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

SL/R231: Sl63 issues or common problems

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Old May 3, 2023 | 01:38 PM
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Sl63 issues or common problems

Going to ditch the SL55 and replace it with an r231 sl63. Looking at the 2013 to 2017 years and am wondering what if any differences and pitfalls I should be trying to avoid.

I would guess the m157 in the r231 is affected by oil intrusion in the engine wiring harness, but I do like the 5.5 biturbo. I did steer clear of purchasing a w212 e63 specifically because I didn’t want to deal with that problem. Other than the ABC “maintenance “ what other issues have presented themselves?
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Old May 3, 2023 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by cdk4219
Going to ditch the SL55 and replace it with an r231 sl63. Looking at the 2013 to 2017 years and am wondering what if any differences and pitfalls I should be trying to avoid.

I would guess the m157 in the r231 is affected by oil intrusion in the engine wiring harness, but I do like the 5.5 biturbo. I did steer clear of purchasing a w212 e63 specifically because I didn’t want to deal with that problem. Other than the ABC “maintenance “ what other issues have presented themselves?
regarding the m157 you can peruse this sticky I maintain

https://mbworld.org/forums/w212-amg/...-w212-amg.html
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Old May 4, 2023 | 11:33 AM
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2014 SL63
In regard to "Pitfalls", I have owned a '14 SL63 for 5 years and have added 15K to the odometer. I have had no issues with the vehicle. Always maintained per factory recommendations at dealership. Only one modification: SmarTop...you have to do it... https://www.mods4cars.com/sms/shop/i...de=view&id=132
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Old May 5, 2023 | 08:36 PM
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m157 SL63
My 2013 is pretty low mileage (35k) but the only non-modification related issue I've had is the ABC pulsation dampener needed replaced.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...mp-damper.html
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Old May 6, 2023 | 05:22 PM
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One thing I would add to Peter's excellent list is bore scoring. The M157/M278 suffers from this at higher mileage (>50k) and there has been no dates or engine numbers identified where it can be definitively known if an engine will have scoring or not.
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Old May 7, 2023 | 05:02 AM
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2017 SL63
Another Pulsation Dampener Replaced

Originally Posted by billvp218
My 2013 is pretty low mileage (35k) but the only non-modification related issue I've had is the ABC pulsation dampener needed replaced.

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...mp-damper.html
Low mileage 2017 SL63. Replaced Pulsation Dampener under CPO warranty in 2021
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