SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Ride quality '04 SL55 vs '07 SL550
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: South Bay, SF Bay Area
2004 SL55
Ride quality '04 SL55 vs '07 SL550
Hi all,
In the market for one of these awesome cars. I've driven both models and the SL55 has the AMG 18" wheels, stock tires, ABC suspension etc and seems to ride a little harsher, almost seems like a constant vibration. Is the SL55 expected to ride a bit harder, or is there a wheel/tire/suspension problem? Or at its softest setting, should the SL55 ride the same as the SL550?
Thanks
In the market for one of these awesome cars. I've driven both models and the SL55 has the AMG 18" wheels, stock tires, ABC suspension etc and seems to ride a little harsher, almost seems like a constant vibration. Is the SL55 expected to ride a bit harder, or is there a wheel/tire/suspension problem? Or at its softest setting, should the SL55 ride the same as the SL550?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: South Bay, SF Bay Area
2004 SL55
I should add, my previous car was a '05 Z4. That car had no steering feel, but rode like glass on smooth pavement and punished you on bad. I thought the SL55 would ride a little like the Z4, just a little smoother. hope it makes sense...
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Texas
'04 SL55,'07 S550,'06 E55
..
ive had sls my whole life and as a matter of fact i just bought an '04 SL55 with 2600 miles 3 days ago, the ride is very comfortable no problems, same as my sl500 but the exhuast, well lets just say wow youll be surprised. I live in houston so this car doesn't get alot of attention as theirs lots of SLs here actually 2 others on my street one 55 and one 500 but still its beautiful, cheap to maintain(as far as exotics go....I had a lambo with a 12K clutch 2 yrs ago...yea dont ask i learned my lesson no more exotic cars its just dumb to spend that money when mercedes can do the same thing and im an older man so no need to pick up women with flashy looks. Dont pay more than 70 for an '04 bc I paid 76K and mine had 2K miles....'04 is great it still has a few months left of warranty and you can extend it for 3 more yrs at around 3.5K....Its actually not bad on gas ive driven it around 30 miles a day round trip to work and back and it still on around 3/4 tank of gas....but its all highway miles....anyways i love it and i regret waiting so long but I went for a S550 first and now I realize how dumb it was to spend 108K total on a "normal" car when the 55's have been around. Don't think twice 55 is outrageous 550 is nearly the same power only 100 hp off but the experience is nothing close trust me. On the otherhand if you want a cruiser with soft exhaust ntoe, the 550 is perfect. hope this helps
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: South Bay, SF Bay Area
2004 SL55
Thanks for the background info... I've driven in Houston (native Californian) and you really need the SL55 to keep up with some of those drivers 
Specifically though, I just want to confirm that the SL55 is supposed to have more road feel / roughness to the ride than a SL500 / SL550, even on the soft ABC setting. The SL55 I have my eye on is loaded to the hilt, the exact color I want and has 12K miles.
Specifically though, I just want to confirm that the SL55 is supposed to have more road feel / roughness to the ride than a SL500 / SL550, even on the soft ABC setting. The SL55 I have my eye on is loaded to the hilt, the exact color I want and has 12K miles.
Member
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Texas
'04 SL55,'07 S550,'06 E55
Thanks for the background info... I've driven in Houston (native Californian) and you really need the SL55 to keep up with some of those drivers
Specifically though, I just want to confirm that the SL55 is supposed to have more road feel / roughness to the ride than a SL500 / SL550, even on the soft ABC setting. The SL55 I have my eye on is loaded to the hilt, the exact color I want and has 12K miles.
Specifically though, I just want to confirm that the SL55 is supposed to have more road feel / roughness to the ride than a SL500 / SL550, even on the soft ABC setting. The SL55 I have my eye on is loaded to the hilt, the exact color I want and has 12K miles.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
SL55 vs SL550
Hi all,
In the market for one of these awesome cars. I've driven both models and the SL55 has the AMG 18" wheels, stock tires, ABC suspension etc and seems to ride a little harsher, almost seems like a constant vibration. Is the SL55 expected to ride a bit harder, or is there a wheel/tire/suspension problem? Or at its softest setting, should the SL55 ride the same as the SL550?
Thanks
In the market for one of these awesome cars. I've driven both models and the SL55 has the AMG 18" wheels, stock tires, ABC suspension etc and seems to ride a little harsher, almost seems like a constant vibration. Is the SL55 expected to ride a bit harder, or is there a wheel/tire/suspension problem? Or at its softest setting, should the SL55 ride the same as the SL550?
Thanks
Suggest you drive some other SL55`s and get a feel from another car.
I have a friend. "SL-Chick". She has a new 2007 SL550. She says my SL55 is
easier to handle and just goes crazy after she drives my AMG. If she could
go back and change her mind she would have got the AMG. The biggest thing is the exhaust note. The SL55 is just like no ther car when it roars
at WOT.
If given the choice. Get the AMG for sure
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 363
Likes: 0
From: East Coast Baby!
SL55
I have a 2005 SL55. And the word "Constant Vibration" does not make any sense. Something wrong with that car. Might need new tires or something ?
Suggest you drive some other SL55`s and get a feel from another car.
I have a friend. "SL-Chick". She has a new 2007 SL550. She says my SL55 is
easier to handle and just goes crazy after she drives my AMG. If she could
go back and change her mind she would have got the AMG. The biggest thing is the exhaust note. The SL55 is just like no ther car when it roars
at WOT.
If given the choice. Get the AMG for sure
Suggest you drive some other SL55`s and get a feel from another car.
I have a friend. "SL-Chick". She has a new 2007 SL550. She says my SL55 is
easier to handle and just goes crazy after she drives my AMG. If she could
go back and change her mind she would have got the AMG. The biggest thing is the exhaust note. The SL55 is just like no ther car when it roars
at WOT.
If given the choice. Get the AMG for sure
Mine actually rode Very Nice! I was pleasantly surprised...
But that was before I put the 20's on it! LOL!
Best,
RoydRage
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,653
Likes: 5
From: Ann Arbor
'03 SL55
I'll second Bltserv's comment about "constant vibration." I use my SL as a daily driver and never have experienced anything like that.
Regarding the sound, I was at the dealership today having an electronics issue checked out when I heard a great exhaust note. Sort of like the soft rumble of distant thunder but definitely a car, not weather.
It was my car, being brought into the garage for me to pick up. Gotta love it!
Regarding the sound, I was at the dealership today having an electronics issue checked out when I heard a great exhaust note. Sort of like the soft rumble of distant thunder but definitely a car, not weather.
It was my car, being brought into the garage for me to pick up. Gotta love it!
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
I've driven both. The SL500 drives more like an S class to me... big smooth soft ride. The SL55 ride is wonderful too, but you feel the road much better. The SL55 is a race car... the SL500 a touring sportscar. One more opinion for you.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: South Bay, SF Bay Area
2004 SL55
TOBIASSANDIEGO that was the answer I was looking for!! I was just probably not asking the question correctly. I'm more at ease now with how the SL55 rides and will probably close the deal quickly. There aren't too many in San Jose Bay Area at the price range / mileage I'm looking at (2 actually).
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
do it!
TOBIASSANDIEGO that was the answer I was looking for!! I was just probably not asking the question correctly. I'm more at ease now with how the SL55 rides and will probably close the deal quickly. There aren't too many in San Jose Bay Area at the price range / mileage I'm looking at (2 actually).
Newbie
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
A Z06 might have a bumpy coarse ride but it is a light and more simple sportcar. The SL is a dream in comparison. Again, the ride of the SL55 will blow away many other cars... and the exhaust note is simply a little piece of heavan's thunder from a man made machine. Superb is the word that comes to mind! We buy these SL55s for all the joys they bring including the fantastic road handling and ride.
