SL/R230: Decisions
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Decisions
I have been fortunate enough to walk out of my SL 500 03 Launch Edition, which as you know is a nightmare. I'm able to get a new - 2006 - for an added 25K. My bitterness toward my original car, because of reliability, runs deep. Should I give MB another chance or take the money and run?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 123
2023 BMW 760i and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by josh12
I have been fortunate enough to walk out of my SL 500 03 Launch Edition, which as you know is a nightmare. I'm able to get a new - 2006 - for an added 25K. My bitterness toward my original car, because of reliability, runs deep. Should I give MB another chance or take the money and run?
In 2004 my SL55 was also good.
My 2006 SL600 was a disaster and I dropped it at 2750 miles and lost over $35,000 with taxes.
There is someone on this forum that had to go through 3 brand new SL500's in order to get a good one.
It is an odds game. My guess is that getting a good one is probably over 50/50 but how much over I would not venture to say.
For me, I have given up on Mercedes and will NEVER buy another one, at least not in the foreseeable future.
There are however many on this forum that have had positive experiences.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 504
Likes: 0
2006 Lexus GS300, 2007 Lexus GS350
This is really a tough question because there is no car like a benz. I was faced with this same issue. My #1 value for a car is reliability. I owned a benz that was a nightmare. Over and over I tried to keep her. There just isn't another car with the same teutonic feel. Eventually, I gave in. I now own 2 lexus cars and they are much more reliable. I still remember the feel, the ride, the solid stance, the smell...but in the end I believe I did the right thing. I will own another benz but it will be when they are more reliable. No one will fault you for trying again, though. There is nothing like a benz.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
I will have to make the same decision when my lemon case is over. The SL fits me perfectly. My SL is very quite and drives very well. My only issues with my SL are the water leaks in the trunk and the trim pieces breaking.
The other day I test drove a Jaguar XK convertible and was a little disappointed. The jag was designed for a small person. My head was barley touching the roof and the rear view mirror blocks my view on the right side.
The other day I test drove a Jaguar XK convertible and was a little disappointed. The jag was designed for a small person. My head was barley touching the roof and the rear view mirror blocks my view on the right side.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 633
Likes: 0
From: NY
14 'E550
Originally Posted by tiggerfink
The other day I test drove a Jaguar XK convertible and was a little disappointed. The jag was designed for a small person. My head was barley touching the roof and the rear view mirror blocks my view on the right side.
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
Originally Posted by josh12
I have been fortunate enough to walk out of my SL 500 03 Launch Edition, which as you know is a nightmare. I'm able to get a new - 2006 - for an added 25K. My bitterness toward my original car, because of reliability, runs deep. Should I give MB another chance or take the money and run?
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
"Run Forrest run!"...just kidding
If you do decide to go for it make sure you are permitted to give the car a very long and thorough test drive local/highway while testing every component no matter how minor or major. Of course I realize problems can/will emerge later on but if the car has quite a few issues when new it's not a good sign of things to come.
I've owned many, many new cars mostly European (German and Italian), some have been great while others have been no so great or even worse. The problem I've experienced with MB is they are reluctant to give the dealers the OK to repair what really should have been repaired in the first place in turn making the dealer look bad and frustrating the customer. I have had dealers go the extra mile and always shown my appreciation with years of loyalty. Also MB seems to let new cars be delivered to the dealers right from the factory with well known TSB's being issued months before, this really helped torpedo MB's initial quality ratings.
The SL is a great looking car and you'd hope by now they've got it right.
If you do decide to go for it make sure you are permitted to give the car a very long and thorough test drive local/highway while testing every component no matter how minor or major. Of course I realize problems can/will emerge later on but if the car has quite a few issues when new it's not a good sign of things to come.
I've owned many, many new cars mostly European (German and Italian), some have been great while others have been no so great or even worse. The problem I've experienced with MB is they are reluctant to give the dealers the OK to repair what really should have been repaired in the first place in turn making the dealer look bad and frustrating the customer. I have had dealers go the extra mile and always shown my appreciation with years of loyalty. Also MB seems to let new cars be delivered to the dealers right from the factory with well known TSB's being issued months before, this really helped torpedo MB's initial quality ratings.
The SL is a great looking car and you'd hope by now they've got it right.
Last edited by RJC; Oct 29, 2005 at 10:44 PM.
Trending Topics
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
Get one with a couple thousand miles so you can see the service history. If it has a few k on it with no service issues chances are you get a decent one. Like someone else said, if you want a hardtop convert your options are limited.
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping
Verdad Gallardo
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes Teases Updated EQS With Steer-By-Wire and a Yoke
Verdad Gallardo
8 Mercedes Models With Poor Reliability Records
Verdad Gallardo
Magnificent New Mercedes-Maybach S-Class Revealed: 12 Things to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Member
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 174
Likes: 0
From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
No problems yet
After only 5 weeks of owning my 2006 SL500 it has given me no problems...the breeze in your hair cruising up the coast on a beautiful California day, the rich smell of the car, the tightness of the whole package are unbeatable.
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 482
Likes: 0
From: Northern California
Mercedes C400, BMW X3
I gave up
I owned a 2003 SL500, a 2004 SL55, a 2004 SL500 and a 2005 SL600 then gave up.
How picky are you? Once you spend upwards of $100K for a car, I know that my expectations change. I expect perfection and perhaps no car can deliver on that.
There is no questions that elements of the SL are incredible- the V12 engine for example, the exhaust note on the SL55, the design of the retractable top.
Still there are other examples of things that drove me mad- those SBC brakes are the best example with their noises and squeals and odd feel. All four of my cars had noises associated with the top that required attention. The 7 Speed tranny in my 2004 SL500 was very clunky when cold (subsequent software updates may have cured this). The stereo in my 2005 SL600 was truly embarrassing- it was downgraded from my 2004 car.
I think I will wait for the next generation SL with conventional brakes.
How picky are you? Once you spend upwards of $100K for a car, I know that my expectations change. I expect perfection and perhaps no car can deliver on that.
There is no questions that elements of the SL are incredible- the V12 engine for example, the exhaust note on the SL55, the design of the retractable top.
Still there are other examples of things that drove me mad- those SBC brakes are the best example with their noises and squeals and odd feel. All four of my cars had noises associated with the top that required attention. The 7 Speed tranny in my 2004 SL500 was very clunky when cold (subsequent software updates may have cured this). The stereo in my 2005 SL600 was truly embarrassing- it was downgraded from my 2004 car.
I think I will wait for the next generation SL with conventional brakes.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 123
2023 BMW 760i and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by shoes
The stereo in my 2005 SL600 was truly embarrassing- it was downgraded from my 2004 car.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey ~ Monmouth County
2005 SL 500
What do you mean by downgraded? How was is better in previous versions? Just curious.
I too am disappointed in the quality of my 2005 SL sound system. This is one of the very few things I have been disappointed in with my SL. The sound in my 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI is clearly better.
I too am disappointed in the quality of my 2005 SL sound system. This is one of the very few things I have been disappointed in with my SL. The sound in my 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI is clearly better.
Super Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 513
Likes: 0
the SL sound system has to be modified... the default settings on the system are not very good at all.. modify the bass, and edit the treble around, and it will sound very nice.. was the sound system changed from 2005 vs 2003? I think it sounds great with my changed settings personally..
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 6,061
Likes: 326
From: 2000 ft over the FL coast in a B-17
Various
Originally Posted by tiggerfink
According to the November issue of Road&Track, Maserati will have a hard top convertible in 2007 with a Ferrari engine.
In the same R/T issue I also saw a rendering of the new BMW M1 cabriolet...
If the production car looks anything like the rendering it will be in great demand.
Last edited by RJC; Oct 30, 2005 at 07:56 PM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 2,330
Likes: 0
1967 Morris Cooper "S", 1983 911SC, 1997 Toyota Tacoma, 1999 HD FXSTB, 1998 C43
Kick their lousy *** to the curb...
Originally Posted by tiggerfink
I will have to make the same decision when my lemon case is over. The SL fits me perfectly. My SL is very quite and drives very well. My only issues with my SL are the water leaks in the trunk and the trim pieces breaking.
The other day I test drove a Jaguar XK convertible and was a little disappointed. The jag was designed for a small person. My head was barley touching the roof and the rear view mirror blocks my view on the right side.
The other day I test drove a Jaguar XK convertible and was a little disappointed. The jag was designed for a small person. My head was barley touching the roof and the rear view mirror blocks my view on the right side.
I have a 1997 Toyota and have absolutely NO issues on a car that costs a third of your MB and currently has 127K miles.
Last edited by StapleGun; Oct 30, 2005 at 07:58 PM.
Thread Starter
Almost a Member!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
Thanks for all the feedback. I agree that it is difficult to find an alternative for the SL. About waiting for the 2007 with the new engine I'm afraid that a new model may present a new set of problems. I appreciate MB's truth in advertisement. This picture is an official one from MB that is posted in Edmund's.com.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
Likes: 0
From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
Originally Posted by josh12
Thanks for all the feedback. I agree that it is difficult to find an alternative for the SL. About waiting for the 2007 with the new engine I'm afraid that a new model may present a new set of problems. I appreciate MB's truth in advertisement. This picture is an official one from MB that is posted in Edmund's.com.
That is a common error on new cars. I think the telaid is not activated.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 123
2023 BMW 760i and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by Chris 45971
What do you mean by downgraded? How was is better in previous versions? Just curious.
I too am disappointed in the quality of my 2005 SL sound system. This is one of the very few things I have been disappointed in with my SL. The sound in my 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI is clearly better.
I too am disappointed in the quality of my 2005 SL sound system. This is one of the very few things I have been disappointed in with my SL. The sound in my 2000 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI is clearly better.
If you compare the settings in the 2004 vs the 2005 you will see the software has been changed.
IMHO, the sound system is inferior to the SL sound system of the previous year.
Super Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 746
Likes: 0
From: Bethesda,Md.
Bentley Arnage Red Label
The command system in the 04 is the same cd based system I have in my gwagens. The stereo sound is noticably better on this system compared to the 05 DVD based command I have in the SL. The rest of the command system is better but the radio is worse. I am going to activate the Sat. radio and am hoping it will sound better. I adjusted the settings and the sound still pretty much sucks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,591
Likes: 123
2023 BMW 760i and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by Juice it
The command system in the 04 is the same cd based system I have in my gwagens. The stereo sound is noticably better on this system compared to the 05 DVD based command I have in the SL. The rest of the command system is better but the radio is worse. I am going to activate the Sat. radio and am hoping it will sound better. I adjusted the settings and the sound still pretty much sucks.
