SL55 Pace car performance upgrade

[MJO217]

Hello there, I am new here and considering swapping my 911 for an SL55 (2004 ish I think). Can someone please explain exactly what the above consists of, whether it is worth having and how rare these cars are. Was it a factory option? And possible in all colours? How much extra does it add to value do we think? It is hard enough comparing ages, mileages, options etc as it is I am finding. Who knows a reputable specialist inspector please and what do they charge? I always feel more comfortable with a second opinion when spending so much on a car. Many thanks

 

[Alex M Grieve]

Hello

Hello there, I am new here and considering swapping my 911 for an SL55 (2004 ish I think). Can someone please explain exactly what the above consists of, whether it is worth having and how rare these cars are. Was it a factory option? And possible in all colours? How much extra does it add to value do we think? It is hard enough comparing ages, mileages, options etc as it is I am finding. Who knows a reputable specialist inspector please and what do they charge? I always feel more comfortable with a second opinion when spending so much on a car. Many thanks

and welcome to the Forum. I am sure you will be well served in answer to your question - there are a number of SL55 owners regularly on the Forum, and around Southampton there are at least 2 Independent suppliers who could help you (MBS (Colin & Dave) & BlackC55 (Ollie)).

I have a lowly SL500 but appreciate the merits of the SL55. IIRC the "standard" car had almost every extra known to man.

I have looked at a fair few cars over recent years and many of them beautifully presented. Non mechanical things to consider outside of the physical inspection include: collision history, number of owners (some have changed hands annually), service history (some have had several sets of brake pads and discs in a relatively low mileage career), and these things will give you an impression of how cherished the car has been, or possibly how harshly it has been used.

Good luck with the hunt. There may well be a few on the south coast, but I would search nationally for such a relatively uncommon car.

 

[television]

Well you have a first class man to check any car, he knows them well and operates from Southamton, his name is Colin and their garage is MBS, details later.

There are a few upgrades like the ones from Brabus and it would be far cheaper to buy a car like a Brabus already converted, we have a member brabus230 who has experience of owning one


I could also do some checks as it is a 230

 

[MJO217]

Sl55

Hi Malcolm.

Many thanks for this information.

Do I take it that you would be willing to do a physical inspection for me? What do you charge please? Would you normally come with me for a first visit or go on your own later?

I have located a few cars that look interesting but only one with the pace car performance upgrade and am intersted to know how good/important/valuable this is when trying to compare them all.

Many thanks again
Mark

 

[drmw]

I have located a few cars that look interesting but only one with the pace car performance upgrade and am intersted to know how good/important/valuable this is when trying to compare them all.

Many thanks again
Mark

Other than for the pub bar-room grand prix, of no value whatsoever. The SL55 will blow a 911 into the weeds on all but the very tightest, twistiest roads and that's assuming a really, really good driver! I don't think it's an option I would hang out for - if it's there, fine (but you'll never likely use it)

 

[SSR S500]

Other than for the pub bar-room grand prix, of no value whatsoever. The SL55 will blow a 911 into the weeds on all but the very tightest, twistiest roads and that's assuming a really, really good driver! I don't think it's an option I would hang out for - if it's there, fine (but you'll never likely use it)

I'm sure a 911 twin turbo would have something to say about that. Non turbo you may have a point

 

[television]

Hi Malcolm.

Many thanks for this information.

Do I take it that you would be willing to do a physical inspection for me? What do you charge please? Would you normally come with me for a first visit or go on your own later?

I have located a few cars that look interesting but only one with the pace car performance upgrade and am intersted to know how good/important/valuable this is when trying to compare them all.

Many thanks again
Mark

Find a car that you are interested in and we can take it from there

 

[MJO217]

Many thanks for your replies. I hope to look at one or two this weekend and will report back. I cannot see an SL55 being quicker even in a straight line than a 911 Turbo (particularly a 996 with X50) but will see, I don't think this is really the point though, they are different cars for different purposes surely?

 

[SSR S500]

Many thanks for your replies. I hope to look at one or two this weekend and will report back. I cannot see an SL55 being quicker even in a straight line than a 911 Turbo (particularly a 996 with X50) but will see, I don't think this is really the point though, they are different cars for different purposes surely?

AMG SL is a luxury supercar. 911 Turbo is more driver focused supercar

 

[Alps]

check the parkers website, it will have listed all the option avail for the sl55 from factory, i used this when i was buying my e55 to see what options were avail against what was out there, never trust a seller who says "ALL OPTIONS" as its very rarely true!

 

[television]

check the parkers website, it will have listed all the option avail for the sl55 from factory, i used this when i was buying my e55 to see what options were avail against what was out there, never trust a seller who says "ALL OPTIONS" as its very rarely true!

That is so true, when I was looking most of the cars advertised had everything except when you got there only to find it was a basic model, or maybe one thing, anyone can put the VIN number up here and we can give them the order card that list everything

 

[Big Brin]

I did exactly what you are planning to do in August this year and swopped my 996 turbo for an SL55, but I did hang out for the F1 Performance pack up grade. For one the car looks better having the same front apron as an SL65. I am really pleased, though have had a few minor niggles, but Merc's warranty has sorted those out for me. I displayed my car at Goodwood's themed breakfast club this weekend (Deutsch Marques), and wrote a little 'ditty' which I compiled from some research on the 'net. I put this in the window and...it went like this.....

QUOTE

SL55 AMG F1 Performance Package
is immediately distinguishable visually from an ‘ordinary SL55 AMG’ by the vented front apron that it shares with the SL65. The Performance Package, is an official option that would have set back the original owner £10,000. It's based on the package that AMG developed for the 2002 Formula 1 safety car. The result is a car that can move at 186mph, an impressive 30mph faster than the standard car. This extra speed is achieved by re-restricting the electronic limiter (rather than 'de' restricting); the SL55 AMG would be able to exceed 200mph if the electronic limiters were removed completely.
The ‘standard’ car has around 500bhp and with the Performance Package option, AMG made some changes to the suspension while also adding an extra oil cooler, a limited slip differential, larger more powerful brakes and some interior and exterior styling modifications. To handle all the power, Mercedes fitted a five-speed automatic transmission which can shift using the ‘F1 style’ buttons behind the steering wheel. The 7G automatic transmission which was standard in the SL500 of the time was unable to handle the massive 720nm torque from the SL55 AMG’s hand built engine (AMG has a ‘one man, one engine’ build philosophy).
The SL55 AMG has a 0-60mph time of 4.4 seconds and, with a supercharged V8 petrol engine mated to an automatic transmission, officially Mercedes claims a combined figure of 19.9mpg.
New, this car would have cost around £110,000. As the F1 performance package was an option spec’d by the owner at the time of purchase, rather than a limited production run, it is difficult to establish exactly how many of the cars were produced with the performance package.

UNQUOTE

Well I thought it justification for waiting 'til the right performance pack model came along!!!

Good luck and regards, Brin

 

[G3RPY]

sl55 is more comfortable than the 911.

we have both in the family, i have an sl55 amg and my father the 996 turbo S with the x50 pack.

the 911 leaves the sl but not by much..

my opinion-

if you want a comfortable cruiser with an abundance of power, its the sl you want

if you want a TRUE driving experience and not so much comfort cruise, its the 911 but it must have the x50 pack. the normal 911 turbo is not as much fun.

gurps

 

[rovingHawk]

The SL55 will blow a 911 into the weeds on all but the very tightest, twistiest roads and that's assuming a really, really good driver!

Last week at Rockingham there was a nice SL55 on the track; it was regularly overtaken by a totally standard SLK230K (manual); I'll have the photo to prove it shortly.
The SL55s aren't all that rapid.

RH

 

[100%Bitch]

Last week at Rockingham there was a nice SL55 on the track; it was regularly overtaken by a totally standard SLK230K (manual); I'll have the photo to prove it shortly.
The SL55s aren't all that rapid.

RH

I would have said that he was a very poor driver in the 55 if that was the case.

 

[C and C Media]

Hi
Is the 911 really a supercar?

 

[television]

Hi
Is the 911 really a supercar?

No, it is not in my view

 

[landywood]

Stay with the 911 far less trouble i know i have had both SL55 very nice car but what a pain
Regards Mike