I just purchased my 2005 SL-600. Less than 15,000 Miles on it!
I love it but here's the problem.
When I jump on it hard from a very slow roll (did it on test drive) the car starts to take off and then nothing happens!!!

It's like someone disconnected the throttle linkage. It will accelerate but extremely slow even though my foot is all the way to the floor.
It's running,no miss or stumbling, just very very unresponsive. It doesn't matter where the gas pedal is, it just doesn't respond!

The words ESP show on the speedometer side and on the tach side shows something about "bring it to the dealer or some such thing!

The seller freaked and asked what I did. I said nothing! Look at my foot! It's on the the gas pedal and all the way on the floor!! He called his MB service rep. While he was on his cell I pulled over,shut it down and restarted it and it went back to normal. No ESP word or advice about taking it to the dealer. He handed me his cell and the service rep told me it's probably because the owner never got on it. He said "Do it again"

I did and the same thing happened again!

I shut it down,cranked it up and it was back to normal.

We drove to the dealer. The service rep took over and got on it but not as quick with the pedal as I did but the car took off and responded fine.

He assured me the owner always took great care of the car and just to ease my mind he would take it in service and check out everything on the computer.
The car checked out without any problems and he even gave me the 5 page readout.

I was in Miami and proceeded to drive home (New Orleans)

After getting some rest I was up at 05:30 and on my way again.

There was hardly anyone on the interstate so I slowed way down so that when I got on it it would down shift into first gear.

Damn! It did it again!! I did the same restart and then I thought, let me try it with the ESP off and see what happens.

The tires started to break loose and then "BAM!" It did it again!

Now I'm getting pissed because the car is out of warranty (5 yrs old)
and it's Saturday about 06:00 in the morning.

Shut it down. Same old results. Back to normal and I decide to stop and eat breakfast. On the way there, Bink! Engine Check Light pops up!

Now I'm getting a little concerned!

While drinking some coffee I remember Auto Zone has a computer!

I find one on my phone! (How did we survive without these damn Smart Phones!!) The guy says "sure" bring it over and we'll check it out.

I finish up, go outside, crank the Beast up and Walla! The check engine light was out! I'm Happy! I won't hear the wife say" Check engine light!!"
Why did you buy it? They just don't get it!

Anyway, i call Auto Zone and tell the guy what happened and thanks but I'm hitting the road.

It's now Sunday evening and I'm back home and going to go over to Hans and Fritz in the AM.

They have a great reputation and ONLY work on MB's!

What do you people think is going on?

It's only when I punch it past the resistance near the bottom of the pedal that it has this problem. And only when it shift's down to first gear,I think!

Because if I nail it at say 60mph it's no problem.

Thanks for listening!

 

Hm, that's interesting - I am not sure what it could be, but I'd definitely have it checked it out soon. It may be the throttle position sensor, that cuts out the acceleration and is usually only fine again after the car is restarted.

So even with this problem you bought the car? Maybe you should have made sure it was fixed before, or gotten another Sl600 - is it up to you to fix it now?

 

Yes there is definitely something wrong, the V12 should not behave like this, they accelerate seamlessly without hesitation. As to the cause, it could one of many things, have it checked out and please keep us posted.

 

My guess it that is is all in the ESP...it is cutting the power when you lose traction, that is why the restert resets everything. Even with the ESP switch off, there is always a bit of ESP there to keep us alive. I would guess your ESP is a bit touchy, and when those tires break loose, it is doing its job a bit too well.
This one may take some driving to iron out. I'm not a v12 owner, but I have a 2005 S55...I cant even tell when the tires break loose (except for the ESP lights) but they do fairly easily.
Keep driving it and dont regret that purchse just yet, it sounds like the car was not abused if this hasnt been experienced before by the PO.
Mike

 

Thanks for the replies!

Your all some what right.

I took it to an M.B. dealer and they put it on the computer and it showed an accelerator sensor (gas pedal module)

Funny thing is, the more I drive it,my way, the less it has the problem.

So I guess these fine automobiles really do learn your driving habits!

As they say in New Orleans: Yeah, U Rite!!

 

If it's one thing I've learned about cars like these...it's always a sensor that causes these small annoying problems...

I have a similar problem on my E55. I'm looking to change out the O2 sensors to fix it. In the future, just because your Check Engine light goes off, it 's doesn't mean you can't get a code from it. You should have just stopped at that auto zone. I guarantee you would have shown a code...Ask me how I know