Fisher95035

I have a 2007 SL55 and am starting to think about mods now that she is out of warranty. I'm taking a poll on what other owners would do with:

$5k to spend
$10k to spend
$20k to spend

Let your creativity flow :-)

Thanks

David

RaFFi ///AMG

With 5k to spend, I would get a nice set of wheels and some links to slam it. With 10k to spend I would probably do an SL63 front end/rear conversion. With a 20k budget I would do a SL65 black series conversion.

SL55K

$10K i'd do a conversion, or just some add ons
the other $10K I'd spend it on Weistec

MBhelper

You see "chris the swede project" what I would do.

mcobinad

Although not a SL owner, with $20k budget to spend, I will trade the current SL55 which is still worth decent money. Whatever you get for it, add the $20k budget and upgrade to a facelift model. The facelift model will get you better brakes, suspension, steering wheel, upgraded HD Comand unit (GPS), alloy wheels, LED headlamps and also a decent warranty. Infact, the list is endless. It will also be worth more money come selling time. Just my £0.02p!

Sorry if I intruded in your SL section.

Upshift

Your mod list will depend entirely on how you want to use the car. Is it a daily driver, a drag-race monster, a bling-mobile, a road course racer? Or do you just like tweaking your ride to make it unique?

For example, my SL55 is a daily driver, so I have no interest in mods that compromise ride quality (e.g. 20" wheels). However, I also use the car for high-performance track driving on road courses such as VIR. I want to improve grip, stopping power and engine performance, but I don't care about mods that are purely cosmetic (e.g. resonator delete or CF mirror covers).

As they say, "your mileage may vary" ... maybe you want a car that will cause a big commotion when you pull into valet parking at the Bellagio!

So, how do you plan to use the car?

sprins

I'd save the budget for future repairs ;-)

Fisher95035

Great question. On the spectrum of SL55's from track car on one end to Blingmobile on the other, I am probably about 3/4 the way towards the track car. I'd describe my deisred use as "sports / road car". Not likely to be on the track often given it's weight, but most of my mods would be performance oriented, with a goal to make my car unique to me.

I have curb rash on a couple of wheels, so I am thinking about a nice set of HRE's, but sticking with stock size rubber. Brakes seem completely adequate, and so is power, honestly, but I could see taking it up a couple of notches just to make the car unique. I wouldnt mind a little more exhaust noise.

I probably wont mess with the body. Too hard on resale value.

Upshift

In that case, I'll add this to the other recommendations: set aside some cash to attend a track day with your SL55. Driver training is at least as important as hardware upgrades!

The weight does make it interesting on the track. The car has an obscene appetite for brake pads and rotors when you drive it hard, although it's not too bad if you go easy on the throttle.

On the other hand, because so few SL55 owners track their cars, it's fun that the car gets noticed among the usual ocean of 911's, Vettes and M3's.

Do the track day first, and see if it influences your mod list.

Fisher95035

Hehe. I have a bad feeling about what would happen. I would get back home and start stripping out seats, and roof liners and airbags.... :-)