About to buy an SL55...wish me luck!

[Celicasaur]

So, after telling myself that I would never buy another AMG again after selling my E63 (M156) a couple of years ago (gosh I've seen it for sale 4 times and it's covered just 2k since I sold it!), I'm on the verge of getting a 2003 SL55. I used to have an E55 many moons ago, so fairly familiar with the power plant.

Seems like the main thing to look out for on the SL55 is the suspension. The one I'm going to view this week seems to have an uneven height issue. Would I be correct in thinking that it's likely to be the height level sensor, or could be it more to do with the air pump and lines and all that jazz? ie, should I be cautious, or should I be brave and buy with a view to getting new sensors etc?

Also, it is quite easy to disable the passenger airbag and fit a child seat for a toddler for an occasion sunny cruise to McDonalds for a happy meal?

 

[Dickster]

Good choice I absolutely love mine.

Yes, the main thing is the suspension and the roof - make sure both work!

I guess it could be a sensor and they are not expensive. The suspension is hydraulic not air and needs regular maintenance and oil and filter changes. The pulsation dampers need changing at approx 50k miles. So if there is no evidence of any of that set aside £2-3k for suspension work. Less if you can do it yourself - I did mine and it’s been flawless since.

Depending on mileage and history I would recommend all the fluid changes, gearbox, diff, supercharger etc. It’s not expensive to get those done at an indie - I’ve been quoted £200 for removal and service of supercharger, and I had the gearbox done for less than £200.

oh, and the rockers always leak!

Post more details and pics?

good luck

Ps not sure about the airbag

 

[W1ghty]

Take an icarsoft code reader with you ? Or get an inspection of the car at an Indy specialist?

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Good luck!

 

[Deleted member 126251]

...........

Also, it is quite easy to disable the passenger airbag and fit a child seat for a toddler for an occasion sunny cruise to McDonalds for a happy meal?

Don’t they all have to be isofix these days?

 

[flowrider]

Don’t they all have to be isofix these days?

No.

 

[flowrider]

So, after telling myself that I would never buy another AMG again after selling my E63 (M156) a couple of years ago (gosh I've seen it for sale 4 times and it's covered just 2k since I sold it!), I'm on the verge of getting a 2003 SL55. I used to have an E55 many moons ago, so fairly familiar with the power plant.

Seems like the main thing to look out for on the SL55 is the suspension. The one I'm going to view this week seems to have an uneven height issue. Would I be correct in thinking that it's likely to be the height level sensor, or could be it more to do with the air pump and lines and all that jazz? ie, should I be cautious, or should I be brave and buy with a view to getting new sensors etc?

Also, it is quite easy to disable the passenger airbag and fit a child seat for a toddler for an occasion sunny cruise to McDonalds for a happy meal?

Unless you are dead set on the AMG badge I would not discount a later year SL500 with the 5.5l V8. Admittedly not quite as fast to 60mph and not quite as nice an exhaust note but otherwise the 500 will do everything else that the 55 will do.

 

[Celicasaur]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback and vote of confidence

I think it would have to be a 55 model for the brute force down low. Not that in my older age nowadays I actually drive very fast at all, but it's nice to have a similar level of low down shove that my old E55 used to give....definitely something the M156 doesn't have.

This is the car that I'm going to view this week:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093669821

How do we feel about the price? For me it's always had to be a black/red combo with those 19" split rims and truth be told, they don't tend to come up very often if I'm not mistaken. Hence...I'm still tempted even with a potential suspension issue, but I guess I'll have a word with the seller this week about the servicing history of the pulsation dampers (no idea what those are and I thought I knew everything there was to know about cars) and I'll see what they say.

Fluid changes and rocker gaskets are fine, I'll probably give it a once over if I buy it and get some basics done 'n' out the way so that I can just have the peace of mind. It's just the uneven ride height of this car that I'm a bit weary of. Oh and yes I'll take my Autel pro-level reader thing with me to unearth whatever gremlins are stored in the various modules.

It's just a pity that it's not at a dealership, so I can't trade in my W124 cab, but I'll just stick that for sale soon. I've had enough of owning a car like that where parts are nigh on impossible to find. Takes the fun out of ownership.

 

[Spider10]

The M156 has no low down grunt?

 

[Spider10]

It does look like a lovely car

 

[Dickster]

It’s a nice colour combo, and I agree on the wheels, I prefer them and have them on mine.

The price is strong and I would expect the car to be as good as the description - service stamps backed up by invoices (often missing). For that money I would expect no faults whatsoever. Mine was £16,750 but that was with dealer mark up, and 65k miles.

suspension - the pulsation damper often goes and spits the fluid out of the reservoir. It is worth changing it and two accumulators at 50-60k miles as preventative maintenance. If one fails it often takes a hose with it - mine did. The system should have regular fluid changes.

i did a thread when I changed mine

SL55 spat out its ABC fluid today | Wheels, Tyres, Brakes & Suspension

I got an ABC warning workshop visit today. When I got home I opened the bonnet to find oil sprayed on the inside from the reservoir. I understand this is likely to be an accumulator and I think it’s the rear. I’ve decided to replace all the accumulators. what side of the car are they on and how...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

also, what options does it have?

good luck!

 

[zipdip]

That is a very very strong price ,and a private sale, I would look for another example if I was you,the reg comes back as a green doblo fiat van,sorry but at that money any little thing not right I would run a mile.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

The M156 has no low down grunt?

The M156 is designed and tuned to rev, and so delivers it’s power and torque at the top end. Whereas as the M113k delivers it’s torque lower down the rev range, and doesn’t rev so high.

I suspect the OP prefers the low revs torque to the high revs power.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback and vote of confidence

I think it would have to be a 55 model for the brute force down low. Not that in my older age nowadays I actually drive very fast at all, but it's nice to have a similar level of low down shove that my old E55 used to give....definitely something the M156 doesn't have.

This is the car that I'm going to view this week:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093669821

How do we feel about the price? For me it's always had to be a black/red combo with those 19" split rims and truth be told, they don't tend to come up very often if I'm not mistaken. Hence...I'm still tempted even with a potential suspension issue, but I guess I'll have a word with the seller this week about the servicing history of the pulsation dampers (no idea what those are and I thought I knew everything there was to know about cars) and I'll see what they say.

Fluid changes and rocker gaskets are fine, I'll probably give it a once over if I buy it and get some basics done 'n' out the way so that I can just have the peace of mind. It's just the uneven ride height of this car that I'm a bit weary of. Oh and yes I'll take my Autel pro-level reader thing with me to unearth whatever gremlins are stored in the various modules.

It's just a pity that it's not at a dealership, so I can't trade in my W124 cab, but I'll just stick that for sale soon. I've had enough of owning a car like that where parts are nigh on impossible to find. Takes the fun out of ownership.

It’s a lovely colour combination and they donMt come up in black/red often.

 

[Accused]

Often a height issue is a valve block, especially if it sits unlevel more after switch off.

 

[oldguy57]

That is a very very strong price ,and a private sale, I would look for another example if I was you,the reg comes back as a green doblo fiat van,sorry but at that money any little thing not right I would run a mile.

MOT history shows it to be a black SL - you may have entered the wrong reg.

Thanks guys, appreciate the feedback and vote of confidence

I think it would have to be a 55 model for the brute force down low. Not that in my older age nowadays I actually drive very fast at all, but it's nice to have a similar level of low down shove that my old E55 used to give....definitely something the M156 doesn't have.

This is the car that I'm going to view this week:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202106093669821

How do we feel about the price? For me it's always had to be a black/red combo with those 19" split rims and truth be told, they don't tend to come up very often if I'm not mistaken. Hence...I'm still tempted even with a potential suspension issue, but I guess I'll have a word with the seller this week about the servicing history of the pulsation dampers (no idea what those are and I thought I knew everything there was to know about cars) and I'll see what they say.

Fluid changes and rocker gaskets are fine, I'll probably give it a once over if I buy it and get some basics done 'n' out the way so that I can just have the peace of mind. It's just the uneven ride height of this car that I'm a bit weary of. Oh and yes I'll take my Autel pro-level reader thing with me to unearth whatever gremlins are stored in the various modules.

It's just a pity that it's not at a dealership, so I can't trade in my W124 cab, but I'll just stick that for sale soon. I've had enough of owning a car like that where parts are nigh on impossible to find. Takes the fun out of ownership.

MOT history is great, so despite 6 owners appears to be well looked after throughout it's years. As you say the colour combo is the best imo. The price and value is in the eye of the beholder, but it's the sort of price I would have expected. Nothing beats a good dose of looking at and an offer, if it's exactly what you want.

 

[MrGreedy]

As per Dickster in post #11, I wouldn't be put off by a very strong price, but it would have to be worth that price.

Depending on how far it is (if it's a long way), you might want to have an honest chat with the seller, say your a forum member and enthusiast, and that it needs to be fully mechanically maintained and if it hasn't had all the fluid and filter changes and relevant preventative maintenance, could they fess up now to save you a journey. The seller represents themselves as an enthusiast, and therefore I would expect an easy conversation where they confirm all this stuff is done (if they are an enthusiast).

The other thing that could need attention is the rear screen/boot seal. If it's been garaged, then they might not know if it leaks or not. I would assume it does.

Good luck. It is a great colour combo and much more interesting than safe silver black


Edit. Oh and one more thing on the 6 or whatever owners. Sounds like the most recent owner is fastidious. The longer they have owned the car the better. If they have owned it for 12 months, I wouldn't put much value behind that, but if they have owned it for the last 10 years, then that's another matter as they will be able to tell you everything relevant about the car and should be able to spout history or work done.

 

[W1ghty]

check the ABC reservoir for green fluid , rather than unchanged dirty black . Check over the phone first as @MrGreedy says to see if any ABC struts/pump have been replaced to date . If they haven’t I can’t see originals lasting much longer ?? Budget £1k for the pump and £1k for each strut ?

 

[E55BOF]

The M156 has no low down grunt?

I think he means the n/a 5.5 in the late R230 SL500? The 6.2 has somewhat less than the M113, true, but it's not exactly lacking...

Plenty of miles on the car for an SL, but nothing to an M113.

The ad reads as though the car had had only one previous owner - Colin Montgomerie - until you get right to the very end (if you do). Accidental, or deliberate?

I presume the 18" Alphard wheels it also comes with are winter wheels?

As others have mentioned, it could need a fair amount of money spending quite soon (or even now...) on the suspension; follow Mr. Greedy's Post #17, and see if you get a warm fuzzy feeling over the phone. Expensive cars retain expensive running costs as they age; in a private sale, you pays your money and takes your chance.

 

[zipdip]

Well I put in the reg on the car DV53YHC I take it that it should be OV53YHC,,but ok we have the op going to see a 18 grand car with a possible issue with the ride height,ask the guy how long he has owned the car given he has said he is a MB lover,and then ask to see the V5,and then do a runner,I would not buy that car at a dealers let alone private,I give you black with the red seats looks great,but hold off and buy in December when the froth has gone off convertibles asking prices.