SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Roll Call....Any Problems With Your 2017 SL?

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Old Apr 30, 2017 | 10:48 PM
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Roll Call....Any Problems With Your 2017 SL?

I've had my 2017 SL450 for 6 months now and have 6k on the odometer as of today. So far no problems, even minor, what so ever. Anyone else doing this well? Don't know how many on the forum have 2017's but am curious as to any problems. Thanks....
PS- My only complaint so far is how easily the sill plates scratch. Had my 12 pound dog stand on her hind legs and put her front paws on the sill plate the other day when I opened the door and she came to greet me. Left some very noticeable scratches on the sill from her toe nails which are very short. Some other type of metal needs to be used in this area IMHO. Though I try to be careful I have left some other scratches with soft soled shoes on.....

Last edited by Utopia Texas; Apr 30, 2017 at 10:51 PM.
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Old May 1, 2017 | 07:44 PM
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Thanks for the heads up. I should take delivery of my new SL, this Thursday or Friday. I just sent an email to my sales guy to ask that when they are doing the detailing of the car, to please leave the plastic on the door sills. I still have the plastic on the door sills of my 2014 E550, and the sills look great, without any scratching. Makes sense to me. Thanks.
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Old May 15, 2017 | 02:37 PM
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I have a 2017 SL450 (~4,000 miles) and SL550 (~11,000 miles), and have only noticed the following issues:

A) There is a rattle/vibration sound from the driver's side A-pillar. This also happened on my 2014 and 2015. (only 550)

B) The driver's side headlight is filled with moisture and will not clear out for days. (only 550)

C) Because I usually drive in Manual Mode / Sport+ with exhaust open, something got vibrated lose in the trunk so at idle, there is a loud rattle from the trunk. It actually sounds really sporty so I am ok with it, but its loud enough that passengers ask what the sound is. It is only present if you have the top up - as soon as the top folds down, it is ok. (only 550)


D) The SL450 had the passenger side triangle, small window get stuck down, and would not come back up. Had to go to dealer for 2 weeks for a fix and wait for a part from Germany.

Overall VERY pleased with both and these issues are trivial compared to the excitement the cars bring as a daily driver.

Last edited by FollowDB; May 15, 2017 at 03:57 PM.
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Old May 15, 2017 | 02:40 PM
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Old May 15, 2017 | 08:43 PM
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I have in the past 5 days noticed a intermittent noise I believe comming from the passenger side door/floor area. It only happens on rough road, not bumpy but rough asphalt roads with
a coarse surface and occasionally when both front wheels hit a road expansion joint at the same time. It is a quick "buzz" sound like plastic vibrating . With the radio on or the roof down I cannot hear it but buttoned up it bothers me.
Snugged up the screws holding the plastic paneling under the car but that did not help. Need to have someone ride with me to pinpoint the area. I hear mostly from my right ear so I may be off on the target area.

Last edited by Utopia Texas; May 16, 2017 at 02:12 PM.
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Old May 16, 2017 | 03:17 AM
  #6  
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2017 SL450; 2012 Porsche Cayenne Turbo; 2005 Lexus SC430
Owned my 2017 SL 450 since December; have 1300 miles on it. The left door sometimes fails to close completely unless closed firmly. (The right door closes easily and properly.)
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Old May 23, 2017 | 04:32 PM
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Sl450
My SL450 just passed 1,000 miles. -0- problems.
I traded in my 2014 Z51 Corvette convertible, and have been very surprised at the acceleration of the SL. A couple of the magazine reviews question the 4.9 second 0-60 times, but I have seen nothing of an actual test. (They think it is faster)
I am quite certain the SL would hold it's own with the Vette.
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Old May 24, 2017 | 11:10 PM
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Originally Posted by FollowDB
I have a 2017 SL450 (~4,000 miles) and SL550 (~11,000 miles)
Sir, you are in a VERY unique position, owning both a new SL450 and an SL550. I think that many folks on this forum would be VERY interested to hear how you compare these two cars. I certainly know that I would. Thanks in advance.
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Old Aug 11, 2017 | 12:20 AM
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Brakes went bad at about 2k miles. Had the rotors replaced. I guess the dealer never really bedded them in correctly and they vibrated like a **** when braking.
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Old Aug 12, 2017 | 05:34 PM
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2017 SL450
Well, I've had my SL450 for just over three months and have had not one single problem or issue with the car. It's been perfect so far.
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Old Aug 13, 2017 | 08:27 AM
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Mercedes SL 450
My 2015 SL - had a air leak in the drivers seat, it had to be removed from the car to be fixed - ran thru 3 bent rims, and destroyed 4 tires due to pot holes for sure on my
new 2018 SL, am getting wheel and tire Insurance !
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Old Aug 14, 2017 | 12:19 PM
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Just wondering, is the 2/3/4 year prepaid maintenance worth it? I hope to pick up my EDP in a few weeks, as it arrived in LA on Friday.
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Old Aug 14, 2017 | 12:34 PM
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Mercedes SL 450
I don't think it is discounted if paid in advance so I would not go for it ! I might sell the vehicle or trade for a newer SL, not sure if Mercedes would give you credit for unused prepayments should you trade it for another Benz. Of course the cost may go up and you lock in the cost if paid in advance. Hold on to your money and invest wisely is what I would do !
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Old Aug 14, 2017 | 08:33 PM
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If you lease the car, following the maintenance schedule is a requirement, not an option.

Prepaid maintenance is discounted up to 50% but I recommend to have that thrown in for free as part of the negotiations.
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Old Aug 21, 2017 | 11:28 PM
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Prepaid maintenance is discounted up to 50% but I recommend to have that thrown in for free as part of the negotiations.[/QUOTE]

Prepaid maintenance sold at time of purchase is a considered a profit source.
That should tell you all you need to know.
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Old Oct 3, 2017 | 10:17 AM
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5700 miles 6 months old not one second of problems....

It has been driven really hard (at Millbrook Proving Ground UK) around a test track (for almost 4 hours with breaks in-between), also at 120mph on a two mile long banked circular track for about 10 laps (peripheral vision training), and unto 100mph with emergency stops while steering - did about 10 of them all, at the same facility. Spent 2 days with one on one training - felt that having learned to drive over 45 years ago, it was time for an update!!

Also high speeds on the Autobahn in Germany - the roads were really busy but I did get it up to 148 mph at one stretch before I had to slow for traffic (I really wanted to see the needle hit 250km/h :-) )- .

...Just saying that the car has not been mollicoddled!

Last edited by rorywquin; Oct 3, 2017 at 10:27 AM.
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Old Nov 14, 2017 | 05:39 PM
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Had mine for ten since February. A slight intermittent vibration from the right hand door, other than that its been flawless. Would like bigger wheels. I have eighteens at the moment, purly for looks no other reason delighted with the car
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Old Nov 14, 2017 | 05:45 PM
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sl400


With 10mm wheel spacers front and 12 rear

Last edited by shellsl400; Nov 14, 2017 at 05:46 PM. Reason: text mistake
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Old Nov 14, 2017 | 08:52 PM
  #19  
pmlnnrt's Avatar
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Mercedes SL 450
Originally Posted by Wolfman
If you lease the car, following the maintenance schedule is a requirement, not an option.

Prepaid maintenance is discounted up to 50% but I recommend to have that thrown in for free as part of the negotiations.
i got. 3 years maintenance, ability to use my credit card for 7,000, and they gave me the rims I wanted, and gave me back the original wheels
that came with the car. Will sell the rims. To see a photo, go to the thread “Finally”. Got the above compensation for the over 6 month delay !
still don’t know what the part they were waiting for, for over 3 month wait at the Vehicle Processing Center. That part also delayed KMG car on this
forum too

Phil
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Old Nov 14, 2017 | 11:29 PM
  #20  
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2017 SL550
I've had my 2017 SL550 for 4 months now. Have driven it for 3600 miles and NO issues...love it!!!
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Old Nov 25, 2017 | 04:07 PM
  #21  
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Phone volume settings: I drive mostly with the top stowed and one of the pitfalls to doing this is that at highway speeds, and frankly, all the rest of the time too, I can never get the phone volume up enough to comfortably have a conversation. The person at the end of the line never has a problem hearing me, but I can't always hear them. Is there a way to raise the volume on the SL?
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Old Nov 25, 2017 | 05:48 PM
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Originally Posted by jetjok
Phone volume settings: I drive mostly with the top stowed and one of the pitfalls to doing this is that at highway speeds, and frankly, all the rest of the time too, I can never get the phone volume up enough to comfortably have a conversation. The person at the end of the line never has a problem hearing me, but I can't always hear them. Is there a way to raise the volume on the SL?
Blue Tooth to your hearing aids......
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Old Nov 25, 2017 | 10:23 PM
  #23  
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2017 SL450
Originally Posted by Utopia Texas
Blue Tooth to your hearing aids......
As far as I know, my hearing is still A-OK. However, my wife would disagree. Seriously, the volume, even with the top on, is quite low. Are all the other SL's like that?
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Old Nov 25, 2017 | 11:25 PM
  #24  
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I have 2016 and have the same problem...purchased a new GLE 3 months ago for my wife and it’s the same. Spoke to my SA couple of weeks ago and he said there is no solution that he is aware of.
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Old Nov 26, 2017 | 07:42 AM
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C300
My 2018 is wonderful with top up.
you can make it too loud
If top is down, it is fine but not if on noisy expressway
especially with truck !
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