Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG (R230) Disclaimer : This collection of info, links, etc., does not imply any endorsement or guarantee of fitness of a given product or service producer, and also may be subject to errors or omissions. Updated - 21 October 2015 SL55 AMG - The German Bentley Overview Mercedes seem to have created the perfect car. Superb quality, gorgeous looks, super car performance and at the touch of a button it becomes a convertible! The V8 engine from the SL500 has been heavily modified by AMG resulting in a near 50% increase in power. This is enough to propel the SL55 to over 200mph with speed restrictor removed. Braking is excellent thanks to 8-pot vented discs and ESP brake by wire technology, while the SL55 becomes the first Mercedes to feature pushbutton sequential gear shift. Handling is assisted by state of the art active body control, however it still struggles to cope with the car's enormous 2 ton mass. " With the SL55 AMG, Mercedes has taken its legendary roadster and injected it with a major dose of horsepower that elevates it to near super car status. With nearly 500 horsepower emanating from its supercharged V8, this drop top can outdo most sports cars in a straight line, yet it's still docile enough to go for a top-down Sunday drive. The ridiculously powerful SL65 AMG might overshadow the SL55 in the minds of some buyers, but unless you have regular access to roads resembling the German autobahn, the real-world performance difference will go unnoticed 95 percent of the time. If you're looking for the ultimate combination of open-air fun and unparalleled performance, the SL55 satisfies in ways few other cars can. The SL Through the Years : ! If you want to hear sweet music, attend a concert or purchase a Ferrari. If you want to sit out in the heat in comfort, then find a restaurant or purchase a Bentley. If you have fear of locking your brakes, then buy a GT-R. But...... If you want to stop breathing in 4.8 seconds, If you want your stomach to drop to your seat and your heart to leap into your throat, If you want a machine to give back to you everything you gave to it and then ask for more, If you want to feel the passion of a single man’s heart, then, my good man, you purchase an SL55 AMG. Future Values - Is the SL55 a classic in the making? The SL was and is a classic, so by all means the R230 will be a classic in the future. However, the valuation will drop for years and years for two reasons : 1. Too many were made to make appreciation viable 2. With the next SL out in equally big numbers, the R230 will be the choice of the 'wrong' clientèle (young, posers, drug dealers, etc.) However, having said the aforementioned about the R230’s in general (SL500s, SL550s, SL600s, etc.), perspective changes when you start to look at the AMGs (SL55s, SL65s and SL63s). The AMGs being made in more limited numbers, with supercar performance, improved quality and impressive appearance, this should keep values higher. On top of that, as years pass, there are fewer models remaining on the market, due to accident “write-offs”, neglect (too costly to repair at current values) and some get so heavily modified that normal buyers get scared off, that values of well cared for examples with full dealer service history and only subtle mods, will fetch higher market values. Due to the complexity, unreliability and replacement costs of the infamous Active Body Control (ABC) system, I propose that, even considering my comments in the previous paragraph, that should one convert to an SL350 coil- over system including front and rear sway bars and have them professionally (dealer) installed, your value will possibly even increase over an ABC car, but at the very least, the conversion should not depreciate the car’s value. At about 15 years old, SLs will become classy again to drive. Details Construction Bonnet/hood aluminium Boot/trunk lid aluminium Front wings/fenders aluminium Doors aluminium Inner door shells magnesium Front and rear bumpers composite Engine Specs NOTE : the SL55 AMG engine is bullet-proof, the only issue (minor) are occasional leaking valve cover gaskets. The M113 5.4L supercharged is a supercharged and twin-intercooled version of the 5.4 L (5439 cc) M113 5.4. It is commonly referred to as "M113K" - where 'K' stands for Kompressor (supercharger). Output varies depending on year and model. Video of the engine assembly : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XMlLgl79ek My engine Handcrafted by Florim Avdija, AMG Affalterbach, Germany Bore x Stroke 97.00 mm x 92.00 mm Power 494 bhp @ 6,100 rpm Torque 516 lb/ft @ 2,750 to 4,000 rpm Maximum RPM 6,500 rpm Firing Order 1-5-4-2-6-3-7-8 Compression Ratio 9.5:1 Supercharger Max. Boost 0.8 bar (12 psi) Air Filter Element K&N 33-2181 (2 required) +15hp Oil Filter Oil Mobil 1 10W30 Fully Synthetic (9.0 US qt (8.5 litres) Spark Plugs NGK PFR 5 R-11 (these are Platinum) Spark Plug Gap 0.039 in (1.0 mm) Spark Plug Torque 15 – 22 lb/ft (20 – 30 Nm) In-Line Fuel Filter Poly-V-Belts 2 belts (Length 8ft 1 in (2462 mm) and 4 ft 3 in (1289 mm)) Cooling System Anti-Freeze MB 320.0 anticorrosion/antifreeze with water 50:50 " " " 5-speed Automatic Transmission NOTE : the transmission is also bullet-proof. Gearbox 5-speed Auto Ratios 1st-3.59; 2nd-2.19; 3rd-1.41; 4th-1.00; 5th-0.83 Gear Oil MB Automatic Transmission Fluid (9.1 US qt (8.1 litres)) Final Drive Ratio 2.82 : 1 Oil Hypoid Gear Oil SAE 85 W 90 (1.5 US qt (1.4 litres)) Suspension Front Double Wishbones and Coil Springs with ABC (Active Body Control) Rear Five-link with ABC (Active Body Control) Steering Type Power assisted, rack and pinion Ratio Turn Lock to Lock Turning Circle 36.2 ft Power Fluid MB Power Steering Fluid (Pentosin CHF 11S) Braking System Electronically controlled 4-circuit with 4-wheel discs. Front Brembo Ventilated 14.2” Discs with 8 piston fixed-type callipers Rear Brembo Ventilated 13.0 in Discs with 4 piston fixed-type callipers Master Cylinder Servo-assisted master cylinder Fluid Mercedes-Benz DOT 4+ Sensotronic Brake Control : Electronic braking system transmits brake pressure individually to each wheel based on driver input and various vehicle parameters. Sensotronic optimises brake pressure at each wheel in normal braking, emergency stopping and during ESP activity. “Soft Stop” feature precisely modulates brake pressure as the car approaches a stop during normal braking. Automatic brake drying applies the brakes lightly and briefly based on windscreen wiper use and driver braking intervals, to reduce moisture on the brake surfaces. Predictive brake priming sets the brake pads nearer the discs when the driver quickly releases the accelerator, for faster braking response. Brake Assist : System senses emergency barking via the speed at which the driver presses the brake pedal and immediately applies maximum available braking force, potentially reducing the overall stopping distance by eliminating the delay caused by a common human tendency, not to brake hard enough, soon enough. Letting up on the brake pedal releases “Brake Assist”. Antilock Braking System : ABS senses impending wheel lockup under heavy braking and pumps the front brakes individually or the rear brakes together (to help to maintain stability) as needed, up to 30 times per second, to prevent lockup and maintain steering ability. Sensotronic eliminates the pedal pulsation commonly associated with conventional brake systems and ABS. Electrical Alternator 14 V / 180 A Starter Motor 12 V / 1.7 kW Starter Battery 12 V / 35Ah Consumer/Accessory Battery 12 V / 70Ah Entry & Egress The sport seats are roomy and can be controlled electronically while the Easy Entry system shifts both seats and steering column to make entrance and egress hassle free. Wheels PCD 5 x 112 mm Centre Bore 66.6 mm Std. M.B. Wheel Bolts M14 x 1.5” thread pitch, Ball Seat, Thread Length - 25 - 28mm Standard Original AMG ultra-thin-spoke, light alloy, wheels (Style V) Front 8.5” x 18” ET 30 mm 255/40 R 18 tyres 33 psi ? bar Rear 9.5” x 18” ET 33 mm 285/35 R 18 tyres 34 psi ? bar Note : • Mercedes-Benz wheel bolts have a “Ball Seat”, while most aftermarket wheels require bolts with a “ 60 degree Taper Seat” • Higher positive ET/offset = more”set-in”. (i.e. if original has ET 38, and new has ET 28, then new wheel will sit further out by 10 mm, and will be more flush with fender). • Minimum wheel bolt engagement inside hub is about 1 1/2 times the bolt diameter i.e. 14mm diameter bolt will require at least 21mm engagement inside hub (or another way, 21mm outside inner edge of wheel). ! Currently Fitted : Mandrus Manheim Painted/Gun Metal Front 8.5" x 19" ET 25 mm 255/35 R 19 SKU: W-1985MAH255112B66 Rear 9.5" x 19" ET 25 mm 285/30 R 19 SKU: W-1995MAH255112B66 Wheel Bolts for Mandrus Wheels: M14 x 1.5” pitch, 60ф Taper Seat, Thread Length - ?mm ! NOTE : There is a handy wheel offset calculator at : 1010TIRES.COM - Wheel Offset Calculator Current Tyres Front Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus 95Y M+S (255/35ZR19) All Season Rear Michelin Pilot Sport A/S Plus 95Y M+S (285/30ZR19) All Season NOTE: current A/S tyres are not as good as pure winter/snow tyres, but may be a good all round compromise in areas where winter is not too severe.