MERCEDES SL55 AMG (2003) / Smart investment, uber-cool and fast!

Рет қаралды 17,978

Жыл бұрын

As a performance car it's probably a lot better than you think. Handles, stops, turns, goes, rides beautifully. Not just an autobahn-storm trooper one trick pony. If you've ever thought about getting a big Benz as an investment car, the SL is the model you want. And not many options better than the Mercedes SL55 AMG with that gorgeous supercharged 5.5 litre V8.
Please enjoy our review, and some of the other great cars on the channel. Let us know what you think with a comment and if you enjoyed it, please leave a like. It helps!
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Пікірлер: 51

@mytuberforyou 2 ай бұрын

As a SL55 owner, I am not sure about the investment part unless you have a mechanic that works for free full time, but but I love my '05.

@The888Redlich Жыл бұрын

Cars like these will never be repeated, they are a treasure for those who can afford them

@markwilliamson8662 Жыл бұрын

I think that’s the perfect description of this car.

@deucebigs9860 11 ай бұрын

Affording them is fairly easy. It's maintaining it that will kill your wallet

@sp7873 10 ай бұрын

@@deucebigs9860i think what he means with affording includes maintenance

@MikesMercsandothercars Ай бұрын

Ah....those long open roads with barely any traffic, sun shining...it is almost enough to make me want to ship my SL55 out there in time for our next trip. Mike

@Roland_Rohrle Жыл бұрын

Fantastic car. I remember drooling over them when they were released…

@bmwrepaircrew8848 16 күн бұрын

From Aussies I’ve talked to you can probably buy several of these in the US for the price it costs over there - crazy how even used models are high there, even when converting AUD to USD

@HarlemStinger Жыл бұрын

Bought myself a 2006 SL55, 27,000 miles, 18months ago, magnificent machine. The grin factor starts just walking up to it. As regards to the gearbox, when it was launched in 2002 it was the most powerful production car ever made with an auto box. Hence, they had to use the bullet proof, tried and tested 5 speed box called the 722.6 (I think) which was first introduced in 1995-96 but was heavily revised in 1998-99 to strengthen it to cope with the awesome power of the M113K engine. When they dropped the supercharged M113K engine of the SL55 they could then put in the 7 speed boxes from 2006-07 onwards. As mine is the last version, it has real flappy paddles on the steering wheel!!

@bikerman6907 Жыл бұрын

Hi, have you had any probs with the ABC system or other stuff? Its a real cool car you have👍😎 I have a G55 AMG with only 30k km on the clock. Looked at a mint 2004 SL55 AMG but ended up buying a mint LOW mileage 2010 Mustang Roush Stage 3(550hp/700nm) instead. Have recently tried a 2003 SL 55 AMG which I could end up buying but am a wee bit afraid of ABC system faults....🤔🤔 cheers from me in Norway

@503nation 11 ай бұрын

How much did you paid for just to have an idea cus im trying to buy one with 31k miles on it

@503nation 11 ай бұрын

@bikerman6907 11 ай бұрын

@@503nation you asking me🤔

@ScottNolasco 9 ай бұрын

@@bikerman6907 I bought a 2004 SL55 about 10 months ago with just over 70k km, mine has a valve block O-ring issue that causes the corner of the car to sag overnight, or sometimes after a few days when parked. I don't think the previous owner changed the old fluid because it was black when I flushed it, and installed a new ABC filter. When the car is running, the ABC functions flawlessly and the suspension comes back up in seconds, and tere's definitely tutorials online for fixing the valve block O-ring yourself by taking the block out and putting a new rings, but I"m planning on converting mine to coilovers instead just to increase reliability. I've heard people say that as long as you flush the hydraulic fluid periodically, the ABC can be pretty reliable, but I don't blame you for fearing the expensive maintenance 😁😁

@lionofjudahland 14 күн бұрын

I just bought a twin of this car, same colour and rims! Can't wait for its delivery!!

@markwilliamson3185 8 күн бұрын

You’ll love this car

@markedwards4879 Жыл бұрын

Always liked the SL Mercs. Great looking and sounding. These days though I agree with Stu, only buy one if you’re prepared to spend a lot to keep it going. Well built doesn’t mean nothing breaks or that parts and labour are cheap.

@Leonardo555ZZZZ 3 ай бұрын

Great cars ..SL 's certainly at the top ,, but the CLK55 AMG 2 door is also good value compared to an SL, it is lighter , so with the Naturally aspirated 5.44 Litre AMG engine , it is just as fast , has better economy ,is able to carry four people in comfort , has larger boot space , and has no ABC or SBC to worry about. Keyless Go , push button start and stop is a great feature , and no,it will not switch the engine off if you are driving the car and you press the button by mistake.

@sp7873 Жыл бұрын

i have an SL 55 P030 and the setup is still a bit sportier - especially the limited slip is great..

@nelsonclub7722 Жыл бұрын

That was fun guys, thanks and a lot more informative than many other channels - your style is superb -and your knowledge and insights very valuable to me as I'm in the UK and for the three days it does not rain this is the exact car I am after the SL 55AMG - I shall go for one with the Ruby leather, but now I'm unsure whether to go for the 5 or 7 speed box - my current E350 Petrol Estate has the 7 and it is great - but now I'm unsure - I get your points about both though - good stuff - keep on steering

@Soarin8 Жыл бұрын

Great review!

@inCARnationAustralia Жыл бұрын

Thanks!

@russellchristison8425 Жыл бұрын

Sitting at home Easter Saturday recovering from Covid, this review was exactly what I needed and that lovely V8 burble, thanks guys

@inCARnationAustralia Жыл бұрын

Thanks and you're welcome kindred spirit. I'm also sitting at home recovering from a bad head cold, Easter plans cancelled, wondering what next to review. Audi R8 V10, Nissan R35 GTR, Mazda RX8 or a 1970s classic JDM car. What do you suggest?

@russellchristison8425 Жыл бұрын

@@inCARnationAustralia the Audi R8 V10 would be nice. I had an interesting driving week 2 weeks ago. Drove my wife’s VW t cross 35 kilometres to Fitzroy Falls picked up a Land Cruiser Sahara 2022 model and drove it the owners wife’s work in Bowral, then drove a 2018 Model X Tesla to Sydney and picked up a new Model Y performance for my client and bought it back to the highlands. ( I love my work )

@inCARnationAustralia Жыл бұрын

@@russellchristison8425 Very cool. You'd you like the Model Y Performance?

@russellchristison8425 Жыл бұрын

@@inCARnationAustralia it was fabulous

@gened9632 Жыл бұрын

I've enjoyed an 04, midnight blue over light grey SL55 for years now. I work on it myself and really, the SBC isn't so hard or expensive. One just needs to stay 2 steps ahead of the maintenance. Rebuilding the hydraulic valve blocks are just an afternoon of patience and a bit of bourbon. I've replaced the stereo to a newer one that looks stock and I've recovered the seats with new leathers. Updated the steering wheel and changed the burl wood to piano black. People can never really imagine that it's 19 years old. An owner of the newest SL55 was comparing and after sitting in mine conceded that there's a feel of luxury and connectedness that the new one is lacking. Every year it sits at the city's International Auto Show special "Exotics" display. It's the only non-exotic, but as many many people have commented, it's the only car in the lot that people would want to own long-term. It'd feel confident driving it from California to New York, as it's just a rock solid reliable car. Mostly, I use it to drive up the California Coast (Highway 1) and through the Sierra Nevada Mountains. I've considered selling it a couple of times, but I simply cannot find another car that I'm more pleased with as a GT. Your video has reminded me once again why I need to just hang onto it.

@inCARnationAustralia Жыл бұрын

Thanks Gene. Cool story. It's important to use the right parts too, isn't it ... so which particular bourbon would you suggest?

@gened9632 Жыл бұрын

@@inCARnationAustralia The correct parts are essential. I often tell younger guys who want cars like this: If buying the correct part or correct fuel is going to break the bank, you can't afford the car. It's much like dating an ex-super model. Just because she hasn't been in the spotlight in a few years doesn't mean you can feed her McDonalds. As for the bourbon, I actually prefer David Nicholson. Great bang for the buck. It can just be a bit hard to track down (Even here in California). A good pick-up-anywhere is Basil Hayden. Again, not too pricey and mild enough to work on the car without throwing tools.

@markwilliamson8662 Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the comment. A drive through the Sierra Nevada mountains in this car would be perfect.

@The.truth.. 9 ай бұрын

Black series 💯 so rare

@tomcat7525 Жыл бұрын

Beautiful noise.

@mercedesE55AMGMan 5 ай бұрын

I have had 2 of these monsters in brilliant silver and Jasper Blue I will now be looking for my 3rd one but I will have to keep my rust free Japanese import E55 AMG ❤

@kiabagha3401 Жыл бұрын

This is a depreciating asset. It is most definitely not an investment vehicle.

@inCARnationAustralia Жыл бұрын

Who am I to argue? You may well be right. I disagree but in an agreeable manner. Let's check this video again in 2028 and see.

@sp7873 Жыл бұрын

i bought one in 2013 and it has gone up in value about 7 thousand EUR. of course i kept it in good condition so i surely paid net in but i got a lot of pleasure out of it .. not comparable to the cost benefit ratio of a new car which is depreciating at brutal rates..

@3715890 Жыл бұрын

For those poor bastards who bought them new yes, the rest of us won’t take that hit.

@rousemotorsport Жыл бұрын

Look at what the early AMGs are starting to go for. For those who get them now and take car of them, they definitely will not go down any further. Mine has been fully customized by Kleeman. It now puts out 570hp.

@MartinHannett_ 10 ай бұрын

4:04 “it’s a Mercedes so it won’t go wrong…correct?” No, wrong actually, very wrong 😂. ABC infamous for failures.

@donkekis Жыл бұрын

They kept the 5 Speed manual in the SL55 as the 7Speed manual could not handle the power and would break

@inCARnationAustralia Жыл бұрын

It was a five speed auto in the SL55 from its release in 2002 onwards. But they must have strengthened the 7-speed 7G-Tronic, as they used that for the 2006 model. And the SL600 and SL65 also used the 7-speed. And they had torque of 800 Nm and 1,000 Nm respectively, more than the 700 Nm in the SL55. So clearly the Merc auto boxes are pretty strong.

@donkekis Жыл бұрын

@@inCARnationAustralia all the sources I found say that the regular SL were updated to a 7speed. But neither the AMGs or the 600 had a 7Speed. Later versions like the 63 had a different box with a 7 speed though

@Leonardo555ZZZZ 3 ай бұрын

McLaren SLR uses the 5 speed trans because the seven speed would not handle the torque.

@AP-eh6gr 10 ай бұрын

Australia prices of the original SL55 are absurd. The rest of the world is buying these at 25000 USD on average

@duckhorn 6 ай бұрын

can i rent ur car? when i got in australia lol

@inCARnationAustralia 6 ай бұрын

Sadly it's not ours to offer. Most cars we review are either press cars or borrowed from collectors

@thedoo777 2 ай бұрын

I Went with his hiro Coil overs.. Just just replace these struts and have the liquid drain out of it I didn't worry about the rest of that abc system and I'll tell you something it's a little bit faster and it handles much better! .. The difference in the ride I can't remember it it's where the market really small,, Do not get the old man's mode I think you will be disappointed I drive it at the sport mode and the difference is just negligible.. Race cars require sway bars I didn't notice it in my driving time... I wonder whether the value will go up I doubt it?

@thedoo777 2 ай бұрын

Many of you are having ABC problems coilovers is the definite answer Unless you want to drive it in the old man's mode Non sport you ought to go with those Coilover You need not worry about it forever