I need a weekend, personal use car. It will not be a daily driver to and from work etc. I'm debating between the Porsche Cayman and the SL500/550. I'm looking for something between 2003 and 2009. I plan to pay cash and there seems to be a variety of vehicles from those years in my price range. I have found a 2007 SL550 with 70k miles for $12,900 The carfax shows 3 owners and 1 reported accident in 09 which was to the rear license plate area of the car and reported as minor.

I've never owned an SL. A long time ago I drove a '97 for about a year but it was a company car. I just took it in for routine service but remember it being a great vehicle. I currently own a 2015 C250 and in the past I've owned a 2005 CLK500, and a variety of older BMW's and Porsche's and am able to do most minor repairs and preventive maintenance myself. What concerns me about this SL550 is of course the ABC system. I've read it can be a real headache. As of now the car looks and drives great. The car fax shows the Hydraulic Control Unit as being replaced in 09. The car also had the transmission replaced in 07. It shows the same repair "Body Electrical Wiring repaired" 3 times in 2012-14. I'm not sure that means the exact same thing was repaired each time because the term Body Electrical Wiring isn't exactly specific. With that said it looks like this car has had some significant repairs in it's history. Transmission replaced a year after it's on the road???? It just worries me a little. I've listed the repairs from Carfax below. It also shows regular routine service such as oil change, brake pad replacement etc. as being completed regularly throughout it's history so the car appears to have been properly maintained. I'm certainly not afraid of dealing with the "normal" SL issues I've read about. Again, I like to do most things myself and I know my limitations. I'm just curious about what other SL owners think of this car's history and what if any advice they may have with regards to things to look for and or question. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

2007

• A/C receiver/dryer replaced
• A/C evaporator replaced

2007

• Transmission removed and reinstalled
• Transmission replaced

2007

• Engine/powertrain computer/module reprogrammed
• Engine/powertrain computer/module checked

2008
High mount brake light assembly replaced
2009
Hydraulic control unit replaced

• Wiring repaired
• A/C evaporator temperature sensor replaced
• Engine mount(s) replaced

2010
Steering wheel replaced
High mount brake light assembly replaced
2012
Body electrical wiring repaired
2014
Body electrical wiring repaired
Body electrical wiring repaired
2017

• Engine mount(s) replaced
• Transmission mount(s) replaced

 

Murph, That SL has had a lot more problems than my '05 SL500. I have had none of those issues except for replacing the high-mounted brake light (but only once not twice). I have had to replace batteries every few years and I just put the third set of Michelin (PS4) tires on it.

 

I’ve got an 07 with over 150k miles on it and other than a few oil leaks (oil separator and oil filter housing gasket) and one ABC leak (quick connect fitting was dripping) it’s been a great car. I bought it used about a year and a half ago and I’ve only put about 3000 miles myself.
two current issues are the audio. When the car first starts cold I get no sound at all. After a few minutes I can shut the car and restart and all is well.
The other issue is the pneumatic bolsters in the seats leak. Only the bottom lumbar cushion inflates.
Unfortunately I didn’t get any service records with mine but I took a chance and I’m very happy with this one.
My last one was a 90 500sl and after driving the 550, my old one felt like an old Cadillac. Lol

 

It looks as though the last few years have been solid. I'm hoping at this point most serious or potentially serious issues have been dealt with and it's smooth sailing...or driving, from here on out. With only 70k on the car, I should have plenty of miles to go without serious issues. For the money, I think it's worth the risk. I hope so anyway.

 

I've owned my 07 sl550 since October 2006. 114,000 miles. great car. transmission rebuild at 100,000 only major expense so far

 

Look, it's a 14 year old car. There are going to be issues. I've had my 07 SL550 for a couple of months and had to replace the rear battery and a "u-joint knuckle?" That being said, I love this car and can't stop smiling every time I drive it.

 

So, some advise from a new 2004 SL500 owner. You need to either be a pretty good mechanic yourself or find one. I am not a mechanic and it took me 3 tries to find one that is actually capable of working on these things. The way i found mine was i called the Mercedes dealership because i was frustrated with the private mechanics so i was just going to pay whatever to get it fixed correctly, and they actually told me to take it to a private guy they actually use to fix these things. Hes great, definitely a SL wispier, but it was stressful finding him...

 

Probably a wise decision on the part of the dealer. The older R230's aren't really a good fit at your typical Mercedes dealer. Many parts have been discontinued, younger techs are not trained or experienced with them, panels often need clips glued back on or plastic repairs, aftermarket rebuilt and used parts make more sense than dealer parts in many cases, labor rate vs. current value of the car, etc.

 

I've actually noticed a small shop I need to check out yet. He's always got older cars on the lot including older Benz.

 

I would still try to get a recommendation. The first two shops i took mine to were both mechanics that specialize in European cars and im pretty sure they did more damage than good. Not until i took it to the shop that mercedes dealership recommend did things actually get fixed.

 

Murph, if you plan to buy the car you might consider a PPI Pre purchase inspection at a dealer. Have them print out a VMI vehicle maintenance inventory (I think), which should contain the part numbers put on the car by Benz dealerships, not others. This could tell what hydraulic repair has been done.

If you buy the car and want to enjoy DIY, as many of us do, you are going to need tools, including DAS Xentry on a laptop for diagnostic and repair. You may already have and you will need metric and star sockets and bits drivers, etc.

If you are looking for an Independent shop ask them if they have the official MB XNTRY diagnostic tools. Not all do, some use their familiar snap on or equivalent which are limited on Benz cars. Even though the shop could work on Benz and have older ones experience, doesn’t mean they can diagnose and repair r230s. I found this out the hard way.

I have owned my Sl for 3 years putting 6k miles on,32k now. Car was dealer maintained 2 owner. I have replaced motor and transmission mounts at Indy and flushed ABC, oil changes and filters, just replaced both batteries DIY. Zero issues. 2007 and later have ABC2 components which are said to be more reliable than prior versions.

You won’t regret your decision when you do. Keep us posted.

 

My 2007 SL550 is a great car, had it a year now, replaced motor mounts and trans mount when I got it, it had been owned by a little old lady who never went over 30 MPH!!!! The engine was so full of carbon I thought it might be a basket case but I bought it anyway. Serious seafoam treatment to remove carbon inside engine was drastically needed and worked wonders, I also did new ignition coils and spark plugs, all filters, all fluids. Including new brake fluid and new ABC fluid. The car runs like new and is rock solid, a dream to drive! I also got new wheels and tires with new TPMS sensors. Believe me, with my foot on the gas pedal there won't be any carbon building up in the engine ever again! 95K miles. This car loves having an owner who understands its needs. Just had an oil change after 3000 miles since the prior.