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.
my username is due to the past ownership of a number of older Porsche over a period of 30 yrs. 911, 928, 944, and a modified 944 turbo I tracked for several years. then go too old for the track and sold them all. now I fly planes.... like flying a motorcycle in the air.
just made the decision to buy a 2004 SL55 AMG. what a beast.
after selling a BMW had been considering a SLK 55. but after driving a SL55 AMG I was hooked. the SLK is a little snug for me I am 6'3", but not too much so. they are also a great hot rod.
I got a nice 2004 with a good maintenance history, traded in for a new MB. PO had the ABC suspension tuned and the SC pulley changed/reduced. now probably 600hp. sitting on a very nice set of 20" VRM wheels.
it has a few minor cosmetic issues I will correct immediately. will post more after getting car and driving a bit, unless it gets me thrown in jail..... cant wait to pick it up
I have researched these cars and know what I am getting into, did the same with the BMW 645...... fortunately this car had a lot of service at MB dealers. the rear 'shocks' were replaced and recently the ABC distribution block (not exactly sure if that is the right term) along with the battery load module replaced.
fortunately due to my years of wrenching on the old Porsche I can do a lot of general maintenance and bolt on items. anything more serious and I have a good indi shop I have been using for the BMW and my wife's Audi.
350 SL, R230 - 300 SL, R129 - 1964 Corvette Sting Ray Sport Coupe - Porsche 911 Twin Turbo (sold)
Since you say the car is blue i am sure that color name is Capri Blue Metallic in the US. In Europe the exact same color is called Tanzanite Blue Mertallic and the color code is 359U
There was a forum member here that told me that the color Tanzanite Blue Mertallic in Europe is called Capri Blue Metallic in the US. Why i do not have the slightest idea.
I have the same exterior colour on my SL R230 so that is why i am sure
About the smaller/reduced pulley wheel on the supercharger i have seen that when the supercharger revs more because of the smaller diameter pulley wheel the coating on the "turbines" insides of the supercharger gets worn off.
The rotors is teflon coated i think. Or it might me nikasil
By the way i am also an old Porsche guy but i only like the 911
yea wondered about the wear on the SC, but from test driving I will NEVER really stress this motor. after running track for many years and getting OLD, do not expect to drive hard on the street, never know what other people will do and no margin for error without significant consequences.....
goes to the debate about driving slow cars hard or fast cars easy.....
got the car and WHAT AN ANGRY BEAST, more so than the stock one I drove.
the ECU tune and SC pully upgrade makes it jump and spin tires right off idle. took me a few weeks to get used to that and learn how to manage the torque/power. tend to drive in "comfort" mode around town. even now have not been able to floor it, and on the street dont need to.
been working on the little cosmetic issues, mirror turn signals, side maker light, etc. all minor. also got front seat covers, black with red piping to match the red trim the PO did.
buffed and waxed it and it really shines. about to wrap the mirrors, strakes on the front fender sides (due to peeling finish), and rear window side panels (also due to peeling finish) in carbon fiber
then need to replace the little LED screens at the bottom of the tach/speedo, got new ones from a MB forum member.
this car is incredible. I make up reasons to drive it.
You Have to get a DBW Throttle Controller
They can also be used with a ECU tune. Added to the existing car it'll feel like you bought a bigger blower.
It's also adjustable on rate and speeds up the shifts. https://www.sprintboosterusa.com/wha...print-booster/
not sure I need it. I can barely touch the gas pedal now without spinning the tires through 1st and 2nd gear. with the SC pulley change it seems the torque is almost instant off idle. the torque/power of this car builds so fast I have not yet been able to get it to the floor.
took me a couple weeks to get used to it. have learned to drive in 'comfort' mode around town in traffic.
I had driven a stock SL55 and was so impressed I decided that was the car I would search for.
the one I found had an ECU tune and the SC pulley changed. when I got it I was astounded at how much angrier it was, instant torque, and how it just pulled like the proverbial freight train.....
Aaaand many owners say the same thing about AMG SL65 with 604 HP stock also.
Adding a throttle control makes it a more usable and responsive. It doesn't fall off in shifts and the drivetrain feels much crisper. Just makes it more enjoyable.
Good Luck with the car
Aaaand many owners say the same thing about AMG SL65 with 604 HP stock also.
Adding a throttle control makes it a more usable and responsive. It doesn't fall off in shifts and the drivetrain feels much crisper. Just makes it more enjoyable.
Good Luck with the car
This is so well said. Sprint booster V3 in my W204 and my R230 65 AMG. They allow me take advantage of my tunes and seriously changes the entire response, control experience. Even thought about it with the ZO6 but my tuner for that one said no need with his time on the dyno and the manual.
Last edited by evoviiiyou; 04-05-2024 at 08:33 PM.
this thread is making wonder what this would do to my SL55. it seems if I just barely touch the pedal from a stop in 1st it goes nuts.... hard to imagine what this throttle controller would make it do.
what engine in your W204? from reading about the SL65, it does not have the instant torque my modified SL55 has off idle. power builds fast and smooth but get the impressing from reading about them not the instant insanity of my SL55
this thread is making wonder what this would do to my SL55. it seems if I just barely touch the pedal from a stop in 1st it goes nuts.... hard to imagine what this throttle controller would make it do.
what engine in your W204? from reading about the SL65, it does not have the instant torque my modified SL55 has off idle. power builds fast and smooth but get the impressing from reading about them not the instant insanity of my SL55
In my W204 it’s the 350 sport V6 with tuner and custom exhaust and it’s perfect for spirited driving, and stop light sleeper surprises. I did run one in my former Renntech Stage 3 2005 E55 M113K as well and it was also sublime. I don’t think it aided off the line till I put drag radials on the E55, but roll racing and spirited pulls for sure improved a lot. It was probably a better mod than the smaller pulley and tune to my feels and experience IMHO.
Here is a video that explains it well as I searched it from being at SEMA and seeing these guys.
and I find myself barely pushing the throttle, so the delay not even noticeable. but very interesting device. will keep in mind if I ever find myself being able to exercise the car harder.
recently I hit a major broken place in the road. next day found my left front tire flat, and discovered the wheel was dented causing a leak.
I eventually fixed myself as a few local wheel repair shops did not want to try.....
when back on the road noticed a clunking sound. took to my INDI shop and they found the lower control arms loose. had them replaced and all is not back to normal.
I am glad to report my insurance company, Hagerty, appears to be willing to cover this damage. waiting on finally approval. I think the damage to the wheel helped the case for road impact damage and not just wear.
got the damaged parts back and found something interesting. the hole for the bolt is oval, and has raised ridges to center the bolt. you can see from the pic below how the impact just tore the ridge. was told this is designed to help reduce the stress of such an impact by giving.
this is the most damaged. the others also show some damage to the ridges.