As the years have gone on there are more affordable replacement parts for the ABC, brakes and other components. You can always tell who’s owned one and who hasn’t by reading these comments. I loved my SL55 and I bought an SL65 and love it as well. Germans know how to build cars but if you beat on anything after time it will break. The difference is you can take an 05’ AMG and it will walk a new car that cost $100,000 +

Besides suspension issues, this car is bulletproof. SL55 and E55 are one of the last most reliable Mercedes cars.

Every journey is an event in any Mercedes SL. They all have their charms but the R230 is, in my opinion, the prettiest, most resolved design.

I don't know why people slag off the 5 speed. To appreciate what a good transmission it is, you must only use the gear lever and not the steering wheel buttons. When changing up, always change at 500 RPM lower than your target RPM. In other words, practice early changes. You will appreciate the 5 speed even more when changing down, as you get excellent engine braking and the sound of the engine going up in revs makes it sound like a manual racing shift.

This would be the perfect car with a Car Max warranty

I just got an 2004 SL55 AMG with only 68k miles on it. Love it. Car is a beast. I don’t mind the transmission but I definitely need to upgrade the stereo system/navigation etc.

My 2003 SL55 had $21,000 worth of warranty work in ONE YEAR! It was always broken but I loved it. NEVER without a warranty though! NEVER! You have been warned.

Great car I own one and still love it

This car is a must buy Right along with a "Car Shield" PROTECTION plan

I own this exact car . I purchased a 2005 Sl 55 AMG with @24,000 Miles . This Car is Gangster !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Owned one. Will not do that again. Repairs cost a ludicrous amount of money. It was a great car, when it wasn't in the shop.

I own one out of warranty 40k now it got 54k 4K on work on it 😅 abc to new battery I love it

Got an E 55 also built by miko wold mine is from 2005

Some comments are hilariously ridiculous. This is not a cheap car to start with, therefore either you have the money to fill the tank, insure it and maintain it or you don't. The ABC suspension system is the main critic on that car, like the IMS on some Porsche. Yes, if you don't flush the hydraulic suspension fluid as required and replace the filter as well, then this is a recipe for potential troubles, but if you do, then this suspension is absolutely amazing and literally turn flat around corners. Another issue mentioned often is the compressor bearing. Yes indeed that bearing has tendency to go bad but this is a relatively easy task if you like to work on cars. If you don't then the dealer will rip you off because they can, assuming you can afford it. To summarize my point, every cars has issues and buying a used SL55 AMG thinking this is the deal of the century and praying the god of cars nothing will ever happen is called denial.

I love this car but it gives my right calf and thigh immense pain. The seating position just doesn't work for me.

I'm looking to pick one up tomorrow for 5 grand with only 75k miles. I'm very stoked.

These model years through to 2012 had the best interiors. Today’s look like a video game with stupid tablets glued to the dash. The Airmatic suspension can be replaced sport springs for a permanent semi low stance and firm ride near.y identical to the sport setting of the Airmatic, slightly firmer actually and costs a mear $600 vs $5000 to 6500. There are a few expensive items that can be fixed and or maintained for well under $1600 vs nearly $10,000-12,000.

bruh my 2005 sl55 amg i had since 2013 and it never broke lol

Don't forget the front suspension lower ball joints, £1000 each

you can get a full coilover kit for the R230s now.

Wasnt this the car steve jobs would only drive!?

THERE ARE EARLY 2003 /04 FOR SALE 2020 FROM 3K TO 8 K!!!!! SOME 1 OWNER FULL OPTION AMG !!!!! CRAZY

We’re great cars in their day. Slow by today's standard. 0-60 in 4.7 sec.

He slagged off the transmission, but there's nothing wrong with it. If you are shifting manually and you think it's too slow selecting a higher gear, with a little practice shifting earlier, you can get it spot on. As for shifting down, no other Auto I've driven gives you such good engine braking and the sound is glorious. I shift with the selector instead of the paddles and it's just like a real manual. He said it was 100 degrees and he was driving with the windows up??????

I bought an E55 AMG a few years ago which has the same running gear...it actually is a bit faster than the SL as it is significantly lighter...it was a steal...but we got an extended warranty with it...which was a good move...we had the pneaumatic suspension pump fail which would have been 4k to fix, but was covered...this supercharged engine is remarkeable...and if it isn't fast enough for you, it is easy to get mod to get more power...after the E55 came out of warranty we bought a V10 M6...it was a nice, well made car...but we always missed the torque of the blown 5.4...I think we will try a 2012 E63 next...I hear the twin turbo V8 is all that and a bag of chips...if you want a fun toy, take the dive and get one if these...they are remarkeable

This car has a fault that will cost $500. There is a little plastic flap on each side of the roof cover (approx 3 inches x1 inch) and the right hand side flap does not close when the roof has folded away. This is due to the tiny closure spring being broken, or the spring retainers being broken and these items cost pennies. But if you ask a Mercedes garage to fix it, they will only replace the large panel that this is just a small part of for about $500

It’s an icon

When that adaptive body control goes out. You'll be paying 8 grand to fix it...If you can twist some wrenches...take it out and put regular shocks in.

He's right about the ABC, my 05' SL500 with only 90kmi, is starting to have this issue! I love the look and drive of the Car but, just like having a beautiful Girlfriend/Wife if she starts costing you more and more $$$ sorry but, you need to dump her!!

I'm thinkin.....take off the hydraulic suspension...Put fixed shocks on it...

Maybe we should call this the "Heilkat." OK probably not.

really hope you hit at least 120 on a straightaway w that. it would be a waste of that horsepower

The suspension hydraulics will run between $8k and $10k and it will be in the shop at least 1 week for the repair. If you are lucky it will fail while in your home town. But it will fail, count on it.

Anyone know how the reliability is on those M113 engines? I might be in the market for a CLS55 with 120k+ miles

The scariest repair on that car is by far the roof. And then the suspension. Although, that has gotten more affordable as the pump can be rebuilt, and the shocks aren't near as expensive as they once were. The key to these cars on a budget without 10k in reserve is working on them yourself. Then you can get by with a couple grand in the bank. Lol. It is possible for someone with tools and the will to find online instruction (forums along with KZfaq) to get just about anything repaired yourself. Do not take this car to Mercedes dealer for repair unless you have stupid money to throw away/get raped for, because we all know what the stealership will do to you bringing that car in for repairs. Lol.

Car has a ton of issues from the suspension to the engine to the convertible top.

If you can afford the repairs on a used Merc, then you can afford the payments on a new one.

The SL65’s or even the 600’s, anything with the V12 in it will be a financial load, a big one. By a V6 320 series car from the 2000 to 2007 or a 350. The V6 is much more reliable and easy to maintain.

Independent shop

I dont wont to..and i dont have timeee to spend every week in mechanical shop for repairs..cmon man......hey bro where is merc,u sell it?? Noo its broken....and every week its broken

the airmatic suspension pump that you didnt want to know the cost to replace... $400.

I'm in India, I found one Sl55 AMG 2007 model which has 8000 miles on it right now and costs around 45 grand, Is it worth it?

much easier to just buy a good r129, no electronic bullshit

The suspension can be a nightmare. It cost from $4500 to $10000 if back and front goes out. That is what it cost me. Yes have money in the bank. It's a Benz what do you think.

And these are high maintenance. Forget the woman in your life, this car will outdo her in maintenance costs every time. You gotta pay if you wanna play. Lots of people don’t understand that 100k+ cars are every bit as expensive to maintain. The value of the vehicle may be around 22-35k but the maintenance will still be the same or more than when it was new. Beware. And make sure you maintain it at a shop well versed in AMG products.

5.5L V8

Car weighs 4,200 not 4,500 lbs.

Only poor people complain about repair costs. I work on mine myself and spend money on it when needs be. I love it!

__________ doesn't like transmission thinks 25k is a good buy blah blah blah doesn't anything else

the r230 is not a 90`s model i think it was launched back in 2000 or 2001 this guy talks shit about may fav car :D

You are probably terrible at golf because you think your clubs are as important as your swing.

The 2nd most expensive SL was the SL600 not the SL55