SL/R230: Why SL year is least troublesome?? Actual owners please chime in..
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
SL 500
Why SL year is least troublesome?? Actual owners please chime in..
Gents/Ladies,
I am leaning towards getting a pre-owned SL500 and currently looking at years 2004-2006. I don't wanna purchase a new, since I am looking for a weekend car.
I previously owned an 02' CL500 which was absolutely a nightmare to maintain with consistant ABC issues. My 02' CLK on the other hand was quite reliable but I let it go since the warranty expired.
I am trying to figure out the reliablility of SL 500's post 2003 (the launch year). Knowing that the launch years are problematic for any make/model, I am leaning towards 2004> . My questions to current R230 owners:
1. Have you experienced major issues i.e. ABC malfunctions?
2. Are Electricial gremlins i.e. switches, sensors,etc still present?
3. What maintanence items to expect outside of oil changes, and brakes?
4. What year would you suggest for a CPO SL 500? Any significant improvements from 2003 to 2006?
--
Your thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Amer
I am leaning towards getting a pre-owned SL500 and currently looking at years 2004-2006. I don't wanna purchase a new, since I am looking for a weekend car.
I previously owned an 02' CL500 which was absolutely a nightmare to maintain with consistant ABC issues. My 02' CLK on the other hand was quite reliable but I let it go since the warranty expired.
I am trying to figure out the reliablility of SL 500's post 2003 (the launch year). Knowing that the launch years are problematic for any make/model, I am leaning towards 2004> . My questions to current R230 owners:
1. Have you experienced major issues i.e. ABC malfunctions?
2. Are Electricial gremlins i.e. switches, sensors,etc still present?
3. What maintanence items to expect outside of oil changes, and brakes?
4. What year would you suggest for a CPO SL 500? Any significant improvements from 2003 to 2006?
--
Your thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Amer
Member
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
From: San Francisco Bay Area
2003 SL500
I have a 2003 SL500, purchased July 2003. I have had two issues with it, neither one major, but both recurred a few times until they were finaly resolved. These were:
1) The airconditioner leaked and lost the coolant
2) The trunk seals sometimes leaked water into the trunk if parked outside in rain.
Both issues took multiple attempts to fix before they were finally resolved, but they have been fine since then (about 2 years now, I think).
Aside from that, I have had the SBC recalls, and early on a leak in the transmission drain plug which was found and fixed during a regular service.
Apart from the hassle of multiple return visits for the first two problems, the car has been reliable.
Hope that helps
1) The airconditioner leaked and lost the coolant
2) The trunk seals sometimes leaked water into the trunk if parked outside in rain.
Both issues took multiple attempts to fix before they were finally resolved, but they have been fine since then (about 2 years now, I think).
Aside from that, I have had the SBC recalls, and early on a leak in the transmission drain plug which was found and fixed during a regular service.
Apart from the hassle of multiple return visits for the first two problems, the car has been reliable.
Hope that helps
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,351
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
C63S coupe, X5M
I have ongoing horrendous brake squeal that the morons at Fletcher Jones can't fix (worse then normal, trust me).
The valve body inside my transmission blew out at 11k miles.
Besides that, it's been fine
The valve body inside my transmission blew out at 11k miles.
Besides that, it's been fine
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,261
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
Several MB's Superperformance MK III Cobra
Gents/Ladies,
I am leaning towards getting a pre-owned SL500 and currently looking at years 2004-2006. I don't wanna purchase a new, since I am looking for a weekend car.
I previously owned an 02' CL500 which was absolutely a nightmare to maintain with consistant ABC issues. My 02' CLK on the other hand was quite reliable but I let it go since the warranty expired.
I am trying to figure out the reliablility of SL 500's post 2003 (the launch year). Knowing that the launch years are problematic for any make/model, I am leaning towards 2004> . My questions to current R230 owners:
1. Have you experienced major issues i.e. ABC malfunctions?
2. Are Electricial gremlins i.e. switches, sensors,etc still present?
3. What maintanence items to expect outside of oil changes, and brakes?
4. What year would you suggest for a CPO SL 500? Any significant improvements from 2003 to 2006?
--
Your thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Amer
I am leaning towards getting a pre-owned SL500 and currently looking at years 2004-2006. I don't wanna purchase a new, since I am looking for a weekend car.
I previously owned an 02' CL500 which was absolutely a nightmare to maintain with consistant ABC issues. My 02' CLK on the other hand was quite reliable but I let it go since the warranty expired.
I am trying to figure out the reliablility of SL 500's post 2003 (the launch year). Knowing that the launch years are problematic for any make/model, I am leaning towards 2004> . My questions to current R230 owners:
1. Have you experienced major issues i.e. ABC malfunctions?
2. Are Electricial gremlins i.e. switches, sensors,etc still present?
3. What maintanence items to expect outside of oil changes, and brakes?
4. What year would you suggest for a CPO SL 500? Any significant improvements from 2003 to 2006?
--
Your thoughts appreciated.
Thanks,
Amer
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
SL 500
thanks guys
Thanks for the comments guys. I pulled the trigger and bought an 04' SL 500 few days after i posted my thread. Found one with 20K on the odometer under factory warranty + 4 year additional/100K.
There are quite alot of SLs on the market, but luckily i was able to find one in Diamond Silver with a Designo Teal interior (special offer), thanks to the previous owner
If anyone is in the northern virginia area, I am thinking of a hosting BBQ in Fairfax County somewhere for MB members. Cheers!
Amer
There are quite alot of SLs on the market, but luckily i was able to find one in Diamond Silver with a Designo Teal interior (special offer), thanks to the previous owner
If anyone is in the northern virginia area, I am thinking of a hosting BBQ in Fairfax County somewhere for MB members. Cheers!
Amer
Super Member
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 911
Likes: 1
From: Wichita
2005 SL600, 2011 Honda Odyssey Touring Elite
I hear the 2008's are the least troublesome. After that, the 2007's and then the 2006's. After that, the 2005's and the 2004's. The 2003's bring up the rear.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 325
Likes: 4
2016 s65 Coupe, 2024 GLE53C, 2020 S560
2004 was a good call. Still has the maintainence program with the warranty. That stopped in 2005. Costs of maintaining my 2005 suck. Free on my 2004 and my 2004 sl55 FREE. 04 the right choice. Also, I have friends with nightmare stories of their braking system after repairing the abs recall.
I am not driving fast, I am flying low!
My 3 SL beauties!
Sl600 is faster than the sl55 no matter what the reviews say! Take it from someone who owns both!
2004 SL55
2004 SL600
2005 SL500
2008 sl65 ordered for European delivery!
I am not driving fast, I am flying low!
My 3 SL beauties!
Sl600 is faster than the sl55 no matter what the reviews say! Take it from someone who owns both!
2004 SL55
2004 SL600
2005 SL500
2008 sl65 ordered for European delivery!
Thread Starter
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
SL 500
[QUOTE=erdocslx2;2360400]2004 was a good call. Still has the maintainence program with the warranty. That stopped in 2005. Costs of maintaining my 2005 suck. Free on my 2004 and my 2004 sl55 FREE. 04 the right choice. Also, I have friends with nightmare stories of their braking system after repairing the abs recall.
erdocslx2,
very nice collection u got there..
erdocslx2,
very nice collection u got there..
