JGoergen

I am SO SO excited to finally almost own my DREAM CAR... I have owned a 2001 C32 AMG (purchased new), 2013 SLK250 (new as a lease), and currently a 2014 E350 Cabriolet (purchased used, 2 years old with 18,000 miles.

Just put a deposit down on a 2013 SL550, 34,000 miles, designo Magno Alanite Grey with Red/Black Premium leather. This car is LOADED, includingPremium 1, Driver Assistance (Active Lane Assist - a must have, love it on my E), never had Distronic Plus with Pre-Safe Brake, Sport Wheels and Active Body Control ( a new option for me as well).
This is the first time I am purchasing from a dealer that is not a MB dealer, and of course, being a 2013, car is out of warranty so I will be purchasing an extended warranty. So, anything I should be looking for as far as issues in the 2013? Any input on the options? The non glossy paint? Thanks!!

putter

Congratulations! I 've had mine about 2 months. Sounds a lot like yours. No issues so far. Good luck with yours.

Streamliner

WOW! This car has ABC? Do you have any idea how rare that is? ABC was standard equipment on the R230 models, made through 2012. Since then, it is a $4K+ option, which almost nobody orders. I have a CPO 2013 I bought about 10 months ago and I love it, except for the fact that it doesn't have ABC. If the colors work for you, you will absolutely LOVE this car!

All that said, be real careful about the warranty. I would get that all nailed down BEFORE you sign the papers. That wonderful ABC system can be VERY expensive to repair, should there be problems, not to mention some of the other systems. I would not want to own an R231, without a really good, comprehensive warranty. Please post photos when it's yours.

Surfer Dude

Congratulations. And not to rain on your deal, due diligence on the warranty side of the deal is paramount. When you purchase from a non-MBZ dealer, you block the avenue to purchase an official MBZ extended warranty, which will cover everything including options like ABC. As to what the non-MBZ dealer has offered you as to warranty, that can only be an aftermarket product. If so, I suggest you read the fine print and get to know this warranty. Aftermarket warranties for the SL’s are limited as to how many companies offer this warranty. I purchased my SL550 from a non-MBZ dealer and spent some serious time going through the aftermarket warranties and settled with one that looks pretty good. Haven’t used it yet, but that day will come.

Surfer Dude

Let me add to my last post. If you can convince the dealer to put the SL up on the rack so you can inspect the underside, do it. The dealer shouldn't be resistant. Look for corrosion issues and anything that looks funny. Then look at the inside of the wheels for anything funny. The interior wheels will be loaded with brake dust, so that can be a bit of an issue.

JGoergen

So, we have been negotiating since last Saturday. Please, anyone, chime in. Being in the legal profession I guess I am leary of everything so I could use some help:

Private Warranty 5 years, 45,000 miles (so would take me thru thru 70,000 miles or 5 years) thru United Car Care, at their price..., is $5895, bumper to bumper, includes parts, labor and taxes with a $100 deductible, and they confirmed that the ABC system is covered, and that I can bring the car to any MB dealer. Are they ripping me off? Anyone had experience with his warranty company?

Car has 35,000 miles, looked at service records, the 30,000 maintenance was not done - anyone know what that runs?And is that the A service and the B service is 40,000 miles?

Thanks for all your help, hopefully, soon, I can post as an owner.....

Streamliner

I can't speak to the warranty, but you have not told us the price of the car. Just so you'll know, I paid $57,995.00 for my non-ABC, CPO SL550 last November, with under 12,000 miles and an original MSRP of $118K. I might also add that if and when you go to sell this car, the color will be somewhat of an obstacle, as few buyers will go for it.

JGoergen

Car has 35,000 miles and they are asking $52,500. The MSRP was $125,895

All options except Night Vision pretty much. But no warranty which bothers me because all my other MBs have had a warranty of at least a year.

I have now started looking at another 2013 SL, but this has a CPO and a very aggressive 3k lower price. Almost the same car (without the ABC), and not with the dull paint finish.

I am really torn...

Streamliner

I would think that one would just have to LOVE the matte finishes to have one. I know some folks do love them, but they are in the minority. You know, there are a TON of 2013 & 2014 SL's on the market right now. I found mine on eBay of all places. I wasn't even planning on buying one, I was just killing time on a lazy Sunday morning and there it was. Unless you are absolutely in love with this particular car, I would take a good look at eBay and AutoTrader, just to see what else is out there. So many of these cars are third or fourth cars in a household and many have ridiculously low miles on them. Might look for one of those being sold by an MB dealer as CPO. Anyway, I do wish you the best of luck.

Surfer Dude

Here's a 2013 CPO, good color combo, good options, right wheels, 31K miles $49.9K asking, so there's probably 2-3K in room there. I picked Il, as its in the center of the country. For starting searches, I use Cargurus, which is dealer driven and you can really dial in what your looking for. From there its to the MBZ CPO site to compare and a couple of other sites including Ebay. This SL being a CPO, the aftermarket dance and cost for warranty just goes away. Good luck...

https://www.cargurus.com/Cars/invent...ting=181136995

Once the CPO 12 month extended warranty runs out, you can purchase an additional 1-2 Years of “Certified Pre-Owned Extended Limited Warranty”. You don’t have to purchase this extended 1-2 Year warranty from the dealer you originally purchased the car from, and can shop the complete MBZ nationwide dealership network for the warranty. And the prices will vary in your favor if you do the home work.


Further, through purchasing a CPO from a MBZ dealer, you can get minor issues fixed during the purchase contract work and for some time after. A couple of years ago when purchasing another CPO Benz, and prior to closing out the paperwork, I discovered a rock chip in the windshield I had never seen before. They replaced the windshield at no charge post haste. Then after driving the car for about a month, I noticed a vibration coming from the front end. They realigned it and didn’t go away. The 2nd time in the shop it was discovered there was a bent wheel. They replaced that immediately. The CPO is really piece of mind for the expensive and complicated MBZ’s a used SL is.


https://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/servi...mited-warranty

davidjohnbamber

I have previously owned an SL, a 1983 380SL that is! IMHO a warranty is a must have, I would look for a CPO, or a private party purchase with an M-B Extended warranty, or the ability to purchase a M-B Extended Warranty. A VMI, and a PPI for a vehicle in this price range would be helpful. I purchased an extended warranty through my credit union four years ago for a E350. My credit union told me that my E Class was one of the few M-B models the warranty company (Rt. 66) covered, so an SL might not be covered. Good Luck!