I have a 2003 SL500 Launch Edition with 10K on it. My dealer called today and asked if I want to trade up to a 2003 SL55. Should I do this? If so what should I look to get for the 2003 SL500 Launch and what should I be paying for the 2003 S55? Dealer told me it's sticker is $118K

Thanks

Brian

 

They are very different cars in nature; the main criticism which has been levelled at the SL500 is that it is underpowered - all the weight penalty of the V8 and not actually that much more power than the lighter SL350. The SL55 is an entirely different animal, with something like 190 more hp and torque to match and it has a more overtly sporting nature; in addition to the power, there's re-calibrated transmission and suspension plus the visual aspects of the car. Then there's the exhaust noise. It's very different from the SL500, altogether more raucous.

If you have been happy with the SL500, want a car with a similar nature but more power, the SL600 makes more sense. If you want more of a sports car, the SL55 will do it. It's not as pure a sports car as some others on the market, but it is a magnificent all-rounder. Quiet and docile when you want is to be, a true tidal wave on wheels when you want that.

A UK magazine recently compared three super-cars - the Enzo, SLR and Carrera GT with the SL55 and pointed out the SL55 was last in all the categories they chose to compare. The fact they used the SL55 for the comparison shows how highly they rate it; the SL55 can hold its head high in such exalted company and is a sane every-day ownership proposition. However, the cheapest of the other three was three time the price of the SL55. For that money, the SL55 is an absolute bargain. I just love mine.

No idea on prices, the dealer will want to charge you top dollar for the SL55 and give you nothing for the SL500, you will want to minimise the cost to change. Demand for the cars is still very strong, even as we move into autumn and providing your car is in excellent condition, you should be able to get close to what you paid for it (at least that's my view from the UK market, and both the US and UK do not have as many cars as could be sold).

 

Thanks for the insight. When are the SL600 due in the States?

 

It's got to be coming to the US for the 2004 Model Year, otherwise what has been the point of producing it? Those more in the know than I say the Model Year 2004 details will be available imminently. The SL600 is a bit more expensive than the SL55 here, but at this level, the differences are unlikely to deter anyone.

 

we have recently taken delivery of a 2004 SL55K AMG. This car is a dream on wheels. We had the ECU remapped and limiter disabled.

This beast will do zero to hero it a blink of an eye, its so fast its not even funny!

ahmed's dictionary:
hero = 335 km/h.

 

Congratulations on your 2004 SL AMG. What changes did they make for 2004?

 

hey zolton, not sure if ur question was directed to me or not. Anyways, i have not owned an Sl in the past so i wouldnt know the differences or changes.

All i can say is that this machine is so smooth and when u floor it, it comes to life in every sense possible. The kleeman supercharger, suspension and brakes are really impressive. Its actually my bro's car. On the way back from the dealers where we picked it up, he was messin with me and i felt sooo irrelevant!

 

bkushner-

Should u get an SL55? Hummm? Lets see...

By the time u decide, MB will come up with the SL65. By the time you place your order, MB will be talking about the SL75. And by the time you receive your car, AMG will be shocking the world with maybe the SL85 !!!

Thats how fast things are moving with MB today. I guess with the new merger, MB and Chrysler have decided on swapping model range improvments. As it stands now, a $10K Dodge Neon will get a face-left every 10 yrs, while $150K S/SL/CL will have to go through major overhauls every 10 months!!!!

 

With all due respect to Chrysler afficionados out there, I don't think Chrysler can teach Mercedes anything about how to build cars, except perhaps how to do it inefficiently in antiquated plants with an inflexible, heavily unionised workforce.

They must regret the day they thought merging with Chrysler was a neat idea. All the big three US manufacturers are in deep trouble, GM makes more money as a finance house than it does making oh-so-desparately-dull cars.

As for the SL65, there's just a hint of a back-lash in Germany where a Mercedes CL600 was involved in an accident with a little car at over 120mph and both young mother and her daughter died. The Mercedes was being driven by a factory driver on the way to some high performance testing. Maybe, tragic incidents like this will cause Mercedes to slow up on the horse-power race. It's pretty pointless, actually. The SL55 provides most people with the all the performance they can ever use, and then some.