mark anderson

I've had my 2003 SL55 for 3 years now and still love it but I drove a 07 SL55 the other day and it was much tighter despite having the same amount of miles so it got me thinking about getting a newer 55 or even a 65. I do love the leather interior on the 65 but i worry what the added weight will feel like. Also is getting the 030 option worth it on the 55? My budget is $50k-$70k. Any helpful suggestions?

EURO KNG

09 sl63 =]

sprins

An upgrade to a younger SL55 with 030 will make for a much tighter car. But to invest, in essence, in the same car... I don't know. An SL65 or perhaps even an SL63 should bring you more 'newness' and joy.

You can also spend your budget on an additional car that is completey different. E.g. a hardcore 911 (996 GT3 (RS)). With no trade in your budget should give you plenty of leverage in the current times.

mark anderson

I drove the 63 and as much as I loved the transmission I was not happy with the lack of low end torque I have come to love.

mark anderson

Thanks but I've had several 911's but they are no match as a daily car which is how I use it. I guess the other option is to make some changes to my car like a new steering wheel and maybe a rear deck lip. I've never liked the stock wheel.

jmf003

Some of the guys over on the E55 forum have high praise for the MP Design Steering wheel, https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...od-so-far.html. It might be worth checking out.

Are you still using the stock AMG wheels and rotors? You should see a noticeable change in steering feel if you swap them out for lighter weight parts.

mark anderson

Thanks for the tip on the steering wheel. I do have the 19" 2008 wheels which I love but I will look into the rotors.

sker66

If only $ were a non issue.

SL65 AMG Black Series

URnext

I wouldnt buy another 55 if I already had one. In regards to what to buy next it really depends what you are looking for and if you are planning to mod or just leave it alone. I love my 03' 55, but I will not get rid of it for so many reasons. Reason #1 for you should be the hard depreciation our cars have taking recently, so you have to ask yourself if it is really worth it.

If is was you, and I WAS NOT planning to mod the car and leave it alone I would go for and SL65 hand down.

But, if I WAS planning to mod (considering I already own a 55) I would go for a SL600.

mark anderson

Well I test drove a 2005 SL65 over the weekend and I don't think its for me. As much as the added power was great I was missing the throttle repsonse of my 55 and the added weight was noticeable. I think for now I will get a nicer steering wheel and a 63 rear lip. Has anyone tried to retro fit that later style steering wheel?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...AQ:MOTORS:1123

URnext

Great Choice

sprins

Check this threads discussion on new steering wheels on older cars: https://mbworld.org/forums/sl55-amg-...headliner.html

Management summary: MBenzNL can do the upgrade. It's not trivial, but not impossible either.

mark anderson

Thanks,
I sent him an email.