SL55 Advice

[V12WWW]

Hi Everyone,

I've been an avid visitor to this Forum and MB Community for some time, mainly to help with my research ahead of one of the most important and emotional purchases I've ever made. I've loved the SL55 from the day I first saw it in brochures, then in the flesh and now I'm only a few days away from making the purchase. I've seen a few over time which for one reason or another end in disappointment, but finally I've found one with low miles, good condition and only a few niggles to put right. The main one being the alloys, they're split rim 18'" alloys, can someone recommend a reputable alloy refurbishing company in the midlands, home counties, I'm based in Oxford but willing to travel to a good reputable company. The other issue I'll address in my first year of ownership is the stone chips and one minor paint blemish, again any recommendations of a good body/paint shop. I intend to keep the car for as long as I can drive, it is simply a dream come true and I can't wait to collect it later this week.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome, I have just had my SL AMG split rims re done, all in powder coat, the finish is outstanding and far better than the original.

 

[Jules55012]

Malcolm
The car is looking superb!!!

 

[Jules55012]

Hi Everyone,

I've been an avid visitor to this Forum and MB Community for some time, mainly to help with my research ahead of one of the most important and emotional purchases I've ever made. I've loved the SL55 from the day I first saw it in brochures, then in the flesh and now I'm only a few days away from making the purchase. I've seen a few over time which for one reason or another end in disappointment, but finally I've found one with low miles, good condition and only a few niggles to put right. The main one being the alloys, they're split rim 18'" alloys, can someone recommend a reputable alloy refurbishing company in the midlands, home counties, I'm based in Oxford but willing to travel to a good reputable company. The other issue I'll address in my first year of ownership is the stone chips and one minor paint blemish, again any recommendations of a good body/paint shop. I intend to keep the car for as long as I can drive, it is simply a dream come true and I can't wait to collect it later this week.

Spit and Polish in Tonbridge, Kent are excellent. Got a quote a couple of weeks ago approx £350. You leave the car or drop the wheels off
, choice is yours. Latter is quicker and the former has a lead time of 3 or 4 weeks so you can tell how popular they are!

Hope you enjoy the beast! I'm sure you will.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Hi Everyone,

I've been an avid visitor to this Forum and MB Community for some time, mainly to help with my research ahead of one of the most important and emotional purchases I've ever made. The other issue I'll address in my first year of ownership is the stone chips and one minor paint blemish, again any recommendations of a good body/paint shop. I intend to keep the car for as long as I can drive, it is simply a dream come true and I can't wait to collect it later this week.

Hello and welcome- looking forward to seeing some pics when you have some. Congratulations they are great cars, I have had mine 3 years now and loved every minute.

 

[V12WWW]

Many thanks for all your advice and recommendations. What type of refurbishment would you suggest I go for? Is Diamond Cutting necessary and do the alloys look much much better with that process or do I just need them refurbished and powder coated. Are they polished at the end of the process or is that something the owner needs to do after the wheels/car is collected?

 

[television]

What ever you do 2 piece wheels cost double the price of 1 piece as it is the same as doing 2 sets of wheels.

For both processes the wheel are spit. for a diamond cut finish the wheel is re turned and then the clear coat baked on. This process never last very long as it is so weak, some firms guarantee for 12-24 months max. the center part can be painted in any colour.

With powder coating you can again have your own colours, mine a finished in a high power silver and the centre in silver, all powder coat. The powder coated wheels in my pictures above cost £500, and they should last for many years.

 

[V12WWW]

Thanks for all your replies and advice. Having found a reputable wheel refurbisher I am now in the process of removing the wheels. I've looked at the manual regarding jack mounting points, but could someone advise where are the jack mounting points and best place to secure axle stands to the car while I have the wheels refurbished. It will need to be up on the stands for at least a week.

 

[television]

You have the rubber blocks under the sill inline with the jacking point.

Stands with a round cups are the best, and they do need to be heavy duty.

 

[V12WWW]

I spent weeks researching where to get my wheels refurbished and after several emails and phone conversations decided upon Supreme Wheels in Milton Keynes. Their webite promised the earth and their salesman (Kevin Lawrence) assured me they could bring my wheels back to life. Well friends stay well clear of them, after making a round trip of over 100 miles to drop off my wheels they contacted me the very next day to inform me they couldn't refurbish them, refused point blank. To say that I am unimpressed is a massive understatement, they have been extremely unprofessional and have left me high and dry literally as my car is up on blocks. If you know of anyone who can do a decent job then I'd appreciate it, I have made a call to 'Spit & Polish' as recommended above, they are much further than I'd like but might be the only solution.

 

[television]

Do ask Pristine wheels in Milton Keynes.

My wheels have been powder coated.

 

[television]

This one is very good

http://www.lepsons.com/

 

[V12WWW]

Hi, I have an issue linked to this thread which I hope someone can assist with, here goes. Bought a second hand 2004 SL55 a two months ago, am still tidying it up but still very very pleased with it. The car is stored in my garage and will not be used for everyday use, the remote battery expired, I replaced it and checked that the red light appears when I press it, however it has now stopped unlocking/locking the car. When I follow instructions n re setting it, it works once then stops again, very frustrating. Any advice from anyone here, anyone had the same issues? Thank you.

 

[vauxhallmaniac]

This one is very good

http://www.lepsons.com/

Lepsons are only down the road from me Malc, I would never use them again! they advertise as split rim specialists, I dropped my treasured 19" AMG Mk4 wheels off and had a call a couple of hours later to say they couldn't do a thing with them !! when I went to collect them they had acid dipped them with the titanium bolts in situ turning them black, then snapped most of the bolts off in all 4 wheels !!! absolutely wrecking my split rims why they didn't stop after one wheel the mind boggles!! I had to pay an engineering firm a fortune to drill & helicoil the wheel tubs and purchase new bolts from Germany ( http://www.titanium-touch.de/felgenschrauben_uk.html ) at ££££... all in all a very bad experience!!!

 

[television]

Hi, I have an issue linked to this thread which I hope someone can assist with, here goes. Bought a second hand 2004 SL55 a two months ago, am still tidying it up but still very very pleased with it. The car is stored in my garage and will not be used for everyday use, the remote battery expired, I replaced it and checked that the red light appears when I press it, however it has now stopped unlocking/locking the car. When I follow instructions n re setting it, it works once then stops again, very frustrating. Any advice from anyone here, anyone had the same issues? Thank you.

When you say remote battery, is this the one in the boot.

 

[SL63 Mark]

When you say remote battery, is this the one in the boot.

Malcolm I take this to mean the battery in the remote control ??