Hey folks. I have finally taken the plunge and acquired an SL55 AMG.
Along the way I reckon I have read the vast majority of what there has been written about these cars (and there has been rather a lot!). I have read bold claims and more modest claims, and I have seen good videos, and rather less good videos as well! It occurred to me that what the world needed was a single place to look for any useful information for buyers, fans and owners of these cars alike. To that end, I have taken the time to summarise much of what I have learnt below. Feel free to use it as you see fit, or simply ignore if your life was complete prior to opening this link!
Contents
Section 1 – A selection of Buyers guides and journalistic reports
Section 2 – A History of Power Claims
Section 3 – Performance figures
Section 4 – Model History
Section 5 – A word on tax (VED)
Section 6 – The options list
Section 7 – Some manuals and brochures in PDF format (links)
Section 8 – You haven’t mentioned the “F1 Pack!”
Section 9 – The issues – or if it ain’t broke, it will be!
Section 10 – The fabulous thread providing links to “how-to” guides for R230s
Section 11 – The even more fabulous free online Workshop manuals.
Section 12 – The Bluetooth and music dilemma
1 – A selection of Buyers guides and journalistic reports
Start here – these are written by professionals, and not by me! There are several, and most say similar things. I have tried to keep the most succinct at the top, and some briefer ones below them.
Evo (Nov 07)
http://www.evo.co.uk/buying-advice/14019/mercedes-benz-sl55-amg-checkpoints
This one was written in November 2007. At this stage, the car was pretty well at the end of its production run, though bear in mind that a full ten years has passed since then. Even so, the advice is useful and it makes for an interesting read. The price information is out of date but generally the info is otherwise accurate.
Pistonheads (Mar 12)
https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guides/ph-buying-guide-mercedes-sl55-amg/25445
A comprehensive guide and an interesting read! Nothing less than you would expect for an enthusiast website. That said, the power figures a not quite on the money – refer below for more info!
Autocar (Feb 14)
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/deals/mercedes-benz-amg-used-buying-guide-and-gallery
Part of an AMG buyers guide and dated Feb 2014. Short and sweet but also allows you to reminisce about some of the other AMG cars through time!
Some selected others:
Exotic Car Hacks – undated but an American point of view - http://www.exoticcarhacks.com/car-reviews/mercedes-benz-sl55-amg-r230-buyers-guide/
Parkers review Jan 2014 - http://www.parkers.co.uk/mercedes-benz/sl-class/amg/review/
Autoexpress - http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/14981/mercedes-sl55-amg
Road and Track (US) - http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a9501/mercedes-benz-sl55-amg/
The truth about cars (Feb 2003) - http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2003/02/mercedes-sl55-amg/
There are many others, but the above typically float to the top of the pile
2. The history of the power claims
Well this is where it gets interesting. When the car was first launched, Mercedes claimed a BHP figure of 476bhp, and 700Nm of torque.
This figure was revised upwards to 493BHP (500ps) in around 2004/05, though curiously the torque remained the same at 700Nm.
The above will be of absolutely no surprise to anybody who has spent a little time researching these cars. It transpired that MB were a little conservative with their initial power claims. Cynically it may be argued that this was to assist them in providing market separation from the SL600 which curiously also has 500BHP.
Even so, somebody cried foul and the TUV stepped in and tested several cars finding them all to be closer to the 500BHP that was later claimed. This was simply because MB were required to make their claims more reliable (or so it goes). Given that the torque remains the same, and the engine remains the same, it feels rather believable to me. Moreover, the performance claims remain unchanged for both cars so I think it is fair to say that this can be considered ratified by circumstantial evidence.
I read a fascinating article (EVO Magazine 060 dated Oct 2003) suggesting that it was allegedly Gordan Murray the (designer of the SLR) that ratted Merc out on this when he realised that the performance times did not match the power claimed. His primary motivation was to ensure that his engine for the SLR was suitably more powerful than the SLs version (somewhat understandably given the additional ticket price of the SLR!). I cannot verify, but it is a great anecdote.
In 2007 the car did receive the official facelift, and as part of this, the power was increased to 509bhp (517ps which is often mis-quoted as the BHP), with Torque rising to 720Nm. The difference in my experience is not realistically noticeable. But then what would you expect with an increase of power in the order of 3%!
So in summary, actual power from 2002-2006 is 493bhp and 700Nm Torque, and 2007-08 is 509bhp and 720Nm of torque. Simples
3 - Performance figures
There are so many varying claims to these cars acceleration, and given that none are new anymore it is difficult to become too emotional about this particular subject. Suffice to say that the 0-60 claims tend to be in the order of 4.5 secs (with the 0-62mph typically 4.7). The top speed was limited to 155mph unless you paid MB/ AMG large wads of cash. In these circumstances, the limiter was increased to 186mph. Why this figure? Well this was the maximum rating for tyres of the day given the overall weight of the car. A funny figure you think? Well when converted to kph it is exactly 300kph! This I suspect is more pleasing to the eye!
So how fast is it? Well EVO group tested the car (edition number 070 dated August 2004) and it was put against an Aston Martin DB9, a 996TT, and a Bentley Continental GT. In this test, it hit 60 in 4.6sec, 100 in 10.2, 120 in 14.2, and 140 in 20.3! Incidentally, it was the quickest of the lot to 140mph (with the 911 turbo only .6 behind at 20.9, and the DB9 at 23.1), though the 911tt remained ahead until 120mph! Both the Aston and the Bentley started behind and stayed there!
So far as the top speed is concerned, a rumour has been propagated by many including MB that the car will hit 203mph if fully derestricted. I have no verification of this fact. A quick search of youtube will find several top speed runs from various “test pilots”. I have not really got the time to link those for you, and they are not remotely scientific! A couple reach the hallowed 200mph on the indicator, though I note that several appear to run into the laws of physics at just above 190mph. I leave that thought with you for consideration.
A German car magazine has also apparently tested the car hitting above 200mph as well though this was not referenced. That said, if you compare the power and torque to other cars with similar power claims, the claim is not totally unrealistic.
I will say that I have also seen a table comparing the Aston Vanquish, the 550 Maranello, The Lambo Murcielago, and the 996 GT2 to the SL55. The results are controversial and have been left out of this site.
Can I end on a real positive? If I may draw your attention to a website known as www.fastestlaps.com . For those that don’t know it, it is great at compiling and comparing various performance cars, and has a very big database. There are occasional debates as to the accuracy of the figures, but in my experience they are pretty good.
Using the “compare tool”, compare the Mercedes SL55 AMG (517) (which is the facelift version but had generally better quality data) to the 2012 SL63 AMG. This is the first of the bi-turbo versions. You may find yourself a little surprised about the acceleration performance difference.
Not convinced? Also then try comparing it to the new C63 AMG S Convertible that was launched in 2017!
Purely from an accelerative point of view (and disregarding numerous other improvements that have been made!), the SL55 holds up well against modern equivalents.
Along the way I reckon I have read the vast majority of what there has been written about these cars (and there has been rather a lot!). I have read bold claims and more modest claims, and I have seen good videos, and rather less good videos as well! It occurred to me that what the world needed was a single place to look for any useful information for buyers, fans and owners of these cars alike. To that end, I have taken the time to summarise much of what I have learnt below. Feel free to use it as you see fit, or simply ignore if your life was complete prior to opening this link!
Contents
Section 1 – A selection of Buyers guides and journalistic reports
Section 2 – A History of Power Claims
Section 3 – Performance figures
Section 4 – Model History
Section 5 – A word on tax (VED)
Section 6 – The options list
Section 7 – Some manuals and brochures in PDF format (links)
Section 8 – You haven’t mentioned the “F1 Pack!”
Section 9 – The issues – or if it ain’t broke, it will be!
Section 10 – The fabulous thread providing links to “how-to” guides for R230s
Section 11 – The even more fabulous free online Workshop manuals.
Section 12 – The Bluetooth and music dilemma
1 – A selection of Buyers guides and journalistic reports
Start here – these are written by professionals, and not by me! There are several, and most say similar things. I have tried to keep the most succinct at the top, and some briefer ones below them.
Evo (Nov 07)
http://www.evo.co.uk/buying-advice/14019/mercedes-benz-sl55-amg-checkpoints
This one was written in November 2007. At this stage, the car was pretty well at the end of its production run, though bear in mind that a full ten years has passed since then. Even so, the advice is useful and it makes for an interesting read. The price information is out of date but generally the info is otherwise accurate.
Pistonheads (Mar 12)
https://www.pistonheads.com/features/ph-buying-guides/ph-buying-guide-mercedes-sl55-amg/25445
A comprehensive guide and an interesting read! Nothing less than you would expect for an enthusiast website. That said, the power figures a not quite on the money – refer below for more info!
Autocar (Feb 14)
https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/deals/mercedes-benz-amg-used-buying-guide-and-gallery
Part of an AMG buyers guide and dated Feb 2014. Short and sweet but also allows you to reminisce about some of the other AMG cars through time!
Some selected others:
Exotic Car Hacks – undated but an American point of view - http://www.exoticcarhacks.com/car-reviews/mercedes-benz-sl55-amg-r230-buyers-guide/
Parkers review Jan 2014 - http://www.parkers.co.uk/mercedes-benz/sl-class/amg/review/
Autoexpress - http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/car-reviews/14981/mercedes-sl55-amg
Road and Track (US) - http://www.roadandtrack.com/new-cars/first-drives/reviews/a9501/mercedes-benz-sl55-amg/
The truth about cars (Feb 2003) - http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2003/02/mercedes-sl55-amg/
There are many others, but the above typically float to the top of the pile
2. The history of the power claims
Well this is where it gets interesting. When the car was first launched, Mercedes claimed a BHP figure of 476bhp, and 700Nm of torque.
This figure was revised upwards to 493BHP (500ps) in around 2004/05, though curiously the torque remained the same at 700Nm.
The above will be of absolutely no surprise to anybody who has spent a little time researching these cars. It transpired that MB were a little conservative with their initial power claims. Cynically it may be argued that this was to assist them in providing market separation from the SL600 which curiously also has 500BHP.
Even so, somebody cried foul and the TUV stepped in and tested several cars finding them all to be closer to the 500BHP that was later claimed. This was simply because MB were required to make their claims more reliable (or so it goes). Given that the torque remains the same, and the engine remains the same, it feels rather believable to me. Moreover, the performance claims remain unchanged for both cars so I think it is fair to say that this can be considered ratified by circumstantial evidence.
I read a fascinating article (EVO Magazine 060 dated Oct 2003) suggesting that it was allegedly Gordan Murray the (designer of the SLR) that ratted Merc out on this when he realised that the performance times did not match the power claimed. His primary motivation was to ensure that his engine for the SLR was suitably more powerful than the SLs version (somewhat understandably given the additional ticket price of the SLR!). I cannot verify, but it is a great anecdote.
In 2007 the car did receive the official facelift, and as part of this, the power was increased to 509bhp (517ps which is often mis-quoted as the BHP), with Torque rising to 720Nm. The difference in my experience is not realistically noticeable. But then what would you expect with an increase of power in the order of 3%!
So in summary, actual power from 2002-2006 is 493bhp and 700Nm Torque, and 2007-08 is 509bhp and 720Nm of torque. Simples
3 - Performance figures
There are so many varying claims to these cars acceleration, and given that none are new anymore it is difficult to become too emotional about this particular subject. Suffice to say that the 0-60 claims tend to be in the order of 4.5 secs (with the 0-62mph typically 4.7). The top speed was limited to 155mph unless you paid MB/ AMG large wads of cash. In these circumstances, the limiter was increased to 186mph. Why this figure? Well this was the maximum rating for tyres of the day given the overall weight of the car. A funny figure you think? Well when converted to kph it is exactly 300kph! This I suspect is more pleasing to the eye!
So how fast is it? Well EVO group tested the car (edition number 070 dated August 2004) and it was put against an Aston Martin DB9, a 996TT, and a Bentley Continental GT. In this test, it hit 60 in 4.6sec, 100 in 10.2, 120 in 14.2, and 140 in 20.3! Incidentally, it was the quickest of the lot to 140mph (with the 911 turbo only .6 behind at 20.9, and the DB9 at 23.1), though the 911tt remained ahead until 120mph! Both the Aston and the Bentley started behind and stayed there!
So far as the top speed is concerned, a rumour has been propagated by many including MB that the car will hit 203mph if fully derestricted. I have no verification of this fact. A quick search of youtube will find several top speed runs from various “test pilots”. I have not really got the time to link those for you, and they are not remotely scientific! A couple reach the hallowed 200mph on the indicator, though I note that several appear to run into the laws of physics at just above 190mph. I leave that thought with you for consideration.
A German car magazine has also apparently tested the car hitting above 200mph as well though this was not referenced. That said, if you compare the power and torque to other cars with similar power claims, the claim is not totally unrealistic.
I will say that I have also seen a table comparing the Aston Vanquish, the 550 Maranello, The Lambo Murcielago, and the 996 GT2 to the SL55. The results are controversial and have been left out of this site.
Can I end on a real positive? If I may draw your attention to a website known as www.fastestlaps.com . For those that don’t know it, it is great at compiling and comparing various performance cars, and has a very big database. There are occasional debates as to the accuracy of the figures, but in my experience they are pretty good.
Using the “compare tool”, compare the Mercedes SL55 AMG (517) (which is the facelift version but had generally better quality data) to the 2012 SL63 AMG. This is the first of the bi-turbo versions. You may find yourself a little surprised about the acceleration performance difference.
Not convinced? Also then try comparing it to the new C63 AMG S Convertible that was launched in 2017!
Purely from an accelerative point of view (and disregarding numerous other improvements that have been made!), the SL55 holds up well against modern equivalents.