Angel 430

Hi guys im looking into possibly getting a 2005 or 2007 sl 55. My question is< what is the P30 package. I noticed that the front bumper on some of the sl 55 is different it had side vents kind of like the sl 65 is that part of the package?

okbarnett

sl65 front bumper, limited slip, o7 and newer has nuringurg sport suspension, alcantara wheel and shifter, different wheels, bigger front brakes

Havoc

Yes, like okbarnett said, the AMG Safety Car front bumper with air extractors is part of the 030 Performance Package. The following is also included:

- AMG Alcantara-trimed sport steering wheel
- 186 mph top track speed (electronically limited)
- AMG Active Suspension with "Nurburgring" calibration which is approximately 20% stiffer
- AMG compound braking system
- AMG staggered-width 19" two-piece double-spoke alloy wheels and high-performance tires
- AMG locking differential

I also believe the SL55 P030 Performance Package has an additional oil cooler since some AMG brochures states that it's the reason for the AMG Safety Car front bumper with air extractors..

Hope this helps!

Fasthound

There is also, on one side, an additional oil cooler. The front fascia is same as the F1 pace car. But only one side has the additional cooler and so the other side is actually a "fake" intake/extraction system. On mine, the working side is the passenger side. The compound brakes simply means floating rotors in the front, not ceramic rotors. And the brakes in the front are larger. It's a noticeably stiffer suspension. Car corners very flat....VERY flat. Quite a lot of money for what you get, but if you like the more aggressive front air dam/fascia it's worthwhile IMHO. The brakes are better (really...drive SL55 and SL55 P30 back to back and you WILL feel the difference) and more oil cooling and an LSD are never bad ideas. The shift paddles are not really all that useful although they come in handy if you are using the manual mode. Still don't understand why they didn't offer blips on downshift like my Infinity G35. On a car costing in excess of $150K fully loaded, the lack of a rev matching downshift blip makes the paddles of limited use (in fact the entire :manual" downshift whether by paddle or shift lever is a waste). I put it in SPORT mode and never touch the lever or paddles....no need to. The car shifts very well all by itself and will hold gears into corners, etc.

Hope that helps.

okbarnett

the 05 and 06 sl65 had wire mesh side grills, the 07 and 08 sl65 had louver side vents, the sport pkg on the 55 follows

Fasthound

I've included pictures of the earlier side extraction vents (with screen) and the later vent style of the 2007/2008 (picture is of my 07 SL55). Also have included picture of my front brakes and wheels.

falconsprint

FYI, my 2009 SL65 also has a radiator in front of the right wheel well. But it has coolant, not oil in it. The oil coolor is where the intercoolor HE is on the 55s. The right side bumber vent is open (left is not) but is not actually functional. There's a plastic box behind the additional radiator that diverts air down. The intercoolor HE is sandwiched between the AC condensor and the radiator. Not a good spot in my opinion.