SL/R230: Dependability of SL550
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SL 550
Dependability of SL550
Hi there! I am new to this forum. Last fall, we got a 2011 SL 550 for my wife. It is indeed a beatiful car. Because of cold weather, its odometer still stays around 1,600 miles now. I have driven it a few times last fall. I like it very much. Before buying it, we have been driving Lexus sedan and SUV, which are very reliable and comfortable. They did not cost much for their maintenance even after the 4-yr standard warranty.
My question is about the overall reliablity of SL 550, particularly the retractable roof and ABC system. My feeling is that the the retactable roof system has so many moving parts, and it may break often. But we assume it to be a reliable car. I would like to hear from you who have been dring previous SL 550 models. I hope to avoid buying an extended warranty. John
My question is about the overall reliablity of SL 550, particularly the retractable roof and ABC system. My feeling is that the the retactable roof system has so many moving parts, and it may break often. But we assume it to be a reliable car. I would like to hear from you who have been dring previous SL 550 models. I hope to avoid buying an extended warranty. John
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From: Bonita Springs, FL
2021 Cirrus Silver S580 AMG, 2020 Polar White GLE350
The retractable hard top and the Automatic Body Control system on recent SL's are very reliable. The retractable hardtop had a problem with the flaps under the main panel, but those problems were addressed a few years ago and are now reliable. The ABC system works well and has been trouble free. The 2003 models had a number of bugs associated with the early redesign of the SL, but the 2007-2011 model years are very refined automobiles. TwinCam
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From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
If you are coming from a Lexus to a Benz, the Benz maintenance is going to seem overwhelming! I've been in the auto business since 16 and while the Germans build amazing cars, they do break far more often then Asian cars (like Lexus).
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From: Dover DE
2009 SL 550, 2014 CLA 250, 1984 Porsche 911 Turbo Look
This is my 3rd sl, 97, 06 and 09. Bought the 06 and 09 new and haven't
had any problems. The 09 on up is by far the better sl and i'm not
thinking about an extended warrenty myself
had any problems. The 09 on up is by far the better sl and i'm not
thinking about an extended warrenty myself
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From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
I work for Lexus, they are far more reliable, and I'm not sure what twin cam is thinking, but there are probably a ton of people who have had abc issues on here, my car has 40k and had a shock start leaking (1800 a piece) If you are interested in an extended warranty, I can probably help you out, it will probably pay for itself (my warranty paid for itself twice already and I've only had the car for 8 months, and about 5k miles)
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From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
If I were to guess though, I would say the 500 and 550's probably have a few less issues just because they don't deal with the performance load and monster torque of the others, and their owners don't typically push their cars as hard.
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SL 550
That concerns me. I am currently driving Lexus GX SUV (took over from my wife; 28K mileage on the odometer). I missed my Lexus sedan (which I gave it to my son when I took over the SUV). If I the SL 550 is trouble-free, I am considering to buy S 550 seddan for myself this fall or next spring (20012). If MB car has a tendency to breakdown so often, I might go for Lexus LX. From our experience in the past 11 years, Lexus is very reliable. Furthermore, the local Lexus dealership is very customer friendly. From my wife's SL 550, the car seems to be better engineered than Lexus. So I always thought that MB car is far more reliable than any other cars.
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From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
I strongly suggest extended warranty for all luxury cars, and it is always cheapest and you have the most options when the vehicle is still under factory warranty. I would guess I could probably get you 4 or 5 years additional coverage for around 3k or under
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SL 550
That sounds a great deal. You are probably talking about a third-party comopany. I am interested in if the company has a track record for serving MB cars.
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From: Lincoln, NE
2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
they did a great job on my car in October (6200 dollar ticket) and they are actually the same company that our MB store in Omaha uses, they have been fantastic for me so far and have been in the business for 40 years I believe.
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From: Phoenix AZ
2025 BMW I4, 2018 Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, 2008 ML550
Even though the 500's and 550's may be a bit more reliable then the 55's, 600's, 63's, and 65's, doesn't make them reliable.
I would never EVER EVER own a Mercedes or BMW without either a full factory warranty or very quality aftermarket warranty.
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SL 550
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2009 SL550, 2015 C300
My wife has a 2008 C350 and I have a 2009 SL550 with 30K miles. Both have been bulletproof. Recent events show us that even Toyota has reliability and design issues. Honda/Acura seems to be the new reliability leader. Everyone's experience is different, but I would say many people on these types of forums are the ones with problems, while the happy customers don't write in. Enjoy the SL550! After two years it will still be a blast to drive.
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2005 SL600, 2016 ES300h, 2012 Hayabusa
honda actually used the same accelerators as toyotas on their domestic built vehicles, and also had recalls for airbags that were "killing people" along with a suspension recall, brake master recall, and window defects....toyota just gets more publicity.
In my opinion the honda issues are a bit scarier as their suspension recall was letting components brake off, airbags deployed too fast, and brake systems would leak and fail....none of these are something you can fix, accelerator stuck involves putting shifter into neutral, I guess that is just an opinion though.
Moral of the story is every brand is under the microscope and I have never heard more recalls in the years I have sold cars
In my opinion the honda issues are a bit scarier as their suspension recall was letting components brake off, airbags deployed too fast, and brake systems would leak and fail....none of these are something you can fix, accelerator stuck involves putting shifter into neutral, I guess that is just an opinion though.
Moral of the story is every brand is under the microscope and I have never heard more recalls in the years I have sold cars
Last edited by NEMES1S; Mar 7, 2011 at 11:59 PM.
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the topic did make me take a look at what recalls are out there, and it appears to be pretty close over the last several years the japanese brands are pretty close, but ford chevy and dodge are the overall winners for most recalls. I guess this is assuming the stats are correct on mycarstats.com
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NEMESIS, I do not disagree with what you are saying. The highly sophisticated systems in modern cars are prone to problems regardless of the manufacturer. My point with ABC (Automatic Body Control) is that there are few problems with the 2007-2011 SL's. I wasn't clear in that I was referring to the computer program and module that stabilize the vehicle in severe maneuvers. I did not mean to imply that there no one has experienced problems with other components in the suspension system, particularly in the 2003-2005 SL's. I spoke with the service manager at my home dealership, one of the largest in the Chicago area, and he reported very few problems with the ABC or the suspension system on recent model SL's due to significant quality modifications to the original design. He noted that Mercedes engineers have made great strides in improving the reliability of the SL since the introduction of the current body style in 2003. Let's hope the trend continues. TwinCam
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From: Scotland
2004 SL500, 2007 R350 Sport
Had my SL for coming up 7 years and 32,000 miles and the only problem I've had was a bolt coming loose in the roof mechanism which meant it couldn't close. Called MB and they came out and re-fitted the bolt. Other than that, problem-free.
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SL550
FWIW, I'm on my second Mercedes (first was SLK, now SL550 Silver edition), and concur with NEMES1S, I'd not have a luxury car from any manufacturer without extended warranty. It's called "Peace of Mind". I bought my extended warranty from the my dealer. With cost of ownership of all vehicles going up, I'd rather pay now than later...
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FWIW, I'm on my second Mercedes (first was SLK, now SL550 Silver edition), and concur with NEMES1S, I'd not have a luxury car from any manufacturer without extended warranty. It's called "Peace of Mind". I bought my extended warranty from the my dealer. With cost of ownership of all vehicles going up, I'd rather pay now than later...
