Mercedes-Benz SL 55 AMG The Best Ever Made Is A $20K

For many of us, getting into a new Mercedes-Benz isn’t very easy. It’s especially difficult if you’re partial to the high-performance AMG models such as the new AMG SL-Series, as its starting price sits at $111,950. With crushed dreams, performance-oriented buyers who want to purchase new – and don’t have six figures on hand to burn – have to settle for something like the Nissan Z at less than half the price, although it’s still a good car.
 

The thing is, you don’t have to write off the ability to own an AMG-tuned Mercedes if you’re okay with buying used. These days, older Mercedes-AMGs are subject to some pretty shocking depreciation, which is bad news for original owners. Good news, however, for the rest of us who may want to pick an older one up. In this instance, we’re looking at the 2002–2006 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG as it has quite a lot going for it, along with a very agreeable average market price.
 
One Of Merc’s Hidden Gems From Yesteryear
2002–2006 Mercedes-Benz SL55 AMG Key Facts
– Currently boasts an average used market price of $26,597.60 across all four model years
– Constituted the pre-facelifted R230-gen SL-Class
– Employs the use of a supercharged V8
 
AMG has long been famous for sitting right next to Mercedes-Benz on its proverbial automotive throne. The two companies have worked on some truly incredible machines over the years, and the SL55 AMG is a prime example. A long time in the making, the 2002 to 2006 SL55 AMG packed more punch than most other sports coupes on the market at the time. 500 horses was pretty wild back then.
 
Its styling, much like other Mercedes models built during that period, is conservative. It does have a bit of sportiness peppered in, evidenced by its fender vents and semi-aggressive front bumper. But, if you just offered the thing a quick glance in a parking lot, you wouldn’t know that hood was hiding just under 500 horsepower. We also have to remember that 500 ponies was no laughing matter. Over 20 years ago, American sports cars like the Mustang GT were only making around 300 horsepower, albeit for a smaller price tag.
 

Issues To Look Out For And Pricing
One of the most glaring issues the 2002 to 2006 SL55 AMG can be prone to is suspension failure. In essence, its Active Body Control suspension fails as time wears on, and the fluid within the shock absorbers leaks out, leading to body sag, poor handling, and a sunken ride. Replacing any components in the ABC system can be expensive, with a new set of shocks costing just under $2,000, and that’s before any installation labor or sales tax.
 
The SL55 AMG also employs the use of a pneumatic system for parts such as the power seats and trunk struts. While much less expensive to replace than the ABC system and its subsequent pieces, having a leaky trunk strut is nothing short of annoying, especially when you’re loading the weekly grocery shop. Various hydraulic leaks in the engine bay, along with carbon buildup in the engine’s throttle body, have been cited as possible issues, as well.
 
The Ins And Outs Of Its V8 Heart
At the center of our SL55 AMG’s performance prowess is its 5.4-liter supercharged V8, an engine praised for a few key reasons. For one, it’s considered to be stupendously reliable, at least when compared to other supercharged motors found in performance-oriented luxury cars of the time. It’s also considered one of the last “great” supercharged Mercedes-Benz engines due to its relative simplicity and ability to produce a great amount of power.
 
On top of its 5.4-liter nuclear bomb of an engine, Merc utilized a five-speed automatic transmission. The SL55 AMG’s ABC suspension setup, when working, is able to create a ride that’s, reportedly, equally capable of providing a comfortable cruising experience while also allowing for a firm and collected experience when asked to corner hard. A limited-slip electronic differential was used, as well.
 
To me, the standout feature of the SL55 AMG was its dual personality. It would happily trundle along at 20 mph, treating the driver and one passenger to the best comfort features available at the time. And then you’d get to an open patch of road, lower the roof, and enjoy that supercharged V8. The noise and straight-line speed were stupendous. – Gerhard Horn, Senior Editor.
 

Fierce Competition To Contend With
The luxury-performance market has always been a heated one, especially when it comes to European cars. Loads of higher-end automakers built, and still build, cars that are capable of proving a smooth ride down a coastal road or setting your pants on fire along a twisty B-road. Makes such as Maserati and Jaguar come to mind, so we’ll compare our SL55 AMG to a couple of models produced by those two, the Spyder and the XKR, respectively.
 
Maserati Spyder (2002–2007)
One of the most exciting aspects of the Maserati Spyder was its Ferrari-bred heart, as its engine was developed with help from the iconic Italian carmaker. The Spyder was only produced for a total of five years, from 2002 to 2007, and its sales weren’t as great as Maserati had hoped. Despite this, it’s still a relatively sought-after model. However, as older Maseratis aren’t known for being particularly reliable, buying one may not be the most financially-sound decision.
 
Jaguar XKR (1996–2006)
When it comes to styling, the Jaguar XKR takes the cake between the SL55 AMG and the Maserati Spyder. At least we think so. Not to mention, the XKR packs a hefty punch with its 4.2-liter supercharged V8. The first-gen XKR was made famous by James Bond in the movie Die Another Day. While the production model doesn’t have the gadgets or guns of the one seen in the film, it looks as though it was designed with them in mind. It’s also quite a bit cheaper compared to our SL55 AMG.