SL/R230: Reliability
05-13-2005, 10:07 PM
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Reliability
I'm new here and I know a lot here owns a SL55 or a SL600. I just have one curious question though. Since the SL55 is equipped with a supercharger and the SL600 on the other hand is equipped with twin turbos. Of course when these cars come out form the showroom as new, they're gonna perform well. Come say, after two, three years, (assuming normal use not abusive) who will have lesser problems in terms of mechanical failure? What I meant was that, will there be more problems encountered with the supercharger or with the twin turbos since both have different kind of force induction. 
Last edited by SL%%; 05-13-2005 at 10:09 PM.
05-13-2005, 10:39 PM
#2
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What's interesting is that for all the quality problems people here have had, I don't recall anyone have a significant problem with the engine. The problems are almost always electrical/hydraulic or else build quality issues like water leaks, paint, wheels.
As for the two engines, I do not know which will be more reliable. The turbos have the disadvantage that they run extremely hot so that their life is closely related to how they are used. Early turbo cars used to need the turbos replacing after a few years but there's much more experience with them now and reliability is improved.
The supercharger runs at high speed internally, is more complex than a turbo but runs cooler. Early cars with superchargers like a variant of the Volkswagen Corrado again needed them replacing after 60k miles but again, things have moved on.
Bottom line is it's difficult to say which will be more reliable; what seems certain though is the cost of a new supercharger for an SL55 would be much more than that of a new (pair) of turbos for the SL600.
As for the two engines, I do not know which will be more reliable. The turbos have the disadvantage that they run extremely hot so that their life is closely related to how they are used. Early turbo cars used to need the turbos replacing after a few years but there's much more experience with them now and reliability is improved.
The supercharger runs at high speed internally, is more complex than a turbo but runs cooler. Early cars with superchargers like a variant of the Volkswagen Corrado again needed them replacing after 60k miles but again, things have moved on.
Bottom line is it's difficult to say which will be more reliable; what seems certain though is the cost of a new supercharger for an SL55 would be much more than that of a new (pair) of turbos for the SL600.
05-21-2005, 03:53 PM
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SL65 AMG
Originally Posted by WIldcat465
Just get rid of it once the warranty expires.
05-29-2005, 06:10 PM
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SL65 AMG
Originally Posted by Overclocked412
Well some people have sentimental value attached to their cars and dont want to just throw them away after a few years :-p
05-30-2005, 02:48 AM
#7
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My experience that once the cars have settled down, they are (for the time being) fine. I've just done 1500 miles in mine in a week on vacation and it was perfect.
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05-30-2005, 04:00 AM
#9
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Great drive down through France to the Cote d'Azur and then on to Portofino in Italy to stay at the incomparable www.hotelsplendido.com. That's 1200+ miles. To get back, it's easy to put the car on the train overnight and arrive back on the north coast of France in the morning, saving an extra 800+ miles.
05-30-2005, 06:56 PM
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Originally Posted by Overclocked412
Well some people have sentimental value attached to their cars and dont want to just throw them away after a few years :-p
Last edited by MBZFAN55; 05-30-2005 at 10:41 PM.
