SL/R231: SL 550 Reliability issues?
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Joined: Aug 2020
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From: Georgia
SL500
SL 550 Reliability issues?
Currently own a 2003 SL500 and looking at trading up to a 2013 SL 550......anything I need to know about as far as repairs, reliability etc?
TIA.....
TIA.....
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Joined: Feb 2020
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2017 SL450, 2017 Ford Expedition, 2007 CLK 550, 2019 Buick Enclave
If you can do it financially, I would really suggest looking at a 2017 SL450 before buying the older 550. Yes, it will cost you maybe 15-20K or so more depending on the specifics of both cars, but the difference in the cars is unbelievable.
We started looking at ones older than 2017 and also 550s, and we drove and shopped quite a few. At the time, we were in Florida for the winter and there are many down there. I am not guru enough to tell you all they did in 2017 like the transmission and the 2017 450 improvements--- but for us there was a HUGE difference in the refinement and handling. Just drive one and compare to the older ones.... and you can find one with extended warranty as well. It changed our mind and we bought the 2017 SL450 and for us it was a good decision. Just my $.02 worth.
We started looking at ones older than 2017 and also 550s, and we drove and shopped quite a few. At the time, we were in Florida for the winter and there are many down there. I am not guru enough to tell you all they did in 2017 like the transmission and the 2017 450 improvements--- but for us there was a HUGE difference in the refinement and handling. Just drive one and compare to the older ones.... and you can find one with extended warranty as well. It changed our mind and we bought the 2017 SL450 and for us it was a good decision. Just my $.02 worth.
Last edited by Panama; Dec 4, 2020 at 12:49 PM.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
In terms of reliability these cars are rock solid from 2013 and up. Obviously newer cars will have some advantages but very little has changed in the overall tech. The have the same engines (apart from power bumps) in the 2013-2020 models. Transmissions have changed as part of the facelift from 7 to 9 speed but either car is worlds apart from a 2003 R230.
By default, the R231 SL's are on springs with the (much improved) ABC as a $4k option. I wouldn't hesitate getting one with ABC as they have corrected the ABC problems of the R230.
Overall one of the most trouble-free Mercedes models for its 7 year plus duration. The old R230 SL was a maintenance and repair nightmare.
By default, the R231 SL's are on springs with the (much improved) ABC as a $4k option. I wouldn't hesitate getting one with ABC as they have corrected the ABC problems of the R230.
Overall one of the most trouble-free Mercedes models for its 7 year plus duration. The old R230 SL was a maintenance and repair nightmare.
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2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I owned a 2003 SL500 from new, for 12 years. I don’t know the exact numbers, but my 2019 SL450 feels like it is way quicker than the 2004. The 450’s ROCK!
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2017 SL450, 2017 Ford Expedition, 2007 CLK 550, 2019 Buick Enclave
We drove several of each, and drove them a couple of times back-to-back. That is why I suggested for the original poster to at least give them a look. The difference between the facelift 2017 450 and the older SLs was undeniable.
I think it has to do with the newer transmission, but it could be the engine improvements they did to the 450..... There was a big difference - so much so that we stopped looking at pre-2017 years and also my wife went head over heels for the Bright Blue...
My suggestion was to drive some and at least consider the 450s....
Then decide.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Yes, they do.
We drove several of each, and drove them a couple of times back-to-back. That is why I suggested for the original poster to at least give them a look. The difference between the facelift 2017 450 and the older SLs was undeniable.
I think it has to do with the newer transmission, but it could be the engine improvements they did to the 450..... There was a big difference - so much so that we stopped looking at pre-2017 years and also my wife went head over heels for the Bright Blue...
My suggestion was to drive some and at least consider the 450s....
Then decide.
We drove several of each, and drove them a couple of times back-to-back. That is why I suggested for the original poster to at least give them a look. The difference between the facelift 2017 450 and the older SLs was undeniable.
I think it has to do with the newer transmission, but it could be the engine improvements they did to the 450..... There was a big difference - so much so that we stopped looking at pre-2017 years and also my wife went head over heels for the Bright Blue...
My suggestion was to drive some and at least consider the 450s....
Then decide.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
I remember when getting our first SL550 in 2013. That car was equally fast and even faster (albeit uneventfully) than our R230 SL55 or even the SL600 V12TT; and those were worlds apart from the low power, naturally aspirated V8's in the early SL500's. Those cars were just comfy and slow by todays standards. The SL500 had 302HP and ran 0-60 in 6.1 seconds. The 2019 SL 450 in comparison has 365hp and does 0-60 in 4.9 seconds.
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Only MBs - the best or nothing
As a former 2003 SL500 owner myself, given what stated above regarding SL450s, I would suggest to look into 2015-16 SL400 as well. 2015-16 SL400s are less expensive on used market than 2017-19 SL450s and are also much quicker that R230 SL500 (about 5.1-5.2 sec 0-60). Adding $250 Dinan tuner (100% safe) will bring performance on the level of SL450. I have a hunch that budget is also a consideration. Needless to say if price, mileage and overall condition is similar, I would take 2013-14 SL550 over 2015-16 SL400.
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From: Brookshire, Texas & Cat Spring, Texas
2019 SL550/2023 EQS 580 SUV
The most common complaint for the R231, four or five on this forum, is the spring/bracket on the center console doors breaking. LOL 😊
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No more MB:(
Owned a 2013 and 2015, so seven years of SL ownership before I traded my 2015 this year. I had one issue, radiator hose came loose and left me stranded. That was it, solid cars. Zero problems.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
Congratulation on your new SL and welcome to the forum! Happy to have you as a new member and look forward to more pics! This is a great community of SL enthusiasts
Last edited by Wolfman; Dec 7, 2020 at 04:49 PM.
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2017 550SL - 2018 560S
Excellent analytical tool for evaluating any used car: https://caredge.com/mercedes-benz/sl...ion#calculator
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2014 SL65 AMG, 2018 S560
If you can do it financially, I would really suggest looking at a 2017 SL450 before buying the older 550. Yes, it will cost you maybe 15-20K or so more depending on the specifics of both cars, but the difference in the cars is unbelievable.
We started looking at ones older than 2017 and also 550s, and we drove and shopped quite a few. At the time, we were in Florida for the winter and there are many down there. I am not guru enough to tell you all they did in 2017 like the transmission and the 2017 450 improvements--- but for us there was a HUGE difference in the refinement and handling. Just drive one and compare to the older ones.... and you can find one with extended warranty as well. It changed our mind and we bought the 2017 SL450 and for us it was a good decision. Just my $.02 worth.
We started looking at ones older than 2017 and also 550s, and we drove and shopped quite a few. At the time, we were in Florida for the winter and there are many down there. I am not guru enough to tell you all they did in 2017 like the transmission and the 2017 450 improvements--- but for us there was a HUGE difference in the refinement and handling. Just drive one and compare to the older ones.... and you can find one with extended warranty as well. It changed our mind and we bought the 2017 SL450 and for us it was a good decision. Just my $.02 worth.
