SL55 AMG bhp question ??

[m33ufo]

Looking at an SL55 together with a few other cars as a possible replacement to my M3CSL. Quite a simple question, were the later cars uprated in terms of power over the earlier cars?

I would be looking at an 02/03 so it's relevant to me.

[Pentoman]

I seem to remember some talk about them initially claiming 469bhp or so. Then supposedly they 'discovered' the engines being produced were more powerful than that, and the rating went up to 493bhp. This was very early, when they were still novel appearances in magazines.

The version that shortly after went into the E55 was supposedly 469bhp (I think). Apparently due to a different exhaust system. But that's probably not true.


I personally believe that they're all 493bhp no matter what the application, apart from in the SLR of course, which is quite different, dry sumped for a start.

[m33ufo]

That's good news, I didn't want to buy an SL55 that ended up having similar power to the later SL500's! Almost 500bhp is more than enough

[markbe]

m33ufo said:

That's good news, Almost 500bhp is more than enough

Not for long

Mark.

[m33ufo]

Well yeah, I know where your coming from!!!

[eljordo]

Prior to the release of the E55 the SL55 had 469bhp. However, when the E55 was released Mercedes didn't want the SL55 to be outgunned by a 4 door saloon, and so they uprated the engine to 500bhp.

[Pete 55]

I was passed one of these yesterday. Whatever BHP it has, it was very apparently *significantly* more than my NA CLK55!

[m33ufo]

Is there a definitive way of knowing what BHP a particular car is? Were there any spec changes which identify the later (higher hp) cars??

I'm quite temped by one but would definitely prefer to have a few more bhp!

Cheers

[AKA8]

m33ufo said:

Is there a definitive way of knowing what BHP a particular car is? Were there any spec changes which identify the later (higher hp) cars??

I'm quite temped by one but would definitely prefer to have a few more bhp!

Cheers

I read that the E55 had 469 as opposed to the SL55's 493 because of a more restricted exhaust. I thought that all SL55s were 493 despite MB expecting it to be 469

[m33ufo]

I appreciate all your feedback, I'm getting the idea that they all pretty much produce the same kind of figure.

Thanks guys