SL/R230: 2011-2012 SL PURCHASE
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
2011-2012 SL PURCHASE
I'm considering a 2011 or 2012 SL550. I've owned a 2008 and 2009 in the past but they were new at the time and each one traded around 30k miles. Most problem comments I read on the forum pertain to earlier models. Well, I've got the SL fever again and can't seem to get rid of it. However, I don't need (many) more headaches in life with a steady stream of repair issues from a weekend pleasure car. Is there any consensus as to whether ABC is improved I those years? Are there other known components that will absurdly fail and require huge repair bills? I can afford to buys newer one, but I just don't like the looks of them. I don't care if the 2011/2012 USA style back of now, I think they look better and drive great. What are your thought on the 2011/2012 years? Not likely to get a CPO that old and withmyluck whatever breaks would not be covered by a third party warranty....Anything you guys could contribute to convince me to pull the trigger or to run like h*ll? I can't DIY on cars but in Atlanta I know of some pretty good Indy shops.
Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 299
Likes: 20
From: HHI, SC
2002 C4 Cab, 2014 Audi A5 cab, 2017 X5 35d
Having been a member of many forums......BMW, Audi, MB, Porsche......I'm convinced that postings are skewed towards the negative because it is human nature to complain before we praise. Get a copy of the VMI if you can. If buying from a dealer get the previous owner's name if possible. Many times a VIN check will net the owner's name. If you get the VMI, the previous owners name might be on it. You may find a '12 or '13 with CPO. Find the car you want, perform your due diligence and go for it.
Super Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 561
Likes: 2
From: New Mexico
2014 E350, 2012 SL550
I got a 2012 last August. It was CPO and had factory warranty which ran out last month.
Like you I much preferred the r230 styling over the r231. I'm also not a fan of turbos.
While I don't put many miles on it, I have only had one problem: the well-known soft close trunk latch failure. It was covered under factory warranty a week before it ran out.
Absolutely love the car and have no regrets so far.
Like you I much preferred the r230 styling over the r231. I'm also not a fan of turbos.
While I don't put many miles on it, I have only had one problem: the well-known soft close trunk latch failure. It was covered under factory warranty a week before it ran out.
Absolutely love the car and have no regrets so far.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,336
Likes: 936
From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
I've owned 6 sports type convertables in my life and just love the looks and driving of my 2008 SL550. It's hard to explain because by statistics there are other cars that can arguably accelerate faster, corner better, stop quicker etc. but for me this is my favorite driver especially on the open road. Cost to maintain? Yes a bit steep compared to others in its class so one has to go in as a owner with eyes open. I had a lot more problems/repairs with two previous BMW's I've owned and chalk it up to German engineering being over complicated with unnecessary extra components. Had a beautiful Z3 at one point where the alarm kept going off in the Summer heat for no reason. Found it to be a plunger switch under the hood. Took it apart and rather than a simple spring loaded plunger to contacts it had 4 extra parts where a vertical plunger pressed on a horizontal cone shaped plunger with bushings to ride on to the contact points. It was so over engineered with extra parts it was laughable. I could write chapters on dozens of problems I had on these BMW's that had them in the shop all of the time. Not particularly bashing BMW. Just stating that other high end cars have problems also that should have been worked out years ago. Chevrolet has been in business for over 100 years and still can't appear to get ignition switches right! 
Member
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 127
Likes: 8
SL550
I believe I replied to you on benzworld as well, although what you are asking is common and very appropriate. I will not repeat myself but wanted to add that regarding 3rd party warranties, imo, looking at highly-rated companies backed by larger insurers and getting an exclusionary policy is the way to go. The exclusionary policies are typically the best they offer and, no surprise, the most expensive. They cover everything unless it is specifically excluded. Still must read the fine print and because the ABC is somewhat unique, although it is really another form of active suspension, I would insist that they included in writing that all components of the ABC suspension were covered. I wound up getting the MB warranty which picks up where the CPO runs out. Love my 2011, now with 25k miles.
