knihc2008

is anyone else waiting for the rumored SL550 next year? and if i buy an SL500 rite now do you think that the value would go down once the SL550 comes out? is there that rumored SL550 even coming out?

thanks

phil

Like I did mention before a SL550 should replace SL500. As far I know it should be a normal engine of 5.5liters with the power of 367HP (more or less 5HP).
This is the engine which is annouced for the brand new CLK presented at the current Geneva Exhibition.
What is not clear is the when, rumor are speaking of 2003 at the frankfurt exhibition...
If someone knows more about it, I will be glad to know...

hwt1964

I've been wondering about exactly the same thing. I really want an SL55. I have an SL500 on order for July delivery. If I could get an SL550, I probably wouldn't get the SL55. I have an SL500 right now, and want something with just a little extra OOMPH in it. 300HP and 4000 pounds just isn't quite the right ratio. 20% more HP would be just about right <G>.

In terms of values...I've talked to dealers who would sell me an SL500 at MSRP today. These are LOADED SL's, though. Sticker prices close to $100K. Dealers have told me I could ORDER an SL500 and have delivery in less than 1 year. Sounds like production is REALLY ramping up.

I've heard rumours about the SL550 as a 2004 model, which would put it at maybe 18 months away. That sounds a bit early to me, but what do I know. Most car manufacturers seem to wait a little longer on a high-demand model before releasing an upgrade. On the other hand, BMW is coming out with some hot engines lately, and MB is starting to look like a real laggard (compared to BMW's 4.4L and Nissan's 4.5L).

Anyhow, 12-18 months is about how long it would take me to get an SL55, which (cross my fingers) might sell for around $115K, maybe even less. About 20K over a Sport SL.

so...given all this, the pent-up demand for SL500's will be WAY down by the time the 550's show up. By then, people will fairly easily be able to get these cars at MSRP. The SL500's will take a bit of a hit. Some silly people will remove the "SL500" from the rear trunk, not wanting to look like they're wearing last years dress.

At one time, I was hoping I could buy an SL500, drive it for a year or so, and sell it for about what I paid for it. I don't see that happening at all. If I take delivery of the July SL500, which would MSRP at around $92K (sport option), I'd expect to be selling it in 18 months for about $7-10K less than I paid for it (total guess), for a total loss of around $20K (depreciation+taxes). That actually represents a VERY high value retention rate, but not a small amount of money to give up.

From my perspective, here are the questions to ask yourself:

1) how badly do you want the SL...NOW?

2) how much cash are you sitting on? If you're loaded, just go for it. Life's too short.

3) do you really want the 550/55, or would you be perfectly happy with the 500? Maybe you'd love the 500, and would just stay with it. It's not that the 500 is slow...it just feels a bit..well...porky at times when you stomp on the accelerator. Maybe I'm comparing it too much to my 355GTS, but I think it's just too much weight for the motor.

It's a tough dilemma. I've been back to the dealer twice now to drool over the LE. I really want the SL55. I don't want to wait.

Maybe I'll take the July delivery, knowing that I'll lose $20K on the deal, but it'll be worth it to me. Maybe I'll be perfectly happy with the 500, and I'll cancel the 55. Maybe I'll be one of those silly people who DON'T have cash to throw away, but will pay thousands over sticker when the 55 comes out in July/August....

Frankly, we just need someone on this board with an accurate crystal ball. That's all I'm asking for: when will the 550 come out? how much with the 55 cost? what will happen to the resale value of the 500? oh, and where will nasdaq be in 18 months (that'd help many of us decide whether to buy now vs. keep money invested and buy later). Is that too much to ask for???

Igorstarvisnki

I will definitely wait for 550!

jco-amg

There has been recent mention of a new 5.8 liter V12 with 367hp coming out next year....maybe this is what is actually being refered to here. (Sports Car International)

knihc2008

thanks for the input....maybe i will wait for the 550 after all...i'll go test drive the 500 rite now before i decide.

cjileong

Where was this SL550 rumored? I know there are non-AMG and AMG models of the same displacement, but why move the SL500 slightly upmarket to a SL550? For one thing, there is the supercharged SL55 AMG with the same displacement (though more power), and it would move it a lot closer to the (5.8L?) SL600 hopefully due out in 2004. As for second order effects, wouldn't this serve a precedent for moving all the 500s to 550s? Just as M-B is now moving from a 430 line to an all 500 line? Okay, so the last one isn't grounded in as solid logic as my other thoughts, but it is a thought nonetheless.

Or, as jco-amg says, perhaps this is simply the SL600?

phil

Ok, let's consider the following facts, and then have your mind set the way you want.

A) The V8 5Liters (the one on the ML, SL (new and OLD!), CL etc..) is an old engine, with the same power of 306HP since the beginning it has been launched, more than 10 years ago !

B) You can see this engine is put to any new model (almost) MB is launched actually, like the new E class, or the new CLK, the ML has been upgraded with too.

C) the new CLK will also come by the end of the year with a 5.5 liters of 367HP

D) The 5liters will not be put to conformity to respect the brand new european regulation named Euro5 (to be respected in 2005 1st juaniry), this is also one of the reason why the 320 (3 valves by cylinder) will be replaced by a 350 (4 valves by clylinders) because it will be easier to respect the pollution rules with this technical choice.

So, now, it is your choice to believe or to do not believe there will be an SL 550.

Phil.

nabzy

this is my take on it.....I dont think mercedes would introduce an SL 500 for the 2003 model year to replace it the following year with a more powerful variant as this would upset the previous owners.....also, I dont think mercedes would introduce an E500 and a CLK 500 this summer only to replace them next year with a 550 engine.....if mercedes was in the business of doing these kind of changes you would have seen an SL 320 last year in europe being replaced with the upcoming SL 350 this year....however not to **** of potential SL 320 owners mercedes obviously decided to wiat the year and introduce the 350 model this year......however EU regulations are mandating new restrictions as of jan 1 2005...so I think we will see a new 5/5.5 liter variant in sept 2004 as a 2005 model or sept 2005 as a 2006 model...this would mean that the CLK 500 and E 500 would have lasted at least 2 yrs (probably 3) in their present form which would make sense and the SL 500 which came out last sept in europe would have lasted at least 3 or maybe 4 yrs, again an acceptable time frame for a new engine to be introduced....

Also it makes sense that adding the 50 or so hp to both the E and SL as 350/360hp from the new 5/5.5 engine wouldnt infringe on the market of the 460hp plus of the AMG model.....but adding 50/60hp to the CLK 500 would make the CLK 55 redundant....so it could be possible that the new 500 engine could be only a minor upgrade in Hp and instead of 350plus we could be seeing an increase of 25hp or less or the CLK AMG would get radically boosted....my guess is the new 500 engine will only get a slight boost because the new cab comes out next summer and I dont see them releasing the new 500 and 55 CLK cabs only to replace them the next year....

like I said these are only my thoughts, opinions and views welcome

jco-amg

I concur with most of what you said...I don't think we will see any significant changes in the V8 until the mid-model run upgrades on the E, CLK, SL...we will see a new V12 for the SL,S and CL first...and any new V-8 will first appear in the S...as it is the first in line for an upgrade.

I think the delay in the E55 kompressor is purely a production issue...they want to get the SL55 on the market first...hence all the publicity...AMG has alot on their plate production wise.

the CLK doesn't get a V6 Kompressor because of marketing..
It doesn't get a V8 kompressor because of weight...hence the normal 55 motor...
AMG can also roll them out quicker...

phil

Well, I do understand your points guys (Nazby and Jco-amg), but ...

The SL350 will be released for the Paris exhibition (by the end of september). I should receive confirmation within the next months, the price list should be delivered to me by august for sure (I am on the waiting list guys !).

So, this is for the 350.

Do not forget you are in the US, and you have a delay of at least 6 months between you in Europe, in term of delevery (I mean launch of new product). I do believe in 550 because of the competition, from Maserati (the Spyder is 390HP), from BMW (6 serie will come out with the 400HP V8, and the 6 in line from the M3). The maserati is available right now, the 6 serie is scheduled for 2003. So, all these facts make me feel that a 550 is on his way, but I do agree, not before end of 2003 (europe) and perhaps mid 2004 for the US.

Of course, all this is speculation for now, so anyone getting firm infos, I will be happy to know

MarcusBenz

IMHO, I don't think this would be the wisest business decision that MBUSA could make for thier cars. If they were to revamp the traditional 5Litre V8, it would be when they introduce the new body S-class in a few years.


MarcusBenz
House of Imports, MBZ

rake55

Look for significant power upgrades to the SL in 2004. Mercedes knows that it can't stay competitive in the $85,000+ market with a 4,000+ lb roadster with 302hp.

There was so much excitment around the new R230 that MB could have put a 230 kompressor in the the SL and people would still buy it. The SL tends to lose value faster than any other Mercedes model. Everyone who is paying MSRP and above for the 2003 will be kicking themselves when the 04's come out.

RK

Igorstarvisnki

?

rake55

I have no new info. I was at the NY Auto Show on Easter Sunday. MB had a G55 and SL55 on display. 2 awesome vehicles! They also had the concept all activity vehicle (I forget the name). This vehicle is powered by an AMG 5.5 liter engine. I think it is a sign of things to come. MB did not just buy AMG to produce speciality vehicles. I think that we will start to see the 5.5 offered as an optional engine in some MB vehicles in 2004. I have no inside information it is just an opinion.

Thx,
Rob