New Owner SL55 AMG 2003

[John757]

iCarsoft MB v2 arrived today.. will update the icarsoft software tonight.
Can anyone guide me to the OBD plug location in my SL55AMG please?

 

[ToeKnee]

iCarsoft MB v2 arrived today.. will update the icarsoft software tonight.
Can anyone guide me to the OBD plug location in my SL55AMG please?

Under the steering wheel, slightly to the right approx 300mm in

 

[hedgehogsdad]

iCarsoft MB v2 arrived today.. will update the icarsoft software tonight.
Can anyone guide me to the OBD plug location in my SL55AMG please?

Interested to see how useful this is, I'm tempted to get one but don't really know how much I'd use it .....

 

[E55BOF]

Not much until faults crop up (and they probably will; modern Mercedes have lots of electronics, and they do go wrong...), then you can do your own fault-finding. It's not much to spend to be able to do that.

 

[John757]

Under the steering wheel, slightly to the right approx 300mm in

Thank you

 

[hedgehogsdad]

Apologies if this is hijacking the original thread (It is about the boot which has been mentioned a few times), but when you open the boot, does it lift up easily? I am wondering whether I need new struts as mine is really quite heavy?

 

[John757]

Apologies if this is hijacking the original thread (It is about the boot which has been mentioned a few times), but when you open the boot, does it lift up easily? I am wondering whether I need new struts as mine is really quite heavy

Not a problem, Mine is the same!.... was wondering if I needed new gas struts on the boot too!

 

[E55BOF]

Mine was fine (for me; I'm a big strong beggar...), but if they're the original struts, they may be quite tired. If they hold the lid up when raised, it might need lubrication of the pivot points in the linkage; if the strurs don't hold it up, they need replacement.

 

[John757]

Yes mine opens and stays there... just doesn't feel like the struts are pushing the lid up.. time for some graphite paste then perhaps.

 

[E55BOF]

Try WD40 first?

The struts on my SLK would not hold the boot lid up in colder weather, though they did on warm days. I bought a pair of cheap & cheerful aftermarket struts off Fleabay, and was surprised how much stiffer they were than the tired OE ones.

 

[hedgehogsdad]

Changed mine recently and it's made a huge difference. Went for Meyl struts from AutoDoc which were about £40, and once fitted (after a battle with ParcelForce ) the boot opens with less effort and stays up better. Good job done.

 

[John757]

I thought I would update my thread.. just under 2 years of ownership.
I only use my SL55 AMG during the summer months.. as I have other cars, the rest of the time its locked away so I really have not got the most use out of it as yet, about 2000 miles so far. Ownership has been a learning curve, and my ownership so far has been positive.. I still love the car.. plus its ULEZ compliant too! despite being a 2003 car.

I have had a few niggles so far, but none have made me want to get rid.. I went into ownership with my eyes wide open.


My main niggles was as previously written, water leaking into the boot though the seal.. Something I should have checked more carefully.. This is now fixed and watertight, along with a brand new PSE pump, both of which I replaced myself. I have also replaced the front brake discs and pads myself with genuine MB parts, as well as the boot gas struts, alarm siren, windscreen washer pump, The plastic trim on the side of the rear window, the rear battery, and the ABC resovoir cover.
My car had (yesterday) a full inspection at a Mercedes Independent specialist, who have replaced the Engine oil and filter, gearbox oil and filter, SBC brake fluid, 16 spark plugs, (I replaced the Air filters and charcoal filters last year) and the car is booked back in to have its engine and gearbox mounts replaced, a new propshaft rubber coupling, new supercharger belts.. plus they coded my PSE pump for me, so the multicontour seats will work (fingers crossed).
Everything else has been looked at and found to be in good condition considering its 20years old now.
I am planning some longer drives this year in the SL55, and it's reassuring to do that having had a specialist give it a good look over.

The car has been a delight to own.. driving it it a pleasure.. and on the rare occasions I boot it.. it sounds a glorious deep rumbling barratone, especially fun with the roof down!

I will update with ownership costs so far very soon.

John