SL55

Anyone actually have one that they put some seat time in? Thinking of picking one up to have a nice convertible to drive everyday and drove one the other day for only about 20 min. Obviously its no ferrari but speed wise it would destroy my 355 with an auto top and all the daily driver functions to boot. What are some owner opinions on this car? Not as a ferrari replacement but as a nice daily. Don't want another stick. Other choice could be M3 SMG Covert.


Thanks,

Jeff

 

Great cars, though personally the SL600 is more my type, and can also be easily modified to pump out 600+hp and 700+ ft lb of torque.

 

I checked out the 600 as well. I think the 55 is sportier looking unless you go with the 65 which is way to much in my opinion. The 55 sounded much better as well. I think either could be modded pretty easily.

 

wow....SL55, awesome car, great looking, plenty of power! 355, Diablo, Bentley, SL55...all options...Youre the man!!!

David

 

I have about 500 + miles behind the wheel of a friends SL 55 and the car is amazing. It can cruise at 80+ perfect on the highway with almost very little wind noise or engine noise. Give it some gas and the car has a great sound. The handling is awesome for a 4000 pound car. But, don't turn the traction control off or you will spin the tires for a city block . The interior and fit and finish is awesome. This car is just as comfortable at 20 as it is at 120.
Erik

 

That would be an *awful* problem to have

 

I have had an SL55 for about 1.5 years and it has been nothing short of amazing!

It has functioned as a daily driver, trip car...and believe it or not a track car. Every time I have had it at the track it has pretty much destroyed every street car out there. The handling is pretty amazing considering the weight. I have managed to walk away from a pretty surprised CS driver on a twisty road with the 55.

I recently had the car derestricted (they come w/a 155 limiter)...in the ECU tuning process I got an extra 50hp/50lb ft of torque. On a trip to Monterey for the historics I wanted to test the derestriction on some desert roads....202mph...and rock solid!

All this and a major service costs $700 and the Merc store actually has customer service...unlike my Fcar dealer.

On the down side...every Fcar drive is an occassion...the SL55 has some occassion to it, but it's just not the same on that level. That being said...my SL55 will outrun every Fcar that I have had...except the F40...but its pretty close!

Ciao...Dino

 

if you want to mod it take it to Brabus... then youll have some real fun

 

I actually looked at one yesterday while out doing my car shopping (yes, Im STILL shopping) and they had a white on white which was absolutely sexy.

I did drive a CL55 which was amazing, and I loved it.

On a side note, I am so sick of car shopping right now. It is not nearly as fun as it used to be. Im about to say screw it and buy a hyundai.

 

Wait, didn't you order a Phaeton? Or is Hyundai more in your price range?

 

Hrmm, not sure if that was a serious question or an off-handed jab.

I had a deposit on a phaeton, and it isn't in yet, so therefore I have not purchased it yet. In the mean time, I am still looking.

The hyundai statement was a joke to express how frustrating the process of car shopping is.

 

If you can afford one for a daily driver- take it, the ultimate daily driver. The car have power everything, speed, power, go anywhere-with class and a conv/ hard top to boot. I had a chance to see the new SL65 AMG over the week-end. Sticker price shock- $196K invoice, dealer asking $230K. Power that you will never be use- unless you live in Germany.

 

I wonder how cheap this thing will get, it almost seems that there is no bottom end to depreciation on it.

For example, the SL600 was what, $120k new in 1990? You can find one now for low 20's. Granted, its 15 years old, but 83% depreciation after that time? That makes the 456 GT look like a good buy.

 

I recently traded in my 04 S 55 for an 04 SL 55 to use as a daily driver. One absolutely awesome car. Stable at high speeds more so than my spyder, as nimble as my spider. Nothing like 500 supercharged horses.....instant torque.
Great exhaust noise.

And it's a MB... reliable.

I cancelled my order for an 05 Vanquish because of the reliability concerns. I know I can put 20K miles a year on my SL 55 w/out worries.

The only negative....it's got Pirellis...........my wife's SL 500 has Michelins, better ride IMHO.

Get one, the ultimate daily driver. It is definitely worth the 30K more than the SL 500. Spending 50K more for an SL 65.....I don't know about that.

 

That's for SURE!!! My GF's boss has an 2003 SL55-AMG, and he drove my 2003 CL55-AMG the other day. He was shocked at the difference in ride and performance. CL is based on the S-Class, the SL is not. He's had a CL600, and was just blown away with the CL55-AMG.


Go big!!!

 

Those factory wheels?

 

Nope.....they are Lorinser. They kinda look like the wheels that are going to come out on the SLR.

http://www.mbusa.com/microsite/slr/index.jsp

 

how much can i pick one up for say....an 03 SL55 AMG w/ 5k on the clock?
how many here use this as your daily driver?

thanks.

 

I had a very early SL 55 which I put 9,000 miles on before I unloaded it.


I still believe it was the best car overall I have ever owned.

I had the spot for the first SL65 to my dealership, drove it for about an hour and past on it. Great car but it is not $50,000+ better than a 55.


I say go for it

 

I've probably put between 750-1000 miles on a black/black SL55- like everyone else said, absolutely amazing; faster than most any Ferrari on the road, as reliable as a Honda, beautiful, comfortable and subtle.. Any specific questions?

 

You can buy a low mile 03 for 90-95k. Asking prices are in the 95-105 range for an 03. I found some sub 5k mile 04's for less than 110. There are a number of options though. I would go for the keyless go, panoramic roof, heated/cooled seats. I am not big on the distronic and I would take parktronic but it wouldn't be a deal breaker without it.

 

Any thoughts on what I should offer for a silver 04 SL600 with 3k miles? They are asking 114. I was thinking of asking around 105ish? Or should I say 100 flat (assuming no trade in)

 

I would say anything under 114 is a deal for an 04 600 with 3k miles. Does it have the sport package? Without it you loose the paddle "button" shifters and the AMG body work. I am not big on the 600 sport wheels but I wouldn't buy it without the sport package. It makes the car for me.

 

It has 600 radials.

As for options, it has all the options I wanted, namely tire pressure monitoring, keyless go, and most important heated steering wheel.

Oh and sport package.

BTW I loathe wooden steering wheels. Is it possible to swap it with an all leather one, but retain heated steering?

 

MB post 1996 stinks.