SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Just bought a 2005 SL600

Old May 6, 2010 | 07:15 PM
  #1  
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Just bought a 2005 SL600

I got it, and I am very pleased with the vehicle, but it does have a few issues, first is it needs new rotors up front, and I am also having an issue with the tire monitor system, it starts out with the orange low tire light, and then after driving for a few minutes to get what the tires are inflated to it says tire monitor system inoperable....any ideas? And I have never owned a benz but sell lexus vehicles with ventilated seats, are they just not really good in benz's or should they be fairly cold and mine are just shot?

I am afraid that I have had it for a little over a day now and I have to start buying some parts, I def want the sl63 tails, 3rd brake, and black front corners with silver bulbs. if you have any input on the tire system let me know what to check out, aside from psi.
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Old May 6, 2010 | 07:22 PM
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congrats. some pics please

the ventilated seats don't really blow cold air, just air (hence ventilated seats, not air condition seats like Lexus).
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Old May 6, 2010 | 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by NEMES1S
I got it, and I am very pleased with the vehicle, but it does have a few issues, first is it needs new rotors up front, and I am also having an issue with the tire monitor system, it starts out with the orange low tire light, and then after driving for a few minutes to get what the tires are inflated to it says tire monitor system inoperable....any ideas? And I have never owned a benz but sell lexus vehicles with ventilated seats, are they just not really good in benz's or should they be fairly cold and mine are just shot?

I am afraid that I have had it for a little over a day now and I have to start buying some parts, I def want the sl63 tails, 3rd brake, and black front corners with silver bulbs. if you have any input on the tire system let me know what to check out, aside from psi.
congrats! mines at MB getting warranty work done
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Old May 6, 2010 | 08:22 PM
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Some of the lower end lexus just blow air too, but I can't feel any air coming through the seat, maybe I will try the lay a feather on it method tonight. I am planning my simple mods in the next couple days like muffler delete, smoked corners, amg tails, led DRL's, and what source did you use on your license plate led?
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Old May 6, 2010 | 08:42 PM
  #5  
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nm, i read your big post about the upgrade you did on yours and saw it
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Old May 6, 2010 | 09:04 PM
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Congrats! It's about damn time. Need pics, miles, options, and price paid.....because someone is gonna ask.

If the car is only 1 day old, I'm assuming you knew about the problems before you purchased. Why not have them sorted out before you took delivery of the car?
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Old May 6, 2010 | 10:55 PM
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Originally Posted by NEMES1S
I am also having an issue with the tire monitor system, it starts out with the orange low tire light, and then after driving for a few minutes to get what the tires are inflated to it says tire monitor system inoperable....any ideas? And If you have any input on the tire system let me know what to check out, aside from psi.
Congratulations NEMESIS on your new ride! Sounds like one of your TPMS (tire pressure monitoring system) units had ran out of battery. The battery cannot be replaced. You have to replace the TPMS unit itself. When one fails the other ones would also be close to their end of lifespans, so its best to replace all four at the same time. Replacement involves removing the tires from the rims. The TPMS unit should cost about $80 each, but the stealership will be happy to charge you $200.
Hope this helps. Good luck!
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Old May 6, 2010 | 10:57 PM
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the only thing I noticed when I picked it up was the rotors, the rest of the car was as described. I had the tire light come on about half way home from oklahoma city. I am somewhat bummed as I don't know what the rotors cost but they aren't free. the rotors on these are about 110 a piece aren't they? I got a guy in my service department that is gonna swap them for free for me.
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Old May 6, 2010 | 11:11 PM
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with the tpms, if one is bad, would it give me any read out on the gauge cluster for any of the psi's?
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Old May 6, 2010 | 11:22 PM
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its a 2005 with 38k, paid 37,800 has pano roof, but no sport package, but I can live with that. I have had an absolute blast in it for the last 2 days, and it is an incredible machine, and when I get the brakes and tpm figured out, I will be absolutely in love.




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Old May 6, 2010 | 11:46 PM
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and I guess it does have parktronic too
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Old May 7, 2010 | 12:03 AM
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Originally Posted by NEMES1S
with the tpms, if one is bad, would it give me any read out on the gauge cluster for any of the psi's?
When one TPMS is out it just says "Tire pressure Monitoring Inoperational" and won't give you any reading of the rest.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 10:26 AM
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Originally Posted by NEMES1S
its a 2005 with 38k, paid 37,800 has pano roof, but no sport package, but I can live with that. I have had an absolute blast in it for the last 2 days, and it is an incredible machine, and when I get the brakes and tpm figured out, I will be absolutely in love.




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That sure seems awful cheap for that car. With a quick search on cars.com, the cheapest one I could find was a 2004 for $43,000.00. Did you buy it at auction?

Hopefully, you don't have a lot of issues with it. Enjoy, it's a fine machine.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 11:06 AM
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I bought it from a dealership, and I really didn't plan to buy an sl until late June, but at that price I jumped on it. It was bought by the owner of knippelmier chevrolet in Blanchard, OK. I actually met the guy and he was pretty nice, a great car nut with an incredible garage full of all kinds of stuff, old muscle, new luxury and tons in between. He bought the car to keep for a year and then get another one, and he got an 08 SL65 I believe so this needed to go. I am hoping that it is as great a car as it can be, without me having to dump a ton of money into it, and I hope that I stay busy enough with sales to afford some fun mods in the upcoming months.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 12:11 PM
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Congratulations!

I've a 2005 SL600 with 20k miles. You've got a great car despite some of the current challenges. Buy an extended warranty, its worth every penny.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 12:13 PM
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I got one at my dealership for cost, 4yr 50k for 2200
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Old May 7, 2010 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by NEMES1S
I got one at my dealership for cost, 4yr 50k for 2200
That's a great deal! An extended warranty is a must for these cars. Otherwise the cost of repairs will suck you dry!
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Old May 7, 2010 | 02:53 PM
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wow. very nice deal. congrats again. enjoy bro
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Old May 7, 2010 | 06:02 PM
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thanks for the kind words, I am really hoping I made a good decision with this car, I am not wealthy by any means and the last car I financed with a 1998 eclipse, so this is a gigantic step up. I am hoping that with my service department here at the store, and my warranty, I won't be in too bad of a position down the road a couple years. and now if I can get ahold of amgfan so I can get my wheels, I'll be disgustingly happy.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by NEMES1S
thanks for the kind words, I am really hoping I made a good decision with this car, I am not wealthy by any means and the last car I financed with a 1998 eclipse, so this is a gigantic step up. I am hoping that with my service department here at the store, and my warranty, I won't be in too bad of a position down the road a couple years. and now if I can get ahold of amgfan so I can get my wheels, I'll be disgustingly happy.
these cares are insane $ to keep up. my service w/o plugs was like 1600$. average bill at shop is 4k-8k. mine is there last 2 days for a new voice amp/cabel on little trim roof flap..2k bill under warranty, but at times warranty will not pay MB hours o youll have to pitch in some cash...and some cash at MB is 600-1800k lol
hopefull you'll have no issues, but these cars are over 100k new, and VERY expensive for parts/labour and service and are high maintance..if I had know what i know know over the last 12mo. I wouls have bought another car. i love to drive it, but could own 2 m3 cabrios instead.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 06:09 PM
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From: In a VAN down by the river
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Originally Posted by NEMES1S
thanks for the kind words, I am really hoping I made a good decision with this car, I am not wealthy by any means and the last car I financed with a 1998 eclipse, so this is a gigantic step up. I am hoping that with my service department here at the store, and my warranty, I won't be in too bad of a position down the road a couple years. and now if I can get ahold of amgfan so I can get my wheels, I'll be disgustingly happy.
even used MODS are a joke in price..people ask MORE than to buy new on here at times..some great sellers etc and people, but opthers are asking more than new and plain greedy.
good luck w/ the mods. More and more people here daily, so you'll get'er done.
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Old May 7, 2010 | 06:51 PM
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so far is the simple stuff, darker tint, corner lamps, hid's, bluetooth maybe tails and wheels, and I am planning to put on straight pipes next week(insert hick laugh here)
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Old May 8, 2010 | 01:06 PM
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RE:05 Sl600

Congrats.

I got my 05 this past January for low 40's with 19K; I had to haggle pretty hard to accomplish that, so you did pretty o.k. on price. Mine ended up needing about $2K in work (my MB dealer wanted $5.4K) after I got it, intercooler pump, brake/coolant flush, tensioner, belt, one ABC hose, cabin filter, alignment, etc. I did anticipate some work, and budgeted for it when I purchased. I also bought a warranty right after I got it, got a Stage 1 tune, added a set of SL55 AMG twin spoke wheels with the better offsets as the stock spec wheels look a little dinky in the rear with the 40 offset. The end result was/is quite a car, very happy with mine.

TPMS is finicky. I had a few challenges at 1st but we understand each other now. Be sure all 4 tires are within pressure spec range, the car wants to see 3 more psi in the back than the fronts, and no more than 3 psi variation side to side. Because mine has a tune, I run lower pressure in the rear than the front to facilitate 1st gear traction challenges. Because I am "out of spec" it always reminds me to check pressures once at warm restart, but pressing the reset knob in the gauge cluster once clears it and things work perfectly thereafter. TPMS can be disabled through STAR by an MB dealer.

Post up some pics when you can.

Last edited by NCE500; May 8, 2010 at 01:14 PM. Reason: typo
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Old May 8, 2010 | 01:47 PM
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I am hoping hat the weather holds up for the weekend, lots of my friends are asking me to meet up for some sort of photoshoot
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Old May 9, 2010 | 07:21 PM
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Congrads on your new purchase. You were in my neck of the woods knippelmier chevrolet is not far from were i live in OKC. These cars are great and you will love yours. Happy motoring and don't let the V12 demon get inside you lol.
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