jaevo

I am ready to replace my 2002 s55 (100,000 miles). I am trying to determine how comfortable a sl55 is for daily transportation. I drive about 18,000 miles per year with most of it taking place on freeways and back roads in southern california. I have always appreciated the smoothness and quietness of the s class for such use. I was frankly a little supprised at how much of a sports car the sl55 is and wondered weather it might start wear on one with too much use. (I already have a "hard core" sports car so am not trying to duplicate that experience. What do you think. Thanks

absent

I have SL65 for daily driver and since Chicago has slightly rougher weather then Cali,I had to put Pirelli Sottozeros on it.
Drive about 20k miles a year and the car is a great commuter with loads of fun as a bonus.

david_101

ditto absent. i use the SL65 as a DD...and it's great. my CLK55 is about to return to service, so my GF can use it while she decides which car will replace her sc430.

jmf003

I also use my SL55 as a daily driver except when it snows or sleets. It's awesome!

CY

The SL is of course a bit more cramped then a full size S sedan (which may almost have too much room for some).....but compared to most "sportscars" this luxury roadster is probably the best daily driver Ive had ever.

What are your other choices?

jaevo

My other options are to get another s class (not crazy about the durango fender styling) or wait for the cl63.

bari

What do you mean by Durango Fender styling? On the SL55?

bltserv

I also live in So Cali. The OC.

I could drive mine as a daily. No problem.
It does get a little old having all the M3`s and
ricers come after you on the freeways.
Also in the canyons the crotch rockets love to get on your ***.

But for comfort and drivability. No problem. And I am a large guy.
I dont like to drive it in the rain. Mostly because people around here
suck at driving in the rain. But if you dont mind putting the miles on
the SL55. Its just fine for everyday.

Scruffyone

I drive mine whenever I can and I always have the suspension in the SPORT setting, and lowered. Not tiring at all.

FloridaE55

Hi,

something I always wanted to know about the SL65: Is the top-speed 155 or 186? I didn't find any info about it...

I suppose it's 186mph because I can't believe they offer a faster SL55 (with 030 package) for less $$$...

absent

It comes stock with 155 limiter.
Kleemann ECU raised the power and removed the limiter but since I had the upgrade done with Winter tires I could not test the limits of the car (got it up to 185mph on I-294 at 4 am ,no traffic or cops)

Carl Lassiter

How did it feel at that speed? Rock solid i'm guessing...

absent

Not really but it was my fault ,since I have to drive it with raised suspension.
There was another thread about this ("Screwed myself royally"),Pirellis on stock rims rubbing badly because of their higher profile (40 vs 30 and 35).
MB technicians thought there would be no problem but now there is a problem and it is all mine.

FloridaE55

Thanks for the info!
In Germany, the SL65 has the same top-speed limit. It's a bit strange that you can order the SL55 with a top-speed of 186mph but not the SL65...

eugeneC55

I see silver SL65 on Westleigh and Skokie HWY in Lake Forest all the time. Is it you?

IngenereAMG

The SL55 is the best all-rounder there is. Period!

absent

Nope,mine is Black.
But the neighborhood is the same....

55User

Ditto w/ most remarks above, the SL in 500 form is designed to be used more as a daily driver than not, the 55 upgrades the basic drivtrain of the car but keeps the practicality of the SL500, w/ the exception of rear seats. Mine has done just that. No problems more than small quality quirks, nothing more than a few hours of my time for over a year, hard to quabble w/ that. Then again, if you're thinking of buying new, an '05 SL65 would make more sense, at least to me. I think SLs have all the practicality you're looking for and in luxury sports cars, bigger is better for sure, but, bang for buck, the 55 seems to be one of the best cars in any market.
$.02

SuperDave

You just made my day............but I still have to install the 2nd Intercooler, (courtesy of Adam @ Euroelites) now waiting on my garage floor......

The ECU/Pulley and additonal 50 hp they make just make that car more fun to drive, the 2nd Intercooler/Upgraded pump will keep things cool........

Car is Pure-Bred IMO, and has remarkable "buildability/reliability".

Dave

P.S........My -55 is Black and I am beginning to think that Black is the bestest color on the planet........