My SL60 AMG and its Restoration

[jaymanek]

So here we go again!

Bought a lovely SL60 from a forum member but it had some minor marks etc commensurate with age. Nothing serious.

This car first belonged to a Mr Lennox Lewis.

However the right rear arch looked dull compared to the rest of the car and upon closer inspection it looked like it had some minor incident.
My mate Dave thinks that Mr Lewis took his aggression out on the rear arch after losing a fight...
But my mate Dave may have made that up.

Anyway, so first thing I did is remove those orribly painted wheels and sent them for a refurb and sent it to the bodyshop on its winters.

Here is the car as I bought it:

And here we go, looks like a poor repair in the past, they havent done a proper job and so its started to rust in places.

Removal of the outer arch reveals that Im going to have to get on the blobber to Mercedes; its going to need an Inner arch as well as the complete quarter panel.. Luckily the last owner had purchased the complete quarter and was in with the deal.

 

[jaymanek]

And so a few days later and the inner arch arrives and my bodyshop do a cracking job with it.

 

[jaymanek]

And then the bodyshop seamlessly weld in the new quarter panel.. a genuine MB part so it lines up perfectly

And the welds are ground back and some special metal filler applied... This stuff is not like normal filler, it doesnt sink and even a magnet will stick to it.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Azurite Blue?

Thats approaching W210 levels of rust!

At this rate Jay, your going to end up with more cars than your sale stock

 

[jaymanek]

Next the whole car is stripped, prepared and ready for paint.. unfortunately I missed taking some pics here so straight to the paint pics.

 

[jaymanek]

And the wheels come back!! Yippeee

 

[jaymanek]

And the finished article... even got myself a 60 AMG number plate...

 

[R2D2]

Well done. Lovely job. Your paint shop must love you

 

[jaymanek]

And in case anyone is interested, this is what ive done since purchase.

Car Purchased by Me
New Gear Lever
Bonnet Insulation A1296802025, Centre Brake Lens A1298202466
Bonnet Pull Cable A1298800059
New Brake Pads A0054200220
Spare Key A1407602006
Front Bumper Tow Cover HWA1298800405
Wheel Refurbishment
Inner Wheel Arch A1296370276
Ribbed Over Mats
Another Spare Key A1407602006
Air Filters A0030946104 x 2
Poly V Belt A0119974592
Oil Filter A1191800009
Fuel Filter A0024772701
Transmission Sump Gasket A1402710080 & Filter A1402770095
Spark Plugs A0031596703 x 8 but incorrect ones
Spark Plugs NGK BKR5EKU - SL60 specific ones
Ignition Cables between coil packs and plug A0001594142
AMG Stickers HWA0015846838
Boot Badges A2208170815, A2027580058, HWA1298170115
AMG Badge for Front Bumper HWA1045840143
Full Respray & Fit Brand New OSR Quarter (supplied by last owner)
Wiper Blade A1298200845
NGk Spark Plugs Fitted + Rubber Boots
Diff Oil Changed
Transmission Service using Genuine MB Fluid
Coolant Change
Engine Oil Change 5w/30 FS Dexos 2
Brake Fluid Change - MB Fluid
Coolant Change - Used Green
A/C Service
Fuel Filter Changed
Air Filters Changed
V Belt Changed, Spare In Boot
Full Waxoyl, 10L used
Indicators Front
Rear Facelift Lamp Lens A1298203366 - Left
Alpine DMXT320 Amplifier & Wiring
Pollen Filter A1298350047 - DO NOT GET FROM EURO AGAIN!
Rear Facelift Lamp Lens A1298203466 - Right
Rear Brake Pads Bought
AMG Exhaust Back Box - Mabz on MBClub
Rear Brake Discs - Old ones too small for the car! A1294230412
Interior Mirror Cover Triangle Part
Tracker Upgraded
Pollen Filter A1298350047
Cup Holder Box A12968001587E15
New Front Brake Discs A1294211712 (left), A1294211812 (right)
Polishing of Spare Centre Console

 

[jaymanek]

Pics with AMG back box will follow someday.. Also changed to a Becker Stereo and a few things inside like the genuine MB cup holders etc..

 

[Borys]

Great car.
But how on Earth Lennox Lewis did fit in a SL - I can't,I mean it is very uncomfortable,leg room wise and sitting possition with me leaning forward it's just not right.I'm 6'2 and Lennox much taller lol

 

[Doodle]

Colour matched centres are the way forward with azurite

Borys - seating position is such a personal thing but I fit in mine fine and I'm not exactly small, as those who have met me will testify!

 

[mattc]

I do like that! Well done.

What was the damage purely for the replacement bits you have listed?

 

[jaymanek]

yes it was nothing more than a dent which was repaired but not done properly so it rusted over the years... I think it must have happened fairly early in its life.

If you put the seat back all the way and then down, pretty much anyone will fit in a R129.

 

[d w124]

Typo old school bodyshop judging by the poster on the wall

 

[Igurisu]

Another great restoration Jay, looks beautiful.

 

[Borys]

I tried....when seat go back automatically rest goes forward which makes me lean forward
But as other post mentioned seating position is a personal thing.I like lazy drive,seat back laying ish position Space space that is why I've got a Dodge Ram

 

[MWCLS]

Stunning car, really nice job you've done there.

 

[Doodle]

The trick there is not to put the seat back as far as possible otherwise it'll force you upright as you've found. Go all the way down, then juggle between backrest angle and how far back you are until you find the best position.

It's more difficult if you've got long legs, as there's less space to play with in that area. I'm 6'3 on a good day (i.e. recently seen the chiropractor), but with 31" inside leg.

 

[The _Don]

Another awesome addition - congrats.