Hi everyone,

I am a new member on the forum and would like to say that just like our forums on bimmerfest.com you guys also seem very helpful and I get the idea that the community here is pretty friendly as well.

I have always been a Lexus and BMW fan, so this is my first mercedes benz

However, its also a choice between 2 cars not from a benz dealer, since benz had neither of these cars in the colors/options I wanted.

However I am kinda in a pickle

Option1:

2004 SL600 Designo FireMist / Beige (43,000 KMS -> 27000 Miles)
- AMG Sport Package
- Keyless Go
- and all the other options except Distronic.
- In service date (May 12th 2004)
- 4yrs/80KM (Factory Warranty Expired)
- 5yrs/120KM (Major Components Warranty)
- (Major Componetns Warranty 5yrs/120KM - Valid till May 2009 which thakfully covers the ABC System and the
hydrualic pumps, and roof mechanism too I suppose...a little
explaination on this warranty will help)

Option2:

2006 CLS55 AMG Midnight Blue / Beige (60,000 KMS -> 30,000 Miles)
- Keyless Go
- and similary all options except Dsitronic
- In Service Date (May 31st 2005)
- 4yrs/80KM (Factory Warranty)
- (Valid till May 30 2009)
- Potentially could be extended


I just wanted to tell you I have never been so confused between 2 such wonderful cars in there respective segments, which btw are clean accident free cars (as evident from the carfax/car proofs)

I understand by posting in the SL forums I will get a bias for the SL, which is fine really.

I drove the SL600, and was i amazed

There were a couple of issues with the SL600
- Electrics Consumer Offline
- Reinitialize Tire Pressure Monitor
- Brakes felt a little spongy (a bit of vib at times not all the time though)

So to conclude the SL600 had half of its electronics on some kind of pause function as per the dealer, they were a safety feature because the car had been sitting on his lot for over 8 months

So guys I know i wrote a novel, but please any kind of help would be appreciated. And if you are in Canada, please let me know if there is a good mercedes store to get an inspection from and perhaps even an Extended Limited Warranty from Mercedes or a 3rd Party

Cheers

 

You're probably right that I'm somewhat biased, but logically, you've got your people movers in your other BMW's.

Go for a little, "ME" time with the SL and you'll find solitude in the sun never felt better. The mechanical top is still a marvel BMW can't seem to manage on their premium coupe, the 6.

The "issues" you listed do sound related to long term storage. The SL actually has two batteries. One may be charged enough to run the car but the second may be in need of replacement. That one runs all the "gee whiz" gadgetry in the SL. (be aware it's an MB exclusive battery and hence pricy)
TPM may function with a new battery.

As for the brakes, I'd have the dealer throw in a brake job with the deal. (it's a buyers market, make your demands a part of the deal)

Good luck, either is an excellent choice to bring you over from the "Dark Side".

 

Thanks for your input.
I drove the CLS55AMG on the weekend...and its a fabulous machine but just isnt as smooth and powerful as the mighty twinturbo V12...

Ok so I have decided on the SL600 however,
Before I pull the plug I am taking it to my nearest benz dealer, and they have agreed to perform a general inspection on it (approx an hour),
However I am a bit concered, are there specific items I should ask them to inspect ???

perhaps the brakes?
ABC system?
Intercooler pump?
ball joints and tire rods? etc. etc.


P.S. Report on the electric consumer offline message: The Selling dealer replaced the battery in the trunk (secondary battery), everything is restored back to normal....Thanks Fehmarn

However, everything but the Keyless Go were not working, but then again the remote key's batteries might be weak which may be causing this too or is there some other issue that needs to be addressed

Any ideas would be appreciated, as my selling dealer has been very supportive and will wait until I am satisifed with the Mercedes Inspection.

Also is an I-Pod Kit available from Mercedes for this vehicle, which will integrate with Command? If so I would appreciate some info on that

The battery he put in, according to him is a good one, i asked him if it was MB and he said the latter , should i be concerned

I will ask Benz to perform a brake inspection too, in order to make the selling dealer perform the brake service, he showed me by his little laser light torch that the pads were brand new, however it might be the rotors that need to be replaced


Thanks