vkapoormd

Hi,
I am new member, and am planning to order a new SL. This will be my daily car, which i plan to lease for 4 years. While the attraction of the SL55's power is there, I am concerned about issues relating to supercharger chirps and brake noise that seems to have been a problem for some owners, and also the general reliability of such a performance car. Money of course is another concern (although I can swing it), and I wonder if i really will use all that power, driving around Los Angeles traffic. Finally , there is some talk about the 2006 models having more power (w a 4valve engine) and re-styled nose. Are those rumors fairly accurate and if so, when would one expect the 2006 SL500 to become available. As it stands, i wasn't planning to take possession of the car till July 2005, so maybe waiting a couple of extra months (assuming the 2006's become available in Sept-Oct) isn't a bad idea. Thanks.

dgussin1

I'd get a sl600 over a 55. V12 tt > V8 s/c

IanSL55

I picked up a '05 SL500 in late October and two weeks later traded it in for a '05 SL55 swallowing a huge chunk of change in the process. I don't regret that decision one bit... The SL500 is a dime-a-dozen out here, and though the 55's, 600's, and 65's don't stand out as much as they probably do elsewhere - they do turn more heads. As far as driving them in SoCal, I've had plenty of opportunity to let it rip.

~ Ian

vkapoormd

Well good to know that; I have found a certified pre owned SL55 2004 model with 800 miles; fully loaded (distronic, parktronic, keyless go, tire pressure, VCS, ventilated seats) that the dealer has at 116K; i think i can get him to 112K. Sounds like a good deal to me; is there anything i should be concerned about?

IanSL55

I've had the car for 3 months and I love it... Regrets? I wish I had opted for the keyless go and to a lesser extent the panoramic roof, but otherwise I'n a happy camper down here in OC. About the only thing I'm not satified with is the quality of the floor mats and the sound system, but I'm addressing both of these aftermarket.

~ Ian

IngenereAMG

That 04 SL55 sounds like a great deal. The 55 is a MUCH better drive than the 500....from a performance car standpoint. I have added AMG 19s with some Pilot Sports, and some ECU mods........and the car absolutely embarrases just about everything!

Mine's an '03 and it has been a great car, with no reliability issues. Sure the SC chirps, but the brakes don't make any noise....they just do a great job of stopping the car. The SC chirp is no big deal......get the 55!!

IanSL55

He's right on the MONEY here. Test drive the SL500 and then the 55, and I promise you it will be a no brainer!

~ Ian

Walter.fr

Hello good evening

I am using my SL65 in the speed limited France - and the cops in here, hiding behind almost every tree to catch you ... so I just enjoy the torque and the sound of the engine - no need to proof myself, or others that this car is fast. It is a different quality of driving - after a few hundred miles you will recognise the difference.

The new engines are totally different. These will be high rev. engines - without charger, turbo or whatever.... so as well the way of driving will be different.

kind regards from France

Walter

carlosfernandez

I will go for the 55 than the 600