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Search the R230 forums for buyers guide. A car this new should have only a few potential issues, but they will pile up with age.
As for price...it's a buyers market. Check Edmund's and KBB to see what they sell for used.
As for mods...you are better off spending the money on the AMG models to get factory performance, rather than bolt on performance.
Good luck!
PS - you are a very nice son to buy your father a car!
Search the R230 forums for buyers guide. A car this new should have only a few potential issues, but they will pile up with age.
As for price...it's a buyers market. Check Edmund's and KBB to see what they sell for used.
As for mods...you are better off spending the money on the AMG models to get factory performance, rather than bolt on performance.
Good luck!
PS - you are a very nice son to buy your father a car!
Thanks, I owe everything to my father, he deserves it.
I tried looking at some guides but they were geared toward the older models. wanted to see specifically for the 2011-2012. I would assume most gremlins and problems were fixed as they are the last models out the door before the newer ones.
Thanks, I owe everything to my father, he deserves it.
I tried looking at some guides but they were geared toward the older models. wanted to see specifically for the 2011-2012. I would assume most gremlins and problems were fixed as they are the last models out the door before the newer ones.
It's still a new enough vintage that most will still be in the 1-2 owner window with the majority of it's care & upkeep having been done at the Dealer level. I would personally preference a vehicle that shows recent work having been done on the ABC or SBC systems, as then you aren't likely to become the one stuck with those inevitable huge bills with a car out of warranty.
It's still a new enough vintage that most will still be in the 1-2 owner window with the majority of it's care & upkeep having been done at the Dealer level. I would personally preference a vehicle that shows recent work having been done on the ABC or SBC systems, as then you aren't likely to become the one stuck with those inevitable huge bills with a car out of warranty.
Thanks, Ill make sure to have those checked before buying.
I was in the same situation, looking for a MY2009-MY2012. It took me a while to find just the right one. I was surprised to find many of the cars I looked at were not well maintained. I finally found a good, one-owner, low miles, accident free with all the service records. I had to compromise on color and no pano roof, but otherwise, it's what I wanted. I did still have to replace a leaky ABC hose, the starter, the alternator, and fix the trunk latch. Still, no regrets - I love the car.
Ended up getting him a 2011 SL550. Silver on Red. FULLY loaded car with literally every option. 33k miles and car has bene extremely well taken care of, looks brand new inside and out.
My dad has been ecstatic and couldn't be happier with the gift. Here are some pics (one alongside my C63)
PS. The only option I was surprised it didn't have is a rear view camera, yet that doesn't seem to even be a possible option for this year and model. Also, any suggestions on swapping out the ugly orange side markers for something either smoked, clear, or body colored?
BOTH of those are beautiful vehicles and you've no doubt got one VERY proud Papa! Best Thank You in the world for a dad is knowing that he did a great job in raising a son that's both so appreciative AND capable of making such a gesture! Good on ya!
BOTH of those are beautiful vehicles and you've no doubt got one VERY proud Papa! Best Thank You in the world for a dad is knowing that he did a great job in raising a son that's both so appreciative AND capable of making such a gesture! Good on ya!
BOTH of those are beautiful vehicles and you've no doubt got one VERY proud Papa! Best Thank You in the world for a dad is knowing that he did a great job in raising a son that's both so appreciative AND capable of making such a gesture! Good on ya!
Originally Posted by El_Toro_33809
Very well said...
Tim
Thanks. He was reluctant at first but he took it and is loving it. I am where I am and who I am because of him (and my mom). He deserves this so much, only wish I could have got him a brand new AMG one, but maybe in the future if hes lucky!
Nice looking car! I love the red interior. BTW, you can add a backup camera to it. The COMAND unit int he MY2009 has the input and functionality for it. I did it on mine. All you need is the camera and then have it coded via SDS to enable. I used a hard wired camera, but I know others have used a wireless.one. The hardwire is harder has you have to run the wiring all along the tubular frame of the trunk, but it is very do-able.
Congratulations on your purchase and gift. What a wonderful thing to do for your Dad. Clear side marker lenses can be found on the internet. I got a set for my '07 SL550. They weren't too difficult to install, and I'll provide suggestions if you're interested. The clear markers are a notable improvement over the awful OEM orange markers. Merry Christmas.
2009 SL550 Roadster Diamond White, 2008 CLK550 Coupe Obsidian Black
Originally Posted by Rudeney
Clear markers are harder to find for the MY2009+ facelift bumper. Most I see are those cheesy LED-bar style.
Congrats to you and your father. Beautiful cars.
Fishcake321 is known to sell DEPO lights for MB and BMW on eBay. There are no regular clear or smoke ones available for the 09-12 550/600, just the LED ones (clear amber led, clear white led, smoke amber led, or smoke white led).
I found one seller selling the regular smoked ones, but he only had one set. Another seller has 3 in stock currently. I am not sure if they are DEPO products or another manufacturing. They are a tad bit dark for my taste, but prefer them over the LEDs since the car doesn't have any LEDs on the front end. One reason I like them is cause they go nicely with the AMG sport package smoke headlights. I don't use the chrome plated amber bulbs, just the original clear ones on the car.
Nice looking car! I love the red interior. BTW, you can add a backup camera to it. The COMAND unit int he MY2009 has the input and functionality for it. I did it on mine. All you need is the camera and then have it coded via SDS to enable. I used a hard wired camera, but I know others have used a wireless.one. The hardwire is harder has you have to run the wiring all along the tubular frame of the trunk, but it is very do-able.
Thanks I'll look into this!
Originally Posted by Heatwave
Congratulations on your purchase and gift. What a wonderful thing to do for your Dad. Clear side marker lenses can be found on the internet. I got a set for my '07 SL550. They weren't too difficult to install, and I'll provide suggestions if you're interested. The clear markers are a notable improvement over the awful OEM orange markers. Merry Christmas.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to you too!
Originally Posted by Rudeney
Clear markers are harder to find for the MY2009+ facelift bumper. Most I see are those cheesy LED-bar style.
Yes, I have seen the LED ones. I actually have them on my C63 but they match with the LED DRLS
Originally Posted by gaazmon
Congrats to you and your father. Beautiful cars.
Fishcake321 is known to sell DEPO lights for MB and BMW on eBay. There are no regular clear or smoke ones available for the 09-12 550/600, just the LED ones (clear amber led, clear white led, smoke amber led, or smoke white led).
I found one seller selling the regular smoked ones, but he only had one set. Another seller has 3 in stock currently. I am not sure if they are DEPO products or another manufacturing. They are a tad bit dark for my taste, but prefer them over the LEDs since the car doesn't have any LEDs on the front end. One reason I like them is cause they go nicely with the AMG sport package smoke headlights. I don't use the chrome plated amber bulbs, just the original clear ones on the car.
While I am at it, I have a question for all of you. I noticed the fog lights and the headlights etc all have different hues. Same thing on my wife's G37 Sedan. With hers I actually switched out the fogs, drls, etc all to LED that matched the HID she had on the car. Is this something we can do for the SL550 to get all the lights to match up?
Ok so please take a look at the pic below. I am guessing those top lights next to the Bi-Xenons are city lights? (parking lights)? Whatever they are what bulbs are recommended for those to most closely match the BiXenons?
Secondly, the fog lights. What bulbs are recommended to most closely match the fogs to the Bi Xenons?
Yes, those are park or city lights in the high beam housing. The stock bulb is actually blue-tinted to match the color of the HIDs. I replace mine with LEDs. I found some at Advance Auto that match well. I get an occasional bulb error on them when it's very cold out, but it does not **** the bulb off. I haven't looked at replacing my fog light bulbs yet, but I'll probably go LED.
Yes, those are park or city lights in the high beam housing. The stock bulb is actually blue-tinted to match the color of the HIDs. I replace mine with LEDs. I found some at Advance Auto that match well. I get an occasional bulb error on them when it's very cold out, but it does not **** the bulb off. I haven't looked at replacing my fog light bulbs yet, but I'll probably go LED.
Do you have any idea what the bulb size for the city lights is in LED form? What about the FOG lights in LED?
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
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