Greetings! Thinking of trading my Porsche C4S for a SL. Love the lines with the top up or down, and my track days are behind me.

I have found two cars locally, both are super clean 2008s. One is a 550SL with 19K miles and the other is a 55SL AMG with 14K. Of course the AMG is about $13K higher in price than the SL, but both are doable with a trade in. Still a bit of a stretch for my budget.

Apart from the obvious (major) difference in HP, what other considerations are there? For example, is one more prone to maintenance problems? Or are there known issues with the model year 2008 in either of them? Thanks!

 

Once you go with the SL55 you will not go back. Very little difference in maintenance between the two. You could always look for a 2007 SL55 with low miles and be at the same price as a 2008 SL550. 07 and 08 are basically the same car.

 

Drive both and then decide. The difference in performance is day and night. As for maintenance, its pretty much the same except you pulley and belt.

 

Like he ^ said drive both...but you will go 55...much better feel.

 

The sounds of the 55 will also capture your attention...start one up and hear it puuurr

 

Very true...gotta love it