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I've found as difficult as it is, especially as prime driving season approaches, patience pays huge dividends. I began my search roughly 6 months ago, looking nationally. I found this really helped in getting a feel for inventory, price, and options available. While I had color and option preference condition trumped everything. In the end after traveling multiple times to look at cars I got home from one trip and one had been posted 2 miles away in near flawless condition for less than I thought I was going to pay. This same scenario played out when I searched for our XKR.
I completely agree. I actually don't need a car until May when my son comes home from college and will be taking my current car back in fall.
I completely agree. I actually don't need a car until May when my son comes home from college and will be taking my current car back in fall.
I really enjoy the research...
The hunt is certainly fun. Educating yourself in the process is huge. I by no means know these cars in and out but this forum is a huge resource. There are many threads (and a Google search) comparing the models you are looking at. Had any of the models you are inquiring about presented themselves I would have considered it. I would have certainly kept my list of the additional items specific to each model that are problematic and by that I mean $$. There's a beautiful Orion blue SL65 listed at Seth Wadley Ford. I thought the color was just gorgeous and rare but once I got more detailed pictures the condition wasn't what I was seeking.
I'm now ordering all the little detail parts (truck supports, spoiler, brakes, and tires) that this forum has given me direction to source. All I hope for in the end is that I'm not afraid to drive it because I went thru this same process when I acquired our 01 XKR with 26k on it. I found myself completely paranoid of it getting damaged.
Just popped up today. Another 2003 but this one only has 27k miles. Asking $26,900
Notice the ad pictures...only two of the five are of the car. The other three are pictures of a picture.
2003 SL55, 27k miles
Update: I exchanged emails with the seller. He bought it from a dealer where it was traded in from his friend who owned it for many years. Unfortunately, the person selling has only owned it for a month. He isn't able to afford the insurance on it. He also owns a Hummer, so I'm sure he thought it wouldn't be an issue.
In summary, the car is sitting in his garage with a soft cover until he can sell it.
Last edited by BradleyBeck; Mar 27, 2017 at 01:34 AM.
Requesting feedback, thoughts on this SL55. The owner has relisted the ad and the maintenance is pretty extensive per Carfax. Maybe the seller is a member here as well?
I've been wrong before, so could be again with this statement. It just seems weird to me that someone would try to sell a SL55 AMG on Craigslist unless the car is in terrible condition, or he/she is too cheap to pay a $75-150 fee to one of the 'wide spread' listing organizations. In either case, I WOULD RUN.
Looks like an sl550 that someone pulled the "0" off
Easy things to spot - no amg quad tips as mentioned above. No amg front and rear fascia or skirts. Standard tail lamps and grille. Standard interior/seats. Among all the other differences.
Although the my did install the smoked third brake lamp, I guess that makes it an amg now
Looks like an sl550 that someone pulled the "0" off
Easy things to spot - no amg quad tips as mentioned above. No amg front and rear fascia or skirts. Standard tail lamps and grille. Standard interior/seats. Among all the other differences.
Although the my did install the smoked third brake lamp, I guess that makes it an amg now
Here is the dealer's site and I was able to get the VIN, if someone is curious and wants to look it up. WDBSK70F09F150425
I went and test drove the 2007 posted earlier. Here is a picture of the car and the options list. Only concern is a vibration through the car while driving. Don't feel it through the steering wheel. Driveline?
The vibration is most likely a bent or out of balance wheel.
Thank you
The other issue is the fog lights. At first I thought it was rust. The dealer says they are just burnt. I didn't have a chance to see if they worked properly. Also, wonder what a replacement cost would be given the corner light option.
The other issue is the fog lights. At first I thought it was rust. The dealer says they are just burnt. I didn't have a chance to see if they worked properly. Also, wonder what a replacement cost would be given the corner light option.
I got aftermarket ones on ebay for $50/ pair shipped. Beam pattern is fine. You can also go with the OEM replacement option which if I remember correctly is $180/ each.
Vibration through the car if you rev it is due to motor/trans mounts. Vibration when rolling with car in neutral can be wheel imbalance.
I got aftermarket ones on ebay for $50/ pair shipped. Beam pattern is fine. You can also go with the OEM replacement option which if I remember correctly is $180/ each.
Vibration through the car if you rev it is due to motor/trans mounts. Vibration when rolling with car in neutral can be wheel imbalance.
I did a quick search and found the OEM to be about $118 and HELLA at $110.
So it looks like there isn't anything special about the corner lighting foglights.
I got aftermarket ones on ebay for $50/ pair shipped. Beam pattern is fine. You can also go with the OEM replacement option which if I remember correctly is $180/ each.
Vibration through the car if you rev it is due to motor/trans mounts. Vibration when rolling with car in neutral can be wheel imbalance.
Thank you, so nothing major. Quick search found OEM at about $118 and HELLA at $110.
This dealer has had it for sale for over two months. While buyers probably aren't thinking convertibles in January, why hasn't it sold assuming it just needs a wheel balance and new fog lights?
What would be a good, reasonable offer? No records means no known maintenance so I would have to factor in cost of bringing it up to current level.
All fluids, flush for sure, anything else? What would an Indy charge for all of that?
Here is the Carfax.
Last edited by BradleyBeck; Apr 3, 2017 at 12:29 AM.
Thank you, so nothing major. Quick search found OEM at about $118 and HELLA at $110.
This dealer has had it for sale for over two months. While buyers probably aren't thinking convertibles in January, why hasn't it sold assuming it just needs a wheel balance and new fog lights?
What would be a good, reasonable offer? No records means no known maintenance so I would have to factor in cost of bringing it up to current level.
All fluids, flush for sure, anything else? What would an Indy charge for all of that?
Here is the Carfax.
Is this the SL55 with about 80,000 miles from Doug's? To me, $28K+ sounds high but I'm certainly no expert.
What I'd suggest doing when purchasing a used vehicle such as that with no records: fluids (oil, brake, ABC/power steering, coolant, transmission & differential), filters (oil, air, cabin & fuel), belt & pulleys and spark plugs.
Thank you, so nothing major. Quick search found OEM at about $118 and HELLA at $110.
This dealer has had it for sale for over two months. While buyers probably aren't thinking convertibles in January, why hasn't it sold assuming it just needs a wheel balance and new fog lights?
What would be a good, reasonable offer? No records means no known maintenance so I would have to factor in cost of bringing it up to current level.
All fluids, flush for sure, anything else? What would an Indy charge for all of that?
Here is the Carfax.
These cars have a very limited market due to age and cost of upkeep. They're not exactly practical for daily use considering the two seats and the small trunk, not to mention poor gas mileage. I think mid 20s out the door would be reasonable if you still have to spend some money to get all the servicing up to date.
You can check out my thread of my car's timeline here to get a pretty good idea of what to expect in the next 50k miles. Just to give you an idea, I've spent $1700+ in parts only on my car in the past year. My car came with no service history but it was almost all original, referring to me gladly finding that nothing has been tampered with or taken apart before by some half-assed mechanic.
Last edited by desired_speeds; Apr 4, 2017 at 04:33 AM.
These cars have a very limited market due to age and cost of upkeep. They're not exactly practical for daily use considering the two seats and the small trunk, not to mention poor gas mileage. I think mid 20s out the door would be reasonable if you still have to spend some money to get all the servicing up to date.
You can check out my thread of my car's timeline here to get a pretty good idea of what to expect in the next 50k miles. Just to give you an idea, I've spent $1700+ in parts only on my car in the past year. My car came with no service history but it was almost all original, referring to me gladly finding that nothing has been tampered with or taken apart before by some half-assed mechanic.
Simply outstanding and your thread of your car is greatly appreciated.
I went and test drove the 2007 posted earlier. Here is a picture of the car and the options list. Only concern is a vibration through the car while driving. Don't feel it through the steering wheel. Driveline?
Bradley - That vibration also could indicate that the transmission needs serviced!
Good that you checked the MB options list. The 770 package includes items that are described as other things on some info decoders. Such as R01 - Summer tires and on this MB option sheet you show - R01 = limited slip differential.
Last edited by Nor Cal SL55; Apr 8, 2017 at 04:26 PM.
I went and test drove the 2007 posted earlier. Here is a picture of the car and the options list. Only concern is a vibration through the car while driving. Don't feel it through the steering wheel. Driveline?
2007 SL55
Option list
Cost when new!
I went and test drove this car again today. Everything appears to work perfectly. It does still have the slight vibration mentioned before.
Also, does anyone know what this button is for? It is located to the right of the locking mechanism of the trunk. The right side within the sill.
The only other item I noticed was an issue with the display shown below:
Oh, the other thing I noticed was the temperature gauge was in Celsius and not Fahrenhiet. The car was originally from Montana, so are all cars show Celsius?
One other issue besides the gauge screen issue and the vibration...the brakes squeeked everytime I used them. Now, does this car have the expensive brakes with the code 97V with the compound brake system or is that just the normal brakes?
Last edited by BradleyBeck; Apr 9, 2017 at 02:15 AM.
No, not all cars show Celsius temperature readings. US destination cars should be Fahrenheit.
The red button in the trunk is used to lift the sunroof assembly when it is stowed (down, in the trunk) such that you may insert items into the trunk well.
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