SL/R230: Newbie
Thread Starter
Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 179
Likes: 4
From: Illinois
2004 sl
Newbie
Is 78000 miles to many for a 2004 sl.the car was well taken care of but it doesn’t show the abc was flushed,what to do.love the car but really afraid of all the horror stories I hear about these cars any suggestions what to look out for.i have researched the abc issues and am very concerned.thanks for any input.jimbo
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
78k miles is not that much. Now is 2018, so the car is 14 y.o. It means the previous owners drove it an average of 5500 miles per year, or about 1k miles a month. For these engines that' nothing at all. If you're worried about the ABC - i'll agree with Rudeney. An ABC flush is about $200 if you DIY. If the valves sag - probably another $50 in parts + your labor. If bad accumulators - that's about $200 a piece for 2 total. Not that bad. Try to see the car before the guys drive it, or before they start it, to see if it sags. That will give you an idea what's going on. My car sometimes sags after 2-3 weeks, sometimes stays good longer. IF it sags in 1-3 days - maintenance is due.
Regards.
P.S.
I'd say i'm an experienced DIY guy. Fixed many cars myself. But even so when dealing 1st time with a new car it seems scary sometimes. Last experience - trunk soft close on the SL. Took me about half a day to do it, taking it slowly cuz never dealt with it before. Now, of course, maybe 1 hour to fix it. Everything is like that in these cars. For me - it gives me a sense of accomplishment, at least
Regards.
P.S.
I'd say i'm an experienced DIY guy. Fixed many cars myself. But even so when dealing 1st time with a new car it seems scary sometimes. Last experience - trunk soft close on the SL. Took me about half a day to do it, taking it slowly cuz never dealt with it before. Now, of course, maybe 1 hour to fix it. Everything is like that in these cars. For me - it gives me a sense of accomplishment, at least
Last edited by Ghostty; Jul 8, 2018 at 11:35 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 246
Likes: 25
From: Plymouth, MA
2008 SL550
My 2008 just hit 89k miles and going strong. While I'm typically a DIY guy (particularly with regard to my old Porsche), I've left just about all SL maintenance to a wonderful independent shop (European specialist facility) located less than 6 miles from my home. They typically run at least 40 -60% less than the area dealership and the staff are actually car enthusiasts!
One example: The dealer quoted $1,250.00 for the ABC Rodeo/Flush procedure while the local shop charged me $600.00. While I understand that many here on this forum are DIY may balk at this price, I don't feel guilty whipping out the checkbook when it comes to my baby.
Good luck with the potential purchase!
One example: The dealer quoted $1,250.00 for the ABC Rodeo/Flush procedure while the local shop charged me $600.00. While I understand that many here on this forum are DIY may balk at this price, I don't feel guilty whipping out the checkbook when it comes to my baby.
Good luck with the potential purchase!
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
My 2008 just hit 89k miles and going strong. While I'm typically a DIY guy (particularly with regard to my old Porsche), I've left just about all SL maintenance to a wonderful independent shop (European specialist facility) located less than 6 miles from my home. They typically run at least 40 -60% less than the area dealership and the staff are actually car enthusiasts!
One example: The dealer quoted $1,250.00 for the ABC Rodeo/Flush procedure while the local shop charged me $600.00. While I understand that many here on this forum are DIY may balk at this price, I don't feel guilty whipping out the checkbook when it comes to my baby.
Good luck with the potential purchase!
One example: The dealer quoted $1,250.00 for the ABC Rodeo/Flush procedure while the local shop charged me $600.00. While I understand that many here on this forum are DIY may balk at this price, I don't feel guilty whipping out the checkbook when it comes to my baby.
Good luck with the potential purchase!
Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
For ABC Flush you want to have either a SDS unit or something similar to perform the rodeo before and after the fact. I was lucky enough to have a friend that has a unit that works with multiple brands of cars, including MB, and was able to perform the rodeo test. it was a little weird because the test was running for 400 cycles, each cycle about 3-4 mins. We stopped after about 20 mins. That helped me do it the right way and saving money. Is different, maybe a little harder without the SDS/other unit to do it the proper way, so paying extra to get it done right - sometimes worth the price. I paid $400 for all brake pads to be replaced for same reason - didn't want to deal with the breaks myself. I trust the shop and they give me warranty on their labor. Peace of mind that it was done correctly.
Regards.
Regards.
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Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2016
Posts: 271
Likes: 23
From: Kirkland, WA
2003 SL500
For ABC Flush you want to have either a SDS unit or something similar to perform the rodeo before and after the fact. I was lucky enough to have a friend that has a unit that works with multiple brands of cars, including MB, and was able to perform the rodeo test. it was a little weird because the test was running for 400 cycles, each cycle about 3-4 mins. We stopped after about 20 mins. That helped me do it the right way and saving money. Is different, maybe a little harder without the SDS/other unit to do it the proper way, so paying extra to get it done right - sometimes worth the price. I paid $400 for all brake pads to be replaced for same reason - didn't want to deal with the breaks myself. I trust the shop and they give me warranty on their labor. Peace of mind that it was done correctly.
Regards.
Regards.
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Super Member
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 606
Likes: 88
From: North Cali
2005 SL500, 2015 CLS400
Proof how much different approach we have on cars Same time we both have the peace of mind owning them! True about the SDS, but i'll save the money, since my friend is a mechanic too.
P.S.
The shop that did my bakes i used for years now, and they never failed me. So i'd rather pay them then spend 1 day under the car doing a job that i might need to do it again in 5 years only.
Same time we both have the peace of mind owning them! True about the SDS, but i'll save the money, since my friend is a mechanic too.P.S.
The shop that did my bakes i used for years now, and they never failed me. So i'd rather pay them then spend 1 day under the car doing a job that i might need to do it again in 5 years only.
Last edited by Ghostty; Jul 12, 2018 at 10:26 PM.
Member
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 246
Likes: 25
From: Plymouth, MA
2008 SL550
Since cars are my primary hobby, I don't mind keeping a slush fund going... Also, it really stinks working on a car in the driveway without a garage. Fortunately, our's should be completed in a couple of months (Foundation walls are in and framing starts next week).
MBworld Guru
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 10,782
Likes: 1,011
NO LONGER ACTIVE
Yeah, it's really not fun working on a car outside. My garage is small, but it's large enough to park two cars and hold a bunch of tools. And it keeps me out of the sun and rain when I need to work on the car.
