SL55 AMG V8 Kompressor

[cobra7]

Thinking that 10-13k for an SL55 was sounding very reasonable I've just been checking both PH's and AT, as I have nothing better to do this afternoon! It's quite surprising to see the huge variance in pricing, with numerous cars being listed above 20k. Yes they have a lower mileage but, from my quick research, I think if I was in the market for one (and I adore them but can't afford a second performance motor) i'd be allowing for around 15-20k to secure a good example, no point skimping on one of these imo.

Those few that are listed at the lower end do seem tatty compared with Zoros beauty - and I do also have to admit that the colour does it for me, as do the wheels. (I'm not a huge fan of the turbines found on the majority of 55's)

All in all I would have thought 13k would be an absolute steal

 

[AndyRC]

In the case of the SL55, there's lots of supply, but not it would seem matched by demand. That couldn't possibly be down to optimistic pricing, could it?

There are a lot of very high mileage cars out there too which may put a lot of people off , with 100,000 miles on it what’s going to wear out next?. Plus side is they obviously will do that sort of mileage but at what cost of keeping them in good shape?

 

[flowrider]

Much superior to an R230 in the handling department. Much less prone to expensive problems. Much less likely to remain unsold for months because of optimistic pricing.

You seem to have a downer on SL's for some reason.

 

[clk320x]

You seem to have a downer on SL's for some reason.

He’s quite the opposite, he’s owned a few IIRC.

 

[flowrider]

He’s quite the opposite, he’s owned a few IIRC.

Well all the posts lately have been knocking SL's.

 

[cobra7]

Perhaps he's now regretted selling them so is now on the look out for another - if everyone starts slating them the prices will continue to fall and BINGO!!

 

[rockits]

Value is subjective anyway.

No one can say what something is worth from anything other than their own perspective.

You can price a car up at £1 but if no one wants to buy it - it's not worth £1.

Supply and demand.

Bit like modern coffee shops knocking out luke warm frothy milk for over 3 quid a non-recyclable paper cup. It is massively over priced but doesn't stop zillions being sold every day.

 

[John]

In the case of the SL55, there's lots of supply, but not it would seem matched by demand. That couldn't possibly be down to optimistic pricing, could it?

You could argue that prospective individuals who might agree with the valuation have not seen it yet - but then it's a case of how long you want it up for sale for... and ultimately there could be no one who agrees worse-case.

If you want to sell it, it will have to be reduced until prospective buyers agree with your valuation or at least you are close enough to do the deal.

What I think the car is worth of course is irrelevant as I have no interest in buying it.

 

[John]

Bit like modern coffee shops knocking out luke warm frothy milk for over 3 quid a non-recyclable paper cup. It is massively over priced but doesn't stop zillions being sold every day.

I do like a large skinny decaf Latte from the burgandy-cup gang though. The non-recycle paper/plastic cup situation is irritating when it's possible to use a recyclable version.

 

[rockits]

I can't believe how long it takes govts across the board to force changes to make Starbucks/Costa et al to make sure all their cups are 100% recyclable. Or at least tax their a4ses off if not. They let them get away with zero to little tax and allow them to inject billions of non-recyclable cups into our environment.

I thought they academia running this country were supposed to be smart? After the Brexit debacle we clearly know not.

 

[E55BOF]

You seem to have a downer on SL's for some reason.

Not at all, but I don't view them through rose-tinted spectacles; the R230, which is what I'm referring to, has well-documented problem areas. Read my posts to see my personal experience of those problems.

My SL500 is a good car, but I'm not looking for another SL; the SLK handles much better, and has many fewer problem areas, than an R230. I speak from experience; I have both. I'd want an SL rather than an SLK any day if I were looking for a Grand Tourer, but I'm not.

So far as SL55 asking prices often being optimistic, again I speak from experience; I've been watching them for months, and I can tell the ones that are likely to sell, and the ones that are not (which is most of them). What I don't understand is why so many owners and dealers simply relist their cars at the same optimistic prices when they don't sell...

 

[E55BOF]

Well all the posts lately have been knocking SL's.

It's not knocking, it's factual information based on personal experience.

 

[rockits]

I'd agree with this as well. I wonder what the percentage of cars listed to sold is. When you list a car and get lots of interest you have got the price right (or possibly wrong and too cheap!) but when you get no or little interest it is either priced wrong or a car few want regardless of price.

I think most SL55's are listed for too much at the moment. The very best examples may be worth it but many are not. A car will always sell if the price is low enough. It won't if it isn't. Not rocket science. To keep relisting a car at the same price for a long time then adds negativity as people then start to think...what is wrong with it....why hasn't it sold.

Big lumpy cars with potentially high running costs have always not been popular. This has worsened IMHO in the last few years and is worse now than ever. People are changing their views and their cars and their buying habbits so these are a hard and long sell.

 

[flowrider]

IMO you have to pay a good price for a good SL, the cheap ones are generally in need of a lot of attention but because there are cheap SL's on the market some potential buyers think all SL's should be cheap.

 

[E55BOF]

IMO you have to pay a good price for a good SL, the cheap ones are generally in need of a lot of attention but because there are cheap SL's on the market some potential buyers think all SL's should be cheap.

I take your point, but there don't seem to be many potential buyers willing to pay good prices, and it is the buyers that set the market price, not the sellers.

 

[5439]

" The prices of SL55's have gone down not up over the last 5 years"

The P30 Performance Pack Cars have not...

Ref 37 Mercedes Benz SL55

 

[zoros]

Thanks cobra and john for your comments.

E55 - touched a soft spot there, eh, regarding slk's?
In all seriousness - has anyone ever seen a man behind the wheel of an SLK?
Worse still a white or silver one .
It has got to be a very very 'pretty' car, though - just needs those eyelashes one sees on mini 's to complete the job.
I mean - why would anyone not go the full monty and buy the grown up version (SL55)?

Your 'experience' of a muscle car SL does not stretch to the SL55 (unless of course you have owned one). Your 'experience' of the class: R230 is of the SL500. A totally different car. One which is completely overshadowed by the SL55 in ride quality/handling/performance and braking. Chalk and cheese comes to mind.

Back to the topic - having read all these posts it reminded me that maybe there is an issue with cars like this is because what started out as a rich mans toy (where running costs etc were not an issue) has now led to the same car ending up in the hands of 'less rich' people who want all that a sophisticated top of the range sports car brings......but none of the exhorbitant running costs! Consequently they comment on things like "costing an arm and a leg", "outrageous spares prices", silly tyre prices blah blah blah.
What does one expect? Does anyone believe that as a car gets older, it becomes more benign and maintenance and running costs should be relative to the purchase price???
Er - no!
I know my SL55 is as close to mint (and originality - no chipping, no tweaking) as can be. All the legacy undesireables have been attended to, so why should the price (a mere couple of grand above the average asking price for one of these) be a stumbling block?
One gets what one pays for and as has rightly been pointed out - buy cheap......get cheap.
Thanks again for making this a lively thread!

 

[clk320x]

This is a new sales technique I’ve never seen before...

 

[E55BOF]

Thanks cobra and john for your comments.

E55 - touched a soft spot there, eh, regarding slk's?
In all seriousness - has anyone ever seen a man behind the wheel of an SLK?
Worse still a white or silver one .
It has got to be a very very 'pretty' car, though - just needs those eyelashes one sees on mini 's to complete the job.

One of us has a soft spot for something...

My SLK is black. It's not very pretty at all, I would say; the R230 looks better. If only it handled better too...

Your 'experience' of a muscle car SL does not stretch to the SL55 (unless of course you have owned one). Your 'experience' of the class: R230 is of the SL500. A totally different car. One which is completely overshadowed by the SL55 in ride quality/handling/performance and braking. Chalk and cheese comes to mind.

I've driven a couple of SL55s while looking; both were jolly good. Perhaps they were both actually in poor condition, though, because the ride quality was much the same as the SL500 ( have you owned one, by the way?), as was the handling; a bit tauter, but not much different. I can't speak for the braking, because I didn't hammer the brakes. Performance? The SL500 is completely overshadowed by the SLK55, which I also have, so that's fine. (Incidentally, the stock SLK 55 is only a touch slower to 60 mph than the SL, courtesy I suspect of 600 lb less weight and a superior gearbox, and with a £300 remap adding 10% power, I wouldn't be surprised if it was at least as quick.... Courtesy of that same weight difference, I suspect the brakes are better than the SL55's too.)

I know my SL55 is as close to mint (and originality - no chipping, no tweaking) as can be. All the legacy undesireables have been attended to, so why should the price (a mere couple of grand above the average asking price for one of these) be a stumbling block?

Why indeed? And the next question is: Why has yours not sold?

One gets what one pays for and as has rightly been pointed out - buy cheap......get cheap.

I say again, why has yours not sold?

Thanks again for making this a lively thread!

You're welcome...[/QUOTE]

 

[rockits]

I don't think any SL regardless of year/series was ever a sports car. It is your classic softer GT style ride. They all ride well, don't particularly handle badly or brilliantly but all in all a great rounded package.

I've had an R129 SL60 an R230 SL55 a couple of 211 E55K's and a couple of R129 SL500's. I found the E55K Estate better than the SL55 to be honest as just had much more mechanical traction. Could be down to tyre or individual example differences. The SL is a weird car for me but still one I like very much. It is no sports car and not as spacious or as comfortable as a Merc saloon. Bit of an all rounder but doesn't do any job as well as a specific car that does that individual job better.

I still love any SL though as they are all great cars. When you get get a decent E55K for 10k and sometimes less, an SL55 seems like lesser VFM to me. However I'm not a fan of convertibles really so couldn't value the car more because it was a convertible. Many others like a convertible so would value an SL55 higher than say an E55K.

I've had the TVR out a bit this month and unless you have driven one you don't realise the difference in braking or handling with only 1060kg compared to the lardy 2 ton cars. The brakes are small 2 pots with 15/16" alloys. The car changes direction so quick and the brakes are amazing in comparison.