SL/R230: SL500 Reliability
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
SL500 Reliability
I've just begun my research into buying a 05 SL500 and I came across this great site with all of you seemingly very experienced MB owners. I've picked up on some threads here and elsewhere that MB quality is not what it used to be and one member said that an owner of a new SL500 should be ready to start paying some big repair bills after 3 or 4 years if the car was to be used as a daily driver. Thats how I plan to use it - any thoughts from any of you on this and just general quality/reliability? Thank you in advance.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
Thanks
What a great thing to hear Ricky! I think the SL500 is such a beautiful car and I don't want to be turned away from purchasing it but I would not want to spend that kind of money and be running to the shop all the time. For the money I'm not asking for perfection just excellance.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Only the early days for us sucked. Now though, THE CAR IS ROCK SOLID!
There is no question the quality of the interior of the cars has deterioated however they do look much better. Mercedes have done a very good job in decreasing the costs while making the interior look more plush and just as good.
One example would be the wood. It used to be hand matched. Today, that is just not the case. In the old days, when you needed to replace a wood part, you had to buy all the wood because every piece was matched up perfectly. Today, you can buy any piece you want and it may or may not match perfectly.
The leather used to be replaced by the month it was purchased and a lot number. Today, there are no lot numbers. You just replace the leather and hope the color matches.
Again, I am not sure this is worse than any other car but to say the quality hasn't deteriorated on the inside is just not true. It is true, that even with this, the interior looks just as good or even better.
I actually think they have improved the body work, the paint and the engine.
Overall, you can't go wrong buying a Mercedes. They have their problems like anyone but they are great cars.
Good luck.
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Ssssh, let him fall into the trap first 
The car reliability wise is fine, if you are looking for a good interior, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a anything pretty much, look somewhere else.
UNLESS YOU WANT A TWO SEATER HARDTOP! Mercedes SL is the best on the market.
The car reliability wise is fine, if you are looking for a good interior, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a anything pretty much, look somewhere else.
UNLESS YOU WANT A TWO SEATER HARDTOP! Mercedes SL is the best on the market.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal
Ssssh, let him fall into the trap first
The car reliability wise is fine, if you are looking for a good interior, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a anything pretty much, look somewhere else.
UNLESS YOU WANT A TWO SEATER HARDTOP! Mercedes SL is the best on the market.
The car reliability wise is fine, if you are looking for a good interior, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a anything pretty much, look somewhere else.
UNLESS YOU WANT A TWO SEATER HARDTOP! Mercedes SL is the best on the market.
Out Of Control!!
Joined: Jul 2002
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Aye!
Our cars almost three years old? I'm not sure, but we haven't been paying big bills, I wouldn't worry about it... yet.
blueSL is right, down the road however, it'll get expensive. But don't let that deter you!
Our cars almost three years old? I'm not sure, but we haven't been paying big bills, I wouldn't worry about it... yet.
blueSL is right, down the road however, it'll get expensive. But don't let that deter you!
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
As I said, I'm not looking for perfection just excellance and I believe thats what you guys are saying I'll get for the most part. I went to test drive the SL500 but to get to the lot where the black/berry red model was they had me drive a SL600 to get there. Wow, what an engine - I felt like this 4000 lb. plus car was my old 422 lb. 1972 Kawasaki 750. The SL500 had plenty of power for me but that SL600 had me thinking for a moment. I like the interior of the SL - its fit and finish seem fine. I'm not educated enough in the finer things in the automobile world yet such as matching leather and wood but I understand your drift in terms of a downward move in material quality. Thanks again.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by So Cal Sam
As I said, I'm not looking for perfection just excellance and I believe thats what you guys are saying I'll get for the most part. I went to test drive the SL500 but to get to the lot where the black/berry red model was they had me drive a SL600 to get there. Wow, what an engine - I felt like this 4000 lb. plus car was my old 422 lb. 1972 Kawasaki 750. The SL500 had plenty of power for me but that SL600 had me thinking for a moment. I like the interior of the SL - its fit and finish seem fine. I'm not educated enough in the finer things in the automobile world yet such as matching leather and wood but I understand your drift in terms of a downward move in material quality. Thanks again.
As for the engine, that is obvious as well.
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2026 Mercedes CLE53A4 AMG Cabriolet and 2025 MAYBACH EQS680V4
Originally Posted by ajf1
its a type of suede used for the headliner and other parts of the car that escape my mind right now, so cal sam sent you a pm.
On the SL500, these areas are plastic with texture.
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Alcantara
Here is a website about it if you would like some more information
http://www.alcantara.it/english/index_f.htm
This looks a lot nicer than the standard product found in the SL500.
http://www.alcantara.it/english/index_f.htm
This looks a lot nicer than the standard product found in the SL500.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
Thanks for the website addy for Alcantara...now I have another thing to wish for. Beautiful photos of your SL600 Stephen. Does anyone have any photos of a black SL with the Berry Red interior?
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From: Tallahassee, Florida
2006 SL600, 2001 S500, 1996 SL320
Thank you
Originally Posted by So Cal Sam
Thanks for the website addy for Alcantara...now I have another thing to wish for. Beautiful photos of your SL600 Stephen. Does anyone have any photos of a black SL with the Berry Red interior?
Newbie
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: Los Angeles
'05 Porsche 911 Carrera; '04 BMW X5
poor reliability
I live in LA and thought my new '03 SL500 would be the perfect commuter car and weekend cruiser when I bought it new a year and a half ago. But after the car was less than one year old, I bought an '04 X5 as a second car. I became fed up with driving around in loaner C-class sedans while my new roadster sat in the MB shop so many times for repair (various problems: top malfunctions, locked out, wouldn't start, leaking trunk, top rattles when stowed, rattles, parktronic "demons", etc.) I would have to say I am unhappy with the car's reliability.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Feb 2005
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From: El Segundo, CA
2006 SL 500
Thanks 03SilverSL. I'm sorry to hear you had so many problems. Do you think that being a 2003 model had anything to do with it? I seem to gather through this forum and others that things have gotten better in 04 and 05. I don't want the kind of headaches you described so I'm hoping to confirm my sentence above that 05 is a good year for the SL. I live in LA too (El Segundo) - what dealer did you purchase from and would you recommend them even though you can't recommend the car?
Here is a pic of a Berry Red interior that I was looking for.
Here is a pic of a Berry Red interior that I was looking for.
Member
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 131
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From: England
SL500 '05
I agree the SL500 especially on the roof lining is poor compared to the rest of the car. The 600 is more plush.
The sun visors are a disgrace. Plasticky, dont hold easily at the position you want. Being positive 90% of the interior is excellent and very well built.
I need a positive thread!
The sun visors are a disgrace. Plasticky, dont hold easily at the position you want. Being positive 90% of the interior is excellent and very well built.
I need a positive thread!
