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

SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Looking at buying an 04 SL55 Advice?

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Old Sep 7, 2012 | 07:15 PM
  #1  
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sl55 amg
Looking at buying an 04 SL55 Advice?

Have had recent interest in getting an SL55. I found one locally and just got back from a test drive. What type of things should I be looking for on the car? Car is stock except for wheels.

What I noticed on the test drive was this-
It had what felt like a hesitation from a dead stop. It seemed as though there was a lag. It also felt as though at constant throttle held in gear, there was a slight surging going through light acceleration. A supercharged car should be pretty crisp and linear in this area.
The trans seemed to not be operating as it should based on throttle response. It seemed to take more throttle than expected to get converter to unlock or downshift. The car felt alot crisper in the mode where you shift via the buttons on the shifter though.

My question is, are these traits somewhat inherant to the car, or could there be a possible issue? No trouble codes were present.

My plans with the car is to do a pretty much all out mod list, but until my other project is finished, want to be happy with it.

Any way to crisp up throttle response? Or could this have been a possible issue?

Thanks, and hopefully joining the group soon!

I am getting rid of my Viper GTS Venom 650R to get this car, so I may be shooting expectations high for a stock SL55, but I was expecting a little more seamless driveability for a car of it's caliber.
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Old Sep 7, 2012 | 08:21 PM
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its a very good car. it can be extreemly expensive to repair. never buy this or any car before you take it to a dealer and have them do a cpo inspection. then youll know what it needs, and they can look up the service history
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Old Sep 7, 2012 | 08:43 PM
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thanks for the response. i agree about the inspection. i think i need to drive another one also to see if what i felt is consistent in that model. i have driven other mercs before, and was very impressed with the feel and driver interface.
i have been building custom cars/bikes for years, so maintenance or parts cost does not scare me as i can take care of labor myself. just wanting to get familiar with this chassis and potential areas of concern.
how is the reliability of the trans in the car when modded?
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Old Sep 8, 2012 | 10:01 PM
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well, decided to get it. only 50 miles on it so far. great car so far!!
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 08:29 PM
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SL55 AMG
Figure out the lag problem?

I also have a 2004 SL55 and there is a lag when I push on the accelerator. It is annoying to me, and just wondered if you figured out the problem?

Thanks,

Clint
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Old Apr 15, 2013 | 10:58 PM
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For starters, I would suggest you try the sneaky reset found here: https://mbworld.org/forums/w211-amg/...set-works.html

Keep in mind we share the 55k motor with the E55 guys.

I can tell you for me, there is a split second between a boot load of throttle and whiplash so something is up if you are not experiencing the same. Try the reset and check back with us if it does not do the trick.
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 12:14 AM
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it was the sc clutch. going to bypass as soon as parts are available. also trying to do as much as possible to trans to get it to shift faster.
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 01:07 AM
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SL55 AMG
Down shift lag...

How does one bypass the sc clutch? What do you do to make the trans shift faster.

I find my frustration most in the lag to down shift, when pressing on the gas. Will these suggestion help?
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 05:07 AM
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You can load a custom TCU file into it and the trans will react more like a sports car than a Mercedes.
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Old Apr 16, 2013 | 10:21 PM
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Interesting, how does one get a custom TCU file, and how do you load it?
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Old Apr 17, 2013 | 05:16 AM
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Originally Posted by clint755
Interesting, how does one get a custom TCU file, and how do you load it?
Take your TCU out of the car (passenger side floor on outer wall) then send it to Eurocharged. Pretty simple really, the only challenge is getting the TCU out of the bracket
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