When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
So purchased this 27k mile 2006 SL65 AMG. It’s my like 9th or 10th MB product and this one is special because when she came out I was starting a family and needed the sedan and SUV, so I bought a 05 E55 AMG and did the renntech R3 package and build with Switzer and a GL450 for daily. Anyway I wanted this model spec SL65 AMG and finally found the one almost 20yrs later. Anyway I am going to use this as a documentary for the mods and ownership experience to refer and share. Big thanks to David over at KPal Cars Ohio! Thank you 🙏
Last edited by evoviiiyou; 02-16-2024 at 08:12 PM.
Congrats on purchase! Great color, nice touch with the front bumper.
Good to know the clear side markers are back in stock, they were out of stock for a few years.
Keep your original grill, that 2-slat chinese thing will break.
Thank you I am very grateful to have found the one. Good advice, I always keep the stock parts and will make sure to put the grill away safely. I just didn’t like the esthetic of the stocker…much prefer the black series look as inspiration
Last edited by evoviiiyou; 02-25-2024 at 11:52 AM.
-thank you Mr M Weissgerber
-Renntech HHT tune in
-Renntech cooling pump and heat exchanger in
-BMC drop in filters in
-Merc Benz motor and trans mounts done
-Floor mats and steering wheel add
-“AMG” logo on ash tray cover
What is left?
-R231 clear led 3rd brake light
-Throttle controller (Pedal Boss digital)
-Leather Conditioner
You should consider adding the intercooler system reservoir/expansion tank from the M279. You can read up on it here.
The M275 intercooler system has no accommodation for thermal expansion of the fluid. This means every time the fluid gets hot enough it will push a little bit out past the filler cap and then out the overflow tube, and then when it cools down it will draw air back in. Over time it can lose quite a bit of fluid. This leads to accumulation of air pockets in the intercooler system, reducing cooling capacity and leading to excessively high intake air temperatures, which in turn causes the car's controls to pull timing and/or reduce boost. You can vacuum re-fill the system to get rid of the air pockets, but the problem will return - it's unavoidable. Adding the expansion tank fixes this issue.
Low intercooler system coolant/air pockets/high IATs will not set any check engine light, nor will it store a "soft" code - you'll just experience reduced power.
You should consider adding the intercooler system reservoir/expansion tank from the M279. You can read up on it here.
The M275 intercooler system has no accommodation for thermal expansion of the fluid. This means every time the fluid gets hot enough it will push a little bit out past the filler cap and then out the overflow tube, and then when it cools down it will draw air back in. Over time it can lose quite a bit of fluid. This leads to accumulation of air pockets in the intercooler system, reducing cooling capacity and leading to excessively high intake air temperatures, which in turn causes the car's controls to pull timing and/or reduce boost. You can vacuum re-fill the system to get rid of the air pockets, but the problem will return - it's unavoidable. Adding the expansion tank fixes this issue.
Low intercooler system coolant/air pockets/high IATs will not set any check engine light, nor will it store a "soft" code - you'll just experience reduced power.
interesting read and looks like a must have. Who knew? Thanks for sharing looks like an easy weekend project! Thank you for sharing
Comparing to my ZO6, was not the easiest job in terms of light housing changes but was ok once the rear liner was off. Also was pleasantly surprised how the nice the MB unit is with the gasket supplied vs the cheapo Amazon counterparts that I returned.
My third brake light is cracked, something you almost don't notice, but once you do, ... you can't forget. Also, if you happen to drive in the rain, water could sneak in there. I almost never take my R230 in the rain. Slamming the trunk lid shut, in the events that it has an issue with closing, is a very sure way to crack that light, so be sure to never do that! I had ordered a replacement that's obviously a counterfeit that cost around fifty bucks, but then (luckily) lost it, so I've now ordered a genuine replacement MBZ part. Funny how looking online you can find twelve different prices for the same unit, even from various MB dealers around the country. Lowest price I found was $155. I had replaced the third brake light before, on my SL600, and let me tell you, I wore several band-aids for a week. (This new one will be going on my SL55.) On my SL550 the drivers door mirror turn signal light was cracked, those little things stand out like a sore thumb! Interesting little job to replace that, wear reading magnifier glasses. It's kind of like a little surgery. Bought a replacement PAIR so now I have a passenger (right) side replacement in the garage waiting for the day it's needed. LoL That gorgeous white SL65 AMG might be a gas guzzler, you probably should let me take it off your hands! And the hood struts, people seem to never replace those. I had a stretch limo I sold years ago, and a musician was buying it, his name was Sammy Drain. He had lived next door to the very famous Jimi Hendrix, when they were growing up and they had bought their first guitars together way back when. This limo had a hood a mile long that weighed a ton, and was downright dangerous. That thing was falling all the time, it would take your hands off. Those hood struts are such an inexpensive part, that as soon as I realized a guitar player was buying the limo, I immediately replaced those, and felt like a jerk for even thinking of selling the car "as-is". LoL Two new hood struts and that hood lifted up with one finger. The ones for trunk lids always get neglected, too, when those need replacing. Crazy, because they really are pretty cheap, as parts go. Until you get around to installing an intercooler fluid expansion tank, you can check the level after a few drives, and see just how much coolant is escaping.
My third brake light is cracked, something you almost don't notice, but once you do, ... you can't forget. Also, if you happen to drive in the rain, water could sneak in there. I almost never take my R230 in the rain. Slamming the trunk lid shut, in the events that it has an issue with closing, is a very sure way to crack that light, so be sure to never do that! I had ordered a replacement that's obviously a counterfeit that cost around fifty bucks, but then (luckily) lost it, so I've now ordered a genuine replacement MBZ part. Funny how looking online you can find twelve different prices for the same unit, even from various MB dealers around the country. Lowest price I found was $155. I had replaced the third brake light before, on my SL600, and let me tell you, I wore several band-aids for a week. (This new one will be going on my SL55.) On my SL550 the drivers door mirror turn signal light was cracked, those little things stand out like a sore thumb! Interesting little job to replace that, wear reading magnifier glasses. It's kind of like a little surgery. Bought a replacement PAIR so now I have a passenger (right) side replacement in the garage waiting for the day it's needed. LoL That gorgeous white SL65 AMG might be a gas guzzler, you probably should let me take it off your hands! And the hood struts, people seem to never replace those. I had a stretch limo I sold years ago, and a musician was buying it, his name was Sammy Drain. He had lived next door to the very famous Jimi Hendrix, when they were growing up and they had bought their first guitars together way back when. This limo had a hood a mile long that weighed a ton, and was downright dangerous. That thing was falling all the time, it would take your hands off. Those hood struts are such an inexpensive part, that as soon as I realized a guitar player was buying the limo, I immediately replaced those, and felt like a jerk for even thinking of selling the car "as-is". LoL Two new hood struts and that hood lifted up with one finger. The ones for trunk lids always get neglected, too, when those need replacing. Crazy, because they really are pretty cheap, as parts go. Until you get around to installing an intercooler fluid expansion tank, you can check the level after a few drives, and see just how much coolant is escaping.
man great story and I do agree with you! Just get the right parts and get her done. ✅ I mean at the end of the day that’s the fun part of owning these cars anyway. You’re not buying one to save money owning that’s for damn sure. lol
some more dry erase board checked boxes
-custom plate ordered at DMV
-AMG lighter cover badge inspired by Black Series (that badge was too big for me so this one got the nod….I have both)
-AMG MB oil cap with 17mm torque fitting
-AMG Mobile 1 factory decal (was missing when I took delivery)
I just love this car! I want to add a 2017-18 GT or GTs Coupè at some point soon. Until then this to date is my favorite car all around over five 911Turbos, an 06 E55 RT3 heavily modded, and my beloved HCI C6 ZO6. The SL is king. 👑
02-16-2024, 08:05 PM
