New R230 SL55 AMG owner
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 12
Likes: 2
sl55 amg
New R230 SL55 AMG owner
Hi all,
After over 10 years of being of a car forum, I have decided to return and reignite my passion after a few years break.
Iv had a selection of nice cars and junk boxes through the years and had to put my driving passion on hold for a few years. My best cars being my Supra TT 450bhp self built, then a 996 C4S tastefully moded
I have always been in love with the SL55 every since they came out, in my opinion, one of the best sounding AMGs ever and one of the best looking convertibles with almost 500bhp
So after 9 Months + of just looking, I came across a black SL 2 previous owner, 80k miles, with TAN (expresso edition) interior. Which I have never in my life seen on an SL. De-restricted at AMG Germany, full-service history and the 19" 63 amg wheels. The car has really been taken care of and loved which I can see in history. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be interested. (pics coming...)
Anyway test drove the car and all was good, apart from a couple of small issues eg window switch damaged and tiny dent which will be removed, but I purchased it, what a car I have to say, the pull at the top end is amazing, and it seems the car just starts to wake up at 90mph+ the handling is great and the car is very planted. It's also surprisingly agile at low speeds for such a large and heavy car. For me this is one of the most comfortable cars to be in when accelerating. Unlike a Porsche/lambo or ferrari the acceleration is so comfortable with hardly any drama. Feels great BUT less sensation of speed even though it's there, so could easily top 100mph without realising.
I hope to gain some insight from you guys on here as I have come across some issues (expected) within 2 weeks of ownership, My last Merc was a 2003 CLK 270 which I hated and owned for less than 1 year. So never joint the forum. Hopefully, these are easy peasy answers for you guys!
Issue 1 - RESOLVED - During the test drive I was sure at one point I put my foot down and there was very little power, I mentioned it to the seller who tried to make me think it was in my head until it happened again. The issue was this, after 2/3 stong pulls I would give it some and the car seemed to perform like a 2.0ltr non-turbo - 90% power loss. After a few mins of normal driving and trying again it would work again. From other online I was pretty certain it was the Intercooler Pump and a build-up of heat causing the ecu to reduce power to preserve the engine. So this was changed for the newer Bosch one. On removal it seems it had never been changed, and after testing was found to be completely dead. New pump in and all the power is back plus some! happy days!
Issue 2 - Accelerating from zero (hard) I get a consistent but fast knocking sound from the centre/rear of the car up to about 30 mph then it goes away. I have read other having diff issues but my issue only happens when accelerating hard from zero with no humming or other sounds. So I suspected subframe bushes. Had the mechanic take a look at he thinks the centre support bearing on the driveshaft is worn as the driveshaft is not sitting centre - this would make sense of the knock and vibrational knock. so a new bearing + housing has been ordered and should be in next week - fingers crossed. I will update
Issue 3 - Does my SL's have soft-close bootlid? was it an optional extra?? 2003 SL55 - I know mine does not have the auto-close button inside so I thought I had to manually slam it locked, but after looking online it seems that all R230s should have a soft close bootlid which locks itself shut? If I should have this I have an issue, which I would suspect the actuator inside the boot lid leaking. Would star confirm exactly which vac pipe from PSE pump is leaking?
Issue 4 - Convenience Entry feature - When I purchased the car the steering wheel AND seat would move to make space. Then they stopped. I used a column reset procedure on the steering wheel. Adjusting from top to bottom front and back and hold for an extra 5 seconds to reset. This seems to have fixed the steering easy entry feature but not on the seat. The seat adjusts fine from the door controls but has an issue of its own...
Issue 5 - Seat contouring is intermittent. The pattern is this. It works fine for a few minutes message and lumbar supports all work and move as they should. I noticed this when getting a massage. After 3 mins or so it would stop, light would go out and the adjustments would not do anything. I would have to turn the car off and open the door. then restart to get it to work again (for another 3 mins). I noticed if I just turn the engine off and on again it still does not work. I have to open and close the door - easy entry to get it to work again. I also noticed once reset if I just sit and don't drive it continues to work just fine!???
I suspect Relay/Fuse or VAC pipe under the seat. My confusion is that it does actually work for 3 mins at a time, so can the vac system still be leaking? would star confirm a leak at the pipe?
Issue 6 - This is the one bugging me the most! I am well aware of the suspension issues known on these. So I tested the system before purchase - ABC fluid looks clean too. So the issue is this - The car is always on the lowest setting as its already high enough, but sometimes when I park up and look back, or return from the petrol station I notice the rear arch gap has changed and it is sitting about half an inch higher. Checked the ABC is still in the lowest setting which is was. So after cycling through the buttons 3 presses. The car lowers itself back to where it should be sitting. The difference is about 1 finger width. Why would the car make a slight adjustment?? all the issues I have read the car goes up and down on its own or raises to the max. The ABC works perfectly otherwise just sometimes raises the rear which I can't find a pattern to. Most of the time its sitting fine, but sometimes with no adjustment its sitting slightly higher!! Is there something I'm missing or should the car be doing this? The car will be dropped on links but I would like to know what's happening here before I do any new changes.
Once the car is up to scratch and I don't burn all of my money in fuel before then, I will start to have some tuning fun, with supercharger pulley chance, Cold intake, lowering links, ECU + TCU remap, Resonator deletes (Maybe with cat delete also) Im looking for more rumble and ghusling sound, android head unit, flat-bottom steering wheel.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to interacting and sharing some knowledge with you great people!
After over 10 years of being of a car forum, I have decided to return and reignite my passion after a few years break.
Iv had a selection of nice cars and junk boxes through the years and had to put my driving passion on hold for a few years. My best cars being my Supra TT 450bhp self built, then a 996 C4S tastefully moded
I have always been in love with the SL55 every since they came out, in my opinion, one of the best sounding AMGs ever and one of the best looking convertibles with almost 500bhp
So after 9 Months + of just looking, I came across a black SL 2 previous owner, 80k miles, with TAN (expresso edition) interior. Which I have never in my life seen on an SL. De-restricted at AMG Germany, full-service history and the 19" 63 amg wheels. The car has really been taken care of and loved which I can see in history. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't be interested. (pics coming...)
Anyway test drove the car and all was good, apart from a couple of small issues eg window switch damaged and tiny dent which will be removed, but I purchased it, what a car I have to say, the pull at the top end is amazing, and it seems the car just starts to wake up at 90mph+ the handling is great and the car is very planted. It's also surprisingly agile at low speeds for such a large and heavy car. For me this is one of the most comfortable cars to be in when accelerating. Unlike a Porsche/lambo or ferrari the acceleration is so comfortable with hardly any drama. Feels great BUT less sensation of speed even though it's there, so could easily top 100mph without realising.
I hope to gain some insight from you guys on here as I have come across some issues (expected) within 2 weeks of ownership, My last Merc was a 2003 CLK 270 which I hated and owned for less than 1 year. So never joint the forum. Hopefully, these are easy peasy answers for you guys!
Issue 1 - RESOLVED - During the test drive I was sure at one point I put my foot down and there was very little power, I mentioned it to the seller who tried to make me think it was in my head until it happened again. The issue was this, after 2/3 stong pulls I would give it some and the car seemed to perform like a 2.0ltr non-turbo - 90% power loss. After a few mins of normal driving and trying again it would work again. From other online I was pretty certain it was the Intercooler Pump and a build-up of heat causing the ecu to reduce power to preserve the engine. So this was changed for the newer Bosch one. On removal it seems it had never been changed, and after testing was found to be completely dead. New pump in and all the power is back plus some! happy days!
Issue 2 - Accelerating from zero (hard) I get a consistent but fast knocking sound from the centre/rear of the car up to about 30 mph then it goes away. I have read other having diff issues but my issue only happens when accelerating hard from zero with no humming or other sounds. So I suspected subframe bushes. Had the mechanic take a look at he thinks the centre support bearing on the driveshaft is worn as the driveshaft is not sitting centre - this would make sense of the knock and vibrational knock. so a new bearing + housing has been ordered and should be in next week - fingers crossed. I will update
Issue 3 - Does my SL's have soft-close bootlid? was it an optional extra?? 2003 SL55 - I know mine does not have the auto-close button inside so I thought I had to manually slam it locked, but after looking online it seems that all R230s should have a soft close bootlid which locks itself shut? If I should have this I have an issue, which I would suspect the actuator inside the boot lid leaking. Would star confirm exactly which vac pipe from PSE pump is leaking?
Issue 4 - Convenience Entry feature - When I purchased the car the steering wheel AND seat would move to make space. Then they stopped. I used a column reset procedure on the steering wheel. Adjusting from top to bottom front and back and hold for an extra 5 seconds to reset. This seems to have fixed the steering easy entry feature but not on the seat. The seat adjusts fine from the door controls but has an issue of its own...
Issue 5 - Seat contouring is intermittent. The pattern is this. It works fine for a few minutes message and lumbar supports all work and move as they should. I noticed this when getting a massage. After 3 mins or so it would stop, light would go out and the adjustments would not do anything. I would have to turn the car off and open the door. then restart to get it to work again (for another 3 mins). I noticed if I just turn the engine off and on again it still does not work. I have to open and close the door - easy entry to get it to work again. I also noticed once reset if I just sit and don't drive it continues to work just fine!???
I suspect Relay/Fuse or VAC pipe under the seat. My confusion is that it does actually work for 3 mins at a time, so can the vac system still be leaking? would star confirm a leak at the pipe?
Issue 6 - This is the one bugging me the most! I am well aware of the suspension issues known on these. So I tested the system before purchase - ABC fluid looks clean too. So the issue is this - The car is always on the lowest setting as its already high enough, but sometimes when I park up and look back, or return from the petrol station I notice the rear arch gap has changed and it is sitting about half an inch higher. Checked the ABC is still in the lowest setting which is was. So after cycling through the buttons 3 presses. The car lowers itself back to where it should be sitting. The difference is about 1 finger width. Why would the car make a slight adjustment?? all the issues I have read the car goes up and down on its own or raises to the max. The ABC works perfectly otherwise just sometimes raises the rear which I can't find a pattern to. Most of the time its sitting fine, but sometimes with no adjustment its sitting slightly higher!! Is there something I'm missing or should the car be doing this? The car will be dropped on links but I would like to know what's happening here before I do any new changes.
Once the car is up to scratch and I don't burn all of my money in fuel before then, I will start to have some tuning fun, with supercharger pulley chance, Cold intake, lowering links, ECU + TCU remap, Resonator deletes (Maybe with cat delete also) Im looking for more rumble and ghusling sound, android head unit, flat-bottom steering wheel.
Thanks for reading, and I look forward to interacting and sharing some knowledge with you great people!
