vpr80

hi,
just wanted to find out a few things:
1) why does the 03 have less HP than the 04 on? can it be bumped to 493 with the ecu or does it need parts? cost?
2) just to check, but in 05 it got the new command system as well as the 7 speed tranny?

i am looking for an SL so i just want to make sure i know the differences between the model years.

tia

vpr80

nevermind only the 500 got the 7 speed, i see the 55 had the 5 speed....ok so given these model years, aside from the lower HP in 2003 and new command system in 2005, are there any other major differences? which year is best to get value wise?

Sharkster

There are no significant differences between the 2003 and the 2004 model. The 2004 is said to be more reliable though... There are no official statistics on this though.

The 2003 has the same hp as the 2004. It's just stated differently.

The 2005 SL55 not only has the new COMAND, but also the MOST bus system, while the 2004 and 2003 have the CAN bus (do a google search on these two bus systems). The 2005 is considered more reliable than the 2004. There are no official statistics on this though.

vpr80

i am a little confused on why the 03 anr 04 have different stated HP specs....so are they exactly the same then?

i see that MOST is newer and better, but should I really care about it? I don't care about the new COMMAND and as long as CAN bus is reliable then it's fine, right?

bltserv

The Production Numbers really fell off after 04 on the SL55.
So your going to see plenty of used 03 and 04`s on the market.

These are US shipped Numbers off the AMG Lounge Board

2003 3095
2004 2280
2005 1072
2006 860
2007 583

Personally. I would get an 05 or later. Most of the bugs were worked out
of the R230 by then. Also the 05 is the first year with the Larger Command
and DVD Navigation.

And dont worry about the HP specs. This Car has more Horse Power than your ever going to use. Trust me. The roads are not long enough in public
for you to really use the true power potential this car offers.

A few horses here and there is Mice Nuts when your up around 500HP.

Good Luck.

vpr80

my wife is going to kill me as i keep upping the budget....but sounds like the 05 is the one to get

i wonder why the production numbers dropped off so much though? can't be lack of demand can it?

bltserv

Back in the Day. Late 02, 03. This car was in HUGE demand. People were
paying premiums over list in the beginning. But like anything. The demand
started to tail off over time.

Seriously. The latest model you can afford is the your best investment.
Good luck and enjoy shopping.
Take your time and drive a bunch of them.

Post your questions here and we will do our best to answer them.

vpr80

speaking of shopping and driving.....what should i keep an eye out for when checking the car out or test driving it? any model specific items to check?

I've seen mentions or "clicking" from the supercharger clutch...anything else?

Fantasm

its not a click, its a chirp and that doesn't mean something is wrong -- its just the clutch engaging.

the one thing to look out for is problems with their ABC suspension -- if the car is leaning to one side as you walk up to it (because its probably going to have been sitting for a while)... then theres a hydraulic suspension problem and i would pass on that car.

vpr80

how expensive can it get if the car develops problems with the suspension? is it just some common peice that fails or could be any part of it?

sl600_pilot

i bought my 04 600 after tons of research. one of the keys you need to ask yourself is will i soup it up. the sl55 and hard to get much over mid 500 hp, and takes hardware modifications. the 600, twin turbo v-12 is rated at 493 in 04, actual hp for my car was 535 stock. now we add a ECU AND Transmission software update and get 630-650 HP, 1050 TQ for about 5K, all software. so your near the HP and torque of the SL65. The negative is the 05 (we had a CDI) the navigation is DVD based and much bigger screen. the headlight washers are also better, as well as the window washer jets. I have not messed with the network reader yet, but there is much hardware to read them. One last thing, make sure the front suspension recall has been incorporated! its expensive. much fun driving a true automobile!

vpr80

i don't plan on souping the car up....i think its a great car as is and as nice as 650hp and 1000tq sounds, it would get me into more trouble than i would know how to get out off

bltserv

The Supercharger is a Chirp. Later models dont seem to have that issue.

First thing you do. Get on you stomach. Look at the front Air Dam.
This will show how its been parked/abused. This is the first thing on these cars thats damaged. Look for tons of rubber flaking in the rear wheel wells.
This will show its been doing ESP off Burn outs. Make sure the top has ZERO rattles. Get the Vehicle History report from the dealer. Avoid cars with multiple electrical or ABC Issues. These cars are either problem free or cursed. And the trick is to avoid a cursed SL cause it will melt you down without warranty.

Personall I like my 55 over the 600. It has all the nice AMG goodies and feels lighter on the road. Also the Supercharger Exhaust Note on a 55 is a thing in its own right. Hammer it next to a freeway K-Rail with the top down and you will know what I mean.

Enjoy

vpr80

thanks a lot for the great info....i will def keep all that in mind

BTW, i was walking to work this morning and one pulling into the garage in front of me. I am not going to lie, I stopped and just stood there as they parked it for a few seconds listening to the exhaist. My wife thought I was crazy and then said, "you want that sound!?!?! OMG you are a child!"

bltserv

Here is a good true story for you. Back in 2003 when I was still with my Ex.
We went to Napa Valley for a winery weekend. In the parking lot was the new SL55. Right away I spoted it and just drooled. The next morning we were checking out of the hotel. And there it is. The guy starts it up and my wife goes. WOW that sounds wicked. After I mention it has 500 HP she gets
to looking at it harder. Well we broke up a year after that. She got an SLK320 that I helped get her through an Auction. Then a couple years ago I bought my SL55. When I pulled up to my old house she came out and was all pissed off. "Its wrong that you bought this car. Its not fare". So I let her drive it once. It pissed her off even more. To this day I can remember the sound of that car at idle. What did me in was going to the AMG Challenge and driving one. I bought mine 6 Weeks later. I was doomed.

Buy the SL55 to cure that inner childs needs.
Wifey will figure it out after you let her drive it.

Wait till you hear it in a tight canyon at full throttle.