SL/R230: Does the R230 really have tons of rattles??Read this...
07-18-2004, 07:23 PM
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2014 C250 sport
Does the R230 really have tons of rattles??Read this...
Does the R230 really have this many rattles, or is this guys car a lemon? 
Read this....
"Peter writes:
I bought an SL 500 in September 2003 [August 2003 build].
1. Factory installed Mobile Phone [Nokias 6310i] constantly refuses to work - this is only minor irrritation except they changed the law here last week!
2. Terrible rattles over uneven roads [this is a BIG issue as most small A & B roads in the UK are uneven!]. It's been in for repair for 2 days and again for 3 more days. As one accellerates even gently it sounds as though the car is bending or tearing apart under duress.. a disconcerting creaking noise, and in addition so many rattles from seat, roof, and rear compartments it's hard to tell where they are coming from. The noise from the drive train also sounds rough!! as though it has no oil in it. This is my 6th Mercedes and the only one that sounds like a bigfiat punto.
3. I noticed a rather nasty small that I thought was the catalytic converter - as they can stink a bit when new. However I did notice that it was worse when one had opened up the engine some and was therefore hot! Now I keep reading about the hot weather in Texas causing a smell like cat's pee - So I'm really looking forward to next summer!!!! PS: I have 'Exclusive' Nappa leather i.e. it's all over all the panels - the dash area and rear compartment area etc. In Nappa Leather but not a Designo colour.
I also had a real problem with 'tramlining' [following ruts in the road] on the make of factory fitted tyres, this brand made the car seriuosly unstable under heavy braking. It was so bad that tyre manufacturer immediately paid me ~ $1,360 to buy a replacement set of 18" Pirelli P Zero Rossos. This cured the problem totally! Now drives beautifully but rattles like hell.
Anybody else had rattling noises on the Glass Roof? Please let me know as i would like to decide do I sell this car and buy something elso or do I just have a one off Lemon! In the UK we regretably do not have the 'Lemon Law' and Mercedes feel it is beneath them to talk to customers even if it is a Safety issue. I really wish Chysler had not bought MB as the cars are now just overpriced ~ $126,000 Ford look-a-likes! or are my expectations too high?"This is where this is from...
Read this...."Peter writes:
I bought an SL 500 in September 2003 [August 2003 build].
1. Factory installed Mobile Phone [Nokias 6310i] constantly refuses to work - this is only minor irrritation except they changed the law here last week!
2. Terrible rattles over uneven roads [this is a BIG issue as most small A & B roads in the UK are uneven!]. It's been in for repair for 2 days and again for 3 more days. As one accellerates even gently it sounds as though the car is bending or tearing apart under duress.. a disconcerting creaking noise, and in addition so many rattles from seat, roof, and rear compartments it's hard to tell where they are coming from. The noise from the drive train also sounds rough!! as though it has no oil in it. This is my 6th Mercedes and the only one that sounds like a bigfiat punto.
3. I noticed a rather nasty small that I thought was the catalytic converter - as they can stink a bit when new. However I did notice that it was worse when one had opened up the engine some and was therefore hot! Now I keep reading about the hot weather in Texas causing a smell like cat's pee - So I'm really looking forward to next summer!!!! PS: I have 'Exclusive' Nappa leather i.e. it's all over all the panels - the dash area and rear compartment area etc. In Nappa Leather but not a Designo colour.
I also had a real problem with 'tramlining' [following ruts in the road] on the make of factory fitted tyres, this brand made the car seriuosly unstable under heavy braking. It was so bad that tyre manufacturer immediately paid me ~ $1,360 to buy a replacement set of 18" Pirelli P Zero Rossos. This cured the problem totally! Now drives beautifully but rattles like hell.
Anybody else had rattling noises on the Glass Roof? Please let me know as i would like to decide do I sell this car and buy something elso or do I just have a one off Lemon! In the UK we regretably do not have the 'Lemon Law' and Mercedes feel it is beneath them to talk to customers even if it is a Safety issue. I really wish Chysler had not bought MB as the cars are now just overpriced ~ $126,000 Ford look-a-likes! or are my expectations too high?"This is where this is from...
Last edited by akbro93704; 07-18-2004 at 07:25 PM. Reason: a mistake
07-19-2004, 12:21 AM
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sl 500
1. no real problem with the 6310i phone to date. these are extremely hard phones to buy new now in australia. so mine lives in the car and does not come out of its cradle at all. got myself a cheap Sim card plan to get the phone going. i normal business phone is with me all the time. if it rings and i do not pick it up after 5 secs it is diverted to the car phone. i leave my phone everywhere, including dropping it. so i gather i might as well not have the worry about loosing a rare phone
2.thr roof is only held down by a series of levers and pumps. it is not welded on, so it always be abit of a rattle. put up with it, it will onyl get very slowly worse with time and things loosen up. if you cannot stand it get a coupe - CL500 or CL 600 whisper quiet. here are a few things that may help
a. get normal 17 inch wheels, 18inch low profile looks good but harsher ride hence more rattle (this is the main reason why i stayed away from these wheels)
b. turn off ABC will give you a softer ride. i tried a car with ABC and definitely the ride was firmer hence translating to more rattles
c. finally drive on good roads if possible
3. smell, well time will tell if yours will smell like cat-pee.
Finally it sounds like you got a great looking car, nappa etc. Enjoy it , you do not have a lemon, rather a hard top convertible !
2.thr roof is only held down by a series of levers and pumps. it is not welded on, so it always be abit of a rattle. put up with it, it will onyl get very slowly worse with time and things loosen up. if you cannot stand it get a coupe - CL500 or CL 600 whisper quiet. here are a few things that may help
a. get normal 17 inch wheels, 18inch low profile looks good but harsher ride hence more rattle (this is the main reason why i stayed away from these wheels)
b. turn off ABC will give you a softer ride. i tried a car with ABC and definitely the ride was firmer hence translating to more rattles
c. finally drive on good roads if possible
3. smell, well time will tell if yours will smell like cat-pee.
Finally it sounds like you got a great looking car, nappa etc. Enjoy it , you do not have a lemon, rather a hard top convertible !
07-19-2004, 03:48 AM
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04 SL 500, 09 R350, 09 E63, 2010 Prius
Got my 04 SL500 in November 2003. No rattles. Pretty quiet for a "convertible." It's actually more quiet than my infinity 4 door G20, old but reliable. car. I once had a "rattle" problem, I was freaking out because I thought I had what a lot of the other posters posted on, creaking in the roof joint! Imagin my relief and laughter when I finally traced the root of the noise to loose CD jewel cases in the passenger side door storage compartment! After I stuffed them in there tight, the "rattle" went away. 
and I have 20" wheels, not very much harder than the 18" stocks. Maybe it's the roads. Must have less pot holes in southern california. I got Michellins for tires, very nice.
and I have 20" wheels, not very much harder than the 18" stocks. Maybe it's the roads. Must have less pot holes in southern california. I got Michellins for tires, very nice.
07-19-2004, 01:27 PM
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2004 SL55 AMG
2003 vs. 2004 SL55
No rattles or problems whatsoever in my 2004 SL55 within the first 2500 miles. I've heard that Mercedes truly started focusing on all facets of quality improvements for the 2004 production run. Additionally, 2003 was the first year run of a brand new generation SL (caveat: that 2000 technology CD-based Nav), hence most of the issues I've heard about on this forum and on the 'Net were on 2003 models.
In fact, I was commenting just the other day that my SL55 AMG in sport mode (18" Type 3 AMGS wheels) while set on the lowest ride height rides better and is more comfortable than my 2003 FX45 with factory sports suspension. Not to mention that it (obviously) greatly outhandles this "sports-focused" SUV.
In fact, I was commenting just the other day that my SL55 AMG in sport mode (18" Type 3 AMGS wheels) while set on the lowest ride height rides better and is more comfortable than my 2003 FX45 with factory sports suspension. Not to mention that it (obviously) greatly outhandles this "sports-focused" SUV.
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07-26-2004, 06:42 PM
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1988 560SL (sold); 2001 E430 (sold); 2004 SL500; 2009 CL550
Got my SL500 in Feb 04. Haven't had a single rattle issue. I have
the pano top and still have no complaints about rattles.
the pano top and still have no complaints about rattles.
07-29-2004, 12:06 AM
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06 Infiniti FX35, 07 SL55
2003 SL500: Lots of rattles. Local dealer has tried to eliminate them without success. This is my only complaint about the car. Looks like I should get a 2004 or later.
Paul
Paul
08-31-2004, 06:55 PM
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SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
2004 SL600 with 8000 miles. No rattles, but constant creaking and squeaking as I travel over Boston’s horrible roads. Par for the course with a convertible, I think.
