New S55L AMG Owner (Hopefully!!)

[computerman]

Hi, just browsing the forums.... My wife wrote off her car on Friday so I'm looking at a replacement, which wil be an S55L AMG (if I can do the right deal today!). Anyone got any advice on points to look at, known issues etc? Looking forward to it! (I think it's designates as a W220 - is that right?)

 

[Spin_bowler]

Welcome to the club. A W220 is an S-Class (luxury four door saloon). An SL55AMG is known as an R230.

Do a search on here as loads can go wrong with these and cost ££££ to put right, so you need to go in with your eyes open

 

[gunning]

Welcome to the club. A W220 is an S-Class (luxury four door saloon). An SL55AMG is known as an R230. Do a search on here as loads can go wrong with these and cost ££££ to put right, so you need to go in with your eyes open

It sounds like he's after a s55 AMG long wheel base.

Not too sure on the issues with these. If the srs, sbc or any lights are on in an s class it's best to steer clear as it can be costly. Make sure if it's a kompressor that if you give it welly for a short period of time that the supercharger doesn't cut out as that's generally a £350 fix but quite a common and not big issue. Pre 2002 they are naturally aspirated and have very different interiors. After 2002 they go to the supercharged which are the daddy's really.

 

[Spin_bowler]

It sounds like he's after a s55 AMG long wheel base.

Not too sure on the issues with these. If the srs, sbc or any lights are on in an s class it's best to steer clear as it can be costly. Make sure if it's a kompressor that if you give it welly for a short period of time that the supercharger doesn't cut out as that's generally a £350 fix but quite a common and not big issue. Pre 2002 they are naturally aspirated and have very different interiors. After 2002 they go to the supercharged which are the daddy's really.

D'oh! Thanks I misread the post. Sorry OP, but same applies, plenty to watch out for on W220's as well. Check door bottoms and wheel arches for rust.

 

[E55BOF]

The n/a 5.5 engine is very well-suited to a limo; oodles of creamy-smooth torque. The supercharged 5.5 engine is an absolute cracker; the phrase "crushing, relentless acceleration" comes to mind. I loved my n/a E55, but the 55K is in another league of performance. It's pretty brutal in its power delivery, though....

Welcome to the forum; it's a cracker too...

and there are one or two who are crackers on it as well....

 

[Vilus]

The S55 L AMG (w220) does not have Airmatic suspension. It is fitted with ABC hydraulic suspension as is the CL and SL. This would be the main area of concern. This model does not have SBC braking. The engine and gearbox are generally considered bullet proof. The top end W220 is an incredibly complex car (ie. Ventilation system, electricals etc) Make sure all the features are working. There is an S55 AMG owner on here who has documented quite a few issues with his car if you do a search. Remember it is not a £10k car, it is a £100K car that is 10 years old.

 

[computerman]

Well... I bought it...

So far so good, just a couple of little issues that I'll search the forum for (SRS Light and central locking). Here's the car:

Used Mercedes-benz S Class Saloon in Rochdale, Lancashire | Oakland Motor Company

Any thoughts?

 

[Vilus]

The Ad states that it is a 1999 V reg car. The S55 AMG with the 5.4 litre naturally aspirated 360 bhp engine was launched in Nov 2000? So either it is a very early pre-production S55 or it is not an AMG model. Firstly it does not have an AMG bodykit ( front valance, side skirts and rear apron). The badges do not look correct ( cheap copies and misaligned) and it is not a V8 Kompressor model which started in 2003 with the facelift body. The amg engine has AMG embossed in the plastic engine cover. Also check if it has ABC hydraulic suspension fitted to all AMG and V12 W220 cars. The regular S class has Airmatic air suspension. To me it looks like a regular S500. Check the documents carefully.

I would also question how it passed the MOT recently with an SRS issue. I believe the control units are about £400 if that is the cause.

MOT information - Supplementary Restraint Systems (SRS)

 

[Abb]

All that ^^^^ and does in excess of 35MPG! Someone has been sniffing glue me thinks!

 

[bob6600]

It is a S55 AMG


Datacard
Identification number: WDB2201752A074589 9
Chassis
Sales designation: S 55 AMG
Order number: 0 9 813 20043
Delivery date: 16 09 1999
Paint code 1: 744U BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
Equipment: 231A LEATHER BLACK
Engine no.: 113986 60 009658
Transmission: 722633 01 749199
SA code
030 AMG - PERFORMANCE PACKAGE
220 PARKTRONIC SYSTEM (PTS)
223 REAR BACK REST ADJUSTMENT AND HEAD RESTRAINTS, ELE
231A LEATHER BLACK
247 SEAT ADJUSTMENT ELEC. ALSO OPERABLE FROM REAR
249 INSIDE AND OUTSIDE MIRROR AUTOMATIC DIMMING
260 TYPE DESTINATION ON TRUNK LID - ELIMINATION
275 MEMORY PACKAGE (DRIVER SEAT, STRG. COL., MIRROR)
284 SELECTOR LEVER, WOOD
289 WOOD/LEATHER STEERING-WHEEL
316 INVALID/ TELEPHONE (D2B) CENTER CONSOLE (MOTOROLA)
352 COMAND
401 DELUXE FRONT SEATS WITH VENTILATION AND HEATING CO
402 COMFORT REAR SEATS WITH VENTILATION AND SEAT HEATE
414 ELECTRIC TILT/SLIDE SUNROOF IN GLASS VERSION
461 INSTRUMENT WITH MILES IND. AND ENGLISH LEGEND
481 UNDERSHIELDS
540 ROLLER BLIND, ELECTRIC, FOR REAR WINDOW
551 ANTI-THEFT/ANTI-BREAK-IN WARNING SYSTEM
596 HEAT INSULATING+IR REFLECTG.SAFETY GLASS ALL-ROUND
600 HEADLAMPS - CLEANING EQUIPMENT
617 XENON HEADLAMPS, LEFT-HAND TRAFFIC
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
731 WOOD TRIM BURRED WALNUT ROOT
744U BRILLIANT SILVER METALLIC
774 SHELL MODIFICATION FOR AMG-WHEELS
792 AMG-WHEELS 8X18 SQUEEZE-IN DEPTH 31 235/40 (S210)
800
810 SOUND SYSTEM
819 CD CHANGER
875 HEATED SCREEN WASH SYSTEM
882 INTERIOR SAFEGUARD
883 POWER CLOSING SYSTEM
984 COC DOC., DELETION OF VEHICLE REGISTRATION DOC.
M113 V8-GASOLINE ENGINE M113
Other
Lamps: BOSCH
EU approval date: 19990728
EU approval number: e1*97/27*0099*03

 

[gunning]

I'd steer clear of it, just doesn't look right.

 

[gaz_l]

I'd steer clear of it, just doesn't look right.

The OP says in post #7 that he's bought it..

OP, I take my hat off to you. A £3K AMG S-Class? You, sir, are a very brave man!

Cheers,

Gaz

 

[computerman]

Story so far...

Thanks for the info!

So far so good. Bad bits - central locking (PSE pump I suspect), SRS light (tried clearing codes at Kwik-Fit while having the air-con re-gassed, hopefully not too big an issue) and a bit of water in the boot (the cause of the PSE pump failure maybe?). Only other issue seems to be intermittently flickering headlights... looks like either HID ballasts (unlikely for both to be duff I hope) so with a bit of luck just the burners (anyone know which type they are?).

Drives beautifully, EVERYTHING electrical works flawlessly - well, apart from a noisy fan in the passenger footwell area (sounds like something rattling inside it, maybe a leaf or a pay-display ticket that's dropped in somehow).

It goes like stink too. Tyres are good, taxed it today (what a rip-off - the previous owner had taxed it until the end of November but under these new rules I have to tax it from the beginning of November... in other words, the Government have been paid twice for the month!!). Tax was only £230 for the year. Seems to doing about 16mpg at the moment, will see how that settles down.

Need to look at satnav disc upgrade, fix the damp in the boot and the PSE pump, and tickle up the few minor scratches on the bodywork (harsh carwashing on the bonnet and a tiny ding on the NSR wheel arch plus a couple of VERY small rust spots).

No funny noises (apart from the heater fan), no oozings, drippings, squealings... just a luxury 3-piece suite on wheels!

 

[computerman]

PS - Paid £2800 for it in the end - not much of a haggle but the best I could do!

 

[computerman]

Anyone have any idea what its original selling price would have been?

 

[tromppost]

Really nice to hear someone so happy and enthusiastic about getting a new car, enjoy..

 

[Voyager]

Is your wife a chauffeur ?

 

[Spin_bowler]

SRS light is probably one of the seat pads.

 

[Spin_bowler]

Anyone have any idea what its original selling price would have been?

I don't think the original owner would've seen much change from 85K

 

[DSB SL AMG]

Welcome to the forum....time will tell if its a good buy, these cars can quickly run up massive bills bearing in mind they were best part of £100k new...which is why many get used for spares...to keep part costs under control always look to the MB breakers as you can save lots ££££. I have used Dronsfields (they ship uk wide) a few times in the past as they seem to have a good supply. Obviously some stuff you will need to buy new...

Good luck

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