@@rikkiseddo some cars, like older performance manuals and things we won’t ever see again, including this sl55, are certainly sensible places to put your money and enjoy driving the car, only to break even or “lose” very little. There are cars like that at every price point I’d say (from experience).
I owned one for 3 years. All suspension arms were fine and replaced before I brought it. The roof mechanism was up and running with no problems. The engine is bulletproof. It was used on the E55 which a friend of mine owned. The Clk Amg 55 had this engine without the supercharger. A beautiful stylish car derived from the 5.0 litre engine Mercedes put into the 500Sl and 500SEC and SEL etc. I ❤ it!
Apparently, when Gordon Murray was over at AMG discussing the McLaren SLR, one of the AMG engineers came in to boast that a stock SL55 AMG, but with the speed limiter taken off, had hit 200mph in testing. Gordon being Gordon, he asked about CdA, did a quick calc and said "it's got more than 470bhp then hasn't it?" The AMG engineer admitted that all M113K engines are over 500bhp, but the cheaper models were rated as less to please the marketing bods...
I absolutely love mine, it has a black series body on it so wide arches etc which really suit it, I want to fit a smaller pulley to the super charger giving it more power! Very underrate and it’s time they had the respect they deserve!! 👍👍
It's depressing to know that a lot of these great vehicles get scooped up for pennies on the dollar, and more often than not don't get maintained appropriately. Because even though they are bargains on the used market, they still require maintenance of a six figure vehicle.
@@bwest6275 Yeah it’s depressing, but it makes sense. Most people get frustrated with the cost of repairs and petrol. Also, there are many 500 horsepower cars in its price range these days.
@@RobertSmith-kj6eb That's my point though. Fuel aside, because that's a given when you buy a thirsty vehicle, it's sad that a LOT of people hunting for the German greats for "cheap", probably do so with little intention on maintaining them correctly, most likely due to finances. It's just sad that these great vehicles will live their last remaining days in the hands of neglect.
Great cars, owned mine for 4 years and still with me, high mileage one so dont care about originality. New stereo system tuned to 650 bhp 1000nm, its a beast Yes they can be expensive, but that noise and looks.... I dont care about the cost More powereeerrrrr
Yes Steve Jobs owned this exact model SL55 while developing the iPhone. It might just be the most refined convertible on the planet, top up or top down. Mercedes can't even build them this refined anymore glass roof and all.
A lot of people seem to consider the R129 to be the last beautiful and timeless SL and that the R230 was the beginning of the end. I agree that the R129 is a masterpiece (however not without its faults), but I think the R230 is also absolutely gorgeous and even just as striking. Perhaps the styling isn't quite as brilliantly executed as the truly iconic Sacco-era design of the R129, but I think it still beautifully incorporates all the key SL traits without going crazy with over-styling gimmicks like in later cars (not just SL or MB for that matter). Sure there were some evident Daimler-Chrysler influences in interior materials and a few other areas, but I never thought the interior wasn't nice or felt chintzy in any way. It's very nice and simply of its time. But, a lot of Mercedes "aficionados" just love to hate it these- Mind-boggling to me. Anyway... that 55 is a beauty!!!
Couldn't agree more. I am an absolute fan of the R129, for some unknown and irrational reasons that one can't explain. But one must acknowledge that the R230 is the cuter car. It is gorgeous as you say, and it has not aged at all. I say this to myself every time I look at my SL 55.
Love the review Becky, these truly are fantastic used car bargains and (hopefully) future classics. If you ever want to try it’s sportier and rarer sibling (with the N/A 5.4 V8) I have a 2005 SLK 55. These come with the 7 speed gearbox.
@@markroberts2696 That is the main reason I bought the SLK over the SL 55 AMG. Also I prefer a sports car to be a smaller size than the SL which is more of a GT.
Awesom machine and I like it very much... although I prefer it, it is so complicated I will safe bet on R129 as it is much easier to maintain when the car is aging...
Love it ...but be aware of the bills if it goes wrong. My Father in law has deep pockets and his has cost him a fortune. Air suspension. Head gasket etc.... They are super cars so don't be surprised when the maintenance is super car money.
its also better for the ABC system. hydraulic systems that are not used suffer over time. like in aviation. and this car will never be as exclusive to excpect a skyrise price development so a few years down the line the car gets too sporty for him (to sit in ;) and he has to sell it anyway. best to use it and enjoy it whilst he can.
I remember my old boss asking me to take his one of the first in the country 55s to kwickfit because and i quote "it seems very twitchy in the wet-----"😅😅.
Great cars until something goes wrong, so many main dealer only parts that'll cost a bomb. I guess that's an issue with most future classics now, we're dealing with computers, not machines.
Pound shop cars to buy now days, supercar maintenance money!!!!!! Unless like this guy, you just park it up, 8k miles in 9 years. Really??? Cars are ment to be driven......NO??
![⭐️( ลอยกระทง 2024 ) Ver. แดนซ์ Remix BY [ ดีเจกิต รีมิกซ์ ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/rMWOLhgXUHc/mqdefault.jpg)
Sorry, just checking SL55 classifieds...
I would like to kindly ask that we stop talking about old benzs so that they don't go up in price anymore before I can buy one 😅😅
🤣
Oops
Also stop seeing cars as investments. Especially now as the market is slowing. Even for Porsches.
@@rikkiseddo some cars, like older performance manuals and things we won’t ever see again, including this sl55, are certainly sensible places to put your money and enjoy driving the car, only to break even or “lose” very little. There are cars like that at every price point I’d say (from experience).
😂😂😂
I owned one for 3 years. All suspension arms were fine and replaced before I brought it. The roof mechanism was up and running with no problems. The engine is bulletproof. It was used on the E55 which a friend of mine owned. The Clk Amg 55 had this engine without the supercharger. A beautiful stylish car derived from the 5.0 litre engine Mercedes put into the 500Sl and 500SEC and SEL etc. I ❤ it!
this car has to be driven not rotting in a garage
In my opinion, it is the best Mercedes SL that Mercedes designed.
They're actually rated at 493 hp for the 2004, after initially being underrated at 476 for 2002/3.
You're mixing up your units. The 2004 onwards model was rated at 500PS/493bhp, uprated from 476PS/469bhp previously.
ok
Apparently, when Gordon Murray was over at AMG discussing the McLaren SLR, one of the AMG engineers came in to boast that a stock SL55 AMG, but with the speed limiter taken off, had hit 200mph in testing. Gordon being Gordon, he asked about CdA, did a quick calc and said "it's got more than 470bhp then hasn't it?" The AMG engineer admitted that all M113K engines are over 500bhp, but the cheaper models were rated as less to please the marketing bods...
The problem with all these types of cars is that the people who buy them several years down the line probably can't afford the upkeep.!
@@nickblake8041 I keep telling people that anybody can buy a Mercedes but not anybody can afford the maintenance
I absolutely love mine, it has a black series body on it so wide arches etc which really suit it, I want to fit a smaller pulley to the super charger giving it more power!
Very underrate and it’s time they had the respect they deserve!! 👍👍
It's depressing to know that a lot of these great vehicles get scooped up for pennies on the dollar, and more often than not don't get maintained appropriately. Because even though they are bargains on the used market, they still require maintenance of a six figure vehicle.
@@bwest6275 Yeah it’s depressing, but it makes sense. Most people get frustrated with the cost of repairs and petrol. Also, there are many 500 horsepower cars in its price range these days.
@@RobertSmith-kj6eb That's my point though. Fuel aside, because that's a given when you buy a thirsty vehicle, it's sad that a LOT of people hunting for the German greats for "cheap", probably do so with little intention on maintaining them correctly, most likely due to finances. It's just sad that these great vehicles will live their last remaining days in the hands of neglect.
@@bwest6275 a beauty, but that ABC system and dual batteries.....maintenance is rough, but I love mine.
@@deucebigs9860 par for the course.
Be careful what you buy. Lots of them out there need serious expensive work. I’ve worked on them since they came out and owned one.
Can't believe she missed Clarkson of the list of celebs to own one of these cars. He must have been its biggest promoter.
Great cars, owned mine for 4 years and still with me, high mileage one so dont care about originality. New stereo system tuned to 650 bhp 1000nm, its a beast
Yes they can be expensive, but that noise and looks.... I dont care about the cost
More powereeerrrrr
@@endaf what’s high mileage? Mines on 167k 😂
These and the previous gen (R129) SL's are the best looking SL's
@@revinot have a r129 SL500 and r230 SL600 .. definitely prefer the r129
Yes Steve Jobs owned this exact model SL55 while developing the iPhone. It might just be the most refined convertible on the planet, top up or top down. Mercedes can't even build them this refined anymore glass roof and all.
I've had a cl 55 AMG and I miss her everyday 😂, definitely was my most fun machine ever. 493 hp
Used AMG's are hard to beat for the money.
And if you find a decent independent garage, you’ll be ok.
The CLS55 is the absolute GOAT in the aesthetics dept
A lot of people seem to consider the R129 to be the last beautiful and timeless SL and that the R230 was the beginning of the end. I agree that the R129 is a masterpiece (however not without its faults), but I think the R230 is also absolutely gorgeous and even just as striking. Perhaps the styling isn't quite as brilliantly executed as the truly iconic Sacco-era design of the R129, but I think it still beautifully incorporates all the key SL traits without going crazy with over-styling gimmicks like in later cars (not just SL or MB for that matter). Sure there were some evident Daimler-Chrysler influences in interior materials and a few other areas, but I never thought the interior wasn't nice or felt chintzy in any way. It's very nice and simply of its time. But, a lot of Mercedes "aficionados" just love to hate it these- Mind-boggling to me.
Anyway... that 55 is a beauty!!!
@@pezzonovante888 I'am 6'5" and in a R129 visor blocks my view but I am way comfortable in my SL55, much roomier.
Couldn't agree more. I am an absolute fan of the R129, for some unknown and irrational reasons that one can't explain. But one must acknowledge that the R230 is the cuter car. It is gorgeous as you say, and it has not aged at all. I say this to myself every time I look at my SL 55.
I have a 2004 with P30 performace package ( rare) with only 47500km.
I’ve a mint r107 and r129.
This has to be next to join the team.
Thanks for the video.
Love the review Becky, these truly are fantastic used car bargains and (hopefully) future classics.
If you ever want to try it’s sportier and rarer sibling (with the N/A 5.4 V8) I have a 2005 SLK 55. These come with the 7 speed gearbox.
The SLK55 is the better buy. A lot more reliable.
@@markroberts2696
That is the main reason I bought the SLK over the SL 55 AMG. Also I prefer a sports car to be a smaller size than the SL which is more of a GT.
I always wanted to own one of these. They’re nice looking cars. Sadly, due to ULEZ where I live, it wouldn’t be practical to run.
@@nadi359 they are Ulez exempt
Great video & fabulous car! 😉👌
Many Thanks Becky, Peace From London!! 🙋🙋
Great Review. I ❤ this car and it is Ulez compliant.
Awesom machine and I like it very much... although I prefer it, it is so complicated I will safe bet on R129 as it is much easier to maintain when the car is aging...
To think, there is still the SL65, and then the Black Series.
I love these cars I have the SL500 R230
4.54 he nearly said “right, you can get out now”:)
I’m not a Merc fan, but that is lovely.
Best car ever!
Love it ...but be aware of the bills if it goes wrong. My Father in law has deep pockets and his has cost him a fortune. Air suspension. Head gasket etc.... They are super cars so don't be surprised when the maintenance is super car money.
She is ace!
Do the brakes work? 🤔
The 500 is better to live with day to day, Tyrells Classic Workshop has said it and my own experiences aswell confirmed that.
actually not. the potentially expensive part of the car is the ABC suspension which both have - the 55 and the 500
That is. Lovely. But the 1000 miles a year is hardly enjoying it enough! Sure keep it mint and baby it. But drive it. More.
its also better for the ABC system. hydraulic systems that are not used suffer over time. like in aviation. and this car will never be as exclusive to excpect a skyrise price development so a few years down the line the car gets too sporty for him (to sit in ;) and he has to sell it anyway. best to use it and enjoy it whilst he can.
Clarkson had one too 🤟🏻
Found several examples selling at a reasonable price here in Malaysia. But the interior's getting old.
Squeeze a big engine into a little........ The engine bay is huge!
Actually, 100K in 2004 is more like 192K in 2024
More fun with roof down… absolute bargain right now
The gearbox is a slow slush box though
@@MrCaterhamr500 I own one and yea the gearbox is trash, it’s sluggy
Why? 🧐
I remember my old boss asking me to take his one of the first in the country 55s to kwickfit because and i quote "it seems very twitchy in the wet-----"😅😅.
Ooh Becky, you cheeky minx. Nice ride for sure.
isnt she a treat!?
Yeah dog, she’s a baddie! Fr fr
Nice car! Can I have one pls 😅
If you're good... then you can save up to buy one with your pocket money.
the car's suspension is so soft that Evans buttocks were even without a massage, not like going to Lotus Elise or Exige 🤔😏
Its not unusual…..
A very nice money pit.
Great cars until something goes wrong, so many main dealer only parts that'll cost a bomb. I guess that's an issue with most future classics now, we're dealing with computers, not machines.
Pound shop cars to buy now days, supercar maintenance money!!!!!! Unless like this guy, you just park it up, 8k miles in 9 years. Really??? Cars are ment to be driven......NO??
If petrol goes up ,I dare say u wnt have to worry about any v8s,coz u wnt b able to give them away!😬😬😬👀👀💀💀💀👎👎👎👎🇬🇧🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦🇿🇦
Petrol is dirt cheap at the moment….
So enjoy the car while you can…
But as a weekender, you don’t feel the 12mpg ….
more interested in BEX than BENZ lol
Both sound like high maintenance…..🙂🙂
Don't buy one .
Nightmare cars everything goes wrong
Not classic. Only SLR McLaren is.