen prices ranging from 35-55 for an 04-06 SLAMG with decent miles. Obviously low miles are key, but I was wondering what the "cutoff" is. In the past we looked at e55's but we already have an S550 4matic and don't want another sedan since my brother has a sedan as well and I have an SUV. Any specific things to look out for? Any major differences between 03, 04, 05 etc? I'll be looking around the site. Thanks.

To remove this ad, register today or login if you already are registered!

[kustom2k1]

I'd say, SL65. Its faster, quieter and bit more refined than the SL55. They both share many of the common problems, make sure you get a full history on the car, whichever it may be.

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by kustom2k1

I'd say, SL65. Its faster, quieter and bit more refined than the SL55. They both share many of the common problems, make sure you get a full history on the car, whichever it may be.

That's what I was thinking...but all the ones I have been finding have killer mileage. Decent ones I have found are SL55 for around the price I'm trying to spend. (depending where you look) Where I live the prices seem to be a bit larger than if I look in rural areas, for example.

I have to keep looking. I found an OK 05 Sl55 black/black premium 2 for a decent price...we're looking into that one soon.

This is my "area" (250 mile radius)
http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...MENT&pgId=2102


here's an example of ones we are actually looking at:
http://www.cars.com/go/search/detail...nal&listType=1

[kustom2k1]

There is a mint SL55 on this site for sale with 9k miles for 45k I believe.

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by kustom2k1

There is a mint SL55 on this site for sale with 9k miles for 45k I believe.

I'll take a look. My father does not want to do a private sale so if that's the case it's out of the question.

Do you mean this one? http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...19342734&Log=0

Too far away, despite the deal

[kustom2k1]

This is the car not sure who owns it..
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...19342734&Log=0

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by kustom2k1

This is the car not sure who owns it..
http://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-s...19342734&Log=0

Same one I found, we're not interested int traveling to CA for a car/having it shipped. etc.

[kustom2k1]

I can understand that, better to see the car in person. Always something left out of the description.

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by kustom2k1

I can understand that, better to see the car in person. Always something left out of the description.

True, but he isn't the type who has time to take off a day or to to Fly to Cali to see a car he is 'thinking' of buying... it really needs to be something closer. This is why I'm searching for him, he has no time.

[Tgee'ssl55]

Thanks for the referral guy's! I am the Owner of the 2005 with 9k miles. I can appreciate your Dad not wanting to travel or deal with private Owners. For what it's worth, I have a clean Carfax, service regularly by Mercedes with all receipts . No issues! Covered in garage. Car is in the San Francisco area...Good Luck on your hunt! These are great cars! I am probably your Dad's age....

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by Tgee'ssl55

Thanks for the referral guy's! I am the Owner of the 2005 with 9k miles. I can appreciate your Dad not wanting to travel or deal with private Owners. For what it's worth, I have a clean Carfax, service regularly by Mercedes with all receipts . No issues! Covered in garage. Car is in the San Francisco area...Good Luck on your hunt! These are great cars! I am probably your Dad's age....

He's a few years shy of 60, and is a benz lover. The car is beautiful and seems clean, but like I said, no time to really take a trip to look at it/ship it back/ etc. I'm sure you'll sell it, but good luck anyway
You just need the right buyer to line up. PLus, he may want to trade his XKR towards the SL hence why he would prefer a dealer.

[jbaker1121]

So I spoke with him, and he is willing to travel about 250 miles tops so here are our 'new' options:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...02&mlgId=28863

There are a few on there that seem to be priced well

[Becks Imports]

I can help find you one to your budget, I've gotten cars for over 20 MBWorld members. I charge 5% over my cost, so my services are pretty much free since most dealers charge 15%-20% over.

I can bring your dad's XKR to the auction and sell it for him and count it as a trade.

Email me at brucem105@comcast.net if interested.

Bruce

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by Becks Imports

I can help find you one to your budget, I've gotten cars for over 20 MBWorld members. I charge 5% over my cost, so my services are pretty much free since most dealers charge 15%-20% over.

I can bring your dad's XKR to the auction and sell it for him and count it as a trade.

Email me at brucem105@comcast.net if interested.

Bruce

If we really can't find one then maybe we can work something out. My father already has a few clients with access to auctions already so we would probably go that route. Thank you though! I saved your email addy

[carcommander]

They only made about a thousand SL65's all years. I think the made a couple of hundred 05 and 06's. Finding one close may be hard. Pay up for a really great one with a CPO warranty. They can have thousands of dollars in delayed maintianance and repairs. I have had 2 SL65s. My 09 is great. I would rather have a great SL55 than a average SL65. I have owned both.

[Becks Imports]

There's a killer SL65 with 21K in great shape going to auction this week.

Bruce

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by carcommander

They only made about a thousand SL65's all years. I think the made a couple of hundred 05 and 06's. Finding one close may be hard. Pay up for a really great one with a CPO warranty. They can have thousands of dollars in delayed maintianance and repairs. I have had 2 SL65s. My 09 is great. I would rather have a great SL55 than a average SL65. I have owned both.

yeah we are looking more CPO/full records-cars and would pay the extra few $$ for the better car.

Originally Posted by Becks Imports

There's a killer SL65 with 21K in great shape going to auction this week.

Bruce

Sounds lovely. Which auction?

[desant89]

Originally Posted by jbaker1121

So I spoke with him, and he is willing to travel about 250 miles tops so here are our 'new' options:

http://www.cars.com/for-sale/searchr...02&mlgId=28863

There are a few on there that seem to be priced well

That 2007 White sl55 from Marshall Goldman is on Ebay for 53800 as oppposed to the 59900 on this page. I myself just bought one of those. I had them take it to a local Mercedes dealer first (I paid the 200) to have it inspected thoroughly. They actually found problems, and the selling dealer fixed it with no problems. You CANNOT own one of these cars without a warranty. Warranty company requires their own inspection sheet to be filled out. I gave that to the seller, and had Mercedes do it. I had the warranty before the car got here. I live in NJ, and bought from CA.

[abiazis]

Don't really know how many 2009's AMGs in the 63 or 65, maybe 100 - 120 each model.....USA....

2010 was totally skipped for all SLs, including AMG

There was only a 63 in 2011 AMGs

65 and 63 AMGs for the 2012 new generation SL.....

SL 55 AMG

2003 3095
2004 2280
2005 1072
2006 860
2007 583
2008 464

SL 65 AMG

2005 651
2006 390
2007 144
2008 120

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by desant89

That 2007 White sl55 from Marshall Goldman is on Ebay for 53800 as oppposed to the 59900 on this page. I myself just bought one of those. I had them take it to a local Mercedes dealer first (I paid the 200) to have it inspected thoroughly. They actually found problems, and the selling dealer fixed it with no problems. You CANNOT own one of these cars without a warranty. Warranty company requires their own inspection sheet to be filled out. I gave that to the seller, and had Mercedes do it. I had the warranty before the car got here. I live in NJ, and bought from CA.

Nice. Did you go look at the car before buying or just purchase it "blind"?

Originally Posted by abiazis

Don't really know how many 2009's AMGs in the 63 or 65, maybe 100 - 120 each model.....USA....

2010 was totally skipped for all SLs, including AMG

There was only a 63 in 2011 AMGs

65 and 63 AMGs for the 2012 new generation SL.....

SL 55 AMG

2003 3095
2004 2280
2005 1072
2006 860
2007 583
2008 464

SL 65 AMG

2005 651
2006 390
2007 144
2008 120

Thanks for the info!

[desant89]

Originally Posted by jbaker1121

Nice. Did you go look at the car before buying or just purchase it "blind"?



Thanks for the info!

I looked at a ton of pictures, but most importantly had them take it to Mercedes for an inspection which I paid for. Best 200 dollars I have ever spent. When Mercedes was completing the inspection checklist for my NAC warranty, they found that the ABC pump was humming and needed replacement, the car needed all 4 brakes, and some exhaust gasket, and the center real brake light lens was cracked. Cost 5k to fix all of that (seller paid and I have the receipts). In the end I got a car with 31k that is like brand new that is perfect with a 4 yr warranty. Could not be happier with my purchase. If you limit yourself to our East coast area, be prepared to spend much more unless you go through someone like Beck Imports who is highly respected on here, and the one that I purchased my warranty from. This is probably my 6th car purchased off of Ebay, and I have not had a single problem to date.

[jbaker1121]

Originally Posted by desant89

I looked at a ton of pictures, but most importantly had them take it to Mercedes for an inspection which I paid for. Best 200 dollars I have ever spent. When Mercedes was completing the inspection checklist for my NAC warranty, they found that the ABC pump was humming and needed replacement, the car needed all 4 brakes, and some exhaust gasket, and the center real brake light lens was cracked. Cost 5k to fix all of that (seller paid and I have the receipts). In the end I got a car with 31k that is like brand new that is perfect with a 4 yr warranty. Could not be happier with my purchase. If you limit yourself to our East coast area, be prepared to spend much more unless you go through someone like Beck Imports who is highly respected on here, and the one that I purchased my warranty from. This is probably my 6th car purchased off of Ebay, and I have not had a single problem to date.

Good to know! If we can't find something that meets our expectations we'll most likely use Becks Imports.