Hey guys!

I want to buy a 2005 or 2006 model SL 55 or CL 55 very soon, can you guys tell me what to look out for, and what price range I should be looking at? Also how is the maintenance on these cars? This will be my very first AMG car ever.... I live in Atlanta, so any help with who will be the best mechanics to let work on it and who to go to for upgrades would also be very much appreciated too!

Thanks guys!

P.S. - I've already found a 2005 black/black SL 55 around here with 58k miles for $38,900..... it doesnt have keyless go or panorama roof, but it does have the updated 2009 model 19" rims from the SL 63,....also found a silver/black 2005 SL 55 with 73k miles for $32,900..... how much should I really pay?

Also saw a 2006 CL 55 black/black with 35k miles for $28,900, and a 2005 S 600 sedan black/tan with sport package, rear seat heat/cool package, keyless go, etc... with 50k miles for $31,900.... thanks!

 

Kind of all over the board between an SL, CL and S. Very different cars. Do you reallly know what you want? You need to drive all of them. I had a CL55 a few years ago, and it bored me. Looked good, great on the road, and very nice interior, but still bored me after 6 months ( I was into Porsche turbo cars for a very long time). Expensive lesson. I bought my '07 SL55 from Select Imports in Atlanta over 2 years ago. My experience with them was pretty good.

 

My preference is leaning towards an SL 55...... so do you like your SL 55 alot? How is the maintenance with it? And do you think the prices I'm seeing around town are ok?

Also if you know of who would be the best mechanic for a car like this please let me know also... thanks for all the info again!

 

I still like the SL after 2 years, which, for me, is a long time to own 1 car. I came out of an M6, and I don't miss it at all. My one and only BMW. I do miss the Porsches as I was into those for a very long time.
Maintenance on as SL can be horrible. An extended warranty is a must.

 

SL55 all the way. I have driven both, and bought the SL.
No comparrison. The CL looks nice and drives well enough but it is much bigger, heavier and far less sporty = less fun to drive by a wide margin.

Plus the SL55 is a convertible, with a touch of a button and 16 seconds of transformer action, the top is gone.

My .02

 

05 SL55 gold color with only 28k; All options including 19AMG wheels; perfect car, recently have all spark plugs, all fluids and filter changed due to low usage recommended by dealer, one year tires with all new TPMs, two new batteries; no wreck, none smoker. Cell 256-617-1963 garaged in Huntsville, Al, private seller. want 45K.
For photo email to swiftm001@yahoo.com

 

Both the CL and the SL are not light my any means. If you want a back seat and a car the size of an S-class then get a CL55. IMO the new CL makes the old one look dated. Where as the New SL body style doesn't seem to date the old one. At least that my opinion.The only thing I feel that dates the SL is the stock wheels, Some of them are just plane ugly. As call to HRE or any quality wheel maker fixes that issue.

If it was me I would look at a CLS55. fantastic ride quality, better power to weight ratio, best looking 4 door Mercedes ever made. A nice set of wheels and a lowering module has a CLS looking like rocket ship and no doubt they are. Also don't be fooled my the 469hp rating on a CLS that Mercedes gave it. Its more like 500hp.

A little shameless promotion for my brothers car that is for sale. 2006 CLS 55 with MBH long tube headers, mid-section, 20" DPE wheels, 180mm pulley, with tune, MBH monster heat exchanger, V2 lowering module. This car is an absolute monster and is in perfect condition. It at least worth a look.

https://mbworld.org/forums/mercedes-...ml#post4901159

 

I've had my 2005 SL55 for 2 years and I still get a smile on when I drive it. A 2 seater works for me and the trunk capacity was bigger than I expected. The maintenance isn't all that bad, lot worse if you have the 12 cylinder versions. I was able to find a certified mercedes mechanic with his own garage and that has saved some on maintenance. I got a Chrylser after market warranty and am very happy with it. You MUST have a good warranty as these cars can get real expensive to repair real fast. If you decide on the SL, I would recommend you buy 05 or newer with as few miles as you can afford. Good luck in your search, be patient and wait for the right car.

 

I personally prefer the SL..................just my opinion. I have done many a mods and it continues to impress me. I agree with the group, take your time making the decision. Warranty is always a plus!!!

 

Thanks guys I will take my time, but not too long I hope..... The prices around town seem to be all over the map... I'm gonna soon get my dealer's AMG technician to go out to a few of these and check them out in person to give me a heads up on whether or not they're in good shape or not. And yes I agree a warranty is the first thing I will go after after purchasing......

Anyone in the Atlanta area? Know of a good local AMG mechanic who could maintain a car such as this for reasonable prices? And what prices should I pay for an '05 SL 55 and for an '08 SL 55? I'm seeing prices ranging from low 30's for the '05's to low 40's.... for the 2008 model I'm seeing prices ranging from high 40's to high 60's.....

Also, what is the best extended warranty company to call for these cars and how much should I be paying for a 3 or 4 year warranty with full top of the line bumper to bumper coverage and no deductible?

thanks guys, I apologize in advance for all the questions..... I'm just nervous and stressed out is all.....

 

I have had exactly the same experience. Had the Cl . Bored me too after 6months. Looks really good on the road.
I think you have to ask yourself how much you value a convertible.. For me as I found out threw the years , I just cant live without a convertible.
Also the road handling is much better in my opinion with the Sl
Price value is much better too. The CL will loose its value quicker than a convertible SL
I say go for the SL

 

interested in where you found the "Also saw a 2006 CL 55 black/black with 35k miles for $28,900" - if you could pm me the info that would be great. very much interested :thank-you

 

There is a couple of questions you might need to make your decision.
1. You want a convertible?
2. Do you need trunk space
3. Two seats?

I've just got mine here in PR, a 2004 SL55 with 30k miles on it. No panoramic roof. Red/Black.

Bought it for $30k on an auction. Keep on checking for prices.

But I will still go for a SL55 if it is not going to be you daily car.

Good luck

 

luis, yes I do want a convertible and the more I think about it the more I want the SL 55 instead of a CL 55. The SL 55's actually feel a good bit faster and more tossable than the CL 55's do to me, not to mention a good deal more fun in general to drive.....I don't need a back seat right now because my fiance and I don't have any children yet and won't for a few more years.........if I need a little more trunk space I could always take my little 2001 model CLK 430 coupe (The 2007 CL 550 I leased brand new back in december of 2006 is long gone, returned when the lease was finished and got majorly penalized for excess mileage) or my fiance's 4 door ......


Also to RCBenz, sorry for the typo.... that CL 55 I saw had 64,000 miles not 35,000..... my apologies for the error....

I had my dealer's mechanic come over to check out the Silver 2005 model SL 55 this past saturday but he said it needs $8,000 of repairs immediately and probably 4 to 5 grand more right after that (I'm sure an independent local german mechanic shop could do all the work it needed for less, but still).... so obviously I passed even though it was a good deal at $32,900, he probably would take $29,000 but I wouldn't take that car for any more than 24 or 25,000 dollars....The mechanic who works on AMG's all the time said to be very weary of any that came from the Northeast or from Florida because of corrosion/rust damage. Wish I could find one that was either pampered/garaged from around here for a good price or was from the Southwest where its dry....we'll see what I find.....this process is very frustrating and I only just started looking....
The black on black 2005 model SL 55 with 58,000 miles is very nice to look at, but I'm hesitant because the used car dealer owner looks like he's a 21 year old and he apparantly drives the car almost everyday including to go out at night to nightclubs to pick up girls, atleast thats pretty much what his best buddy who also works there said. he also damaged the bumper the other day and now its in the body shop getting repairs... and he wants $39,900 for the car which considering the condition it looked in when I test drove it, is about $5,000 to $6,000 too high....

 

I recently gave advice to go for the 55SL blind.
Now reading that you have a fiancé i thought id tell you having a 55SL convertable isn't a good if you live any other lifestyle than the rich bachelor . I say this knowing many people who do. The ones always getting in arguments and fights over the " free time spent with car Vs partner" are the ones who have a partner they live with.
The cars no fun if you have to say "no" to all the beautifull ladies who want two things , 1.get to know the driver 2. Get to know him better in the car

 

I must be lucky. Our SL55 was actually my wifes idea.

 

Your avatar name is SL65 AMG (for some reason not SL55 AMG)...
Why not go for that then..?
Had one before, and got bad experiences from it, or what..?

 

Maxabo, my avatar name has always been SL65 for years here only because it has been my favorite Benz, not because I was getting one. Ofcourse I'd like to, but they are too expensive to fix and repair for now, and getting an almost new one is too expensive right now. I'm seeing much better deals on the SL 55, and I've driven a few and it seems they are already very fast...it will be my daily driver pretty much, so putting alot of miles per year on an SL 65 seems a little high. Also I've been talking to Benz mechanics and techs, and they all have told me that maintenance/repairs on the 65's are much much higher than on the 55's. Also they've even told me that the 55's are more reliable and cost less to maintain/repair than even the 600 models. Has your 65 been reliable? How has the maintenance/upkeep been on it? How much for tune-ups/brakes/etc..?
Compared to the CL 550 that I drove for 39 months, the SL 55 to me is a thousand times faster and more fun in every way....if I would've known that back then I never would've bought that CL 550 (which cost $120,000 fully loaded and optioned out)....instead of getting that brand new 2007 CL 550, I should've bought a 2 year old 2005 model SL 55 roadster and got an extended factory warranty on it. But as they say hindsight is 20/20, and atleast now I've learned from my mistakes....and now I know what I really should buy. Just gotta keep looking for the right one.... :-)

 

I found out what AMG stands for!

A Miliion Girlfriends

See, No F in there like Fiance and No W like Wife
Or Spouse

 

The only problem I've had with this one, was the ignition module (is that the right name for it? There's one for each cylinder bank).
But it seems that problem goes for all V12's.
Because my 600's had that same problem.
Otherwise I've only bought new front brake pads. And right, those were a lot more expensive. About 3 times more than for a 55 or 600.

But I've had the car for over a year and a half now, and that's it, as long as problem goes...


I totally agree, that there's no comparison between a NA engine and a turbo/kompressor-charged one!
Torque talks!

Good Luck!

 

You are on the right track with the SL55. When I looked at the 600 if felt a little more sluggish off the line but then was more fun on the freeway. I just didn't like the city performance and the worries about the v12. The SL65 was too expensive for me and has too much power for what I need. I am happy with the SL55 but you have to wait for the right one, not the chepaest one. You'll know when you have found it. I looked at some 55's several times but the one I boght I kew I wanted it that day. Be patient, this is not buying a Toyota Camry where you can look at 50 any given day.

Good luck,

Z

 

i split my general maintenance between rbm north and MBS motors.

Mbs has a couple of modified amgs that they take care of but for th emost part they just take care of the non performance issues. Only time i take it to rbm is if its a dealer specific item that MBS doesnt do.

For performance mods etc you can talk to Adam over at Malone automotive. He has owned a couple highly modified amgs and really knows the platform inside/out and can guide you on what mods are worth the money etc.

if your ever at caffine and octane hit me up. i have the black sl55 with the carbon diffuser and savini wheels. Its easy to spot as its the only modified sl55 there.