Guys,

I may be interested in adding a facelift kit to my 05 55. Before I do, I'm trying to work out if its worth it versus buying a factory facelift model. Besides just making the car look like a newer model, what would you expect in terms of resale. Would I get my money out of it? TIA

One thing is for sure, you'd definitely not get your money out of it when you sell so, if you're concerned about resale, I'd say don't do it. But, it also depends on history, condition, color, options and more importantly mileage.... Without knowing any of those answers, I'd say you are probably better off buying the newer version.

I've seen multiple pre facelift sl's add the black series kit and sell for $70k-$80k and they were non AMG cars.

Here's a recent for sale ad on ebay and the seller couldn't find a buyer at sub $50k... Looks like it's very well done? My guess based on what he put in the car is, he has at least double his asking price in the car? http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mercedes-Benz-SL55-AMG-Widebody-fast-show-winning-custom-/231362510640?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&forcerrptr=true&hash=item35de47bf30&item=231362510640&nma=true&si=td8YFbKiDGAVIZmn%252FR7lUWHH2sI%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
The OP is concerned about resale? For the haircut this seller is going to take, he could have left the 55 stock AND bought a 63....

I've seen them asking for these prices but I haven't seen them sell. There has been one on Ebay for as long as I remember and it hasn't sold. The only one that sold was the one the OP posted and it was no where near that price.

it also depends on the parts too, if it's OEM or aftermarket fiberglass.....

id say its worth less and your pool of buyers shrinks...........generally people want an unmodified car

As a newbie to MB I am not sure, but Vipers & Vettes would see diminish resell value. In addition limit your pool of buyers.

Well I think I have my answer. I guess it's not a bad idea when the facelift model comes out and you get a few years out of it. When the facelift's start to get a few years old, it looks like that's the best way to go.

Thanks for all the comments.

As an owner of a 2006 Sl65 with a 2009+ facelift, the fact is what the car does for YOU!

YOU alone, no one else. If your happy, so be it. You will never get increased value out of it.

What you will get is self-appreciation. That's it. I have owned the Sl65 since 2011 and I loved it all the time. Ever since the facelift, of which I did for my personal preference; I have loved it even more.

I plan on keeping the car till the wheels fall off.

2006 SL65 Payoff 20k. +Facelift 12k=32k
2012 SL65. Still about 100k.

Look 99% same. Personal gratification knowing that 2012 SL65 and mine are similiar yet $$$$ Is way off.

If it makes you happy. Do it. Don't do it for resale. Ever

As a general rule of thumb, the more the car is modified, the more narrow your pool of buyers. Additionally, many sellers try to extract the cost of the mods in the sales price and that is a non starter. If anything, the mods will devalue the car.

If you are going to mod, keep it subtle and don't expect to recoup any money.

That blue car in the auction will have such a small pool of buyers, it will take a while to find the right butt for that seat.

Best bet when you mod the hell out of a car is keep the old parts and put it back to stock if you ever do plan on selling the car and sell the mods by themselves, usually you more buyers looking for certain parts like exhaust systems, lsd, trunk tank etc.

I'm already at the 40K+ in mods (09+ black series kit eats up 7-15k just for the kit and another 7-10k in labor depending on which kit you buy and where you get it done) but I don't plan on selling the car either, since I can't get enough of the 65 engine and nothing really compares to it on the market for the price point you get them for.

V12tt, so true man...it's like stages for me.

2006 SL65 oem....nice but got old.


2006 Sl65 (facelift) (engine mods)

Future, 2006 SL65 Black series conversion

It's kinda of like lingerie and wives, it keeps it interesting...lol. it keeps it fresh and exciting.

But resale should never be a consideration.

I still can't belive heads turn on and people ask questions, when I tell them it's a 2006 and you can do the same on a 2003 SL500 and it will cost between 30-32k including updates and labor.they don't believe it...they tell me their wives c-class cost more than that and it's not 1/4 as pretty.

So, if your gonna go that route..do it. But do it for the right reasons. Or buy from a member here who did that already.