SL/R230: Damp / wet boot?
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 69
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From: West Sussex
SL500 (New 2002 Shape)
Originally Posted by blueSL
Your experience of calling Mercedes mirrors mine; you just get through to a Call Centre somewhere where the people know little and care less.
You have to take the toughest line with the dealer. Your contract is with them, not Mercedes. If the problem cannot be fixed by them, only they can escalate through Mercedes to get it fixed. Product quality is right up on their agenda so you just have to shout long enough and hard enough to get it fixed.
Tony, you don't seem to me to be the sort of guy who will be fobbed off by some cretinous service advisor, do nothing but talk to the dealer principal.
You have to take the toughest line with the dealer. Your contract is with them, not Mercedes. If the problem cannot be fixed by them, only they can escalate through Mercedes to get it fixed. Product quality is right up on their agenda so you just have to shout long enough and hard enough to get it fixed.
Tony, you don't seem to me to be the sort of guy who will be fobbed off by some cretinous service advisor, do nothing but talk to the dealer principal.
MBUK are now coming down to inspeat the car next week, it took them two and a half weeks for there first appointment.(They must be vey busy with loads of quality issues). In between times the dealer has loaned a brand new S Class.
Regards,
Philip
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
I got my leak fix last week. There is a service bulletin to adjust the drain. For some reason the drain hose was kinking. I can hear the water drain down the tubes when I spray water on the trunk. Lets hope that my leak is fix.
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Maryland
2003 SL500
The leak is back again!!!
After showing the dealer where the waqter was actually coming into the trunk, now only six weeks later it has started again! Now for the sixth time, the car is back in the shop with a very upset owner (me..) beginning to have serious discussions with the Operations Manager, the General Manager and soon my lawyer. Has anybody had any luck with a MB buy-back without going the full Lemon Law suit process? I have a Mercedes lease with 15 more months to go. I offered to enter into a new lease on a new car, just do an early termination of my current lease! Yes, I still love the car, just not the one I have that has had so many problems besides the trunk leak, such as roof leak, transmission leaking (had to be removed and new seals put in it), catalytic converter replaced, brake rotors, cold air leaks from the console...... A BMW 645 is the only other car that come to mind, but it is such a step down! 
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2005
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Water leak
Dear all
I am currently suing Mercedes because my trunk keeps leaking and the central locking (x4) and hardtop(x3) keeps breaking amongst other things
If anyone has any similar problems can you please contact me on rsilva@gmx.de.
Especially if they live in Uk or Europe. I am collecting evidence to prove that the leak is a construction error in the early models. Mercedes knows about it but refuses to acknowledge it.
Thanks
Ro
Surrey, UK
I am currently suing Mercedes because my trunk keeps leaking and the central locking (x4) and hardtop(x3) keeps breaking amongst other things
If anyone has any similar problems can you please contact me on rsilva@gmx.de.
Especially if they live in Uk or Europe. I am collecting evidence to prove that the leak is a construction error in the early models. Mercedes knows about it but refuses to acknowledge it.
Thanks
Ro
Surrey, UK
Last edited by rsilva; Jun 20, 2005 at 05:58 PM.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Maryland
2003 SL500
Still leaking after six repairs!
Here's a picture taken today after a quick wash in my driveway! I have contacted the www.lemonlaw.com law firm and they have agreed to take my case at no charge to me on a Breach of Warranty basis. MBUSA called me yesterday to discuss what was wring and they wanted to have yet another try to fix it! I told them somewhat politely that they have had their chances, six of them to be exact. If they want to terminate my lease after the 25 months I've had it at no cost to me, I'd not go through the law suit. I gave them five days to make a decision. It's going to get fun before it's over!
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
I wash my car today and both of my partition flaps are wet like in the picture above. I called customer car and reported the water leaking problem to them and they act like I am the only one.
I just do not want my dealer touching my car because they damage my car when they try to repair. Look at the scratches and gauges in the paint next to the seal.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...0&page=1&pp=50
I just do not want my dealer touching my car because they damage my car when they try to repair. Look at the scratches and gauges in the paint next to the seal.
https://mbworld.org/forums/showthrea...0&page=1&pp=50
Last edited by tiggerfink; Jun 23, 2005 at 10:08 PM.
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 69
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From: West Sussex
SL500 (New 2002 Shape)
After reading alot of threads about boot water leaks on the SL R230. It looks to me that Mercedes Benz have a big issue.
This weekend I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I lifting the boot of the display SL65 and the bottom of the boot was damp. (That was on a brand new Demo Car.)
After asking questions on this forum, my conclusion is that most SL drivers keep there cars in a garage and don't really know if there boot / trunk leaks.
On my last repair it looks like MB changed the boot lifing mechanism, however the dealer is not willing to say what was changed or provide a report. All i could get from them was they spent £800 on parts.
As it hasn't rained much since the repair, I am unaware if it still leaks. I will keep you posted.
This weekend I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I lifting the boot of the display SL65 and the bottom of the boot was damp. (That was on a brand new Demo Car.)
After asking questions on this forum, my conclusion is that most SL drivers keep there cars in a garage and don't really know if there boot / trunk leaks.
On my last repair it looks like MB changed the boot lifing mechanism, however the dealer is not willing to say what was changed or provide a report. All i could get from them was they spent £800 on parts.
As it hasn't rained much since the repair, I am unaware if it still leaks. I will keep you posted.
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Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,111
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From: Memphis
SL500 and A-CLASS
Originally Posted by PJMusgrave
After reading alot of threads about boot water leaks on the SL R230. It looks to me that Mercedes Benz have a big issue.
This weekend I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I lifting the boot of the display SL65 and the bottom of the boot was damp. (That was on a brand new Demo Car.)
After asking questions on this forum, my conclusion is that most SL drivers keep there cars in a garage and don't really know if there boot / trunk leaks.
On my last repair it looks like MB changed the boot lifing mechanism, however the dealer is not willing to say what was changed or provide a report. All i could get from them was they spent £800 on parts.
As it hasn't rained much since the repair, I am unaware if it still leaks. I will keep you posted.
This weekend I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I lifting the boot of the display SL65 and the bottom of the boot was damp. (That was on a brand new Demo Car.)
After asking questions on this forum, my conclusion is that most SL drivers keep there cars in a garage and don't really know if there boot / trunk leaks.
On my last repair it looks like MB changed the boot lifing mechanism, however the dealer is not willing to say what was changed or provide a report. All i could get from them was they spent £800 on parts.
As it hasn't rained much since the repair, I am unaware if it still leaks. I will keep you posted.
Might want to contact rsilva, because he needs evidence that he is not the only person with a water leak in the trunk. I saw pictures of his truck and it is rusting very badly. I took a look at my trunk below the spare tire and could not believe I had rust everywhere.
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MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
Are you able to say whether the trunk leaks just because the car is left out in the rain or does it have to be driven in the rain for the water to get in? I can see the example above happened when the car was washed but what about your car?
Is the water in the trunk clean or dirty? If it's clean, that suggests leaking when the car is standing in the rain, if it's dirty, it suggests leaking while the car is being used in the rain.
Are you able to say which edge of the lid is leaking? Looks to me that run off from the sides and rear edge of the trunk lid will unlikely cause a problem but that run off from the roof and rear window could be channelled into the trunk through a leaking seal.
I've tried simulating rain with a hose on mine and even a jet wash along the seams and can find no trace of leaking.
One thing I do notice about this car though is how dirty the rear of the trunk lid gets when the car is driven in the rain. The aerodynamics seem to be playing a part here. The trunk lid licence plater carrier is a separate part from the the main trunk lid to accomodate different licence plate sizes according to country and I'm wondering whether the seam between the two is leaking.
Surprised you could not winkle out of the dealer what they did to the car... you're not the sort of person to be fobbed off by some ingratiating service advisor.
Is the water in the trunk clean or dirty? If it's clean, that suggests leaking when the car is standing in the rain, if it's dirty, it suggests leaking while the car is being used in the rain.
Are you able to say which edge of the lid is leaking? Looks to me that run off from the sides and rear edge of the trunk lid will unlikely cause a problem but that run off from the roof and rear window could be channelled into the trunk through a leaking seal.
I've tried simulating rain with a hose on mine and even a jet wash along the seams and can find no trace of leaking.
One thing I do notice about this car though is how dirty the rear of the trunk lid gets when the car is driven in the rain. The aerodynamics seem to be playing a part here. The trunk lid licence plater carrier is a separate part from the the main trunk lid to accomodate different licence plate sizes according to country and I'm wondering whether the seam between the two is leaking.
Surprised you could not winkle out of the dealer what they did to the car... you're not the sort of person to be fobbed off by some ingratiating service advisor.
Almost a Member!
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 29
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From: Maryland
2003 SL500
The leak continues...
After six times at the dealer to fix the leak, I finally offered them a deal that they should not have refused, but they did! I discussed the deal with the MBUSA rep and told him that each of the three times they replaced the trunk seals, the leak stopped for about a month only to start again. I has asked they do an early termination of my lease and I'd lease a new one. Since they want to pretend that I am the only one with this problem, and want to play hardball, I decided to become even more hard-headed myself and file a Breach of Warranty lawsuit, which if successful, would return all my money for the car, plus legal fees (no cost to me if we lose). It's going to cost MBUSA much more this way! MBUSA want one more try to fix the car, which is actually required in the Magnuson-Moss Warranty Act. They want to use a regional specialist to work on the car, but his first availability was over three weeks out! Does this provide a hint of the magnitude of MB problems? They will replace the seals yet again and it will stop the leak for a while, but the attorney said it didn't matter, we still have the law suit going forward. It's now a manhood issue.....
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Originally Posted by PJMusgrave
After reading alot of threads about boot water leaks on the SL R230. It looks to me that Mercedes Benz have a big issue.
This weekend I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I lifting the boot of the display SL65 and the bottom of the boot was damp. (That was on a brand new Demo Car.)
After asking questions on this forum, my conclusion is that most SL drivers keep there cars in a garage and don't really know if there boot / trunk leaks.
On my last repair it looks like MB changed the boot lifing mechanism, however the dealer is not willing to say what was changed or provide a report. All i could get from them was they spent £800 on parts.
As it hasn't rained much since the repair, I am unaware if it still leaks. I will keep you posted.
This weekend I went to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. I lifting the boot of the display SL65 and the bottom of the boot was damp. (That was on a brand new Demo Car.)
After asking questions on this forum, my conclusion is that most SL drivers keep there cars in a garage and don't really know if there boot / trunk leaks.
On my last repair it looks like MB changed the boot lifing mechanism, however the dealer is not willing to say what was changed or provide a report. All i could get from them was they spent £800 on parts.
As it hasn't rained much since the repair, I am unaware if it still leaks. I will keep you posted.
Hi PJ
do you have any problems with your SL. Mine has been leaking and I am suing Mercedes for buy back. would be great if you could tell me about your experiences.
Greatly appreciated
Ro
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 69
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From: West Sussex
SL500 (New 2002 Shape)
Since my last posting, the car has leaked water into the boot again. This time 1" over two days of rain.
I phoned the dealer and they said "that they were very sorry, but they are unable to repair the water leak". The dealer has arranged for Mercedes Benz Technical to inspect the car on the 22nd November, 2005.
I asked the dealer whether MBUK has found a cure to the SL's leaking boots, there reply was "not really, all they could do is fit new seals again and hope it stops the problem
We have now written to the UK's SMMT New Car Practice Conciliation Service for help. They have now replied to say that they are going to investigate the problem with Mercedes Benz.
If any one else owns a Mercedes R230 SL in the UK with a wet boot, please also write to :
The SMMT New Car Code of Practice Conciliation Service
PO Box 44755
London
SW1X 7WU.
I took a movie and photo's of the latest water leaks if anyone is interested ?
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I phoned the dealer and they said "that they were very sorry, but they are unable to repair the water leak". The dealer has arranged for Mercedes Benz Technical to inspect the car on the 22nd November, 2005.
I asked the dealer whether MBUK has found a cure to the SL's leaking boots, there reply was "not really, all they could do is fit new seals again and hope it stops the problem
We have now written to the UK's SMMT New Car Practice Conciliation Service for help. They have now replied to say that they are going to investigate the problem with Mercedes Benz.
If any one else owns a Mercedes R230 SL in the UK with a wet boot, please also write to :
The SMMT New Car Code of Practice Conciliation Service
PO Box 44755
London
SW1X 7WU.
I took a movie and photo's of the latest water leaks if anyone is interested ?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 256
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From: New Jersey ~ Monmouth County
2005 SL 500
I have a leak in the same place but on the opposite side as Cwoods' picture. Had it in for service a couple months ago. Water stopped leaking for about a week then started again. I put plastic down along with a towel. Its just a drip, so the towel can handle it. Bringing it in for the A service tomorrow and I'm going to have them look at the trunk leak again. I'll let everyone know how it ends up.
Is your leak coming from the same area PJ?
Is your leak coming from the same area PJ?
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3
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A close friend has an SL55 which is currently at the MB dealer for repair. Its an 02 model and it started like this.
- central locking stopped working, then roof wouldn't come down. When opening the boot he noticed about 2-3 inches of water in the boot. After taking it to a dealer they quoted him £1250 for repair, but since then they have said they had to smash a light to open the boot (after smashing the light it still wouldn't open) charging him another £175 for it then said another pump had gone kapput under the floor(another £300).
After reading this thread, its obviously a design/installation error on the part of MB. Did anybody manage to get a successful resolution to this matter?
He bought the car in Aug 2005 from Mercedes Benz Direct UK, were there any service notes/recalls related to this issue that may not have been carried out?
Would be grateful for the latest info on this matter,
thanks
Simon
- central locking stopped working, then roof wouldn't come down. When opening the boot he noticed about 2-3 inches of water in the boot. After taking it to a dealer they quoted him £1250 for repair, but since then they have said they had to smash a light to open the boot (after smashing the light it still wouldn't open) charging him another £175 for it then said another pump had gone kapput under the floor(another £300).
After reading this thread, its obviously a design/installation error on the part of MB. Did anybody manage to get a successful resolution to this matter?
He bought the car in Aug 2005 from Mercedes Benz Direct UK, were there any service notes/recalls related to this issue that may not have been carried out?
Would be grateful for the latest info on this matter,
thanks
Simon
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 256
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey ~ Monmouth County
2005 SL 500
The water has stopped leaking in my car ever since the 2nd fix was done. Was about 17 months ago. I have checked a few times since, but it has been a while since I've last checked. Going to check again this morning.
