kostas86

Hey everyone, tommorow I am going to test drive a 2001 SL500 Sport edition.
The car has 58k miles on it.

Anything in particular I should look at?
Or any common problems to know about?

I appreciate any feedback you guys have.

-Dino-

kostas86

No response yet, that's ok, I'll let you guys know how everything goes tommorow when I go to the dealer.

kostas86

Drove the car yesterday.
The car actually has 53k miles on it.

I was impressed with the very comfortable ride, I was expecting it to be more stiff.

Do these cars have a problem with the climate control screen going out?

lynns

Does the car have Xenon headlights? If so then it also gets a CD changer and heated seats as a part of the optional SL2 package and this is what you want.

Please make sure that they take the hard top off and test the functioning of the soft top multiple times. Due to the age of the car I would not expect problems but look for any hydraulic fluid leaks.

Otherwise these cars are bullet proof. I bought my 2000 SL500 Sport with the SL2 package at 20K miles and it now has 31K and I love driven at 80, top down, with the Bose turned up.

Bagger Lance

Not uncommon and its probably not out, just the screen contacts may be slightly separated from the control unit. If you get a chance, firmly press the outer borders of the screen towards the control unit and see if the LED characters come back.
I'm not sure of the permanent fix for this behavior.

Bagger

kostas86

lynns:
It does have the SL2 package with the xenons, heated seats and cd changer.

I had them test the top once, but I'll go back and try it multiple times just in case.

Thanks for the great info

Bagger Lance:
Thanks, I'll try that also when I go back for round 2.
It seems that only certain features on the screen are just a little faded and then darken and then fade again.

lynns

Please read SL500 Climate Control Bulb Replacement

kostas86

Thanks for the great link!

lynns

For pricing please see http://motors.listings.ebay.com/_W0Q...istingItemList

kostas86

Thanks!

crb49

BTW, in case you hadn't guessed (uh huh), Lynn is the Man.

Welcome to the forum and hopefully ownership of one of these great cars. For 129's it's all here and benzworld.org

Great driving car, as you know. I have an '01 with 18K miles. Actually thinking today, one sign of a great car is it does just about everything you ask of it and the 129's certainly do that very well.

Is this a private party or dealer? Extended warranties aren't out of the question. The engines are pretty bullet proof but as mentioned, the hydraulics are a concern, along with stray things that always go wrong. Right now my oil light keeps coming on intermittently but seems to be a sensor problem.

As far as other expenses... they're a Mercedes, they're expensive. (Which is not necessarly a bad thing when they feeel espensive.) Until then Enjoy.

BTW, what are you driving now? Listing it always helps us clarify where you're coming from. Looks like you've been around awhile.




Never mind. I looked. Looks like you turn stuff over.

kostas86

I browse the forum often but don't usually post a lot.
Me and my family have owned Mercedes for awhile, just never had a SL.

It is a dealer car, but not really considering a warranty.
I heard that you don't really have to worry about the hydraulic system until you get close to the 100k mark. Also someone said that the tube for the system is a lot thicker than other Benz models. Is this true?

I was also looking at the C55, but honestly I like the SL500 a lot more.

Currently I have:

1991 190e 2.6 with 58k miles on it (mint)
1990 190e 2.6 (daily driver)
2006 Nissan 350Z(modified)

Other family members:
2001 CLK430
2002 ML430
1989 400E

Benzs sold but not forgotten:
1988 190e 2.6
1991 300CE
1993 300E
1994 E320 Coupe
1999 C43
2000 ML320