Well gents I hope that this post finds you well. I have always liked the SL line since I was a kid and watch my uncle work his way up from 280 to a 350 ending up in a 500 SL during the seventies. Recently I picked up my current CLK 55 AMG which I love. That said I recently have been getting the itch to find an SL55 and am torn over the best years in the model line. If at all possible I try to stay away from the first model year or two of a new line as they almost always are working out production and design kinks for the first couple of years. My overall preferences are good performance and reliability, I buy cars to drive not to decorate my mechanic's shop floor.

Thus far it seems that 2004-2006 with the supercharged M113 engine, with the 5 speed tranny is a safe choice for both proven performance and reliability. I already love the engine as I have the blowerless version of it now. I could look at 2007-2008 SL55 as well same engine, with blower but then with the 7 speed tranny though not sure what experience people are having with the 7 speed. I really wish that the SL 55 had come with an option of either the blower or twin turbos, I would have chosen the bi-turbo any day of the week, but that just didn't happen and I have no interest in the M275 V12 as that many injectors, coils etc just seems to begging for trouble on two bent knees.

All that to say would you say the sweet spot in the SL55 line is 2004-2006 5 spd or 2007-2008 7 speed and why? Also it would be great if you guys could give me a rudder steer away from either of these "sweet spots" or other SL 55 model years which had known problems. Last, if you guys think that I'm wayyy off and you have your own criteria that leads you to a different sweet spot in the SL 55 model year, please let me know your thinking. Much appreciated in advance.

 

I think you'll find all SL55's are 5spd trans, pretty sure the 7spd didn't come into play until the SL63.

 

Interesting, based on your post I went back and re-read some of the research and checked more listings. Some of the reference materials are ambiguously written and I have only found SL55s as listed with the 5 speed. Was that because of the torque produced by these engines? If they only came with 5 speed transmissions throughout the whole model line from 2002 - 2008 then the entire drive train is the same as I currently have, M113 and the 5 speed. Again the question, in this enlarged universe say from 2004 -2008, what were the best years in terms of reliability and performance? Which years did known problem surface or were they most prevalent in? Thanks.

 

2007 & 2008 are probably the best bets for a used SL55 purchase.

 

Here's an '05 with 15K miles!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-MERCEDES-BENZ-SL55-AMG-PRISTINE-PANO-KEYLESS-GO-PARK-LOADED-/190913097131?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item2c734eadab#ht_8045wt_1165
I think any year is good as long as it's well maintained and kept. Lower milage is even better!

 

You nailed it bro. I am sure it is because of the torque that comes on almost instantly when the SC engages.

 

I can't speak from experience, so all I can offer is my opinion on the matter. I own a 2003 SL55, no issues what so ever, Tranny is beautiful, Engine pulls nice and strong with 58k miles, and from what i've been reading and noticing all across the web is that all SL's are either hit or miss when it comes to reliability. If you've read up you'll know that the biggest issue all SL's have is the ABC system, which luckily for me hasn't been an issue, Then the retractable Roof, Electronics, etc, etc.. I'd stay away from '03, as '04 and up offer the Keyless go option with just the key and no need to carry around a "Keyless Go Card" the size of a credit card in your wallet, '05 changed their navigation setup to dvd rom, other then that there really hasn't been much improvements. Basically it's the same car, with the same issues. Make sure before you pull the trigger and purchase the car, you take it to get thoroughly inspected, and do a history to see what's been replaced on the car or if there have been any issues.

 

Thanks. Excellent points and exactly the kind of information that I need to make some first cut differentiations between model years of these cars. I was starting to look towards the 05-06 years based on earlier input so this input is a nudge in that direction. It is clear from the research that I have done is to have the ABC system attended to as a preventive maintanence item right away. The one thing that I hold dear as a take away from the experience of buying my 02 CLK55 AMG is the indispensable nature of the pre-purchase inspection by an MBZ dealer as they have access to any MBZ service history and MBZ diagnostic readouts on the car. I will never buy any car without doing a pre-purchase inspection again. Thanks.