How Much Power Does an Old SL55 Actually Make?
Old cars lose a bit of power over time, but the numbers from an SL55 might surprise you.
We all know that older AMGs are an interesting proposition for purchase, since you can get them for pennies on the dollar and they still offer impressive amounts of power. But, as Tavarish finds out with his SL55 in the video above, power outputs change after a few years of use.
With little knowledge of past maintenance, this example is a good representation of what you may find on local listings. Other than a new serpentine belt, Tavarish points out this SL55 is exactly as he got it, all for $8,900. It might not be in the best of shape, and it needs some things, but that means you’ll likely come up against similar issues. However, the engine seems to be strong, and he’s taken it to a dyno to see just how strong it is.
CHECK OUT: What Forum Members Are Saying About This SL55
With the car strapped into an axle dyno, the first few runs show over 100 horsepower loss. That’s obviously shocking, but one has to account drive-line losses. Digging deeper into the disappearing horses, it is discovered that the car is running rich, which is just a part of the factory ECU tune. That’s not a bad start for a dirt cheap AMG, and with a little maintenance and some fine tuning, it’ll be pushing out some impressive numbers. Long live cheap AMGs!
