SL55 AMG, SL63 AMG, SL65 AMG (R230) 2002 - 2011 (2003 US for SL55 and 2004 for the SL65)

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Finally got my WHITE SL55

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Old Sep 5, 2010 | 10:26 PM
  #26  
JBFMCAR's Avatar
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From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
G63, 360CS, CLK63 BS, 997.2TT, 328D
Try to find a set of OEM 07+i believe SL55 19s or get a set of CLS55 wheels thats what i did pictures below love the look and keeps it OEM have 3 piece 20s but not good for everyday and rainy season here. Just waiting to find some lowering links for my car then dyno-tune and its done.
Attached Thumbnails Finally got my WHITE SL55-photo-2.jpg   Finally got my WHITE SL55-photo-1.jpg   Finally got my WHITE SL55-photo-5.jpg  
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 10:56 AM
  #27  
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2003 SL55 AMG
Squirting a bit of graphitic lubricant into the supercharger clutch will take care of the chirp for a few months at a time. As far as I have read, the noise is nothing to be worried about unless it just bugs you.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 11:25 AM
  #28  
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From: Lake Forest, IL
1999 ML430, 2007 SL55 (fully optioned including P30 package), 2006 S65, 2010 S65, 2016 S550
Originally Posted by JBFMCAR
Try to find a set of OEM 07+i believe SL55 19s or get a set of CLS55 wheels thats what i did pictures below love the look and keeps it OEM have 3 piece 20s but not good for everyday and rainy season here. Just waiting to find some lowering links for my car then dyno-tune and its done.
Agree those are great looking rims and they are more trouble free than the two piece rims that were included in the SL55 performance package. 19" rims still result in a very low profile tire. Consider that present Formula One rims are 13" and hardly use what one would call a low profile tire................way too much is made of this in my opinion.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 12:31 PM
  #29  
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From: Ft Lauderdale, Florida
G63, 360CS, CLK63 BS, 997.2TT, 328D
Originally Posted by CottRD
Agree those are great looking rims and they are more trouble free than the two piece rims that were included in the SL55 performance package. 19" rims still result in a very low profile tire. Consider that present Formula One rims are 13" and hardly use what one would call a low profile tire................way too much is made of this in my opinion.
Yeah I agree the look of these 19s are classic mbz and so easy clean the whole rim vs the 2 piece 19s. I had a set of 18s on the car but the tires looked huge and not right the 19s IMO are the perfect size and ride for the SL55 unless you plan to track the car or drag the car then 18s
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 02:21 PM
  #30  
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Thanks for the good words. I couldn't find any OEM wheels but there are a few sellers on eBay selling OEM style

Here

Here

and

Here

Not sure if they're any good but the sellers do have great feedback from their customers.

Thanks aluthman, I'll try what you recommended for the chirp. If no luck, I'll drop by a local dealer as Benz-O-Rama recommended.

Adrock - I'm in CA but the car was bought from AZ. I agree tint would look great with the pano roof but I'm going to hold off on that. The LAPD has "tint days" where they pull over all cars with front tint - not worth the hassle during winter when I drive with windows up.

I've decided to purchase an extended warranty after I do some more research on the companies. I left a message for Michael Case to see if they'll be writing the 55's again and also getting a quote from Mercury tomorrow.

I hope everybody has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 02:55 PM
  #31  
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Eurocharged 2004 E500, Eurocharged ECU/TCU 2005 SL600, 2010 Caddy SwaggerWagon
Personally, I'm not a fan of cheap, knock-off, cast wheels. Maybe for use as a beater winter set, but it's just not befitting of a car like the SL55. Not sure about you, but I wouldn't feel safe at 150+mph on Chinese/Taiwan made wheels.

My $.02

If price is major concern, buy a quality used OEM set in the classifieds on this board. There's always plenty of SL take-off that can be had, with tires, for not much more than these ebay wheels, after you add rubber.

You can broaden your search to include CLS wheels too, as they share the same offsets and widths as the SL.


Originally Posted by DoctorJeff
Thanks for the good words. I couldn't find any OEM wheels but there are a few sellers on eBay selling OEM style

Here

Here

and

Here

Not sure if they're any good but the sellers do have great feedback from their customers.

Thanks aluthman, I'll try what you recommended for the chirp. If no luck, I'll drop by a local dealer as Benz-O-Rama recommended.

Adrock - I'm in CA but the car was bought from AZ. I agree tint would look great with the pano roof but I'm going to hold off on that. The LAPD has "tint days" where they pull over all cars with front tint - not worth the hassle during winter when I drive with windows up.

I've decided to purchase an extended warranty after I do some more research on the companies. I left a message for Michael Case to see if they'll be writing the 55's again and also getting a quote from Mercury tomorrow.

I hope everybody has a safe and enjoyable Labor Day.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 03:08 PM
  #32  
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Congrats on the purchase

I have one set of the factory 2 piece AMG wheels that come on the sl65. I want 3900 for them. Let me know if your interested.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 03:13 PM
  #33  
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I have this set off my car under 700 miles on everything just the tires alone were 1300 let me know if your interested I could make you a great deal shipped.
Justin
http://miami.craigslist.org/brw/pts/1923303485.html
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 03:23 PM
  #34  
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2004 SL55 AMG K1
Nice wheels, if I had an extra 1300 layin around id take you up on your offer.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 04:47 PM
  #35  
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Yeah they are real nice just wanted the 5 spoke mbz wheels had them on my e55 also and loved the look. I think the price is pretty fair might even be negotiable the tires are like new and some of the best tires money can buy for those of you that have seasons.
Justin.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 04:55 PM
  #36  
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Originally Posted by Blue_Monster
Congrats on the purchase

I have one set of the factory 2 piece AMG wheels that come on the sl65. I want 3900 for them. Let me know if your interested.
This.
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Old Sep 6, 2010 | 05:04 PM
  #37  
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SL55 AMG
There are plenty of wheel and tire options for both 19 and 20 inch sizes. You may like to look at TireRack or other brands, HRE, Fikse, Forgeline, CCW, etc...etc... Mandrus, Vossen, ADV1 are some others ... if you want to stick to factory, takeoffs from an SL55 030 or SL65 are a good bet...

On a car like yours, any nice 5 or 6 spoke wheel with some darker accents would look nice, you have a ton of options...take your time and look around...if your car were mine a set of BBS CH-R in black 20" mesh would be on there already, in fact I would have them waiting at the house to swap over as soon as the car arrived!
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 01:20 AM
  #38  
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Justin, those wheels look great but looking for 19 - 20".

Sunir just saw those BBS wheels in black on a white SL55 on the tirerack website and I think it looks beautiful - makes me reconsider!

Thank you for the all the good advice guys! I will take my time and hopefully come across a good deal on a nice, quality wheel.
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Old Sep 7, 2010 | 03:58 PM
  #39  
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Originally Posted by DoctorJeff
Justin, those wheels look great but looking for 19 - 20".

Sunir just saw those BBS wheels in black on a white SL55 on the tirerack website and I think it looks beautiful - makes me reconsider!

Thank you for the all the good advice guys! I will take my time and hopefully come across a good deal on a nice, quality wheel.
glad I could help haha I knew you'd like those...they are great, especially on a white car! If you get 'em you can thank me by posting some nice pics for all of us to see. I love picking out good wheel/tire combos for fellow enthusiasts and their cars!!
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Old Sep 8, 2010 | 04:41 PM
  #40  
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Jeff my BBS wheels are for sale and they are 19". $2800

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Old Oct 11, 2010 | 02:11 PM
  #41  
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I installed the rear spoiler from JBSPEED. Fast shipping, perfect paint, and looks great. Here are some pictures.





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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 06:02 AM
  #42  
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03 sl500
wow! sweeeeeeeeeeeeet!!!!!!!!
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 09:33 AM
  #43  
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genes wheels would look absolutely amazing on that wonderful white car!!
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 07:55 PM
  #44  
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Originally Posted by DoctorJeff
Thanks everybody. What an enjoyable evening driving it with the top down. I'm going to go with a semi-OEM look (something I'd imagine Mercedes should've put the car out with) so I'm going to shy away from black or white wheels. I prefer 19" or 20" 5 to 6 spoke aluminum wheels. Maybe I'll go with Brabus or the OEM titanium SL65 wheels. Still looking around at options.

When I accelerate from a complete stop, the car makes a cricket sound about 1 second after. I'm going to have to get it checked out.

The keyless-go has been giving a "key not detected" message since I saw the car too, even after changing batteries on both keys so that will need to get checked out as well. I was hoping it was the heat since some cars experience this in extreme heat but not the case here. I have to be close to the driver's side to unlock using the remote, doesn't work from anywhere else, so maybe the antenna is misbehaving.

Have a great Sunday!

Not sure if you've already got that chirp checked out but the chirp happens when the belt slips when engaging the supercharger at low speeds - its inherent in 03-05 SL55s - they fixed it in 06 with a new supercharger clutch package - which if under warranty and taken to a dealer that likes to keep clients happy will be done with no problem.

A few mods you may want to perform on your SL55 to get it at its optimal level - Johnson CM30 pump to replace the stock pump (for cooling) a heat exchanger (also for cooling) a pulley and TCU/ECU upgrade and if you really want to jump off the line - 80-82mm Throttle body will do the trick. Just some of the mods I'm throwing on my 55 I just picked up a little over a week ago

*Get the resonator delete - you will thank me when you hear the sound and it will still pass smog
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 08:51 PM
  #45  
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Originally Posted by DoctorJeff
Thanks everybody. What an enjoyable evening driving it with the top down. I'm going to go with a semi-OEM look (something I'd imagine Mercedes should've put the car out with) so I'm going to shy away from black or white wheels. I prefer 19" or 20" 5 to 6 spoke aluminum wheels. Maybe I'll go with Brabus or the OEM titanium SL65 wheels. Still looking around at options.

When I accelerate from a complete stop, the car makes a cricket sound about 1 second after. I'm going to have to get it checked out.

The keyless-go has been giving a "key not detected" message since I saw the car too, even after changing batteries on both keys so that will need to get checked out as well. I was hoping it was the heat since some cars experience this in extreme heat but not the case here. I have to be close to the driver's side to unlock using the remote, doesn't work from anywhere else, so maybe the antenna is misbehaving.

Have a great Sunday!
"key not detected" message probably means you have a replacement keys that are not keyless-go. Someone was saving a few bucks on the replacements - try both keys to see if the one might works. I have one that works and apparently a replacement that doesn't. Can't help you with the proximity issue.
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Old Oct 12, 2010 | 11:06 PM
  #46  
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Next up: some aluminum wheels - I'm avoiding black/white/gunmetal. Just a personal preference.

The chirp is gone. I think my mechanic lubricated the supercharger clutch. I also tried to get rid of some clicking sound when I turn the steering wheel all the way at slow speeds (usually when I'm parking) but he couldn't fix it even after the Mercedes instructions to fix this problem. He said "it's normal". My fiancee's 2009 MBZ does this as well so maybe it is normal

I'm definitely going to replace the pump because the car gets overwhelmed after a little abuse. I can't go fast after some heavy driving and have read that's the problem. Do you know where to get all the other mods done in Southern California? I'm not a DIY type of person.

What exactly is a resonator delete? I don't want to remove anything that was placed for a reason, especially on a car like this.

The "key not detected" occurs with both keys. The dealer checked it out and he said it's something to do with an internal problem and said to schedule a checkup which will cost about 350 including a possible fix. I'll probably do that after some time

By the way, this car is quite addicting. I purchased it as a 2nd vehicle and have driven my "1st" vehicle maybe 10 miles in the past month.

Edit: Pulled up some videos on Youtube of SL55s with this done to the exhaust. Not sure if I can take all day everyday http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITYPn_A9S8o

Last edited by DoctorJeff; Oct 12, 2010 at 11:29 PM.
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 03:07 PM
  #47  
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Jeff,

Glad to hear that you are loving your car!

Mine is in my garage being detailed to death. This is the third day already and probably 2 more to go.

I drove both the Porsche and SL600 on Sunday and loved both cars. They are definitely different tools for different jobs! Porsche - sports car for carving canyons, SL600 luxo cruiser with OD of testosterone thrown in for extreme fun!

Hal
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 06:01 PM
  #48  
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Good looking SL55. If that car is from AZ, I think I know it!!

Have fun and be safe!!
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 06:07 PM
  #49  
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Hal, glad all is well with the SL600... Looking forward to seeing some pictures of it after the detail. Did you ever decide about the resonator delete? I think you were considering doing that when you first purchased the car.

IngenereAMG, yes I bought this from AZ... should I be worried about what you know?
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Old Oct 13, 2010 | 07:02 PM
  #50  
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He is claying the exterior as we speak so tomorrow should be polish and paint sealant day. Then should be ready for pics.

I am not thinking about an exhaust mod. My wife likes the car and I do not want to endanger that. If I want noise, I jump in the Porsche which has modified mufflers. I used to run it with no mufflers and that was LOUD!

I might do an ECU/TCU at some point, but still have a bunch of stuff to take care of before I think about that seriously.

Need to get an iPod hookup asap.
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