Picked up a new toy! (AMG content)

[shanecarmaster1]

Life has been fruitful lately, so I was able to pick up a car I've always wanted. First order of business is a mild drop via STAR, which is nice and easy due to the SL55 having hydraulic suspension. Also not sure how to feel about the AMG Monoblocks, which are very 90s for an otherwise sleek and timeless car. But still, this thing is sick!

20180726_142711 by Shane Giumarello, on Flickr
20180726_142645 by Shane Giumarello, on Flickr
20180726_142622 by Shane Giumarello, on Flickr

Edit:

All fixed and some "proper" wheels...

20180921_163910 by Shane Giumarello
20180921_164344 by Shane Giumarello
20180921_164243 by Shane Giumarello
20180921_164222 by Shane Giumarello

[board57796]

Beauty. I love SLs. My uncle had that gen SL65 and now a 2017 SL65 he “loans” me when we visit in California and it is such a beast.

[shenofjo]

ive always liked its looks when driving on the road. dont see too many nowadays. congrats! how does it handle? and what engine configuration?

[dannyzabolotny]

ive always liked its looks when driving on the road. dont see too many nowadays. congrats! how does it handle? and what engine configuration?

It's a 5.5L SOHC V8 with a roots-style supercharger bolted on top. It's a pretty robust setup and can be tuned to 600+ horsepower pretty easily.

[shanecarmaster1]

Thank you! She definitely puts the e38 to shame in handling, that's for sure. It shocked me how well a 4.5k lb car handles - it has a coherence to it and the ABS suspension is so supple but so controlled and flat. I can't even imagine how it must have felt in 2001/2002 to drive new. This particular one also sold me with the condition of the interior and the aluminum trim! That trim is rare as hen's teeth in America, but REALLY gives a slick look instead of the throw up color wood they mostly used.

The car is a cherry except for an issue that happened yesterday with the front Vario roof front actuator blowing a seal, and the top stopped working because the fluid got too low. The actuators aren't expensive, but the job SUCKS. I might try to do the Easter egg where you can slice and splice the hydraulic lines instead of removing them from all the way back to the pump in the trunk. But, for now I need to smile and nod and enjoy her for a few days before stressing about it.

[purplecty]

Wow shane! Did you get rid of anything or just added thos to the stable for fun? Beautiful ride and one of my favorites!

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[absolutezero273]

Very nice! Not to make you dwell on it but how involved is the repair you're talking about?

[shanecarmaster1]

Wow shane! Did you get rid of anything or just added thos to the stable for fun? Beautiful ride and one of my favorites!

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Thanks! Done up the right way, they can really be out of this world good looking. I only added it to the stable - I didn't sell anything.

Very nice! Not to make you dwell on it but how involved is the repair you're talking about?

That depends. By the book, you have to manually raise the roof to its highest position, unscrew the torx that mount the headliner, slide it off, then remove the actuator and its 12 feet of lines all the way back to the pump in the trunk. So far the solution I've come up with is not only a higher quality rebuilt actuator, but also these hydraulic line crimp things where you can cut the line at the actuator and insert the new actuator with a few inches of lines without having to remove it all from the trunk. My Mercedes Catalog Manager at FCP Euro is going to help me with it, so hopefully we can get that going again! Every step makes me nervous, though.

[RVAE34]

Nice score! Would love to know what you paid. These cars were around $125k new back in the day IIRC.

[absolutezero273]

Found one for you Brandon. https://grandrapids.craigslist.org/c...647629095.html

- - - Updated - - -

That depends. By the book, you have to manually raise the roof to its highest position, unscrew the torx that mount the headliner, slide it off, then remove the actuator and its 12 feet of lines all the way back to the pump in the trunk. So far the solution I've come up with is not only a higher quality rebuilt actuator, but also these hydraulic line crimp things where you can cut the line at the actuator and insert the new actuator with a few inches of lines without having to remove it all from the trunk. My Mercedes Catalog Manager at FCP Euro is going to help me with it, so hopefully we can get that going again! Every step makes me nervous, though.

If you've got a higher quality actuator and the ability to repair/crimp lines in situ sounds like your odds are pretty good at making a quality repair.

[RVAE34]

Holy cow!! 15,500. Seems like a bargain!

[absolutezero273]

Can't tell if that's sarcasm or genuine surprise. I'll guess the former.

But I was surprised, myself, to see that was close the the kbb price on those.

[shanecarmaster1]

Holy cow!! 15,500. Seems like a bargain!

That was pretty much the cost of mine 105k miles, cherry maintenance records, absolutely perfect cosmetic condition. I'm going to get the Pressertech tune for 89 lb ft of torque and 30 hp to make 530 hp and 605 ft lbs of torque... I call it a win. The car is a monster and actually handles and rides amazingly. I'm finishing my stiff double, eating dinner, and making my way back to work (FCP Euro) to lower her a bit via STAR. I adore this car.

[absolutezero273]

So what pulled you in the direction of the SL 55 AMG? Was it the combination of performance/comfort and being a roadster? Just curious.

[absolutezero273]

I take that back Brandon. I do see there are a number of others for sale at MUCH higher prices.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ct...648856426.html

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/c...644795792.html

[shanecarmaster1]

It seems my bliss was short lived. I was on my way home from work after a successful STAR lowering when I was on the highway and the Check Engine light came on, it started stumbling, then a HUGE puff of white smoke came pouring out the back. I pulled over and it was barely idling, then it wouldn't start again. It wreaks of gas when you try to start it. After a few times of it only cranking, it would crank a little bit then stop like it was stuck, but it kept changing. Codes are for a few misfires on one bank. I was sick about it last night as I was on the side of the road, but I luckily have enough support in my life that it may not be too bad. I've gone from fearing a nuked engine to fearing a possible exponential catalytic converter replacement.

[Coslin]

It seems my bliss was short lived. I was on my way home from work after a successful STAR lowering when I was on the highway and the Check Engine light came on, it started stumbling, then a HUGE puff of white smoke came pouring out the back. I pulled over and it was barely idling, then it wouldn't start again. It wreaks of gas when you try to start it. After a few times of it only cranking, it would crank a little bit then stop like it was stuck, but it kept changing. Codes are for a few misfires on one bank. I was sick about it last night as I was on the side of the road, but I luckily have enough support in my life that it may not be too bad. I've gone from fearing a nuked engine to fearing a possible exponential catalytic converter replacement.

Oh, man. That sucks! Sounds like the seller might have been hiding something prior to the sale. Keep us posted. i'm interested in finding out what happened.

[RVAE34]

Fingers crossed that it's nothing major. Those engines are apparently very easy to work on from what I had read when I had my E63 AMG. If you do end up in the bay, make it a monster!

[Jerry Scholder]

I take that back Brandon. I do see there are a number of others for sale at MUCH higher prices.

https://pittsburgh.craigslist.org/ct...648856426.html

https://chicago.craigslist.org/sox/c...644795792.html

Bring a Trailer (B.A.T.) always has some nice cars on Auction; fun to watch.

[Jamos]

Bogged down then white smoke, then wouldn't start - sounds like a spark issue to me? Too much unburned fuel then it died. Hope that's all it was!? Would explain why the cats were/are dead

[shanecarmaster1]

It turned out being a stuck open injector, but since I cranked it one too many times, it was too much raw fuel in the engine and grenaded the bottom end. She's in the middle of an engine transplant right now

[Coslin]

Awww.. that sucks. But hey, new heart, new lease on life!

[Aitch]

Ouch!

[Jamos]

Great, now I feel bad for saying that I hope it was just unburned fuel! That's horrible man, good job getting a transplant in order though! May I ask what this is costing? Is there a "core" charge or anything that you're able to take advantage of?

[absolutezero273]

Sorry to hear things went south so quickly on your new ride. What is your ETA with the new engine?