SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Any year SL55 I should not purchase?
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Super Member
Joined: Sep 2007
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...
Any year SL55 I should not purchase?
Looking to possibly trade my M for a SL55.
Any recommendations you could make would be greatly appreciated and how has your overall experience with the car been? I have heard about some air suspension and electrical issue's?
Is it worth the trade???
Any recommendations you could make would be greatly appreciated and how has your overall experience with the car been? I have heard about some air suspension and electrical issue's?
Is it worth the trade???
Last edited by RPB; Sep 28, 2007 at 02:56 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I have had my '03 since new and it has been great except for 1 IC pump. That's it. Great car!
.......and lots of fun to tune!
.......and lots of fun to tune!
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,200
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From: Irvine, CA
Car Whore
Definitely worth the trade, I had an M3 at the same time I had my SL55 and I barely drove the M anymore... I hated not driving it because it was beautiful and fun to drive with the paddle shift SMGII, but there just wasnt enough power for me
Super Member
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 958
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CLS55
the newer the better, but in my experience, any mercedes should be better than any bmw. maybe i had bad luck, but the laundry list of faulty parts (including replacing two radiators and two expansion tanks.... wear items) made me think i wasn't a special case.
Banned
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: Irvine, CA.
2005 SL55, 2000 CL500
We had a recent thread that had several SL55 owners that vented some frustrations with different model years
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-sl63-amg-sl65-amg-r230/205908-your-sl55-falling-apart-too.html
It seems that most of the issues were with the earlier models.
2003, 2004.
When I went shopping for mine I took the advise of my Service Advisor
at my local Benz Dealer. "Get the latest model year you can afford".
So when I saw a 2004 with less miles and more goodies. I purchased a 2005 with a few more miles and less options. No park or pano. And I am glad I did
My 2005 has been flawless except for its thurst for fresh tires.
Happy shopping !!!! Trade that Bimmer in and enjoy !
https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-sl63-amg-sl65-amg-r230/205908-your-sl55-falling-apart-too.html
It seems that most of the issues were with the earlier models.
2003, 2004.
When I went shopping for mine I took the advise of my Service Advisor
at my local Benz Dealer. "Get the latest model year you can afford".
So when I saw a 2004 with less miles and more goodies. I purchased a 2005 with a few more miles and less options. No park or pano. And I am glad I did
My 2005 has been flawless except for its thurst for fresh tires.
Happy shopping !!!! Trade that Bimmer in and enjoy !
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 25
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2005 SL55 Pewter-Charcoal, 2016 GLE300d Palladium-Espresso, (2013 GL350BT White-Almond:returned)
Just traded my 04 M3 Cab SMG for 05 SL55...
Best trade ever...
Maybe I'm gettin' old, but for me, the M3 Cab SMG was rough and jerky around town. Excelled only when driving hard (>80%).
I've had the SL55 for a just one day and enjoyed it more than 3+ years of my M3.
SL55 drives smooth with seemingly endless instant power and with unsurpassed luxury in its class. The power and V8 RUMBLE is reminiscent of my high school years in my '68 Dodge RT 440 magnum, but able to turn without undue duress. Handling at 50-80% is actually smoother/more satisfying than with the M3.
On the freeway on the way home from my trade, the SL55 seemed as smooth as a Cadillac (is that good???); much more comfortable than my M3 on the way to the trade. I think it's even more comfortable on the freeway than my wife's 750iL.
In 30 years, this future classic will be the Hemi 'Cuda of its day, with style and luxury the MOPAR never had. Possibly the last of the Supercharged Mercedes Supercars...
--JC
Maybe I'm gettin' old, but for me, the M3 Cab SMG was rough and jerky around town. Excelled only when driving hard (>80%).
I've had the SL55 for a just one day and enjoyed it more than 3+ years of my M3.
SL55 drives smooth with seemingly endless instant power and with unsurpassed luxury in its class. The power and V8 RUMBLE is reminiscent of my high school years in my '68 Dodge RT 440 magnum, but able to turn without undue duress. Handling at 50-80% is actually smoother/more satisfying than with the M3.
On the freeway on the way home from my trade, the SL55 seemed as smooth as a Cadillac (is that good???); much more comfortable than my M3 on the way to the trade. I think it's even more comfortable on the freeway than my wife's 750iL.
In 30 years, this future classic will be the Hemi 'Cuda of its day, with style and luxury the MOPAR never had. Possibly the last of the Supercharged Mercedes Supercars...
--JC
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
Best trade ever...
Maybe I'm gettin' old, but for me, the M3 Cab SMG was rough and jerky around town. Excelled only when driving hard (>80%).
I've had the SL55 for a just one day and enjoyed it more than 3+ years of my M3.
SL55 drives smooth with seemingly endless instant power and with unsurpassed luxury in its class. The power and V8 RUMBLE is reminiscent of my high school years in my '68 Dodge RT 440 magnum, but able to turn without undue duress. Handling at 50-80% is actually smoother/more satisfying than with the M3.
On the freeway on the way home from my trade, the SL55 seemed as smooth as a Cadillac (is that good???); much more comfortable than my M3 on the way to the trade. I think it's even more comfortable on the freeway than my wife's 750iL.
In 30 years, this future classic will be the Hemi 'Cuda of its day, with style and luxury the MOPAR never had. Possibly the last of the Supercharged Mercedes Supercars...
--JC
Maybe I'm gettin' old, but for me, the M3 Cab SMG was rough and jerky around town. Excelled only when driving hard (>80%).
I've had the SL55 for a just one day and enjoyed it more than 3+ years of my M3.
SL55 drives smooth with seemingly endless instant power and with unsurpassed luxury in its class. The power and V8 RUMBLE is reminiscent of my high school years in my '68 Dodge RT 440 magnum, but able to turn without undue duress. Handling at 50-80% is actually smoother/more satisfying than with the M3.
On the freeway on the way home from my trade, the SL55 seemed as smooth as a Cadillac (is that good???); much more comfortable than my M3 on the way to the trade. I think it's even more comfortable on the freeway than my wife's 750iL.
In 30 years, this future classic will be the Hemi 'Cuda of its day, with style and luxury the MOPAR never had. Possibly the last of the Supercharged Mercedes Supercars...
--JC
Well said. We can only hope that supply will be less than future demand!
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Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 95
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04 SL55, 05 NSX, 05 996TT, 03 RR HSE, '08 S550
SL55 proud newbie
Just got my SL55 three days ago..drove her home from LA to Sacto. At one point I hit the 120 mph with no hands on the steering wheel. You could imagine the smile I had all the way home.
I too found my '04 M3 Vert to be underpowered and attracting too many teenagers. Many have used the E46 M3 as a starting platform into bigger & better rides.
The best luxo-cruiser/vert package money can buy!!!
I too found my '04 M3 Vert to be underpowered and attracting too many teenagers. Many have used the E46 M3 as a starting platform into bigger & better rides.
The best luxo-cruiser/vert package money can buy!!!
Newbie
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
2004 SL55, 2003 M3, 2007 F150 FX4, 2002 Land Cruiser
New to the club
I'm new to the club as I have had my 04 SL55 just one week. It is a CPO with 38k miles. I thought was a great deal -- $25k under retail bluebook. However, I wish I could say that my experience was as satisfying as the others who have chimed in. My check engine light came on yesterday. The service advisor said wait a few days to see if it would clear itself. Today, the car stalled twice on the freeway. There is a clicking or grinding sound coming from the left front. The idle is erratic. From day 1, in stop and go traffic, the car feels like it is about to stall -- just like a muscle car with a hot cam. So, sadly, I have to report based my experience so far that my 03 M3 with a 6 speed provides a far more satisfying driving experience overall. The M3 motor is buttery smooth and responsive throughout the rev range -- the SL55 likes to clear its throat before responding to abrupt throtle inputs -- and has been very reliable. That said, the exposion of torque that hits after the SL55 clears its throat that slams you back into your seat is incredible.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
From: Irvine, CA
Car Whore
if you are in automatic mode it would obviously most likely have to downshift first.
when you go to the dealership have them reset and even reflash your ECU.
so you its programming is starting out fresh with no engrained sense of throttle response, etc.
the ECU will learn based on your driving style and adjust response to it, so reset it from all the **** it had to go through before and while at the dealership.
when you go to the dealership have them reset and even reflash your ECU.
so you its programming is starting out fresh with no engrained sense of throttle response, etc.
the ECU will learn based on your driving style and adjust response to it, so reset it from all the **** it had to go through before and while at the dealership.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I'm new to the club as I have had my 04 SL55 just one week. It is a CPO with 38k miles. I thought was a great deal -- $25k under retail bluebook. However, I wish I could say that my experience was as satisfying as the others who have chimed in. My check engine light came on yesterday. The service advisor said wait a few days to see if it would clear itself. Today, the car stalled twice on the freeway. There is a clicking or grinding sound coming from the left front. The idle is erratic. From day 1, in stop and go traffic, the car feels like it is about to stall -- just like a muscle car with a hot cam. So, sadly, I have to report based my experience so far that my 03 M3 with a 6 speed provides a far more satisfying driving experience overall. The M3 motor is buttery smooth and responsive throughout the rev range -- the SL55 likes to clear its throat before responding to abrupt throtle inputs -- and has been very reliable. That said, the exposion of torque that hits after the SL55 clears its throat that slams you back into your seat is incredible.
Newbie
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: NH
2004 sl55 AMG
If your looking for a super clean & fully loaded 04 sl55, I'm selling mine w/ 27k miles. (I replaced it.) Great car. initial sticker 132k, warranty until 09, $61k. If you want pix let me know.
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cars.com zip code 03833 sl55
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cars.com zip code 03833 sl55
