SL500 upgrade to SL55 or not?

[SL63Mark]

Thats interesting. I thought all 55k cars were 478 bhp or there abouts and had buttons and not proper paddles unless like me you changed the wheel for a 63. Learn something every day on here.

The SL55 increased in power from 479 to 500 BHP in 2004, and then went up to 517 from 2006, IIRC. The 479 BHP is a bit of a common misconception, as that only applied to the 2002 and 2003 cars, (of which there were a lot, admittedly).

Other 55k cars may vary slightly, there were minor differences to suit model.

 

[Dickster]

Did you go and see the car?

My thoughts 3 years into ownership of an SL55. Do it, if it’s an itch you want to scratch. Otherwise you’ll not stop thinking about it. I still love driving mine. Mine does a few thousand miles a year and apart from a few issues, has been relatively reliable.

I average around 18 mpg. But I’m quite a light foot. I enjoy driving it quick, but to be honest with this kind of power, you run out of road very quickly. So I only give mine a good blast occasionally. On a long run you should be able to get 25 mpg if you are careful.

Personally, I like the distronic and use mine quite a bit.

Mine does ride quite harsh but I’m on the 19” rims. I have read recently that lower tyre pressure might improve the ride. So I need to have a play with that.

Good luck, I don’t think you’ll regret it

 

[G7Wagen]

The SL55 increased in power from 479 to 500 BHP in 2004, and then went up to 517 from 2006, IIRC. The 479 BHP is a bit of a common misconception, as that only applied to the 2002 and 2003 cars, (of which there were a lot, admittedly).

Other 55k cars may vary slightly, there were minor differences to suit model.

The car was introduced in 2001 with 479BHP and the HP was increased to 493BHP in 2003 and the car had a mild update in 2004.. including a new command head unit and keyless key cards were replaced in 2003 to keyless keys.

 

[c63chris]

I did not know that, I always found them very useful, to stop coats etc sliding onto the floor. Seems daft to delete them.

I have a 2009 SL63 and it has the straps

 

[segalm01]

On my 2004 SL55 with mixed "A" road/city driving I generally got 19-21 mpg. The best I ever saw was 28.5 on a long motorway run.

Depends how you drive it. I used mine for weekend/occational use, so the fuel economy was not much of an issue. Are you hoping to use it as a daily driver ?

On my 2004 SL55 with mixed "A" road/city driving I generally got 19-21 mpg. The best I ever saw was 28.5 on a long motorway run.

Depends how you drive it. I used mine for weekend/occational use, so the fuel economy was not much of an issue. Are you hoping to use it as a daily driver ?

Thanks. I don’t mind low 20s and teens for pootling around town. But for a long run I’d like to get 26-28. It’s mainly for France touring on the paeage.

Did you go and see the car?

My thoughts 3 years into ownership of an SL55. Do it, if it’s an itch you want to scratch. Otherwise you’ll not stop thinking about it. I still love driving mine. Mine does a few thousand miles a year and apart from a few issues, has been relatively reliable.

I average around 18 mpg. But I’m quite a light foot. I enjoy driving it quick, but to be honest with this kind of power, you run out of road very quickly. So I only give mine a good blast occasionally. On a long run you should be able to get 25 mpg if you are careful.

Personally, I like the distronic and use mine quite a bit.

Mine does ride quite harsh but I’m on the 19” rims. I have read recently that lower tyre pressure might improve the ride. So I need to have a play with that.

Good luck, I don’t think you’ll regret it

hi there, good useful information thanks. Yes I did see it and yes I did buy it! I drive it home last night, 340 miles and I averaged 25.4 mph including about an hour of jams on various motorways. What a phenomenal car. So glad I did it. And to boot, my wife’s driven it and she loves it!! That’s always a bonus.

 

[G7Wagen]

Looking forward to pictures and feedback.. on your purchase.

 

[Dickster]

Thanks. I don’t mind low 20s and teens for pootling around town. But for a long run I’d like to get 26-28. It’s mainly for France touring on the paeage.

hi there, good useful information thanks. Yes I did see it and yes I did buy it! I drive it home last night, 340 miles and I averaged 25.4 mph including about an hour of jams on various motorways. What a phenomenal car. So glad I did it. And to boot, my wife’s driven it and she loves it!! That’s always a bonus.

Excellent as a matter of interest, did you get that mileage out of a tank? I’ve not done a long run in mine but I’ve read 200-250 max miles is realistic. Less if you boot it..

Ps let’s see it

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Congratulations! Enjoy

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

hi there, good useful information thanks. Yes I did see it and yes I did buy it! I drive it home last night, 340 miles and I averaged 25.4 mph including about an hour of jams on various motorways. What a phenomenal car. So glad I did it. And to boot, my wife’s driven it and she loves it!! That’s always a bonus.

Congratulations !

Hope all goes well. Don't hesitate to raise any issues as they come up because the owners know how to get stuff fixed.

Do post some photos. People always enjoy a picture or two.

 

[Phil1968]

The 306 bhp in my CLS500 is fast enough for me 95% of the time (same engine as your SL500), but it would be nice to have a bit extra sometimes. I think that gives you the answer

 

[segalm01]

Excellent as a matter of interest, did you get that mileage out of a tank? I’ve not done a long run in mine but I’ve read 200-250 max miles is realistic. Less if you boot it..

Ps let’s see it

Hi there. I filled up before leaving Plymouth and arrived home with just over a quarter of the tank remaining. However, I did drive at between 65-80 consistently.

 

[segalm01]

Congratulations !

Hope all goes well. Don't hesitate to raise any issues as they come up because the owners know how to get stuff fixed.

Do post some photos. People always enjoy a picture or two.

Thanks, that’s very kind. Thanks I’ve taken a couple today of both SLs sat together. The SL will be up for sale shortly. I’ll post the photos soon…..

 

[BRN9121]

OK, ££ how much? Is it yours?

No, it's not mine.
It's sitting in a dealership here. Bought and stored.

PM me for more info about the car.
And as far as price, they're asking 100k dollars.

 

[G7Wagen]

No, it's not mine.
It's sitting in a dealership here. Bought and stored.

PM me for more info about the car.
And as far as price, they're asking 100k dollars.

that zero miles car deserves a thread of its own...!

 

[segalm01]

Thanks, that’s very kind. Thanks I’ve taken a couple today of both SLs sat together. The SL will be up for sale shortly. I’ll post the photos soon…..

 

[segalm01]

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