Back in an AMG...an SL55

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Johnnyamg

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Great pics - the car looks awesome and it seems you are taking the time to make it as good as it possibly can be.



Have always liked the black/red combination.



I am indeed....spent about 2 hours filling every single document in a large folder in chronological order and just booked it in to get the ABC fluid changed.


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00slk

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2002 SL55 AMG, 2005 E320 CDi, 2014 SLK250 CDi, 2003 SLK200
....spent about 2 hours filling every single document in a large folder in chronological order.


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:shock: You are kidding right......I did the same thing :eek: when I got mine, though it didn't take me 2 hours :lol:
 

SL63 Mark

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Strimmer cable is safer. If you gently pour a little water into these, it should come straight out ahead of the rear wheels

+1 for strimmer cable, the thinnest you can find, I used it on my rear drain holes and no problems so far, you will be amazed how much it takes.
 
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Johnnyamg

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+1 for strimmer cable, the thinnest you can find, I used it on my rear drain holes and no problems so far, you will be amazed how much it takes.



I used a small cable tie to clean the blockage then a turkey baster to flush them out. Seemed to work a treat.


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Johnnyamg

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:shock: You are kidding right......I did the same thing :eek: when I got mine, though it didn't take me 2 hours :lol:



I am not...bought a 100 clear pocket folder...front section is V5, insurance, data sheet, general info,,,then all MOTs from new in chronological order then every receipt, every service check, every visual inspection and part invoice by year. Found I am missing 3 invoices for services so chasing them down to cross check exact work was done. And while I was at it I read every document in detail and created a service spreadsheet to track all service items from new and plan future maintenance.


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rexemper

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I used a small cable tie to clean the blockage then a turkey baster to flush them out. Seemed to work a treat.


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Thanks. I ended up using a pretty thin speaker wire and some hot water. Cleaned out out the actual drain cover (had a little bit of muck around it), then fed the cable down, took it back out and used hot water to flush out the drains. Also blocked the channel to make sure most of the water went down the drain as opposed to along the side channel.

Cheers
 
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Johnnyamg

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So I am now a roughly a month into ownership and so far it’s going great.

I got the car washed last weekend and applied a good coat of Poor Boys Black Hole as an interim measure until I get a detail done. This gave me a good chance to take a close look at the state of the paint work and I happy to say the only worrying issue is a small rust bubble over the passenger side wheel arch where it meets the rear bumper. Otherwise it is just swirl marks and the standard few stone chips. A paint correction is on the cards once I get the rust bubble sorted. Assuming it is the original paint work is there any point in even trying to pursue MB for their 30 year paint guarantee? The car has a full MB service history. I did read you have to own the car for 6 months but can wait. Anyone with experience of the MB process?

I applied Gummi Pflege to all the seals that are accessible without having the roof in the intermediate position. I find it makes a huge difference to the seals I plan on getting to the rest of the seals this weekend as long as the weather is ok.

The Gliptone Leather Conditioner has made a huge difference to the leather. A world of difference in fact. I would highly recommend it.

I have the car booked in with Colin Ferns MB specialist for an ABC flush and replace an ABC hose under the radiator which is weeping. They are within walking distance to where I live which takes the pain out of dropping the car off and collecting it.

I bought some large damp absorbing packs and put them in large plastic bags and tapped them around the wing mirrors for a few days. The condensation in the side mirrors is now gone.

In my investigations it seems that the C pillar roof seals were replaced back in 2010 by MB. I have not put the issue to bed yet as I want to be certain that no water is getting in.

I have decided to keep the Alphards wheels for now. I have booked them in for a refurb with Lepsons. They offer a free collection and delivery service. Just need to buy a set of jack stands now.

The up’s
I much prefer the seats to the C63. I found the C63 seats were too narrow at the upper back.
I have to admit that I am enjoying being able to put the roof down. First time I have ever owned a drop top.
How silent the central locking is. SWMBO just stands there waiting to hear the click of the door unlocking. Makes me smile everytime.
The amount of storage space for small items. I hate clutter in a car. It pains me to put one of the windscreen mounts up for my phone/satnav but upgrading the audio/satnav seems to be a mine field.

The down’s
I find the gearbox is less smooth than the box in my previous C63. I think it is functioning fine but just not as refined.
The last owner did a mod to the exhausts however I find that at around 50 mph there is an annoying drone from the exhaust. It’s not often you cruise at 50 mph for long periods but it was enough to be borderline annoying. The previous owner got it done with a local exhaust shop but maybe there is a better solution to give a decent V8 growl but less drone.

I have just ordered up OEM MB new centre caps, wheels nuts and valve covers in preparation for the wheel refurbishment.
 

drmw

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M6 Cab - prior to that, SL63 AMG, A-M V8 Vantage, SL55, SL500 and many more
Where was the condensation in the door mirrors?
 

Wighty

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[QUOTE
I am also planning a long weekend up to the Scottish highlands this year. Would like to do Denmark/Norway/Sweden also but more than likely that will be pushed out to 2018.[/QUOTE]

I'm also hoping for a little trip up to Norways Arctic circle in the next couple of years , just bourght a Lonely Planet Norway guide to wet my whistle .
Big fan of Scotland as well ....stunning place especially the West Coast
 

00slk

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2002 SL55 AMG, 2005 E320 CDi, 2014 SLK250 CDi, 2003 SLK200
So I am now a roughly a month into ownership and so far it’s going great.

I got the car washed last weekend and applied a good coat of Poor Boys Black Hole as an interim measure until I get a detail done. This gave me a good chance to take a close look at the state of the paint work and I happy to say the only worrying issue is a small rust bubble over the passenger side wheel arch where it meets the rear bumper. Otherwise it is just swirl marks and the standard few stone chips. A paint correction is on the cards once I get the rust bubble sorted. Assuming it is the original paint work is there any point in even trying to pursue MB for their 30 year paint guarantee? The car has a full MB service history. I did read you have to own the car for 6 months but can wait. Anyone with experience of the MB process?

I applied Gummi Pflege to all the seals that are accessible without having the roof in the intermediate position. I find it makes a huge difference to the seals I plan on getting to the rest of the seals this weekend as long as the weather is ok.

The Gliptone Leather Conditioner has made a huge difference to the leather. A world of difference in fact. I would highly recommend it.

I have the car booked in with Colin Ferns MB specialist for an ABC flush and replace an ABC hose under the radiator which is weeping. They are within walking distance to where I live which takes the pain out of dropping the car off and collecting it.

I bought some large damp absorbing packs and put them in large plastic bags and tapped them around the wing mirrors for a few days. The condensation in the side mirrors is now gone.

In my investigations it seems that the C pillar roof seals were replaced back in 2010 by MB. I have not put the issue to bed yet as I want to be certain that no water is getting in.

I have decided to keep the Alphards wheels for now. I have booked them in for a refurb with Lepsons. They offer a free collection and delivery service. Just need to buy a set of jack stands now.

The up’s
I much prefer the seats to the C63. I found the C63 seats were too narrow at the upper back.
I have to admit that I am enjoying being able to put the roof down. First time I have ever owned a drop top.
How silent the central locking is. SWMBO just stands there waiting to hear the click of the door unlocking. Makes me smile everytime.
The amount of storage space for small items. I hate clutter in a car. It pains me to put one of the windscreen mounts up for my phone/satnav but upgrading the audio/satnav seems to be a mine field.

The down’s
I find the gearbox is less smooth than the box in my previous C63. I think it is functioning fine but just not as refined.
The last owner did a mod to the exhausts however I find that at around 50 mph there is an annoying drone from the exhaust. It’s not often you cruise at 50 mph for long periods but it was enough to be borderline annoying. The previous owner got it done with a local exhaust shop but maybe there is a better solution to give a decent V8 growl but less drone.

I have just ordered up OEM MB new centre caps, wheels nuts and valve covers in preparation for the wheel refurbishment.

I have just done the gummie Pflege but not the Gliptone conditioner yet, I want to clean the interior as there seems to be a waxy sticky substance over parts that looks as if some one has used the wrong stuff. It wont wipe off with blue towel paper or rag so will have to try something stronger without damaging the leather, you can scrape it with your finger nail and it comes off then and as said is like a waxy sticky horrible gel.
we also get a drone around the 40 to 50 mark, but as I said to the wife, that's man sound :lol:
 

flowrider

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The generally recommended exhaust mod is to remove the secondary CAT's and install an x-pipe to eliminate any drone, maybe your car doesn't have the x-pipe.

Like you i don't like the windscreen mounts for phones so i bought a cd mount for my phone. It is really quick and easy to install when I need a mount and can be removed for times when a phone mount is not required.
 
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Johnnyamg

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SL55
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The generally recommended exhaust mod is to remove the secondary CAT's and install an x-pipe to eliminate any drone, maybe your car doesn't have the x-pipe.

Like you i don't like the windscreen mounts for phones so i bought a cd mount for my phone. It is really quick and easy to install when I need a mount and can be removed for times when a phone mount is not required.



I believe this is the mod that was done but need to check it out.




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Johnnyamg

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I have just done the gummie Pflege but not the Gliptone conditioner yet, I want to clean the interior as there seems to be a waxy sticky substance over parts that looks as if some one has used the wrong stuff. It wont wipe off with blue towel paper or rag so will have to try something stronger without damaging the leather, you can scrape it with your finger nail and it comes off then and as said is like a waxy sticky horrible gel.

we also get a drone around the 40 to 50 mark, but as I said to the wife, that's man sound :lol:



I had something similar on the volume/navigation buttons and the hazard lights/central locking buttons. It was easily sorted with some mild degreaser.


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Johnnyamg

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[QUOTE

I am also planning a long weekend up to the Scottish highlands this year. Would like to do Denmark/Norway/Sweden also but more than likely that will be pushed out to 2018.



I'm also hoping for a little trip up to Norways Arctic circle in the next couple of years , just bourght a Lonely Planet Norway guide to wet my whistle .

Big fan of Scotland as well ....stunning place especially the West Coast[/QUOTE]



Let me know if you put a plan in place for Norway. Would be interested to hear.

I will do Scotland on a long weekend this year.

Another one I want to do is Iceland.


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rexemper

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R230 SL500 - oh yeah!
I'm also hoping for a little trip up to Norways Arctic circle in the next couple of years , just bourght a Lonely Planet Norway guide to wet my whistle .

Big fan of Scotland as well ....stunning place especially the West Coast



Let me know if you put a plan in place for Norway. Would be interested to hear.

I will do Scotland on a long weekend this year.

Another one I want to do is Iceland.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk[/QUOTE]


What does your trip to Scotland look like? Would like to do something similar this year so be good to get some pointers. Is a long weekend feasible from 'down South' if you want to see some of the coast/more rural areas?
 
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Johnnyamg

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This gave me a huge amount of satisfaction...

e71d51567df5c20c3da8b1885b4d4e41.jpg




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Johnnyamg

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Got a recovered wheel installed. Nice smell of new leather in the car this morning.
defd20ef665533b7e1815bd2988bb908.jpg



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Johnnyamg

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So it’s been a busy few weeks for me with the car.

I signed up for the MB service plan. It made financial sense as I had a B service and sparks plugs due and with the discount code it made it even better. I dropped the car in MB Epsom and I have to say I was very impressed with the level of service however the list of additional items required on the car made me less than happy.

The front of the car was dropping when left over night and I noticed one of the front struts was weeping some oil so I was expecting to horse some money into the ABC system soon. I have a trip to Italy planned at the end of the month was needed to get it sorted before then. Generally the front suspension needed some work. A combination of SBC, wear and tear and a few bushings.

So I decided to do the following myself.

Replace both front struts – Went with Arnotts in the end.
Replace level sensor links with MB items
Replace both front strut arms
Replace both spring link bushing
Replace supercharger oil
Rebuild front ABC valve block
Replace front ABC accumulator
Replace air intake temperature sensor
Clean and treat all areas under wheel arch covers.
Replace rear spring control arm bushes.

I am not a big fan of lowering cars and having replaced the level sensor links with the MB ones there is a massive improvement in the ride quality. I no longer need to raise the car going over speed bumps and it makes for a much smoother ride.

I have the car booked onto Wheels in Motion to check the tracking and allligment before we head off to the continent.

I plan to overhaul the rear ABC and pump in the winter to "de-risk" the ABC further.

Despite the car attacking my wallet lately I am enjoying it more and more knowing that all the typical problems are getting sorted.

I will try to upload some pics later.
 


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