SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Buying advice for SL55 AMG
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Flower Mound, TX
2012 SL63 AMG
Buying advice for SL55 AMG
Hello-
sorry if this seems a duplicate, but I just signed up and cannot find a thread link at this point.
I recently owned a 2007 SLK55 AMG which I loved, but it is now totaled. In looking to replace it, I stumbled upon the affordability (of purchase) of the SL55..
So in my on-line research I come here to ask: of the SL55 AMG model years 2007-2009, is there a design/mechanical issue (or issues) that make one year model more desirable/reliable than another?
I have ruled out the SL65 due to its cost of ownership, and have the impression (rightly or wrongly) that the SL55 is a less costly and more reliable vehicle.
Any other specific advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance!
sorry if this seems a duplicate, but I just signed up and cannot find a thread link at this point.
I recently owned a 2007 SLK55 AMG which I loved, but it is now totaled. In looking to replace it, I stumbled upon the affordability (of purchase) of the SL55..
So in my on-line research I come here to ask: of the SL55 AMG model years 2007-2009, is there a design/mechanical issue (or issues) that make one year model more desirable/reliable than another?
I have ruled out the SL65 due to its cost of ownership, and have the impression (rightly or wrongly) that the SL55 is a less costly and more reliable vehicle.
Any other specific advice or pointers would be greatly appreciated
Thanks in advance!
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
there was no sl55 in 2009, that is when the sl63 started. there are really no differences between the 07 and 08 models.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 8,882
Likes: 1,212
From: In my garage
E55, GLS450, GL63, GLE350
Don't be afraid of the V12. Be afraid of the ABC suspension. The V12 will only be slightly more expensive to maintain than the V8 but the V12 is a whole lot more fun.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 2,498
Likes: 222
Porsche guy who drives SL63 w/ perf pkg AND perf suspension
I would say a 55 is more drivable and cost alot less. I would get one with the performance pkg, it gives you the bigger brakes and better bumpers and wheels. I would get a car with all the options. Ive seen alot of good lo mileage 07, 08 with everything
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 212
Likes: 16
From: Northern California,USA
2012 C63 P31 Coupe. 2007 SL55. 1992 911 C2 Coupe
Ejbrock
I love my '07 55. Do not be in a hurry to pull the trigger on purchase. Try to find one where you have access to the service records. Upon purchase change all the fluids. A key preventative service is to change the ABC fluid and perform a rodeo.
Good luck with your search.
I love my '07 55. Do not be in a hurry to pull the trigger on purchase. Try to find one where you have access to the service records. Upon purchase change all the fluids. A key preventative service is to change the ABC fluid and perform a rodeo.
Good luck with your search.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 284
Likes: 10
From: 2400 miles east of paradise.
1992 500E, 1994 E500, 2011 E550 and 2018 GLE350
Mercedes does not list changing the ABC fluid as a normal maintenance item, but I highly recommend it. It's cheap insurance to do it every 20k or sooner.
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Member
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 237
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From: orange county ca
2019 S63,2015 SL63, 2007 SL55, 2006 SL55, 2003 SL55
I am selling my SL55 with the 030 performance package. ABC fluid was changed and service is up to date via the dealer as the car is under warranty.
http://www.dcmotorcars.com/web/used/...rnia/29397694/
http://www.dcmotorcars.com/web/used/...rnia/29397694/
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Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Flower Mound, TX
2012 SL63 AMG
I ended up with the 2007 SL55 with 28,000 miles. I knew it needed a valve cover gasket or two and was told the ABC pump is going out after my prepurchase inspection. Got the valve cover gaskets replaced but am holding off on the ABC pump due to cost and the fact that I see no signs of it failing yet (no fluid leak, no listing to one side). It seems to ride well currently. My thought is to drive it until I notice something awry. Does anyone see a problem with this course of action?
Might it increase the cost to repair eventually if it causes the actuators to fail, or are they a separate issue altogether?
Might it increase the cost to repair eventually if it causes the actuators to fail, or are they a separate issue altogether?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Flower Mound, TX
2012 SL63 AMG
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
you will need to replace all the accumulators soon at about $150 each. If the pump fails in a catastrophic way and it sends metal shavings through the entire system, you are going to have a bad time. The filter isn't until the very end of the system where fluid comes back into the reservoir tank.
I would ask why they think the ABC pump is on its way out. There are tests you can do in STAR, which sometimes signal the pump is bad incorrectly when in reality there is another problem, like worn out accumulators. You can rebuild the abc pumps if you get to them early enough and the only problem is worn out or leaking seals.
I would ask why they think the ABC pump is on its way out. There are tests you can do in STAR, which sometimes signal the pump is bad incorrectly when in reality there is another problem, like worn out accumulators. You can rebuild the abc pumps if you get to them early enough and the only problem is worn out or leaking seals.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Flower Mound, TX
2012 SL63 AMG
you will need to replace all the accumulators soon at about $150 each. If the pump fails in a catastrophic way and it sends metal shavings through the entire system, you are going to have a bad time. The filter isn't until the very end of the system where fluid comes back into the reservoir tank.
I would ask why they think the ABC pump is on its way out. There are tests you can do in STAR, which sometimes signal the pump is bad incorrectly when in reality there is another problem, like worn out accumulators. You can rebuild the abc pumps if you get to them early enough and the only problem is worn out or leaking seals.
I would ask why they think the ABC pump is on its way out. There are tests you can do in STAR, which sometimes signal the pump is bad incorrectly when in reality there is another problem, like worn out accumulators. You can rebuild the abc pumps if you get to them early enough and the only problem is worn out or leaking seals.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 955
Likes: 127
From: Kansas
2003 E55, 2003 SL55, 2014 CLS63, 2018 q50 Redsport, 1968 Camaro SS, 1999 Trans am Firehawk
Accumulators are easy to do and you should be able to do it yourself. On the 2007 one of them is located on the pump and it is a bit of pain to get to. You can remove/replace the pump yourself, but it will likely take you 5-6 hours and you'll need a way to remove/reinstall the pulley in order to rebuild it. There are threads on mbworld detailing how to do all of these things step by step with excellent pics.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Flower Mound, TX
2012 SL63 AMG
Accumulators are easy to do and you should be able to do it yourself. On the 2007 one of them is located on the pump and it is a bit of pain to get to. You can remove/replace the pump yourself, but it will likely take you 5-6 hours and you'll need a way to remove/reinstall the pulley in order to rebuild it. There are threads on mbworld detailing how to do all of these things step by step with excellent pics.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Flower Mound, TX
2012 SL63 AMG
The MB service manager that I have used for several years on my SLK55 AMG says the SL55 AMG I just acquired has been serviced for several years through his dealership. When I asked if he could get me copies of the vehicle history and service reports, he balked and said he could not since it apparently has the prior owner's name on it. He had already given me a copy of the estimate on the valve gasket repair I had him do that has the owner's name on it already, and he did not whine about that. Does anyone know if there is a way to get the service records without so much fuss?
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 65
Likes: 13
From: Tampa, Florida
2003 SL55; 2001 SLK320; 2005 C240
The MB service manager that I have used for several years on my SLK55 AMG says the SL55 AMG I just acquired has been serviced for several years through his dealership. When I asked if he could get me copies of the vehicle history and service reports, he balked and said he could not since it apparently has the prior owner's name on it. He had already given me a copy of the estimate on the valve gasket repair I had him do that has the owner's name on it already, and he did not whine about that. Does anyone know if there is a way to get the service records without so much fuss?
Tim
Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 212
Likes: 77
From: Arizona
2003 SL55 AMG, 1989 348 Challenge, 1987 Testarossa, 1992 F40, 1989 Mondial t cab, 2001 X5 4.4 Sport
I don't think one year is better than another. I have had an '03 since new and it was, (and is) a great car and has been bullet proof for the most part.
Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 212
Likes: 16
From: Northern California,USA
2012 C63 P31 Coupe. 2007 SL55. 1992 911 C2 Coupe
Ejbrock
I agree with Ingenere. Any problems with any year should be covered under warranty. It is always how the car is driven and maintained.
I agree with Ingenere. Any problems with any year should be covered under warranty. It is always how the car is driven and maintained.
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 31
Likes: 5
From: SE Wisconsin
Mustang GT convertible, Porsche 997.2 cab
It has been a long time, but here is a follow-up. The potential expense of an ABC failure and the cost of an extended warranty were more than I wanted to risk. So, I bought a Porsche 997.2 Carrera S Cabriolet with the PDK.
Super Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 603
Likes: 2
From: Asheville, Atlanta
SL 65 AMG, Porsche 911 (993), 2014 Cayenne GTS, 2013 Toyota Highlander Limited
My AMG had $12,000 worth of warranty work in 5 years and when the warranty ran out I sold it the next day to Car Max for approx. $10K more than the MB dealer would offer me.....no more MBs for me.....my dad used to buy and sell dozens of them, including AMGs, and made a mint repairing them for costly parts and labor costs in his shop that he could do for much less and re-selling them for a great profit......sometimes as much as $ 20K
AMG and MB cars to me are money pits compared to other brands, although BMWs are close......Porsches are relatively bulletproof but the ABC MB issues can be somewhat related to the Porsche 996 IMS issue that also is catastrophic like ABC, but at least that can be rectified by an upgrade for $ 1200 while the ignition coil packs and ABC parts/hoses are never ending issues with AMG cars...... it seems based on feedback in this forum and my personal experience...... .
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 31
Likes: 5
From: SE Wisconsin
Mustang GT convertible, Porsche 997.2 cab
Great decision, plus the car handles much better......
My AMG had $12,000 worth of warranty work in 5 years and when the warranty ran out I sold it the next day to Car Max for approx. $10K more than the MB dealer would offer me.....no more MBs for me.....my dad used to buy and sell dozens of them, including AMGs, and made a mint repairing them for costly parts and labor costs in his shop that he could do for much less and re-selling them for a great profit......sometimes as much as $ 20K
AMG and MB cars to me are money pits compared to other brands, although BMWs are close......Porsches are relatively bulletproof but the ABC MB issues can be somewhat related to the Porsche 996 IMS issue that also is catastrophic like ABC, but at least that can be rectified by an upgrade for $ 1200 while the ignition coil packs and ABC parts/hoses are never ending issues with AMG cars...... it seems based on feedback in this forum and my personal experience...... .
My AMG had $12,000 worth of warranty work in 5 years and when the warranty ran out I sold it the next day to Car Max for approx. $10K more than the MB dealer would offer me.....no more MBs for me.....my dad used to buy and sell dozens of them, including AMGs, and made a mint repairing them for costly parts and labor costs in his shop that he could do for much less and re-selling them for a great profit......sometimes as much as $ 20K
AMG and MB cars to me are money pits compared to other brands, although BMWs are close......Porsches are relatively bulletproof but the ABC MB issues can be somewhat related to the Porsche 996 IMS issue that also is catastrophic like ABC, but at least that can be rectified by an upgrade for $ 1200 while the ignition coil packs and ABC parts/hoses are never ending issues with AMG cars...... it seems based on feedback in this forum and my personal experience...... .
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 1,038
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From: Saint Johns FL. USA
05 SL55, 10 C63, 12 SLK3, 20 S560, 08Bentley GT Speed, 16 Aston Martin Vanquish
I have a 2005 SL55 and have had 76 cars in my lifetime. I can’t believe that I have had this car so long. It is now fifteen years old with 9400 miles on it and still hasn’t been in the rain. Of all the cars I have had or still have it is my all time favorite car. Buy a good one treat it with respect and maintain it and it will be very enjoyable experience. We will be taking it to Hilton Head for the Car Club Showcase and Concours this weekend. Hope to see a few of you there.
