New user - just purchased an SL55!

[vinnie83]

Hello all, wanted to say hello to the forum - I will more than likely be a regular user as I just picked up an SL55 yesterday.

I have owned an E55K for a few years back in 2006, so have a bit of experience with the car, but the SL seems to bring with it a whole host of potential issues of its own!

So having viewed it in the pi$$ing rain yesterday, the car that appeared immaculate was not so much as I sat in it for the 4 hour drive home (in the rain)..

So I now have a list of 'projects' to fix - any advice or pointing to helpful threads would be very much appreciated!

1. Intercooler pump issue - there seems to be a chap on here ANDY@EC who sorts this and lives locally to me, however I cannot PM until 30 posts - if you read this andy, please get in touch.

2. Door card compartments seem to be loose fitting - the 'panel gaps' are noticeable, a friend has an SL350 and this is not the case with his.

3. The parking sensor issue - two red lights and a beep when the car starts, then they turn off.

4. The keyless lock button on drivers side door doesn't work - I have read this will probably require a new handle - any idea of costs?

5. Steering pulls to the left - booked in at my local MB dealer to get aligned and steering centered - apparently a common complaint with Mercedes (although I never noticed it at all on my E55, although my GF's CLC does the same)....

Apart from that, the car does seem in great condition. It was owned by a well off solicitor with 3 MB's all looked after by the local MB dealer who confirmed he always did the work needed on the cars - recent service and roof repair.

Also, a list of planned upgrades:

It has the TV tuner - I understand it can be converted to receive digital channels - any info on this?

New steering wheel - can the newer wheel with paddles be fitted?

Wheels - it has the later 19" SL65 style wheels (all silver) so I want the centers painted black

Remap + Pulley - any recommendations around London/the south? I keep hearing DMS, but also keep hearing that others can do just as good a job at a far lower cost!

Exhaust - remove rear cats and silencer - again, any London recommendations? And what kind of costs should I expect here also?

Lowering - I have read about lowering links, and also reprogramming the suspension - any further info about both methods - any disadvantages/dangers and what kind of costs?

The car otherwise is as I would have expected a 10 year old £100k car to be like after near 70k miles - it drives well, is tidy and looks great - just those niggles before I can rest!

Thanks in advance for any advice guys!



|http://thumbsnap.com/oSRL5EaY
|http://thumbsnap.com/xTHseMse
|http://thumbsnap.com/NqekNgpZ
|http://thumbsnap.com/gYubTIiT
|http://thumbsnap.com/QhdUdF7u

I hadn't realised I had left the suspension raised when I took the pics!

 

[John]

Welcome aboard.

Looks great - one of the finest car rses ever IMO.

Is it black or grey?

Have a word with SavMan (I've PM'd him for you). He is involved with a large E55K job and the guy is selling his Eurocharged pulley. Based in the SE.

 

[vinnie83]

Welcome aboard.

Looks great - one of the finest car rses ever IMO.

Is it black or grey?

Have a word with SavMan (I've PM'd him for you). He is involved with a large E55K job and the guy is selling his Eurocharged pulley. Based in the SE.

Great, I would certainly be interested in speaking to him, but cannot PM so if you could pass on my details to him if you haven't already I would be very grateful

It's black, with black dash and grey leather and carpets with grey stitching.

The car is far from perfect - this will teach me for buying a car in the rain - the pain is slightly dull on some parts and there's a few poorly done touch ups on the paintwork, so I am going to get a full professional valet done soon.

The steering thing is bugging me more than anything else though!

 

[cb1965]

2. Door card compartments seem to be loose fitting - the 'panel gaps' are noticeable, a friend has an SL350 and this is not the case with his.

Any chance you can post a pic of this?

3. The parking sensor issue - two red lights and a beep when the car starts, then they turn off.

Clean all the sensors carefully and see if it resets, if not whip it to a local independent with STAR equipment, they will plug it in and tell you which sensor is down or if it is something more fundamental.

4. The keyless lock button on drivers side door doesn't work - I have read this will probably require a new handle - any idea of costs?

I got one on Ebay for £40, dismamtled it and my existing one and made a good one that works.

It has the TV tuner - I understand it can be converted to receive digital channels - any info on this?

Command Online can sort this Command Online website

New steering wheel - can the newer wheel with paddles be fitted?

Yes but you need a conversion module... again from Command Online

Wheels - it has the later 19" SL65 style wheels (all silver) so I want the centers painted black

I have a fully refurbed set of these wheels for the SL55 with the centres powder coated black..... never been on the car as I went for BBS wheels in the end. You may be better off selling yours and buying mine depending on prices. I paid £600 for mine to be dismantled and powder coated silver barrels, black centres. These wheels normally sell for £1500+ a set even non-refurbed!

Remap + Pulley - any recommendations around London/the south? I keep hearing DMS, but also keep hearing that others can do just as good a job at a far lower cost!

Eurocharged in Watford (I think) can do this or MSL in Birmingham. Mine was done by DMS who did a superb job and will remap it for life in the price.

Exhaust - remove rear cats and silencer - again, any London recommendations? And what kind of costs should I expect here also?

Speak with Eldon at Top Gear exhausts in St Albans. Fantastic workmanship for a great price. Number is 01727 850537

Lowering - I have read about lowering links, and also reprogramming the suspension - any further info about both methods - any disadvantages/dangers and what kind of costs?

Renntech lowering module is the best way

 

[John]

Great, I would certainly be interested in speaking to him, but cannot PM so if you could pass on my details to him if you haven't already I would be very grateful

It's black, with black dash and grey leather and carpets with grey stitching.

The car is far from perfect - this will teach me for buying a car in the rain - the pain is slightly dull on some parts and there's a few poorly done touch ups on the paintwork, so I am going to get a full professional valet done soon.

The steering thing is bugging me more than anything else though!

Yes, I posted this thread up as obviously he won't be able to PM you either.

Ah ok - I couldn't tell the colour from those pics for sure.

I wouldn't bother with Mercedes with the steering. Take it to Wheels In Motion instead.

Our previous FD had her CLK280 looked at by 3 MB dealers and none of whom could correct the problem or would even admit a wonky steering was a problem.

There's nothing like a quality outfit - and their nothing like one.

 

[Simzy]

Wow I'm jealous of that ;-)

 

[vinnie83]

I'm hoping it turns out to be something to be jealous of!

Andy from Eurocharged has been in touch and I have emailed him, waiting for him to get back to me - I hope the niggles listed above are just that and that we can get the car in top shape quickly enough

 

[lxi]

but the SL seems to bring with it a whole host of potential issues of its own!

It will to one degree or another - keep it in perspective - great cars

1. Intercooler pump issue - there seems to be a chap on here ANDY@EC who sorts this and lives locally to me, however I cannot PM until 30 posts - if you read this andy, please get in touch.
.

Is there a problem with it?

4. The keyless lock button on drivers side door doesn't work - I have read this will probably require a new handle - any idea of costs?

from memory, not much under £200 ready painted from the dealer

5. Steering pulls to the left - booked in at my local MB dealer to get aligned and steering centered - apparently a common complaint with Mercedes (although I never noticed it at all on my E55, although my GF's CLC does the same)....

I've not had this, but as you say, seems common

Apart from that, the car does seem in great condition. It was owned by a well off solicitor with 3 MB's all looked after by the local MB dealer who confirmed he always did the work needed on the cars - recent service and roof repair.

What was the roof repair?

Also, a list of planned upgrades:

New steering wheel - can the newer wheel with paddles be fitted?

Yes - several people have also modded theirs

Wheels - it has the later 19" SL65 style wheels (all silver) so I want the centers painted black

About £250 a set, same day service - Alloy wheel refurbishment and repair - Quality refurbished wheels

Exhaust - remove rear cats and silencer - again, any London recommendations? And what kind of costs should I expect here also?

Stainless Steel Exhausts - Performance Exhausts from Longlife

Lowering - I have read about lowering links, and also reprogramming the suspension - any further info about both methods - any disadvantages/dangers and what kind of costs?

First pass, you have it raised by the looks of it!

The car otherwise is as I would have expected a 10 year old £100k car to be like after near 70k miles - it drives well, is tidy and looks great - just those niggles before I can rest!

Watch for water ingress in the boot - they are infamous for this & it can be expensive - PSE pump close to £1k

I hadn't realised I had left the suspension raised when I took the pics!

Aaah !!

 

[SavMan]

Vinne83

I work alongside Andy feel free to contact us on

[email protected]

Our workshop is based just outside Watford we would be happy to help.

 

[vinnie83]

Lxi - thanks for the comments... the IC pump issue is present - power shuts off after repeated WOT runs... Had the same issue on my old E55.. saying that, I drove from N.lodon to heathrow and back yesterday and it never happened... so only when I really push it. Cheap fix anyhow.

Savman - thanks, I have already emailed a detailed response to the email add that Andy emailed me from, but have now forwarded it to the one you posted.

Please let me know ASAP as it's currently booked in at Temple Fortune MB on Friday but I would rather a well recommended specialist like yourselves sort it out!

If you're as good and competitive as I hear, you will have a lot of work from me over the next 12 months

 

[219]

Wow I'm jealous of that ;-)

But it's a PETROL car !

It can't possibly be as powerful or quick as your diesel saloon

 

[219]

Vinnie , sorry to hijack your thread : the post above was in response to something posted elsewhere .

Very nice car you have there .

 

[vinnie83]

Pontoneer - no worries Thanks, like I said above, I just hope it's given the all clear of major issues when it's checked out!

Incidentally, I had a 535d with a remap a few years ago, maybe 2-3 years after having sold my E55.

I can honestly say that the low end grunt reminded me of the E55 - instant low end power... tailed off quickly though, unlike the 55k engines

 

[Ronam2012]

Welcome! I bought my SL55 a couple of months ago , overall I am very happy with it I've put new tyres on all round and new pads and discs other than that nothing. Until today when I found the dreaded water ingress in the boot lxi has referred to. No problems yet but still trying to establish the best way of protecting the PSE!

 

[laurensparsons]

Door card pocket, I just got a black 2006 55, changed the door card armrest, if it's loose, take the door card of and investigate, my guess is someone has replaced something and not put it back together right...

 

[219]

When I test drove a couple of R129's last year ( I know - different cars ) one of them had loose fittings in the door ( the block with the seat adjustment switches ) , but it was a minor , fixable , detail , and not something which would put me off an otherwise good car .

I hope to get one once I sell my C270

 

[vinnie83]

Just dropped the car off at Eurocharged in Watford... they say that it's in good condition, the steering is easily fixed, and they're fixing all of the mentioned points other than the interior door handle fittings and paintwork, although they commented that the paintwork will polish up nicely.

So I have gone for a large crank pulley, remap, exhaust with only the primary cats and rear boxes left in place, lowering suspension, estimated at anything between 550-600bhp and up to 650lb/ft torque.

Should be a monster car when I get it back - can't wait!

 

[Mat B]

You are in good hands

 

[vinnie83]

Dropped the car off yesterday at Eurocharged in Watford... they say that it's in good condition, the steering is easily fixed, and they're fixing all of the mentioned points other than the interior door handle fittings and paintwork, although they commented that the paintwork will polish up nicely.

So I have gone for a large crank pulley, remap, exhaust with only the primary cats and rear boxes left in place, lowering suspension, estimated at anything between 550-600bhp and up to 650lb/ft torque.

Should be a monster car when I get it back - can't wait!


I had an update this morning :

Car cannot be lowered by STAR.

I/C pump was screwed, IAT's were significantly higher after normal driving than should be, so power was down to ~440bhp. No wonder it felt slower than my old E55.

Steering is dead straight now.

Door handle changed, parking sensor (only one was faulty) being changed today.

Interior door pull - they took the door card off and a clip is broken, they are trying to see if MB sell the part in isolation.

Remap + Pulley, still to be done today.

Exhaust, getting sorted on Friday morning. Will be there for the final dyno run, will post up a vid.

They told me the car was checked with a fine tooth comb, and while it had a few niggles cosmetically, they say the car has been looked after perfectly mechanically and that it's a car they would buy after a check up, which is a great relief.

Very happy with things so far!

 

[vinnie83]

OK so for those interested, here's a detailed before and after write up:

So I picked the car up last Friday in the pissing rain - what I thought to be a very good condition car in the end turned out, in my eyes, to be disappointing:

http://thumbsnap.com/xTHseMse
http://thumbsnap.com/QhdUdF7u

It had a number of faults, and the paintwork was nowhere near as good as it looked in the rain. The list of problems from memory:

I/C pump duff - this was semi expected though, and a risk I took testing the car in the rain.

Steering well off center - again, took a chance since it was with MB very recently and they confirmed a good mechanical car, and it didn't appear to have been repaired since all panels and paintwork looked original.

Interior doorcard loose on drivers side
Paintwork very dull over the whole car
Keyless go lock button on drivers door didn't work
Parking sensors didn't work.


So, with great buyers remorse I took to the forums for advice, and the guys at Eurocharged were recommended here and on another forum.

They had my car since Tuesday, and I picked it up this evening with the following done:

I/C pump replaced
Steering perfect
New door handle fitted - keyless lock working
New parking sensor fitted - now working

Confirmation that, while the car wasn't in great cosmetic condition, mechanically, it was one of the better/best cars he had seen, and would confidently buy it himself - great sigh of relief.

So, on to the additional work I OK'd once I knew the car was in good order.

Remap

Largest crank pulley they were able to recommend

Additional charge cooler to run in series with the original

Exhaust - primary silencer and rear cats removed - I liked the sound as standard, but it just wasn't loud enough.

So the car dyno'd at ~440bhp and 500lb/ft torque originally - down on power due to the I/C pump being totally duff and not cooling at all. Now I used to own an E55 before I got the 997 turbo and, to this day, I swear the turbo is no quicker.

I was surprised that the SL felt slower, however I put it down to the extra weight, and rose tinted glasses. The 997 is a faster car than both after all.

So the dyno run after the mods : Just under 550bhp and 600lb/ft of torque, with a great curve:



http://thumbsnap.com/fK06X9Qq

https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B_oJEVipzxhnWElMTlRHRmJqN1E/edit?pli=1

This was on the third run, so the HP and torque had dipped by a few.



So the car now drives perfectly straight, sounds immense - like two machine guns firing behind your head, but still not anti-social while cruising.

First gear is now about useless, and second gear now triggers the traction control like first used to! The in gear acceleration is just immense - it snaps your head back the millisecond you press the throttle.

I took the gf for a spin after I got home. Bearing in mind she has been in the turbo with me numerous times whilst I've pressed on, she commented that me putting my foot down made her tummy feel weird. It really does feel faster than the turbo by a noticeable amount!

I will be testing them side by side when I get back to Leicester so look forward to seeing how that goes.

The guys at Eurocharged - Paul being the main chap I dealt with and spoke to - were great. They knew these cars inside out - Paul has a ~750bhp E55 himself - and really made me feel comfortable leaving the car with them.

Future plans for the car:

Full professional detail and machine polish to sort out the dull paintwork.
Lowering - unfortunately, my car was one of those that cannot be lowered by STAR
Wheel centers painted black
Exhaust - headers and sport cats
Smaller supercharger pulley
Repair doorcard - clip is broken and cannot be repaired
LED side lights


I think beyond that, anything further is looking at mega bucks so will probably stop there as sense must prevail eventually.