SL55 AMG??

[Minty de silva]

Hi All,

I’m looking at buying a SL55 and not sure whether to go for a high mileage newer one or a low mileage older one. I was thinking of going for one with less miles as it’ll better for re sale and parts will be less worn. What would you all recommend?

70-80K – 2004
40-50K – 2002

Thanks

[Gouki]

You probably want to check the model differences between 2002 and 2004. IIRC the 2004 will have DVD command and widescreen versus the CD version in 2002.

Also buy on condition and history rather than mileagem could you link to the adverts so I can provide some better advice?

[Minty de silva]

You are right i guess the history and condition go further than mileage. I'm not too bothered about the satnav but i do want parktronic. I did want distronic but that seems to be on the more expensive cars. Here's 2 cars that i would consider looking at.

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2011...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2010...

Do you know what the wear is like on the driver side bolster for average mileage?

[benzito]

i reckon the 38k car is overpriced by approx 1-2k, the silver sl55s tend to be lower in value then black,

in general i would want a later model as definitely less problems (with regards to maintenance),

however the prices and trade values actually reflect mileage of the car much more than age, so I would not go near a 60k+ car to be honest as it would be a nightmare to sell on, the price of the later car you've uploaded sort of reflects this,

try and find a low mileage 03/04 onwards if poss within your budget as this would be best compromise for a reasonable price in my opinion

[Minty de silva]

You have a lot of good points mate but think i'll struggle to find the perfect car for my budget as i want to spend a max of £24k and less if possible as i want to keep lots of money for things to go wrong. Guess ill just have to keep my eye out but they seem to hold their value a fair bit now.

[DSLiverpool]

Ive just bought one and avoided silver and avoided the turbine wheels both of which dont do the SL many favours but its down to taste.

If I was you I would spend a little more and get a fair age low miles one with full and obvious service history, mine was £30k but had a £1200 service before I collected it and had had loads of work done in the 12 months prior (legs etc) it also has a warranty but I dont use that as a purchase tool.

The drivers seat has easy exit that will reduce the bolster wear if its been used, my car has minimal wear on the bolster after 7 years and after its recent detail looks superb

[Gouki]

My best advice would be go and look at a few in the flesh. Pictures don't necessarily do these cars justice and mileage or age are not directly related to condition. Thereis slight bolster wear on my car at ~60k but nothing too dramatic. Though black with red interior was my first choice when looking the paintwork on black examples they can appear quite ropey if not looked after well. Keep to your budget and find a good example!

Wheels, distronic etc. should not be deal breakers since the cars are still pretty well loaded as standard. I love the 65 rims as in the post above but they are very expensive to source a set second hand ~ £2000, my attention has been to find a set of the CLK Black Series wheels (same offset) which are forged and therefore not as heavy.

[Minty de silva]

Thanks for all the advice guys, think i will stick to my budget as i'm really pushing it at £24k but that black one looks amazing. I really want a black on but they are expensive and hard to keep clean which will annoy me in the winter as i love a clean car.

I'll try look at some this weekend and take it from there. They are great cars and wheels aren't going to be a huge deal for me as ill always swap them out if its the turbine ones.

Thanks again and ill let you know how i get one. Need one before may as i have a track day booked.

[misery]

DSL yours looks stunning, love that colour.

Minty I have just sold my black SL with 73K on the clock and which had Turbines (pain in the A%$*& to keep clean), now have an silver 30K with the Split rims (much easier). I think you see more of the lines with the silver but black always looked lovely when it was clean.

My only worry for you is if you are pushing hard to spend that amount of money, please be careful because I spent 1000's on mine over the years with serviceing, tyres etc, everything on an SL seems to cost shed loads.

[DSLiverpool]

Minty de silva said:

that black one looks amazing. .

Cough TANZANITE BLUE cough

Minty de silva said:

Need one before may as i have a track day booked.

Whoah there Minty, if you like your days "tracked" I dont advise a SL55 unless you are ok with HUGE tyre bills and brakes that wont last long also its (only had it 4 weeks so be gentle) not well planted on the rear - bunny hops can be induced on mid corner ripples with ABC on.

Try one first, if you have done and think Im talking go for it - I always ignore anything anyone says once I decide on a motor

Edited by DSLiverpool on Saturday 2nd April 17:49

[mikial]

I`d recommend mine , just reduced it to 19,990 look in the classifieds here on PH. 40 thousand miles 2003.

[Minty de silva]

I've looked at a few this weekend and was disappointed at both of them as one had duplicate service history which worried me and would cause problems when i was selling, the other had a very bad water leak in the boot which i know is a common problem. I'm thinking of getting a warranty on it as i know the bills are ridicules for everything on these.

I know what you mean about tyres etc but its just my toy car so wont be doing many miles and ill take it well easy on the track day until i learn how it behaves. I only plan to do a couple of track a year and thought this is perfect as it'll be fun on track and comfortable and flashy on the road.

I'll just have to keep hunting, seeing one on Monday so hopefully that goes better.