2003/2004/2005 SL55 Buyer's Guide

[tiggers]

My mate has decided he wants an SL55 in black.

He is looking at 2003 - 2005 cars so not knowing much about them myself are there any knowledgeable people on here who know about them and what he should be looking for.

I have read and told him about the rear window/roof seal and looking under the roof motor/pump for sugns of damp, but do thye have any corrosion issues or is there any difference on the model years he is looking at?

What extras are worth seeking out? Panoramic roof??? Also some cars seem to ahve 18" wheels, some 19 and some 20 - which are best for the car's ride/handling?

Thanks in adavnce and sorry for all the question, I am still very new to Mercedes and have learned a lot about my CL from this site.

 

[SportsCoupeRich]

I dont think 20" will be standard fit. 19" the biggest. Pretty sure Pisonheads did a buyers guide not that long ago.

 

[b1g1an]

That'll be this one...

PH buying guide: Mercedes SL55 AMG - PistonHeads

 

[tiggers]

Cheers, have read that and sounds pretty good. Thanks.

Any actual ownrers on here got anything to add, nothing like living with a car day to day to find out the little things.

Are there any differences year to year e.g. the Command system?

 

[Vilus]

Here is a link to a collection of info from different sources that may be of interest. It's a 5mb pdf file.

http://www3.sympatico.ca/gmacgruer/_MB_SL55_AMG.pdf

 

[tiggers]

Cheers, that looks like a good read.

 

[sssammm]

Ive got a fully loaded Silver one Im going to sell, 2003, FMBSH 48k

 

[tiggers]

Ive got a fully loaded Silver one Im going to sell, 2003, FMBSH 48k

Cheers, but he has decided on black ...

 

[tiggers]

OK have read the PDF and my mate has been scouring the net. He seems to think a 2005 model is the way to go due to the upgraded Command and more reliable ABC.... not sure about the latter as haven't seen that anywhere else myself, but he says he read it on a forum somewhere.

Is there any truth to that?

Must admit it's the only thing that scares me about my CL.... if the ABC goes west.... ouch!

 

[Vilus]

OK have read the PDF and my mate has been scouring the net. He seems to think a 2005 model is the way to go due to the upgraded Command and more reliable ABC.... not sure about the latter as haven't seen that anywhere else myself, but he says he read it on a forum somewhere.

Is there any truth to that?

Must admit it's the only thing that scares me about my CL.... if the ABC goes west.... ouch!

Reading most maps if it goes west at least it will remain level..... however if it goes south???

 

[tiggers]

Very good