Perre

Today I saw my new ride for the first time. I couldn't take delivery today because since this is the first SL55 with the Performance Package ever sold to Sweden, type registration will take longer than normal. Hopefully all papers will be in order mid next week.

However, I couldn't resist going to MB in Danderyd - Stockholm to look at it, and take some pictures of course. I post some of them here for you guys who hasn't seen the -07 with the performance package in person yet.

The performance package looks very powerful (look at the front breaks) in my opinion. The pictures are from the dealers garage (sorry about the yellow tone on the pictures - if you want I'll post some outside pictures next week).

Regards
- Per

Perre

Some interior pictures.

erichen

Very nice! enjoy driving the beast! I like the new AMG brakes, the centers got nice lookiing bolts, not like my new "old style" AMG brakes with the solid block that had to be painted body color... Congrats! You gonna do some modifications?

idrive

WOW!!! Is that the Black 040 exterior?

Please, post more pics when you get the car.

IanSL55

Looks SWEET. Does the performance package add bigger brakes?

~ Ian

idrive

*Yes*
030 Performance Package
AMG front apron with larger cooling air intakes
19" AMG multi-piece twin-spoke light alloy wheels
(FR 8.5x19 ET 30 255/35R19 RR 9.5x19 ET 31 285/30R19)
Vmax increased to 300kmh
Multiple-disc LSD including reinforced final drive unit
AMG Nurburgring sports suspension based on ABC
Internally ventilated composite front brake discs (380mm x 36mm)
Additional engine oil cooler
AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel in black leather/alcantara
Carbon Fiber Int. Trim.

seattlecarfreak

i'll take two

sprins

Poor Perre, he won't be getting any sleep the coming week

csumt76

Congrats, that thing is gorgeous!!!

I have only seen one in person. It was Designo Mystic White... I like the black better and those rims are kickass.

clkcadet

congrats!
stunning, enjoy that car (when you officially receieve it of course hehe)

RJC

s55sl55driver

Good luck with your new SL55 with the performance package. I ordered mine on Thursday and will be counting the days until it comes. I am replacing my 2004 SL55 with a 2007 SL55 with performance package because I have been extremely dissatisfied with the braking performance of my 04 SL55.

In my humble opinion, the Performance Package completely changes the performance of the SL55 and catapults it into a different league. The unsprung weight in the front end is significantly reduced and the upgraded brakes result in substantially improved feel and significantly improved braking characteristics. The ride is much firmer around town but is much appreciated at speed. It is a completely different car. In short it is awesome.

In my humble opinion, this package upgrades the base AMG product to represent what AMG products SHOULD be about to begin with. The torque and speed of the AMG engine is more responsibly managed and controlled by the improved braking and suspension enhancements. The concept of having to pay an additional $14,000.00 US for a high performance package on a high performance product is a problematic and insulting for me. IS AMG ABOUT PERFORMANCE OR IS IT A MARKETING TOOL FOR MBUSA?

Enough preaching, I will get off my soap box.

You will love this car and enjoy every second you spend in it, it is a great choice and I wish you the best of luck, it is beautiful.

Stay in touch and let us know how you like it.

BiTurboBenz

I think it is the latter, sad but true. I always wanted the SL55 because it was the AMG version of the SL class. But after owning my CLK55 and comparing it to the CLK500, non-AMG cars are basically the same car with clever marketing. If you can get past the fact that you are not driving an ///AMG, I think some of the higher end non-AMG engines give you the best bang for the buck.

seattlecarfreak

yes, but if it was included with the $128k SL55, who in the hell would pay $60k more for the EXACT same car (sl65) with 100 more hp? I think mercedes realized that it would be insulting to price the sl65 at $185k+ and the sl55 at $125k+ for just 100 more extra hp with everything else being the same..

alroumi

Congrats, Its a very nice car; drive it in good health and break it in safely !

s55sl55driver

Yes, I believe the performance package enhancements are included in the 65 base price. Having said that I do not believe there are any engine modifications in the Performance Package. I do stand firm in my conviction with respect to the brakes and suspension. I also stand firm on the fact that AMG should stand for more than it does and as enthusiasts we should demand more. I remain truly dissatisfied with the brake system on the base SL55. (See my posts on SL55 front wheel lockup). A large part of this dilemma is most of the people who buy these cars, buy them for the emblems on the back and not the performance.... and that is why they get away with it. Simply put, the spirit of AMG is being watered down in my opinion. The concept of a high performance upgrade on a high performance car is baffling.

BoBcanada

congrats the ride looks awesome, im so jealous!!!

WSH

Sure, new '07 55w/PP is notably improved in several dynamic areas vs CY02 55s.....but only real direct competitor is P's Turbo....both dynamically and in terms of overlapping buyer base....

Have owned two SL55s and have 996TTS Coupe now....still have tremendous respect for 55.....IMO, 55's biggest edges over 996TTS are no turbo lag for 60-120MPH accel; real trunk and large fuel tank (some like the convertible aspect....I despise convertibles for incrd wt, loss of struc rigidity in handling, and dubious roof strength in any collision/rollover); 996TTS' edges are sharper steering, outstanding brake pedal feel (esp w/PCCB), 1000lb less wt, and much greater traction, esp in wet conds....

That said, realistically, vast majority (?70%++) of both new SL55 and Turbo buyers just want a car that looks cool/youthful/"status-providing" (and that they can afford) for wkend drives to country club anyway....

P will sell maybe 2000/yr 997TT into US; I recall Merc selling about 2000/yr SL55 into US....but my sense is SL55 sales have recently dropped off significantly vs the heydays of '02-'04.....the fashionistas have apparently moved on to other cars....and the deprec-prone '07 SL65 is now being only sold on a very special-order basis, even in places like CA/NYC....as dealers even struggled to sell at large discts the ?300ish/yr SL65s MB sent to US....no. of guys who can afford a $60K premium on an already expensive car for a torque upgrade largely enjoyable only on a few fast-flowing CA fwys and some higher-end leather finishes is fairly small......

Germancar1

I kinda understand the complaint about the performance package and how it should be standard, but even Porsche offers upgrades on the 911 and Boxster and they charge Mercedes prices for just better brakes so Mercedes isn't alone in this. The AMG Benzes are upgraded in many ways over the stock models so to say they're basically the same is not true at all.

I think most SL buyers still want a GT car that can pretty much obliterate anything else in the GT class and keep up with nearly anything you'd encounter on the road while being more comfortable than those "pure" sports cars. Now they offer a package for those who want an even more hard core SL. I don't see a problem with that. I mean you're spending well over 100K to begin with so whats another 14K? The SL is never going to be a real sports car anyway its too heavy.


You rich guys just don't know how good you've got to have to complain about such a thing!

M

Perre

Thank you. No, I've no modifications planned at this time.

- Per

Perre

No sorry, it's black metallic. Solid black will look absolutely stunning, but this time I picked metallic because in my opinion it's a little easier to maintain. Good luck with yours.

- Per

Perre

Absolutely true!

- Per

Germancar1

A nice article about the AMG Performance packages from Autoweek:

http://www.autoweek.com/apps/pbcs.dl...4/TOC01ARCHIVE

It says about 20 percent of SL55 buyers have opt'd for it so far.

M

SJRAMROD

Good luck with it! Looks great........

vraa

I looked at your brakes.
I am impressed.
Look how massive they are!