Hello,

It's been awhile since I've been on MB World. I've owned later AMG cars and am now researching the 2005 SL55 AMG. In my area there is one for sale with only 6,000 miles.

From what I've read, the reliability for these is pretty good. Are there any specific things that could be a problem for one that has been garaged and rarely driven?

Thank you

 

The ABC suspension is a nightmare. The top.rams will leak.

 

A car sitting like this one has for all these years is an absolute crap shoot, I'd pass unless the seller can demonstrate how this low mileage car "lived it's life" in a manner that included regular, rountine driving.

 

Few things to check around about...

-Find out when the tires where last replaced. If over 4 years old(maybe even 3) you can bet they're hard as rock and need replacing. Approx $1200 or so installed.
- Ask the owner if any corners of the car sag at all after sitting and how long until it sags. If he says it never does chances are very high he lying. Even perfectly operating ABC systems one corner will sag after a few weeks of sitting. Also make sure all shocks and valve blocks are checked for seepage.
-When was the last time the ABC was flushed, Brake fluid flush, air filters, spark plugs, etc. Chances are this garage queen probably needs all new fluids and filters. Probably another 1K-1.3K or so at a good Indy shop. Just basically a good tune up overall.
- Ask when the last time the two batteries were replaced. If the starter is more than 6 years old probably need a new one soon and Aux. battery(trunk) they seem to go out about every 3 to 5 years. Car needs to on a battery tender if your not driving it more than once a every 5 days or so.
-Make sure roof is all operational feel along the driver and passengers side edges for any wet spots from leaking system.
-Ask if motor mounts, trans mounts, rear mounts have been replaced. Chances are these all need replacing.
-Even brake pads that old could be brittle.

Overall get a PPI done on this car at Indy shop that works on Benz's often. The few hundred bucks that cost, might save you 10K easily. If the ABC system is in rough shape that alone can run 8K to 10K for an all new system and lines. On top probably another few K of other things that need to be done.

Beyond that the engine and trans on these cars are pretty damn strong. They both can handle a lot power. You get this car sorted and chances are it will give you little headaches moving forward outside of just maintenance. Other good news the prices on these cars have bottom out for the last few years and actually have started to creep up some. But overall this car is still a buyer market because of the high cost of potential ABC issues.

 

I have an ‘05 with 56k miles. It’s been bulletproof, but I’ve religiously changed fluids/filters multiple times since I’ve owned it for the past two years. Get a PPI done. If there’s no record of any recent service, plan to do all fluids and filters to get a service history going. I haven’t heard much of vario roof ram leaks on the R230s.

 

Take to at MB shop for a pre-buy inspection. If it come out clean or with minor repairs buy it for around $25,000. I have a 2005 AMD I'm the second owner with 89,000 miles. Only thing I had to replace is the two front struts; overhaul exchange for $2 grand. Including labor. MB want $2,200 for one strut plus labor.

 

if its checked out and nothing majorly leaking, I would change all the belts and rubber and fluids. I dont think there would be anything majorly wrong. You have to start driving it and see what works out from there

 

you can't have done too much research if your conclusion is the 230 has good reliability. these might be one of the least reliable cars that mercedes ever made. the abc suspension hoses (and accumulators) have a life expectancy based on heat and time. just because it is low mileage, doesn't mean there won't be problems. do some more research and you'll find things not only about ABC, but plastic idler pulleys cracking, crank position sensors failing, front hydraulic top latch, hinges for the convertible top covers, delamination of rear trim next to the rear windows, soft close trunk mechanism, rear supercharger bearings going dry (for some reason they weren't a sealed design), front lower control arm bushings last about 40k, gas tank baffle welds coming loose, etc. i've had just about every single common failure happen at least once on my sl (along with several others) and i just rolled 105k miles

 

I had 2 of these for several years, and no problems

 

At what age & mileage? At about 75k & 12 years is where the majority of issues started

 

I have had my 2005 SL55 since 2009. It now has just over 10,000 miles on it and has only had to have one rear strut replaced. I have had 79 cars and still have six in my 73 years, and my SL is still my all time favorite car. Prices for good low mileage SL55’s have been steadily going up. Good ones are now north of $40,000. Check out the recent auction prices. Definitely have someone who is familiar with these cars check it out. A bad one will be a money pit.