SL55 AMG V8 Kompressor

[zoros]

I tend to change my cars around the 2 - 3 year period, usually because something starts niggling me and then it escalates. But my 2002 SL55 is now still with me going into its 5th summer. [I sworn it every winter].
I just can't stop smiling when I drive it and have to stop occasionally as I catch a glimpse of it in my drive.
Luckily I don't have the ubiquitous silver coloured merc which doesn't do any car (never mind the merc) any favours. Mine is in blue chromaflair whcih changes colour very slightly from deep pearlescent blue to dark purple (ish)...sound blingy I know but much better in real life.

So, why have I kept it......
Firstly, when it comes to value for money, this has to be one of the best EVER!
When new (in 2002), my car retailed @ £93k. The S65 split rims were added for an extra £5612 and the paint job cost another £7980. Total cost on the road: £106,000! It was one of the worlds fastest 0 - 100mph cars @ 10.3 seconds. It has almost every conceivable bolt on extra and at the time was dripping in innovation [SBC, ABC, air con seats, automatic height adjustment at speed, radar, ABS, traction control, blah blah blah]. It is a good looking car, its bark is as bad as its bite!
So I have all of this and it cost me £16k to buy in 2014. WTF!
Secondly, every time I take it to a garage or specialist or talk to merc nerds, they almost unanimously say that these cars are going up in price / great investment.

But are they? Has the SL55 AMG V8 Kompressor missed the bus? Is there something about this car that "the market" doesn't like?

There are the same number on the road now, as there were in 2002 (which says something for the owners). Approx 1000 remain. I rarely see another (maybe 1 every 6 months or so going up and down the M6/A14).

I have had to insure the beast with an agreed value (£18k) because if I pranged it, the market value for this car is only £6800. So if I damaged the front bumper and bonnet it would almost certainly mean writing the car off???

Why hasn't this car kept pace with other marques which are comfortably appreciating in price as the years go by?

Views?

 

[clk320x]

No offence, but I don’t think an sl55 is worth £18k, around £10k seems more realistic.

We love them, but they are 16 years old now... ABC/leaking roof seals etc have put people off

 

[MWCLS]

I think 10k is on the very low side for Zoros car, I sold a 146k S320 cdi 05 for £4,850 2 weeks ago.

I'm sure the SL 55 is a much more desirable car rather than 7 year plus old 4 or 6 pot oil burner - they are worth virtually nothing now.

I was imo very lucky to get the money I did - it was a exceptionally clean well documented and maintained car but to jo public you can buy one the same year for less than 2k.

Only one way older diesels are going hold onto them for scrap money.

 

[zoros]

That might be part of the problem clk320x, it is a supercar and unless one is familiar with supercars either having owned any supercar or researched them, they simply don't understand the ethos behind them.
A supercar is another level above normal driving (in speed, grip, handling, response, braking etc). These attributes provide massive driver feedback - but they don't come cheap and so spares and repairs reflect this, QED.
I assume you know little about these supercars because few if any still suffer from the dark days of rear window/boot seals/PSE pump failures/ABC issues etc etc. They have all been fettled out of the system over time. It would be sheer bad luck to experience one of these 'inherited problems'.
But assuming one does experience total failure of these ancilliaries, they are cheap to keep a supercar on the road - ABC, new pump: £500. PSE repair: £175. Replacement SBC unit: £1500. Rear window seals - £300. and so it goes on....peanuts. Even the dreaded lower ball joint on the hydraulic struts can now be refurbished for less than £150 a pair, saving over £3000 on replacement costs for new struts (in the old days).
When a car does 0-62 in 4.2secs. 0-100 in 10 secs and can attain a top speed of 209mph (unlimited)......surely these prices don't put anyone off.

No - it's more than this and I can't for the sake of me work out what it is.

Regarding your 'valuation - again, I feel you are out of touch.
Show me an advert offering one of these for £10k (under 80k miles).
Two garages have offered me £16k in cash. And Lloyds of london seem to think it is worth insuring for £18k.

 

[clk320x]

Regarding your 'valuation - again, I feel you are out of touch.
Show me an advert offering one of these for £10k (under 80k miles).
Two garages have offered me £16k in cash. And Lloyds of london seem to think it is worth insuring for £18k.

How come you advertised it for sale in September 2018 and despite multiple ‘bumps’ of the thread it still hasn’t sold?

I saw the ad and thought it looked a lovely car, I sent the link to a few pals on here who were looking to buy a new car at the time and they all agreed that all was good apart from the price for the year and mileage.

I can appreciate you have a lot of love for the car, but it’s only worth what others are willing to pay for it.

Don’t get me wrong, it’s a beautiful car, looks really excellent! I just don’t agree on the valuation for a 2002 model.

Here’s an 03 with 79k for £10,990 https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/264228782231

Perhaps @E55BOF can shed some light here.

 

[KillerHERTZ]

Before getting my W218 CLS I did alot of research into SL55s and from my findings I would generally avoid the real early ones like the plague. Constant worry regarding the suspension, rust and I couldn't live with the original dash design before it was updated.
£18k for one in the 1st production year no chance. I think I did look at your adverts in the past.

All the facts you have quoted doesn't mean anything to someone who can see loads of them on AT, they are at rock bottom at the moment and will, perhaps in say 5 years or so start rising again and become classics. Now in 2019 isn't that time yet.
Don't want to be blunt but you need to be realistic, your car is only worth what someone is willing to pay.

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

It’s a great car in a lovely colour, but it’s only worth what the market pays. Unfortunately people looking to buy a “supercar” don’t think the SL55 is as desirable as you do, but sellers often consider the car they’re selling to be more valuable than the market does.

I’m not sure Lloyd’s of London have valued your car, have they? Your insurance company have insured a “thing” with an agreed valuation of £18k, which will be reflected in your insurance premium. I’m sure they’d insure it at an agreed valuation if £28k too but your premium would increase accordingly.

Good luck with the sale, and/or fifth summer of ownership. Enjoy it, great car.

PS Let’s hope a supercar buyer with money burning a hole in his pocket and happens to own a silver Mercedes or two isn’t put off by your comments regarding ubiquity!

 

[AndyRC]

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Maybe a “tasteful/less” body kit is what’s required to bump up the price

 

[clk320x]

Also... a SL55 isn’t a supercar is it?

 

[Abb]

It is a lovely car in a rare colour but do agree with other comments on here. The reason it has not sold IMO is the price. Like anything for sale, price it right and it will sell regardless of the product.

Have I read your post right...in 2014 you paid £16k for it and five years down the line and several hundred/thousand miles later you are wanting £18k? Apologies if I have misinterpreted your post.

 

[AMGeed]

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Maybe a “tasteful/less” body kit is what’s required to bump up the price

As E55BOF alluded to sometime ago,SL55 owners are the most optimistic when setting a selling price.
I agree with Khz, it isn't worth anywhere near £18k, and if the OP has been offered £16k by two garages, I'd bite their hands off and take their offer. I'd value it at £13k max for a 17yr old SL55. It certainly hasn't increased in value over the last 5 years.

That said, the OP's car looks very nice, lovely colour and the split rims are a treat. (£5600+ new, but worth around £2k max with tyres now.) Just not an £18k car.

 

[MWCLS]

I believe most people selling their cars are ' optimistic' I am for one... and it paid off. Stating the obvious it only takes one punter.

 

[clk320x]

I prefer to be realistic

 

[rockits]

I'd agree with most on here Zoros. It looks a very nice example but is not 18k IMHO. The prices of SL55's have gone down not up over the last 5 years. I bought a low mileage one family owner car for 10k about 5 or so years ago. It needed a bit of a lift but was very low miles circa 35k miles I remember off the top of my head.

At the right price it will sell but that will be easily 5k less than 18k. It is a really really tough market for anything big and lumpy more than ever before now.

I've recently bought an XJL SuperSport 2010 at 69k miles in great condition for less than 18k. That was 107k new and would likely show the SL55 a clean pair of heals. Granted completely different car but I know what I would rather have for the same money.

If you have been offered 16k I would take it........ tomorrow!

 

[zoros]

Thanks for your comments I appreciate all of them.
Best

Z

 

[rockits]

Don't want to sound negative and really hope it sells quickly and a good price for you. Just trying to be impartial and offer some insight and opinion to throw into the pot.

You only need one buyer to buy and especially if they are looking for exactly what you have.

Are you looking to replace it out of interest? If so what will replace it?

 

[John]

I think for similar reasons as to why the E55K will not hit the heavy heights...

They are just too complicated and not special enough to those who do not know about them.

Supply and demand may well see prices hold and even strengthen slightly but I can't see them hitting silly money.

So whilst I love the E55K and SL55 and always will, I think what makes them great also makes them less desirable as they age.

Sad really.

 

[MWCLS]

I prefer to be realistic

Ah, that's why you went for a 4 pot

 

[clk320x]

Ah, that's why you went for a 4 pot

Well I was originally going to buy a E350 but after realising the 250 has an almost identical 0-60 but is much more fuel efficient it made sense to go for that. The 250s are actually more expensive than the 350s btw

 

[MWCLS]

7.7 vs 6.2. But I guess your saving on diesel.