SL/R230: Sad end to a long story
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Likes: 7
2003 SL55
Sad end to a long story
Bought my 2003 sl55 in 2004. It already had a leaky strut, but dealt with it for a decade. Finally decided the car should be the way it was meant to be, and brought it to a mechanic a who had done great work in the past.
He performed the requested repairs, outsourced calibration and certification to the local Mercedes dealership and service center.
The car was returned to me, only to suffer catastrophic mechanical failures immediately. Literally almost killed me when abc failed on the highway.
At this point the car was returned to the mechanic, and this is where facts turn to claims:
1) the mechanic says he removed suspension components and sent the parts back under warranty and never received replacements.
2) the car sat for 2 years in this status, allegedly in undriveable condition. Registration and insurance expire during this time.
3) mechanic goes out of business and gets evicted from shop location, car is left un-attended with windows down (was rained on)
4) shops former landlord calls and asks me to move my car, but tow truck driver says it cant be towed in current condition.
5) after contacting other shops, the consensus is that the car cannot be repaired due to neglect and mistreatment beyond the mechanical failures that resulted from the original repairs.
At this point, i am curious what my legal options are in regards to the mechanic, the liability of the mercedes dealership due to danger caused by mis-certification of calibrations, and the depreciation of the vehicles value due to time and neglect.
Also.. do I have any hope at all of getting the car up and running again? Or am I better off parting it out?
He performed the requested repairs, outsourced calibration and certification to the local Mercedes dealership and service center.
The car was returned to me, only to suffer catastrophic mechanical failures immediately. Literally almost killed me when abc failed on the highway.
At this point the car was returned to the mechanic, and this is where facts turn to claims:
1) the mechanic says he removed suspension components and sent the parts back under warranty and never received replacements.
2) the car sat for 2 years in this status, allegedly in undriveable condition. Registration and insurance expire during this time.
3) mechanic goes out of business and gets evicted from shop location, car is left un-attended with windows down (was rained on)
4) shops former landlord calls and asks me to move my car, but tow truck driver says it cant be towed in current condition.
5) after contacting other shops, the consensus is that the car cannot be repaired due to neglect and mistreatment beyond the mechanical failures that resulted from the original repairs.
At this point, i am curious what my legal options are in regards to the mechanic, the liability of the mercedes dealership due to danger caused by mis-certification of calibrations, and the depreciation of the vehicles value due to time and neglect.
Also.. do I have any hope at all of getting the car up and running again? Or am I better off parting it out?
Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 347
Likes: 86
2005 SL65 AMG
Being abandoned with the windows down for two years isn’t good, that would probably be the end of it for me.
If the car has sentimental value and you want to take on a restoration project, it could be fun and rewarding.....but if you don’t work on cars yourself I would forget it.
If the car has sentimental value and you want to take on a restoration project, it could be fun and rewarding.....but if you don’t work on cars yourself I would forget it.
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Why not convert it to yellowspeed coilovers if no electrical and engine damage.
I would cost you 2000$-2500$ if you our only mechanical skills are filling coolant and sitting in the car
There are many choices for DAS/Xentry Diagnostics for MB.
Ensure you have the right information before getting one. There is too much misleading info.
I’m a forum member and programmer who’s learned the hard way. PM me if you have any questions.
I would cost you 2000$-2500$ if you our only mechanical skills are filling coolant and sitting in the car
There are many choices for DAS/Xentry Diagnostics for MB.
Ensure you have the right information before getting one. There is too much misleading info.
I’m a forum member and programmer who’s learned the hard way. PM me if you have any questions.
Last edited by pmercury; Jan 20, 2020 at 04:46 PM.
for you, you get the car at a workshop
order the springpack
tell the workshop to loop the ABC part of the pump (instead of replacing the dual pump by a single)
I would even suggest you get the strutmasters pack instead of the yellowspeed ast that one includes the module to simulate ABC sensors and turn of warning lights in dash
https://www.strutmasters.com/suspens...mercedes/sl55/
yellowspeed without light fix module here
https://yellowspeedracingusa.com/col.../mercedes-benz
There are many choices for DAS/Xentry Diagnostics for MB.
Ensure you have the right information before getting one. There is too much misleading info.
I’m a forum member and programmer who’s learned the hard way. PM me if you have any questions.
Last edited by pmercury; Jan 20, 2020 at 04:45 PM.
for not removing dual ABC pump, just show this to the workshop:
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...ping-pump.html
https://mbworld.org/forums/cl-class-...ping-pump.html
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 398
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
Allow yourself a price point, and go from there!
If you go over that point then you may have to cut losses, and sell as is! Nothing worst then I MB sitting in a parking lot looking SAD!
GL
2MERKS
If you go over that point then you may have to cut losses, and sell as is! Nothing worst then I MB sitting in a parking lot looking SAD!
GL
2MERKS
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Likes: 7
2003 SL55
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 541
Likes: 93
From: Northern VA
SL 600
How many miles are on this car? is it worth it to you to try and restore it? There's a guy around me selling a running/working 2004 SL55 with 101K miles on it for $9500, i saw it on FB marketplace.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 398
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Likes: 7
2003 SL55
Thanks Fx and 2merks, good advice!
Link to fb posting?
Car has 68k miles, engine is rock solid, but cant roll due to absent struts. Car needs to move today, either to a shop or a junk yard, and no shop wants to touch it with the water damage.
Basically im in this position:
1) do i sue the mechanic or not even bother. Can i sue for the vehicle depreciation due to his negligence? Do i include MB service center for their role in certifying failing components?
2) do i fix the car, sell as is, or part it out? What could i expect to make parting it out? Would anyone want to buy it as is?
3) what cars can an m113k mount in? Id consider buying a cheap project car like an e300 or maybe a non-merc to at least salvage the powertrain?
Sad thing is, ive had a few eurocharged and weistek components and tune packages waiting to be installed for 2 years
Link to fb posting?
Car has 68k miles, engine is rock solid, but cant roll due to absent struts. Car needs to move today, either to a shop or a junk yard, and no shop wants to touch it with the water damage.
Basically im in this position:
1) do i sue the mechanic or not even bother. Can i sue for the vehicle depreciation due to his negligence? Do i include MB service center for their role in certifying failing components?
2) do i fix the car, sell as is, or part it out? What could i expect to make parting it out? Would anyone want to buy it as is?
3) what cars can an m113k mount in? Id consider buying a cheap project car like an e300 or maybe a non-merc to at least salvage the powertrain?
Sad thing is, ive had a few eurocharged and weistek components and tune packages waiting to be installed for 2 years
Super Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 541
Likes: 93
From: Northern VA
SL 600
Not sure if you can see this or not
2004 SL55 black on black
103K miles
asking $9,250
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...9819098755212/
2004 SL55 black on black
103K miles
asking $9,250
https://www.facebook.com/marketplace...9819098755212/
Thread Starter
Senior Member
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 258
Likes: 7
2003 SL55
I can do the labor with a friend who works at a german indy shop, but he doesn't want to go with a coilover conversion, and im not confident in the success rate of another ABC rebuild.
Basically he says if i cant get it to start, he doesnt think its worth it. So im going to see what i can do about that today
Not ready to give up! Just not sure of my best option yet.
Basically he says if i cant get it to start, he doesnt think its worth it. So im going to see what i can do about that today
Not ready to give up! Just not sure of my best option yet.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 398
From: Merkville the galaxy of Stars
'99 CLK/05 E500 WAG
Thanks Fx and 2merks, good advice!
Link to fb posting?
Car has 68k miles, engine is rock solid, but cant roll due to absent struts. Car needs to move today, either to a shop or a junk yard, and no shop wants to touch it with the water damage.
Basically im in this position:
1) do i sue the mechanic or not even bother. Can i sue for the vehicle depreciation due to his negligence? Do i include MB service center for their role in certifying failing components?
- Seek free counsel in your local area, but you'll need evidence of negligence by both parties.
2) do i fix the car, sell as is, or part it out? What could i expect to make parting it out? Would anyone want to buy it as is?
- I would sell as is noting the terms of conditions parts, equipment and/or issues
As long as your honest of the situation and everything is up front.
3) what cars can an m113k mount in? Id consider buying a cheap project car like an e300 or maybe a non-merc to at least salvage the powertrain?
- See/Part Two.
Sad thing is, ive had a few eurocharged and weistek components and tune packages waiting to be installed for 2 years
Link to fb posting?
Car has 68k miles, engine is rock solid, but cant roll due to absent struts. Car needs to move today, either to a shop or a junk yard, and no shop wants to touch it with the water damage.
Basically im in this position:
1) do i sue the mechanic or not even bother. Can i sue for the vehicle depreciation due to his negligence? Do i include MB service center for their role in certifying failing components?
- Seek free counsel in your local area, but you'll need evidence of negligence by both parties.
2) do i fix the car, sell as is, or part it out? What could i expect to make parting it out? Would anyone want to buy it as is?
- I would sell as is noting the terms of conditions parts, equipment and/or issues
As long as your honest of the situation and everything is up front.
3) what cars can an m113k mount in? Id consider buying a cheap project car like an e300 or maybe a non-merc to at least salvage the powertrain?
- See/Part Two.
Sad thing is, ive had a few eurocharged and weistek components and tune packages waiting to be installed for 2 years
part is letting go.
2MERKS
Super Member
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 520
Likes: 203
From: Scottsdale AZ
2015 SL550 & 2012 S550 4matic
If it were me, I would try to save the car. Yes, you can buy many R230s reasonably, but sentiment and really knowing the car is worth something. Are you an attorney? I would be surprised if you could find anyone to take this on a contingency basis, so you would be out a few grand on a retainer. And going after your old insurance company is fruitless, "no insurance, no coverage". Besides it was neglect, not a comprehensive claim due to Hail or such. The out of biz mechanic is fruitless, too. The MB dealer has Insurance for this type of negligence, but to me its impossible to get the evidence to prove anything. And what would be the reward? Refund on what you paid?
A good mechanic could rebuild ABC system, back to factory new, you can't find that on many R230s on the market. And if you put your High performance parts on..WOW. something to drive with pride.
PS: Be careful Jump starting. Read the Owners manual. The BCM of SAM could get destroyed, heard of it. Might be better off with new batteries as others have suggested.
A good mechanic could rebuild ABC system, back to factory new, you can't find that on many R230s on the market. And if you put your High performance parts on..WOW. something to drive with pride.
PS: Be careful Jump starting. Read the Owners manual. The BCM of SAM could get destroyed, heard of it. Might be better off with new batteries as others have suggested.
