SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: '05/'06 SL65 prospective buyer
01-10-2019, 07:47 PM
#1
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'97 Explorer V8
'05/'06 SL65 prospective buyer
Couple quick questions for the experts here:
Having recently driven a meticulously maintained example of an R230 SL65 AMG, I'm seriously considering purchasing one for myself as a garaged summer driver. I know that the clean '05/'06-ish SL65 rarely come up for sale, especially in the winter, but when they do they often have only a few owners and around 30k-40k miles. I'm fully aware that while I'm buying a $30k car I'm also buying the maintenance on a $200k car. As this is such a complex machine, my questions are: what are some of the common failures I should be watching for on a private sale SL65 with 30-40k on the odometer? Do I need to be most worried about inspecting the Active Body Control components, motor mount integrity, the intercooler pump, or something else? Possibly all of the above? Or would you try to talk me out of buying one of these 12+ year old beasts when there are so many coupes out there with more modern engine mapping?
Having recently driven a meticulously maintained example of an R230 SL65 AMG, I'm seriously considering purchasing one for myself as a garaged summer driver. I know that the clean '05/'06-ish SL65 rarely come up for sale, especially in the winter, but when they do they often have only a few owners and around 30k-40k miles. I'm fully aware that while I'm buying a $30k car I'm also buying the maintenance on a $200k car. As this is such a complex machine, my questions are: what are some of the common failures I should be watching for on a private sale SL65 with 30-40k on the odometer? Do I need to be most worried about inspecting the Active Body Control components, motor mount integrity, the intercooler pump, or something else? Possibly all of the above? Or would you try to talk me out of buying one of these 12+ year old beasts when there are so many coupes out there with more modern engine mapping?
Last edited by AMG-fanboy; 01-10-2019 at 07:53 PM.
01-14-2019, 09:22 AM
#4
Even with low mileage, there are items which are inevitably going to be susceptible to failure due to shear age.
1. The coilpacks have date codes on them and you should be able to see these through the engine compartment-would give idea if they are original or replaced.
2. High pressure abc hose-in front of engine is susceptible to failure from age. You can look down in front of engine to see if the hose has been replaced or not as new updated part has outer sheath around hose.
3. Turbo coolant leak-where the lines go in and out of the turbo, these can leak and the bottom requires engine removal to replace o ring. The o rings get brittle with age and leak.
Brake rotors last a considerably long time surprisingly, my original set went more than 100k miles and still were within spec on fronts. Engine mounts can go bad but can be replaced by skilled mechanic without engine removal.
Although yes there are newer more sophisticated engine setups out there, the v12 amg is an experience in itself. The combination of smoothness torque and speed is hard to beat and in my opinion the 5 speed actually keeps you riding the torque wave rather than constantly shifting. Yes it is expensive to maintain, but if you love the driving experience then it is worth every penny. It is hard for me to decide what I will replace the car with which is why I plan to own my CL65 and then another 65 amg car for many years to come. Just too special.
Cheers
1. The coilpacks have date codes on them and you should be able to see these through the engine compartment-would give idea if they are original or replaced.
2. High pressure abc hose-in front of engine is susceptible to failure from age. You can look down in front of engine to see if the hose has been replaced or not as new updated part has outer sheath around hose.
3. Turbo coolant leak-where the lines go in and out of the turbo, these can leak and the bottom requires engine removal to replace o ring. The o rings get brittle with age and leak.
Brake rotors last a considerably long time surprisingly, my original set went more than 100k miles and still were within spec on fronts. Engine mounts can go bad but can be replaced by skilled mechanic without engine removal.
Although yes there are newer more sophisticated engine setups out there, the v12 amg is an experience in itself. The combination of smoothness torque and speed is hard to beat and in my opinion the 5 speed actually keeps you riding the torque wave rather than constantly shifting. Yes it is expensive to maintain, but if you love the driving experience then it is worth every penny. It is hard for me to decide what I will replace the car with which is why I plan to own my CL65 and then another 65 amg car for many years to come. Just too special.
Cheers
01-14-2019, 01:41 PM
#5
Member
I went ahead and purchased a higher mileage SL65. While a perfectly babied garage queen MAY have fewer issues, I don't think anything is truly guaranteed as a lot of components can fail not really due to wear so much as age. With an '05 V12 the coil packs went bad and I have replaced those as well as a few hoses that have just become brittle with age. I am having some ABC issues that I have been able to identify and will eventually repair on my own. The only procedures I plan on paying someone else to do will be engine-out repairs.For some owners, their time is more valuable than to monkey around with a wrench, but I am in the scenario of having more time than money and working on cars is a hobby of mine.
I feel this car (SL r230) is really the best bang for your buck, due to my best friend, Mr. Depreciation!
I feel this car (SL r230) is really the best bang for your buck, due to my best friend, Mr. Depreciation!
