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I’ve finally taken the plunge and bought my dream SL55 AMG

Dazzer65

New Member
Joined
Mar 28, 2024
Messages
10
Location
Rickmansworth
Car
SL55
So hello to everyone in this club and look forward to hearing and gaining advice on how to look after my SL55 AMG for the future. Never had a V8 but now is the time but I also have an SLK350 V6 so know how they work but totally different delivery on the right foot.
I have waited a while for the right colour (Jasper Blue with Grey interior) and can’t wait to take it on a road trip properly.
I want to use it every weekend and enjoy the thrill it provides but what should I be careful of ?
So I guess it’s the do’s and dont’s of owning such a car
Any advice gratefully appreciated
 
It’s a 2004 with 64k on the clock 3 previous owners two in the same family so all good. I have full history of the car and last owner has put every invoice tax reminder and MOT in a binder so great history. Mostly MB service but last two MB Specialist but complete invoice history. Pictures to be supplied once the rain stops and I can get a good picture
 
Welcome to the forum
Congrats on your first V8 AMG.
The SL55 does have one of the best engines AMG ever made.
Enjoy!
 
Always wanted an SL55 but missed the boat when they were newer (got married and bought a house, that’s my excuse anyway!).

Aside from the usual running costs of a V8, which I assume you’ll have factored in - I know the SL’s can suffer from issues with the air suspension components and water ingress into the roof mechanism. So unless you’re 100% confident, maybe check them out asap to make sure you don’t get any nasty surprises!
 
Welcome to MBClub and congratulations on your new car, it sounds lovely.
 
Welcome.. congratulations on your purchase of the iconic SL55AMG.. I have owned mine 3 years now... its an occasion every time I drive it... search the forum for the seal at the bottom of the rear window.. it can leak water into the boot and there are a lot of electrical components in there! Enjoy! :rock:
 
Welcome ! Didn't Clarkson have one in that colour? Great cars, phenomenal performance and very reliable, if serviced.

Just keep an eye out from damp intrusion in the boot, as outlined above. Any sign of water around the carpet walls and floor needs immediate investigation. The problem is that water makes its way to the spare wheel well, where there are electrics which don't like water. Easy fix if you catch it early. Lots of people have documented the fix.

Some get a rattle in the fuel tank. Loose baffles, I think they call it. It's a well known R230 problem that a specialist can easily fix.

Generally, just make sure you use your SL55 occasionally if it's a second or third car. R230's have mild phantom battery drain, so if left unused for more than a month, you can find that the battery may be down. It will usually start, but it will give a warning about "consumer battery," so the roof won't fold until some juice gets back into the consumer battery. If you can't use it regularly, or through the winter, invest in a battery conditioner - not charger - to keep the battery in fine fettle. Better to buy a conditioner than a stream of batteries and non-starts

Usual 20 year old "new purchase" protocol. Go over it with a fine tooth comb in your first month, making sure everything works smoothly. It will have been laid up regularly, so it's possible that something doesn't quite work as it should. Better to catch anything straight away than in three months time.

Check the date stamp on the tyres, and their overall condition. If they're over eight years old, damaged or out of shape from being parked in one position for too long, take advice on renewing. They're the only thing keeping your two tonne 500bhp car gripped to the road.

As @markjay says, keep an eye out for speed cameras. The SL55's faster than it feels.

Don't forget to post some photos - yours is a great colour combo.

Screenshot 2024-03-29 at 10.28.08.png
 
20230430_164900.jpg
Dazzer, sounds like a nice motor you've got there. 🙂👍
 
Welcome ! Didn't Clarkson have one in that colour? Great cars, phenomenal performance and very reliable, if serviced.

Just keep an eye out from damp intrusion in the boot, as outlined above. Any sign of water around the carpet walls and floor needs immediate investigation. The problem is that water makes its way to the spare wheel well, where there are electrics which don't like water. Easy fix if you catch it early. Lots of people have documented the fix.

Some get a rattle in the fuel tank. Loose baffles, I think they call it. It's a well known R230 problem that a specialist can easily fix.

Generally, just make sure you use your SL55 occasionally if it's a second or third car. R230's have mild phantom battery drain, so if left unused for more than a month, you can find that the battery may be down. It will usually start, but it will give a warning about "consumer battery," so the roof won't fold until some juice gets back into the consumer battery. If you can't use it regularly, or through the winter, invest in a battery conditioner - not charger - to keep the battery in fine fettle. Better to buy a conditioner than a stream of batteries and non-starts

Usual 20 year old "new purchase" protocol. Go over it with a fine tooth comb in your first month, making sure everything works smoothly. It will have been laid up regularly, so it's possible that something doesn't quite work as it should. Better to catch anything straight away than in three months time.

Check the date stamp on the tyres, and their overall condition. If they're over eight years old, damaged or out of shape from being parked in one position for too long, take advice on renewing. They're the only thing keeping your two tonne 500bhp car gripped to the road.

As @markjay says, keep an eye out for speed cameras. The SL55's faster than it feels.

Don't forget to post some photos - yours is a great colour combo.

View attachment 154918
That’s the motor and yes a great combination just love it 🥰
 
Fantastic news. What a lovely car. One of my neighbours has one and I always look forward to hearing it start at 2pm on a dry Sunday afternoon.
Enjoy it.
 
Congrats on your new car, I owned my SL55 for 10 years, it really was a great car. Lovely sound, and so smooth.

It would be nice to see some pictures.
 
So hello to everyone in this club and look forward to hearing and gaining advice on how to look after my SL55 AMG for the future. Never had a V8 but now is the time but I also have an SLK350 V6 so know how they work but totally different delivery on the right foot.
I have waited a while for the right colour (Jasper Blue with Grey interior) and can’t wait to take it on a road trip properly.
I want to use it every weekend and enjoy the thrill it provides but what should I be careful of ?
So I guess it’s the do’s and dont’s of owning such a car
Any advice gratefully appreciated
Congrats 🍾
 
Congratulations, enjoy that V8 😄
 
Excellent choice of car! I was almost about to get one myself, but i do like my nice clean license and i tend to drive a bit more like 'Miss Daisy' these days so opted for the 'slow' SL500 !

Definitely be cautious parking the car outside during a monsoon and the ABC Struts are quite pricey, not a lot you can do about it if they are seeping fluid slightly, Raise the car with the engine running and watch it for 10 minutes or so, the car shouldn't budge at all, if it does move then you may need to investigate the struts - Mine lasted 20 years, and now has new struts ( These are NOT cheap!)

Apart from that these are amazing cars so go and enjoy.

Mine is off to South West Rust Proofing in October so that i can use her more in the damper months....:cool:
 
It’s a 2004 with 64k on the clock 3 previous owners two in the same family so all good. I have full history of the car and last owner has put every invoice tax reminder and MOT in a binder so great history. Mostly MB service but last two MB Specialist but complete invoice history. Pictures to be supplied once the rain stops and I can get a good picture
Sadly the car has arrived and although looking great after a 3 mile drive to test it a hydraulic pipe has burst on the ns front and flattened the front end. Now looking for someone to fix this and test the rest of the car. Anyone got any ideas as to a specialist for these cars local to me. I live in Rickmansworth and close to Watford ?
 

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