SL/R230: ABC suspension, command module, rooftop assembly
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
I think the point was that this isn't really a car that can be bought on the cheap. The first payment (the purchase price) depends on what price you pay the dealer, but whatever that first payment is, you will continue to pay down the line the same costs that the very first owner would've paid. If you're unwilling to pay the repair costs at this point, wait until you are comfortable doing so.
It's like any other car -- take care of the maintenance and it will largely take care of you, but after a couple hundred thousand miles any car will probably need a new transmission, for example, no matter how gentle you are on it over those miles. If you accept that it is possible you'll have to pay for the struts, or the COMAND module, or roof components, then you'll be able to prepare for it, rather than hoping that babying it will somehow keep this from happening.
I don't think anyone here wants to keep you from the car -- I think we're just worried that we've heard a lot of hoping that reality won't end up on your doorstep, and we don't like seeing people's high expectations get dashed. You're asking us for advice on how to cut corners on a car whose corners can't really be cut.
Last edited by mlandis; Feb 22, 2009 at 02:20 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
BTW, don't think I don't know where you're coming from. I fell in love with the SL with the prior generation. I started saving around 2002. When the R230 came out in 2003, I practically swooned. In 2004 I told a salesman at an auto dealer that I wanted a test drive because I was planning on buying the car in 2010. He laughed at me and compared me buying the car to him wanting to date Christie Brinkley. He was basically telling me that I was incapable of buying the car. Well, in 2009 I bought a 2007, because I didn't like the 2009 design changes. If the changes hadn't been made, I still was on track to buy it new in 2010.
The main difference I see between our stories is that I was willing to wait until I was able to buy the car on the car's terms (in terms of cost of ownership). It sounds like you are trying the buy the car on your terms. What if the car refuses to meet you halfway? Are you ready to deal with that?
The main difference I see between our stories is that I was willing to wait until I was able to buy the car on the car's terms (in terms of cost of ownership). It sounds like you are trying the buy the car on your terms. What if the car refuses to meet you halfway? Are you ready to deal with that?
Last edited by mlandis; Feb 22, 2009 at 02:46 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 894
Likes: 1
I think that fits you perfectly.
You will be paying "repair" cost on the car, in some form or fashion. Flat tires, oil changes, occasional scrapes and bumps on bumpers, door dings, broken suspension, cigarette burns on the interior, drink spills, running your car into rodents, meteorites slamming into your car, etc.
Again, what the last six months have told us. Cars are just toys. Enjoy it and don't worry about the value.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Why have a Corvette when you're doing Corolla speeds?I exercise my cars regularly and they typically reward me with years of great running -- as long as I do the proper maintenance. That said, I do have funds stashed for repairs on the SL, just in case!
Rook
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Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 69
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03 SL500
Seriously BAM BAM,
Go get your SL500 and get an extended warranty. Pick one up with 50k miles and get a 5/60 warranty. You'll be good till 110k miles and 2014. You probably won't have the car that long.
You cannot get the car and then not use it, that is a total waste of money. If the top broker while it was closed would you seriously not get it fixed? You'd be happy with a SL500 coupe?
Go get your SL500 and get an extended warranty. Pick one up with 50k miles and get a 5/60 warranty. You'll be good till 110k miles and 2014. You probably won't have the car that long.
You cannot get the car and then not use it, that is a total waste of money. If the top broker while it was closed would you seriously not get it fixed? You'd be happy with a SL500 coupe?
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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non
You cannot get the car and then not use it, that is a total waste of money.
If the top broker while it was closed would you seriously not get it fixed? You'd be happy with a SL500 coupe?
Last edited by Bam Bam; Feb 24, 2009 at 03:52 AM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
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From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Granted, if the roof broke in the up position, you could delay getting it fixed. Well, some people could -- I would not be able to stand it. Convertible hard-top FTW!
Rook
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 69
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03 SL500
Using it means driving on the highway and going 55 or 65 mph. From your posts it sounds like you are trying not to use many of the features that come with the car. I don't know what your definition of abuse it for a car. But driving in on the highway and city streets and using the features that it comes with is not abusing it.
Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 229
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From: San Francisco, CA
SL500
Wow. Just to paint a picture in my head... you're really going to be driving down the highway watching your speedo, keeping in mind that anything that deviates from 70mph may be harmful to your ABC?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessi...lsive_disorder
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessi...lsive_disorder
Super Member
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 828
Likes: 1
From: Northern VA
SL 500
I guess like anyone on the topic has already said. You buy such cars to enjoy them. If repairs and cost of ownership is causing you to lose sleep,then, honestly this may not be the car for you. Be wise and get a comprehensive warranty. If you cant afford a warranty, you will likely need deep pockets for expenses down the line.
Last edited by djamer; Feb 24, 2009 at 03:15 PM.
Thread Starter
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non
Wow. Just to paint a picture in my head... you're really going to be driving down the highway watching your speedo, keeping in mind that anything that deviates from 70mph may be harmful to your ABC?
If you cant afford a warranty, you will likely need deep pockets for expenses down the line.
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03 SL500
Senior Member
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Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
Good thing I'm not planning to have kids or retire...
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Feb 2009
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non
I'm going to have a hard time parting with my SL unless MB does a really good update in their next design.
Chrysler has a hardtop convertible called the sebring. If by 2019 that thing looks a lot better and starts to have the look of the R230 then I wouldnt mine getting one of those. Buts its a big if.
http://www.chrysler.com/en/2009/sebring_convertible/
Get a 6yr 72k warranty and you can drive a 50k SL500 to 122k and 2015!
Last edited by Bam Bam; Feb 25, 2009 at 03:13 AM.
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
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From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
Waitaminute? Back up. You can plan to have kids? Damn, living here in South Louisiana they just pop them out after a Friday night bender. Or, if you're like my sister and her husband, you get pregnant while only one of you are gainfully employed at the magnificent salary of $10 per hour. Bah.
Rook
Rook
Member
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 244
Likes: 1
From: Louisiana
2005 SL500
I literally drove all these cars and only found one that even dared to compete with the SL:
- 2008 Mazda Miata MX-5, nice but small. No real storage space.
- 2009 Crysler Sebring hardtop convertible, utter crap, no power, bad build quality, soul-sucking horribleness.
- 2008 Mustang, both the V6 and the GT (V8), nice power but bad build quality. The ride quality also strangely sucked quite badly. The GT was especially skittish in turns even with no power on. Top operation required manual intervention (unlock roof latches) and the interior design leaves something to be desired. For 300hp, there's a lot of theatre (noise and rumble) but no real go.
- 2009 Saturn Sky Red Line, really really fun and the ride quality is nice and sporty. Absolutely no storage space and the top operation is completely manual -- and a complete pain in the a$$. This would be a really nice fun sunny-day garage car if you can pick one up on the cheap.
- 2007 Jaguar XK, a really really nice car. Unfortunately for me, they are holding their value quite well and I was going to have to wait until I could afford one sometime much later in 2009. My first choice was the Jag until I test drove the SL this past October (2008). I do find that the hard top is much better than any soft top out there. Obviously, this one is a definite competitor to the SL. At 300hp though, they are behind compared to the SL550 it competes with.
Rook
Member
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 231
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From: San Francisco, CA
2008 M6 Vert
[/LIST]I'll just say now that if any domestic auto maker comes close to the SL, they'll have a winner on their hands. The Jag and 650Ci are close but are just as expensive. The real trick is to make it less expensive to buy, then there will be sales!
Rook[/QUOTE]
But if its less expensive to buy, they will have to sell volume to make up for the R&D costs. Also remember that the SL is the top of the line roadster that MB carries. If it didnt look that great, people would just buy the SLK which is 1/2 the price.
Rook[/QUOTE]
But if its less expensive to buy, they will have to sell volume to make up for the R&D costs. Also remember that the SL is the top of the line roadster that MB carries. If it didnt look that great, people would just buy the SLK which is 1/2 the price.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 337
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From: Montrose, CA
2007 SL550
I think this goes back to the old adage -- you get what you pay for.
