Hello folks -

I've looked at the R230 for quite a while, and I've decided now is the time. I recently sold my Corvettes, but I still want a performance-oriented coupe and I like the hardtop convertible. I am generally aware of the issues and differences between the years, though I'm not an expert. I've been focusing on the SL55 -and those seem to show up as either a 2003 or 2004 most of the time. I've read that the later cars, and 2008 specifically, seem to be "the best" but all of them have their weaknesses, like any car. Two options have presented themselves, and while I understand there a lot of personal opinion that goes into it, I'm curious as to what you'd all pick, if it were you.

Assume a 2003 SL55 AMG and a 2007 SL550. Both are 2-owner cars, clean history, evidence of good service records on Carfax and have 45,000 miles. The cars have the same options, except:

- The 2007 SL550 does not have panoramic roof, the 2003 SL55 does.

Now, if you could get either one for the same price, which would you choose and why?

Here are my thoughts and rationale:
Argument for the SL55 AMG: I'm drawn to the SL55 AMG, largely because its the SL55 AMG - There's nowhere I can drive where near 500HP will be useful, but its still the AMG. I like certain aspects of the styling, the sound, and I've always wanted an AMG car, but I realize its as much about the name "AMG" as it is anything else. I do like the 5-speed transmission though - overall it seems more reliable than the 7-speed units pre-2008. Many of the pre-2005 car limitations (older COMMAND, etc) don't really concern me, and I hear that although things like ABC were improved for 2007, it wasn't overhauled - more like a tweak and ultimately not a deal beaker either way. 2003 cars do get a generally bad (or worse) reputation than 2004+, and it seems to get better as you go toward 2008, but certainly I read about cars of the 2003 vintage that are doing great with no more issues than any other year - seems to be very car-specific, so I'm not convinced that 2003 needs to be avoided.

Argument Against the SL55 AMG: As a 2003 model, it has a higher likelihood of issues, at least according to most forums. It has the sub-optimal keylessGO option, worst COMMAND that is challenging to retrofit or replace, has "more to go wrong" given the supercharger and some suggest the SL55 just doesn't ride as well as the SL550 / SL500. Further, 493HP is effectively useless, I've no plans to race, track or drag this car. It will take me from A to B, along some pretty interesting roads, before eventually trundling along at 25 MPH to the office. I also worry about how the SL55 AMG will perform in damp conditions, I live in Washington, and rain is a way of life.

Argument for the SL550: Everything I've read confirms the 2007 - 2008 cars as the best pre-facelift option. Best ABC, best COMMAND, all quirks and small issues worked out, least likely to have more costly issues and they got a boost to 380+ HP - which is nothing to sneeze at (80HP more than the corvette I sold). Although you give up 100HP and an AMG badge, what you get back is arguably a better car. The SL550 will still deliver most of the same experience as the SL55 AMG, but in a package that's commonly thought to be better built.

Argument Against the SL550:All R230 cars, regardless of flavor, share many of the same issues - and those issue seem to strike more based on how the car was maintained, than its specific year, and a 2007 still has the potential 7-speed transmission concern (not resolved until 2008, I believe). Basically, the only thing you are guaranteed to get over a 2003, is a larger command screen and Nav (that I wont use) and more convenient keylessGo. While it is likely to be free of early model issues, such issues (if they existed) would probably have been addressed on the 2003 car by now, making the cars on the level from an issues perspective. Won't I be driving the SL550, and asking myself f why I'm not driving an AMG for the same money?

Thanks,
Allan.

If you are not going to use the power of the SL55 at least occasionally, I would probably go with the SL550 for the reasons you mention.

Good to see you're holding both sides of the argument simultaneously. That's the sign of genius.

In my case, I didn't weigh up the options; a mate called me up who was selling his SL500 and as I knew him and the car and that he always buys top class cars, I said I'd take it - I had not even sat in it, or any R230 ever.

But. Had I been on the hunt, I would have bought an SL55 AMG.

You say you would not use the extra power, but I think you would - I regularly floor my SL500 and would like a bit more grunt!

The ABC on any model is going to give you issues - but not crazily expensive if you manage it right.

I don't know about the ride on the 55. The Sl500 riding on new accumulators is a thing of beauty; the best riding car I have ever been in by far. Truly a magic carpet ride.

Well, if I had it......lol. My daily is a 2016 X5 50i, which has 445HP and a 0-60 of 4.9 seconds (reportedly). Now I usually drive it in "comfort" mode, which is more about the MPG than anything else, but I've been known to toggle it into sport mode when the feeling (or tailgaters) arise.

.....or being an over thinker who needs to stop analyzing everything to death....but.....lets go with genius.

The ride thing is a bit confusing to me - Most online reviews still call the SL55 sort of soft with too much roll, unless its in sport mode - more to the comfort and luxury side than "sports car", but in contrast, several posts in various forums contend that the SL55 is a stiffer and not as cushy a ride as the SL500 / SL550, and that if you want a luxury ride, you'll be better off with the latter. I'm past the stage where I want to be feeling every pot hole up through my spine, where swerving to avoid pebbles is mandated to drive (hence no lowered corvettes). A sporty ride is fine, but I want to drive along and not worry that the next unseen pothole will bend a rim, or shatter a clavicle.

The improvements in ABC 2 over ABC 1 are more significant than just minor tweaks.

-Lines are less prone to failure and more accessible.
-Better filter from the factory.
-Struts/shocks are improved.
-Tunable to dramatically improve performance.

The one drawback is that there is not a rebuild kit for the ABC 2 valve block.

Same price, same mileage: I would lean towards the car in better overall condition (exterior, interior, less owners, better documented service history, etc.).

If you care about long-term value retention, the SL55 will have an advantage.

Will a moderator eventually approve my reply? or is there something I need to do? I am writing this on the assumption that this, too, will need mod approval so perhaps they'll also see my initial reply from a few days ago. Thanks.

I was in your shoes 4 years ago and test drove a dozen plus R230s of all US configurations excluding SL65. I chose the 2007 sl550 for the reasons you cited even though the acquisition costs were similar. The Total Cost of Ownership however is not similar due to higher maintenance costs on SL55 (supercharger, brakes, tire longevity and Insurance). You might want to consider this in your comparison as well.

Hello all - I don't remember what my original reply was, but I'm certain is was both witty and chalk full insight....

Thank you all for the feedback - I have considered the ownership costs, but it seems terribly car dependent, with many of the problem systems shared between R230 platforms. I've basically decided that if I am to get an R230 at all, I need to be mentally prepared for high-dollar repairs, whether that's sooner, or later. Buying a used car, particularly one this old, is always a die-roll - granted you can try mitigate that some with service records, limited owners, and so forth - but as @HLG600 mentioned above, I think perhaps the best path is to find the best overall car, and then you take your chances.

The truth of it all, is that I have this fear I'll be sitting behind the wheel of an SL550, and wondering what the AMG would be like, and why I didn't buy it, for the same cost and best as I can tell, same overall condition (year and equipment differences aside). Its insidious, and relatively dumb - buy the older car because it says AMG on it - but, I also understand myself, and it wouldn't be the first time I've gotten rid of a car early, because I settled for something "quite adequate" when something "better, if unnecessary" was available. If there were a clear and distinct reliability advantage to one or the other, that would sway me, but best as I can tell, there are SL55 and SL550 hero cars with hardly an issue in 80K of travel, as as there are horror stories for both, where the car barely rolled over the curb of the dealer lot, before becoming a nightmare. The SL55 has more things to pick from, but both cars share a ton of "problematic" areas - ABC and roof concerns, for example, seem to be shared with equal passion. I have a PPI underway on an SL55 - so I guess we'll see how that goes. If it goes poorly, there are a few SL550 cars that are close enough to take its place, one is even local.

So I guess we'll see what happens - does the allure of the badge get me in the end, or do I play the practicality card, and get the newer car with the arguably better equipment.

Do you plan to work on it yourself?

If so you will save thousands on maintenance. I wish I'd bought the SL55 but I'm very happy with my 500. Remember that this page and on Benz World you will mostly be reading about problems with the cars, as that's where we go when we need to know something. You will have issues with the ABC, but they need not be too expensive with all the aftermarket parts and rebuild kits available.

Mine has never given me any electrical problems or issues with the roof. Just ABC issues and a tranny conductor plate are the only major issues of consequence since new. The rest - typical regular maintenance. This is not a car you can abuse and neglect. They need very careful handling and regular inspection of the trouble spots.

It is critical to keep up the maintenance.

Would I buy a 230 if I intended to take it to the shop every time something needed to be done? No. But you might be OK with that.

I think you want the SL55. I would.

I went through a similar decision process recently when looking to replace my 2003 E500 W211 with a newer model W212. Found a nice 2010 E550 I was ready to buy but the pre-purchase inspection discovered some issues and the deal fell through. The very next day I came across a 2010 E63 AMG on Craigslist that checked all the right boxes. Purchased the car and had it shipped to me and am so glad I did. It's in a completely different league than the E550 I test drove, from the styling, engine power, brakes, handling, etc. right on down the line. If you can swing it get the badge, you won't regret it.