MKN SONG

Hi folks,

I am about to buy a 2004 SL55 AMG from a Benz Dealer here in So. CA. It has 40k miles and is a certified car but the salesman is new to MB and does not know a lot about the car and neither do I other than I really like it!!!

Can someone help me with what things I should be looking at or ask about it before buying the car? I did ask him to print out the complete service history on the car but I have not seen it yet...

Can you also tell me what the service schedule is for this car, in other words, based on the current mileage what is the next likely service, what is included and what is the approximate cost?

Any and all info would be greatly appreciated!!!

Thanks, Nick

Fantasm

Make sure you have a warranty for a bit... other than that, try to get one with the options you like.

Keyless Go (yes)
Ventilated/Heated Seats (yes)
Parking Distance Control (yes)
Distronic (maybe)
Panoramic Roof (up to you, it adds weight and i dont like it)
Sirius (sure, not deal breaker)

bltserv

Personally I would maybe look for a 2005 or later.

But here is what I would suggest. These cars seem to either be rock solid or cursed. So get the Service History report. Every dealer can print this for you.
If the car looks like it has not spent a ton of time in the shop. Thats good.
Dont let the guy stall on this. My SA had it in his hands in a couple minutes.

Keyless. A must have.
Parktronic. You can live without. But its nice.
Distronic. Waste of time in California unless you drive it to San Fran at night.
Seats. The cooling is not that cool.
Pano. It looks nice but it adds weight and I am happy without it.
Sirius. I could care less.

Look at the underside. Especially up front. Get it on a lift if possible.
Abuse of the front skirt is the most common damage area. SL`s hate
concrete parking stops. You will learn this lesson quickly.

Look at the black plastic shield behind the rear tires. See tons of caked on rubber ? Thats from someone abusing the tires and doing burnouts.

Make sure the car has new tires. Get the report on the brakes as far as wear.
At 40K miles front rotors should be due or have just been changed. Thats expensive and not under warranty so find out. It will be on the service report.

I would avoid a car with multiple ABC issues or multiple electrical issues in its past. Avoid a car with a noisy top. Avoid a car with any clunk noises
when braking or accelerating hard.

Above all shop around. Down here in So Cal the SL55`s are numerous for sale.
Try the used places like DC Motors and lowball everyone. Especially if you see these cars on the lot for more than 90 days. Enjoy shopping. Test drive as many of them as you can. The last thing you want with a car like this
that costs this much is "Buyers Regret".

But the best rule of thumb is. "Buy the latest model you can afford".
So a 05 or an 06 would be prefferable. The 05 has the larger command screen and DVD NAV too. DVD`s with 100s of songs are cool in the command
DVD up front.


Good luck.
Your welcome to PM me if you want more advice and since you are a local.

damian155

2005 or up. Warrenty is must.