Just traded my black '03 SL500 on an '03 Diamond Silver Metallic SL55 AMG that I found to be a clean one owner, all original paint/body and service records, although looks like I need to replace control arm bushings and ball joints to get it to pass MD State Inspection, everything else seems to check out fine. Got a good deal on the difference b/w thetrade in and the SL55 price which was in the range of what I expected to do the deal; considering the relative prices for these cars on autotrader, cars.com etc...

The cars are night and day different, all I can say...SL55 is a whole nother beast ... violently scary fast lol

Wanted to introduce myself on the AMG board, I like the car a whole lot and even though I know these cars are loosing value quite a bit; I wanted to swap my SL500 for the AMG while I could still get the price delta to be as small as possible since both cars are loosing value and we're gearing up for spring/summer when prices may go up a bit.

A few questions:

1) Anything to be aware of on the '03 SL55 AMG..problem areas, little nuances, etc...? I already owned an '03 SL500 so I know about SBC brake recalls, ABC issues etc the regular SL maladies...but anything specific to look out for on the SL55 AMG in particular and especially on the '03 cars?

2) Since I anticipate these cars still dropping in value, I focused on the fun factor and how I love driving this car & that's what I essentially bought it for; as such I was thinking of some mods...from reading threads I've heard about Kleeman, Renntech, VRP, and Dino at Veloce has his tuning upgrade as well...wanted to get some feedback from folks who have upgraded their SL55 AMG's and who they went with, what did they get done, what did they notice about the gains, their thought on the vendors and mods etc...just looking for some fair and neutral feedback...

3) Anything I missed, that I should know about these cars and SL55 AMG ownership. As these cars are specialty vehicles any little secrets, subtleties, or the like that I can benefit from knowing about? Many of you have had and driven your SL55 for a long time so your experiences and thoughts are valuable for a new owner like myselfthanks for your help...

4) I think purchasing an extended warranty/service contract is a good idea as I had one on my SL500 and used it a couple of times. I'll be looking to do the same for the SL55 AMG...any idea of providers you could give me the contact information for; I used a DC Service contract on my SL500, liked that one; may go back and get another depending on terms, mileage, year.

thanks again for all and any help

Sunir

 

If you are looking for input focused on the 55 side of the vehicle, peruse the E55 forum, its essentially the same engine.
One thing that comes to mind is the intercooler pump, a weak link in many of the MB designs.

 

I was the first guy in the west to get my SL55 back in '03 and it has been brilliant. I have really had no troubles, and the service costs have been dirt cheap.

My car has seen track days and has had more software changes than I can count and it still runs and looks like the day I bought it.

Enjoy the 55, and let me know if you have any performance questions. I am sure that we can create a reliable beast for you!

 

Congrats and welcome to the forum!

CA_55 hit the most common issue that wasn't already on your list: the original Bosch intercooler pump tends to fail. Later versions seem to last longer.

I essentially have the VR600 package on my car. It makes the car quite a bit stronger, not that it was at all weak in the first place. 1/4 mile times for a stock car run from 12.4 to 13.0 seconds with a trap speed of 110 to 116 mph. My car can run a 1/4 mile in 11.4 seconds with trap speed of 121 mph. Based on those numbers, the engine is now producing a bit more than 600 horsepower.

Enjoy!

 

Welcome and congrats on your buy. I had an 04 SL55 (now 08) and the only problem was the supercharger chirp. So not so sure about an 03. It's a very fast car, but witha few mods like jmf003it can be even faster.

 

Here's what I have from MB from what was done on the car pre-purchase work (as seen from the work order).

- SBC Suction Hose Recall Campaign

- SBC Bracket Campaign

- Perform Relay air injection pump recall and replace pump relay; secondary air injection pump

- Run diagnostic (SDS); looks like they did some diagnostic/software checks with SDS and DAS Connected

-- After engine warms supercharger does not work - replace R/R - 096925 Circulation Pump - Low temp water circuit

1 000-500-03-86 Coolant pump list 350.00 Net 280.00 Labor - 315.00; 3.0 test and replace charge air coolant pump Total: 595.00

- 428591 Hydraulic Unit - SBC R/R
- 421362 Hydraulic Brake System Bleed/Vent (after removing/installing Hydraulic unit) Veh. with SBC

Thats about it from the work order. Car seems to run great and the boday and chassis are in great shape - engine feels very strong and the transmission/drivetrain feels sturdy; I am in the process of getting through state inspection where some suspension (ball joints, control arm, and lower front bushings need to be replaced)...

Also wanted to ask; where is a good place to buy replacement parts in general for this car? For example suspension - i.e replacement hydrauilic struts, heard these tend to leak sometimes and brake parts like pads & rotors. Are there any cleaner (in terms of brake dust for the pads), less expensive, and relaiable options out there, perhaps through aftermarket, online vendors, or better priced dealers?

What is a Vr600 package?

thnaks

 

Sounds like you already did your research on the SL55's, theyre just amazing! I didn't even bother considering a SL500, it sure is a day and night difference

it makes me feel better that theres owners out there with little to no issues

 

Per https://mbworld.org/forums/2734754-post43.html VRP's VR600 package consists of:I have all the above except Evosport shorties instead of VRP shorties. I also have SLR camshafts, VRP extreme belt wrap, PTE thermostat, and a quaife differential.

 

Sunir, lets race

 

lol...hey Jay what's up bro...dang don't even have the car through MD State inspection and I already have a race haha ...

How's evrerything going? I was out of the country for a while in Jan/Feb...looking forward to cathing up with the guys at the next dinner or maybe even before...

Hope to have everything on the SL55 squared away in the next couple of weeks; waiting on control arms now from MB, these are the updated AMG design, apparenly they discontinued the ones that were on the car originally for a better beefier design.

How's your CL doing? Still very fast I bet

 

cant wait to see the ride man, congrats, lets catch up soon!!!

 

sounds good man... been a while. Should have the SL55 there for the next meet.

 

"4) I think purchasing an extended warranty/service contract is a good idea as I had one on my SL500 and used it a couple of times. I'll be looking to do the same for the SL55 AMG...any idea of providers you could give me the contact information for; I used a DC Service contract on my SL500, liked that one; may go back and get another depending on terms, mileage, year."




I would like some members to help out with this. What aftermarket companies are good rates and good service, where you can take the car to a dealer or whatever. A lot of ext. warranty companies DON'T do 600s/amgs

 

I purchased a Daimler/Chrysler warranty for my SL55. I used Michael Case and he was able to get me lower price than going directly to Chrysler. His contact info is: Office (630) 231-3464

Direct (630) 386-1707

Fax (630) 566-4197

 

Now is that for while its still under warranty.

I am talking about 1 that has NO warranty on it anymore.

Wasn't able to decipher which you meant.

and if you don't mind sharing... how many months, miles, and price?

You can PM me if you'd prefer. Thanks so much for your post.