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Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK (all models)

786 messages,  Last post on Jul 24, 2012 at 10:07 AM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Convertible

Messages Page 54 of 79

#530 of 786 I flipped one too by shoes

Feb 09, 2004 (12:15 pm)

I think people are flipping the SL55 because the build quality on the early ones is not great. The 2004 SL500 I now own is much better than either the 2003 SL500 or the 2003 SL55 that I used to own. Problem areas were brakes and fuel pump noises.
 
Mercedes has made it clear to me that they won't be bringing any AMG wagons to the US where wagons don't sell as well as in Europe.

#531 of 786 merc1 by sphinx99

Feb 09, 2004 (6:07 pm)

You owe me, this took forever to dig up from where I saw it on my favorite S2k board. I don't know what publication this came from.
 

#532 of 786 shoes by merc1

Feb 09, 2004 (11:20 pm)

Ok so thats a E55 and a SL500 "currently" in your collection right? I think they really should sell all AMG vehicles here, including the wagons, why let Audi have all the fun in the hot-rod wagon segment. MBUSA: the C55 and E55 "Estates" please.
 
sphinx99,
 
Ok, thanks. I'll make a note of it. An E63 wagon...gee whiz.... This must be the new generation, direct-injection 6.3L V8 that I've heard so much about over the years. This engine is supposed to deliver 600hp in the next round of AMG S, SL (current SL w/facelift) and CL cars. I didn't think they'd drop it in the E-Class too! I see the next ML gets a version too, oh my.
 
That CLK with the DTM reference is pretty interesting too. Diesels???
 
M

#533 of 786 SL600 vs. SL55 by 600sltt

Feb 09, 2004 (11:44 pm)

Since the SL600 is turbocharged instead of supercharged as the SL55. The SL600 can by mildly modified to increase the power and performance (by over 100whp and 120 torque over stock). And you can do 0 - 60 in 3.6.

#534 of 786 SL600 by sillydriver

Feb 10, 2004 (8:15 am)

I’m a bit deflated by shoes’ description of the SL600 as a car for those with a mental age over 60, since mine is supposed to show up in a couple weeks and I am well under 60. I took delivery of an SL55, which I loved, in late 2003 and sold it back to the dealer late last summer after a couple of high-speed engine failures. The fuse for the ignition system would blow without warning, causing the car to coast to a stop. The service department replaced the coil packs, which they claimed were at fault, but the engine continued to die. I put in an order for an SL600, which is about to be delivered. I agree with shoes that in the SL55 “it always seems like everyone in front of you is driving too slow.” Part of the reason for my switch to the 600 is that I ended up driving much too aggressively in the 55, which I used as my summer commuting car. I would end up doing full-throttle right lane passes of slower cars on Route 128, just so I could hear the roar of the engine. I thought the 55’s worst characteristic (other than its unreliability) was the hum or drone of the engine at highway cruising speeds. I thought that resonance was actually more annoying with the top up, since it was drowned out by highway noise when the top was down. I expect the 600 will be much quieter at speed.
 
One thing that has made me think I’ve made the right decision is the CD test result for the 600: 3.6 seconds to 60 and 11.9 for the quarter mile, although I agree with others here that the times are suspect. I think the truth of the matter is revealed by a comment in the review. They talk about the transmission having three modes, the third being a manual mode like the SL55. My understanding is that the US SL600 doesn’t have a third transmission mode, just the usual two. However, you the manual mode comes with Renntech’s ECU and transmission computer upgrade, so I assume CD’s test car had been modified in that way. The test result would then be just plausible. I agree with 600sltt that the 600 is ripe for modification, and I certainly plan to add those enhancements once the car is broken in.

#535 of 786 by chavis10

Feb 10, 2004 (10:01 am)

Maybe MB slipped the Maybach engine in into the SL by accident?!?! They are the same just with different boost pressures and computers.

#536 of 786 Transmission may also be the culprit by shoes

Feb 10, 2004 (12:00 pm)

Hey sillydriver, even though you ordered the SL600, doesn't mean you have to buy it. Ask the dealer to let you take it for a long test drive before plunking down the dough. I think the five speed transmission without the AMG shift point changes may be the reason the car feels sluggish. There is no question in my mind that Mercedes built the SL600 for an older audience and the SL55 for the sporty (i.e. younger) crowd. I test drove the SL600 and it almost put me to sleep. The 2004 SL500 with the new 7 speed transmission felt much more lively.
 
Maybe you need to get the SL65 like me?
 
Wow, your experiences with the SL55 sound pretty awful. How many miles did you have on it when you traded it back to the dealer?

#537 of 786 Agree about the transmission by sillydriver

Feb 10, 2004 (12:25 pm)

I suspect you’re absolutely right about the importance of the transmission programming to the feel of the car. One reason why I plan to go ahead and take delivery of the 600 is the availability of the upcoming SL65 transmission computer from Renntech. People who have tried it and written about it over at mbworld.org absolutely love it. If the car turns out to be excessively dull after those mods I’ll try either an SL65 a year from now or something else like a DB9. Another reason I chose the 600 is the availability of the designo silver package, which is not available on the 55. My old 55 was black with a berry red interior, so I thought I’d try something with a completely different look. Finally, buying the 600 now will give me a convertible for this spring, while the 65 requires delaying gratification for a year.
 
I put about 7k miles on the car over 8 months and sold it last July. My experience was actually very good until the electrical problem struck. The dealer gave me $113k, which I think was a very good price given the recent softening of used values.

#538 of 786 Magic number by shoes

Feb 10, 2004 (3:20 pm)

I have heard that at around 6,000 miles numerous problems have appeared in the SL55 and S55 relating to the supercharged V-8. I have also heard that AMG will not be using a supercharged V8 much longer and maybe there is a connection.
 
Keep us posted on how you like the SL600 after making the transmission mods.

#539 of 786 by sphinx99

Feb 19, 2004 (6:54 pm)

On the subject of SL600s, C&D measured the SL600 to have a rather extraordinary straight line performance envelope for a 4500lb vehicle:
 
0-60 in 3.6s
1/4 mile in 11.9120

Messages Page 54 of 79

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