SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Oh I Need a Shower: Poser Alert
04-08-2014, 07:25 PM
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Oh I Need a Shower: Poser Alert
I follow Rhode Island Craigslist 2 or 3 times per week seeking MB items. I opened a listing for a 2009 SL550R and saw instead a magnificent SL 63 AMG.
I drove down to the dealership today to inspect the car. An SL 63 AMG is definitely on my bucket list. At first walk around, it was clear that the calipers were wrong for an AMG. There was also minor damage to the hood vent fins.
I asked for the carfax and was presented with a 2 owner zero accident history. There were only 4 service records. With nearly 60K on the odometer, I expected to see sufficient dealer service to at least support scheduled maintenance during the warranty period.
Despite my misgivings, I drove the car. It performed like an AMG product...with another car in tow. Wonderful exhaust note, but the power and speed was clearly absent. I didn't need to drive a mile, nor surpass 55 mph to realize the engine was no AMG.
The salesperson asked what I thought of the car. I asked for the accident history. To my surprise a page was produced detailing damage to the door, rear quarter panel and rear bumper...and then to my further dismay, the title data was disclosed as SL 550. This was a non AMG with rear and side 6.3 badging.
I returned the key along with a donut shop receipt, fast food wrapper and stack of napkins... someone in the staff had been eating in the car... I thanked the salesperson for her courtesy and explained that I was in no way a potential buyer for the car. I suggested that selling a poser would only tarnish their reputation.
I don't doubt the SL 550 is a magnificent automobile, but even when I was certain that I was in an AMG 63, the performance and handling characteristics were obviously different.
http://providence.craigslist.org/ctd/4405921914.html
I drove down to the dealership today to inspect the car. An SL 63 AMG is definitely on my bucket list. At first walk around, it was clear that the calipers were wrong for an AMG. There was also minor damage to the hood vent fins.
I asked for the carfax and was presented with a 2 owner zero accident history. There were only 4 service records. With nearly 60K on the odometer, I expected to see sufficient dealer service to at least support scheduled maintenance during the warranty period.
Despite my misgivings, I drove the car. It performed like an AMG product...with another car in tow. Wonderful exhaust note, but the power and speed was clearly absent. I didn't need to drive a mile, nor surpass 55 mph to realize the engine was no AMG.
The salesperson asked what I thought of the car. I asked for the accident history. To my surprise a page was produced detailing damage to the door, rear quarter panel and rear bumper...and then to my further dismay, the title data was disclosed as SL 550. This was a non AMG with rear and side 6.3 badging.
I returned the key along with a donut shop receipt, fast food wrapper and stack of napkins... someone in the staff had been eating in the car... I thanked the salesperson for her courtesy and explained that I was in no way a potential buyer for the car. I suggested that selling a poser would only tarnish their reputation.
I don't doubt the SL 550 is a magnificent automobile, but even when I was certain that I was in an AMG 63, the performance and handling characteristics were obviously different.
http://providence.craigslist.org/ctd/4405921914.html
04-08-2014, 07:52 PM
#2
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Condition of the vehicle aside, the ad clearly states it's an SL550. Also, shows an under hood picture of a non-AMG V8 engine. Furthermore, looking at the dealer's website, they list the car as an SL550. http://pilgrimmotorsnk.com/vehicle/184784276
Did YOU think the car was an SL63?
Did YOU think the car was an SL63?
04-08-2014, 08:45 PM
#3
Member
Thread Starter
Oh yes...I was hasty to an incorrect assumption. As I listed in my post, the dealer never misrepresented the car...but the photos in the add spoke louder to me than did the text. I've seen many listing errors in classified ads, but generally, a picture doesn't lie.
I was embarrassed to have made the mistake and shocked when I realized how many details I had overlooked... If my post reads like I'm angry about fraud...I'm not trying to say that at all.
I was fooled and had to drive the car to know the difference, that's all. The entity who saw fit to put those badges on, however, deserves to be flamed IMO
I was embarrassed to have made the mistake and shocked when I realized how many details I had overlooked... If my post reads like I'm angry about fraud...I'm not trying to say that at all.
I was fooled and had to drive the car to know the difference, that's all. The entity who saw fit to put those badges on, however, deserves to be flamed IMO
04-11-2014, 05:02 PM
#5
Junior Member
Definitely poser badging but that being said, the front end, engine, rear end is different on an AMG. Also there is no AMG badging on the guages and different layout on the center console. Who ever had it before thought that the AMG badges/stickers would make it faster. Wishful thinking I guess! LOL!
