OMG I bought a 55 SL AMG in the sunshine!!

[AdamRT]

Ok so I was looking for a new car having swapped my SLK 320 for a 4 dr BMW 5 series (work comittment) 3 yrs ago another change in jobs ment I could buy what I wanted again.
Having raced a Ferrari 460 and an Audi R8 Saturday morning I then saw a 12/2003 Merc SL 55 AMG sitting in a forecourt of a local dealer and bought it
I have to say the SLK was quick with the v6 engine but WOW the SL55 V8 is SOOOOOO fast I was a bit hasty and didnt check everything out till later and I need some help on the following please;
1. I need a spare key, it has one but I need to get a spare one, did we ever find out if the ones from Ebay worked?
2. The headlights are Xenon but the side lights and fogs aren't which looks silly, how easy is it to do this?
3. Sat Nav disk is 2003/4 can you just pop a new one straight in?
4. The phone conection isn't enabled, can this be done or should I just get a bluetooth kit?
5. TV isnt enabled either, can this done now and can it be made to say on when moving?
6. Not going to 'chip' this car as it is powerful enough but would like to remove the restrictor, off to Germany soon
7. The only fault I can see with the vehicle is yesterday in traffic it felt like the handbrake was on, when rolling forward the car stopped and wouldnt free wheel but it is ok now, any ideas ?

 

[television]

Ok so I was looking for a new car having swapped my SLK 320 for a 4 dr BMW 5 series (work comittment) 3 yrs ago another change in jobs ment I could buy what I wanted again.
Having raced a Ferrari 460 and an Audi R8 Saturday morning I then saw a 12/2003 Merc SL 55 AMG sitting in a forecourt of a local dealer and bought it
I have to say the SLK was quick with the v6 engine but WOW the SL55 V8 is SOOOOOO fast I was a bit hasty and didnt check everything out till later and I need some help on the following please;
1. I need a spare key, it has one but I need to get a spare one, did we ever find out if the ones from Ebay worked?

New key is £225 from dealers only, you need the V% and other ID to order one


2. The headlights are Xenon but the side lights and fogs aren't which looks silly, how easy is it to do this?

You can change the bulbs to give a white look on these other lamps

3. Sat Nav disk is 2003/4 can you just pop a new one straight in?

You can buy a new disc, £115 if DX £225 if later

4. The phone conection isn't enabled, can this be done or should I just get a bluetooth kit?

If there is no phone in the upper storage box center then no phone installed so go blue tooth

5. TV isnt enabled either, can this done now and can it be made to say on when moving?

TV probably not fitted and expensive extra to fit

6. Not going to 'chip' this car as it is powerful enough but would like to remove the restrictor, off to Germany soon

You will need someone with STAR to do this

7. The only fault I can see with the vehicle is yesterday in traffic it felt like the handbrake was on, when rolling forward the car stopped and wouldnt free wheel but it is ok now, any ideas ?

You have SBC hold on the car, you can turn this off on the steering wheel buttons and cluster

 

[carnut13]

Ok so I was looking for a new car having swapped my SLK 320 for a 4 dr BMW 5 series (work comittment) 3 yrs ago another change in jobs ment I could buy what I wanted again.
Having raced a Ferrari 460 and an Audi R8 Saturday morning I then saw a 12/2003 Merc SL 55 AMG sitting in a forecourt of a local dealer and bought it
I have to say the SLK was quick with the v6 engine but WOW the SL55 V8 is SOOOOOO fast I was a bit hasty and didnt check everything out till later and I need some help on the following please;
1. I need a spare key, it has one but I need to get a spare one, did we ever find out if the ones from Ebay worked?
2. The headlights are Xenon but the side lights and fogs aren't which looks silly, how easy is it to do this?
3. Sat Nav disk is 2003/4 can you just pop a new one straight in?
4. The phone conection isn't enabled, can this be done or should I just get a bluetooth kit?
5. TV isnt enabled either, can this done now and can it be made to say on when moving?
6. Not going to 'chip' this car as it is powerful enough but would like to remove the restrictor, off to Germany soon
7. The only fault I can see with the vehicle is yesterday in traffic it felt like the handbrake was on, when rolling forward the car stopped and wouldnt free wheel but it is ok now, any ideas ?

Well done onyour choice of car, I am quite envious.

Some of the answers to your questions are her ,until someone with greater knowledge comes along:

You can only get a spare key from MB at a cost

No idea about the lights, but if they are working then it should be OK

Just a new disc for satnav...pop it in, but get an original ,not ebay

For the phone & Tv, it will depend on what is already installed; speak to a specialist such as alfie at COMAND. Google it

derestrict it ,again that can be done. Get a Mercedes Enthusiast mag and see the ads

lastly the fault on seemingly having the handbrake on could be you knocked the speed / cruise control to SB stop; that brakes the car when you take your foot off the accelerator

Have fun!

 

[carnut13]

Malcolm is just too quick for me!

Do you have the handbook; if so have a good read as the car is very clever!!

If not you can search on this forum and there is a site that can give you a full download!

 

[Developer]

Piccies, pictures, photo's Adam - via Photobucket so we can see them clearly.

Great car.

 

[Mark280SE]

wow some car I have to say.. not sure I want the running costs.. LOL

mind you I did get offered an Audi R8 the other day the 4.2ltr one for £1000 from a forum guy I know who is moving abroad and for £1000 that's a heck of a car..

these big monster cars do look great fun!!

 

[Developer]

wow some car I have to say.. not sure I want the running costs.. LOL

mind you I did get offered an Audi R8 the other day the 4.2ltr one for £1000 from a forum guy I know who is moving abroad and for £1000 that's a heck of a car..

these big monster cars do look great fun!!

Surely not £1000 - can you expand on his "Sale of the Century"?

 

[Mic]

AdamRT

Hello and welcome......I think your questions have been answered. The SL is an easy car to live with and the 55 in particular you get a lot of GG's for a relatively low cost of ownership.

There are questions that you probably do not know to ask about your 2003 car so do some searches on here......you need to keep the storm water drains clear and make sure that there is not/will not be water ingress to the boot......also possible corrosion to the rear wheel arches and maybe a corner of the roof. Prevention is always better than cure.

Television has done DIY threads on the last two items.

Mic

 

[jberks]

Surely not £1000 - can you expand on his "Sale of the Century"?

I suspect it was an A8.

 

[Silver_Star]

Yep £1000 isn't particuarly cheap for one of the old A8's. They are a lot of car for the money and go so cheap as nobody wants an old large petrol engine. Most people that can afford to run them will have a newer car.

 

[AdamRT]

Thanks for your help guys, I love this forum and I suppose I should read the manual !!

I did go to halfords to pick up a few things, will the white bulbs look ok? they will be better then the yellow ones currently fitted but can Xenon ones be fitted into the side lights and fogs?

Mmmm storm water drains? the boot did smell musty but couldn't see any problems, checked for rust as my old SLK had a bit and all clear

Also I wouldnt mind upgrading the radio/computer console, just looks a bit old but the sound is great :wink:

I will upload some pic's ASAP, need to polish it first !

Also I fancy attending a meeting for a fun day out so hopefully a chance to meet some of you and your cars

 

[television]

You can change the indicator bulbs to the Osram blue as in the picture.
Nope cant have xenons in anything other than headlamps

You need to check the rear seals on the roof where it meets the boot

You need to check inside the rear wheel arches

Not easy upgrading the Comand

 

[Developer]

I suspect it was an A8.

I suspect so too

 

[Mic]

Thanks for your help guys, I love this forum and I suppose I should read the manual !!

I did go to halfords to pick up a few things, will the white bulbs look ok? they will be better then the yellow ones currently fitted but can Xenon ones be fitted into the side lights and fogs?

Mmmm storm water drains? the boot did smell musty but couldn't see any problems, checked for rust as my old SLK had a bit and all clear

Also I wouldnt mind upgrading the radio/computer console, just looks a bit old but the sound is great :wink:

I will upload some pic's ASAP, need to polish it first !

Also I fancy attending a meeting for a fun day out so hopefully a chance to meet some of you and your cars

Storm water at the front of the car is collected via the two ''vents'' at the windscreen end of the bonnet, off side transfers water to the near side which is then discharged through a drain to the rear of the near side wheel arch. There are four drains at the rear, two just below the ''pointy'' bits of the boot......open the boot and you will see two small ''baskets'' protecting the drains from debris......not perfect. Then if you follow the seals below the rear window inboard you will find two further drains.....their location is most easily identified by looking in the boot and noting the position of the tubular drains.

Every time you wash the car just make sure the drains are running freely.....if they are not I am advised that heavy duty nylon strimmer chord is a useful drain rod.

Next excellent meeting is Duxford 01.05.11......see Events.

Mic

 

[television]

There are only 2 drain pipes at the rear, and these are for when you open the boot in the rain and they are situated in the rear second channel. the first channel does not have drains as the water is diverted to the sides, if any water becomes excessive and overflows to the second channel then the drains are used, this would be difficult as it is seal from the pressure from the top of the boot lid, the 2 rear hoses are 370

 

[AdamRT]

WOW you guys are good and quick

 

[Matt32AMG]

That really is a super car Adam, hope you get many years of trouble free enjoyment out of it. Top tip get any rust issues in the wheel arches sorted ASAP. Likewise with any water leaks in the boot area as that is quite common with the SL, (a friend of ours had the pace car variant of the SL55amg and he had both those issues. )

 

[television]

That really is a super car Adam, hope you get many years of trouble free enjoyment out of it. Top tip get any rust issues in the wheel arches sorted ASAP. Likewise with any water leaks in the boot area as that is quite common with the SL, (a friend of ours had the pace car variant of the SL55amg and he had both those issues. )

I will finish off the DIY for the permanent fix for roof leaks in the next few days

 

[television]

WOW you guys are good and quick

And you is everything all fixed

 

[AdamRT]

Sitting in my office in London waiting for 5pm so I can go and see my baby going to double check the roof and wheel arches god I hope they are ok !
Quick trip to Halfords to pick up some white bulbs for the sidelights and fogs, then home to fit them and play with my toy!
It's getting cloudy but still going to take her top off
The gear knob is a bit worn so I will need to re-furb it or get a new one, also the drivers door handle had faded in colour so need to get that done.
Looked at different ways to improve the vehicle but how do you improve on prefection