When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
2013-2020 SL Reliability issues: CRICKETS!
You know, I just realized, for a vehicle that came out in 2013, there are a phenomenally small number of “problem” posts here on R231 and most all of them are for very minor issues. The R231’s are turning out to be darn near bulletproof as far as reliability goes. Isn’t that nice, for a change?
I sure hope this is true. My SL is my first Mercedes and I was and still am a bit nervous about future costly repairs as I have no warranty since the CPO extension expired last year.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by chassis
Low sample size and low annual mileage mean definitive statements cannot be made on 231 reliability.
M278 and M157 used across the MB product lineup have a host of well-known serious issues with higher mileage.
The widely-used M276 in the SL450 is a solid engine.
Because of low production volume and low annual mileage it’s premature to say anything about the movable roof system.
I am glad to hear the M276 is such a good engine since I have that in the 3.0 liter version in my SL400 and the 3.5 liter version in my C350. And the 722.9 7G tranny has been shown to be also solid. However, I do not think low production volume and low mileage undermines the observed reliability of the R231. I think age will be a determining factor as time goes on. But for now, the R231 does seem to have far less issues than previous generations.
Low production volume or not, if there was a failure rate for the car, it would show up as a percentage. And if there are no significant observed failures, that may mean the components have been manufactured and assembled to keep the car's reliability high. I believe the R231 improves on the lessons learned from the R230, which did have significant reliability problems when it came to the roof, the ABC suspension, and the SBC braking system. Of course, those problems do seem to have shown up as the R230 aged beyond 10 years.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
Originally Posted by Bill Julyan
8,000 trouble free miles on my 2019 SL550. Local MB dealer keeps sending me "deals" to trade it in for a 2023 SL whatever. No thanks.
Beautiful car, Bill! There is something ageless about all SLs. And I think the low production volume contributes to the mystique of the SL. When kids just learning to ride a bicycle stare at my car when I drive by, there must be some primal instinct that causes people to marvel at its beauty.
I have 41,000 miles on my 2015 SL400 with 19,000 being mine. I religiously change the oil and filter every 5,000 miles with Mobil 1 0W-40 as prescribed. When the time comes to do the tranny fluid, I will do that ahead of the recommended mileage. I flush the brake fluid every two years, as well.
Low sample size and low annual mileage mean definitive statements cannot be made on 231 reliability.
M278 and M157 used across the MB product lineup have a host of well-known serious issues with higher mileage.
The widely-used M276 in the SL450 is a solid engine.
Because of low production volume and low annual mileage it’s premature to say anything about the movable roof system.
That makes no sense. There are plenty of cars in the field on this now 11 year old design. Seen quite a few examples with higher mileage. Since the R231 is an evolutionary upgrade on engine suspension, roof, etc. one can see how these systems work or fail.
If a 10 year old car has been driven no issues, even or especially with a low mileage, it is reliable.
One only had to wait a few months on the R230 to be flooded with issues and they multiplied quickly due to high failure rates. Our SL55 only needed a few weeks until we started with the first replacement; all brakes/rotors… $10k
Same with ABC; those revision made the Archilles heel of the R230 SL a non-issue.
2006 CLS55 AMG Sold 2010 E550 Coupe totaled '13 SL550 current and loving it!
I've had my 2013 SL550 for about a year and a half and other than having to change the aux battery and an oil change, it has been flawless. I got it with approximately 58,000 miles and now have roughly 66,000 miles. Fingers crossed it remains solid, I have been extremely happy and absolutely love this car.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by paulmr
Yes it is after owning 8 SLs. My 2013 SL65 is great so far, although I have owned her for only 2 months!
I've had 8 as well and my 2019 is by far the best one overall. I do miss the beautiful audio system my 2004 SL500 had, but that's it. Everything else about my SL450 is much better.
Our R231 was a 2013 SL550, CPO with 15K miles on it. We kept it almost five years, put just about 40K miles on it, and other than rear tires every 12K miles, we simply performed routine maintenance. IMO one of the best vehicles MB ever produced.
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by TennesseeZ4
Our R231 was a 2013 SL550, CPO with 15K miles on it. We kept it almost five years, put just about 40K miles on it, and other than rear tires every 12K miles, we simply performed routine maintenance. IMO one of the best vehicles MB ever produced.
I remember when you put those wheels on her. What a stunner!
Other than the vario roof there is nothing I would ever worry about with the R231 SL. Hell most of these didn’t even come with ABC so that’s a huge worry off owners shoulders.
Other than the vario roof there is nothing I would ever worry about with the R231 SL. Hell most of these didn’t even come with ABC so that’s a huge worry off owners shoulders.
I’ve leased 3 and am about to buy the 3rd so anybody with advice; speak now! It’s a 2020 with 7k mi and a year left in warranty. I’m thinking no on the extended unless fidelity isn’t too spendy. Dealer offered 5 k for CPO adding a year …how about no?? The only issue i had was with my 2017 i think it was- the driver’s seat massaging motors crapped out and they had to take out the seat and i think replace it. I noticed what the shop charged for simply removing the seat , whoa. And I dented a panel on my 2017 while parking, stupid girl driver ha, and they had to take off the roof to put the panel in for some reason. It was THOUSANDS just to take it off and put it back on. I assume labor hours. I also assume an indie wouldn’t gouge me but - i guess i echo the sentiment. The vario roof is not reported to screw up. I asked a hydraulic top shop guy recommended here and he wasn’t worried- also said that if I was already asking smart people like y’all over here- i wouldn’t get bent over in the event of a malfunction. Hit me with your nightmare stories I haven’t found on the thread yet? The vario roof is one AMAZING ROBOT imho. Like the poster with his gorgeous blue SL550- I’m sooo disinclined to change out my car now. Especially with the price of the SL550 and I didn’t like the one I saw driving down my street. Is AMG really that superior or special now that it’s practically standard in a C class? Is this enough ADHD questions for excited soon to be actual-owner of a diamond white SL550? Eeee! Pulling out of the recording studio gate in my 2014 SL550
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by C280 Sport
Other than the vario roof there is nothing I would ever worry about with the R231 SL. Hell most of these didn’t even come with ABC so that’s a huge worry off owners shoulders.
Ah yes, but the additional maintenance of the marvelous ABC system is a small price to pay for this truly world class suspension option. In my opinion, it absolutely transforms a wonderful car into a great one.
2015 SL400 (M276 Turbo), 2014 C350 Sport (M276 NA), 2004 SL500 (M113), 2004 Audi TT225 (BEA)
If you are considering a Vehicle Service Contract (VSC) (or whatever they will call them), you could ask the service manager what companies pay well and which are problematic. Of course, if yours is still CPO eligible, the Mercedes dealership may not tell you. When I selected a VSC for my car, which was ineligible for a Mercedes extended warranty, I asked around. The service manager said they never had problems with Endurance (which is what I have), Fidelity, or Freedom. Fidelity and Freedom are sold through a sponsor here (Trenton at http://www.highline-autos.com/).
Other than the vario roof there is nothing I would ever worry about with the R231 SL. Hell most of these didn’t even come with ABC so that’s a huge worry off owners shoulders.
What about the seats? My 2017 SL550’s massaging seat motor crapped out - or whatever is going on, it sounds like a motor. It was under warranty but I saw the bills at the dealership to even simply remove a seat. I’m thinking I get an extended warranty because of non negotiable but expensive aspects like the seats and the vario roof- or- I can find an actual mechanic who knows how to fix a 30K roof repair for $1200 and same with the seats. It’s just right on the line of do it or don’t do it with the warranty. But it really is crickets. Hydraulic Tops sells a replacement kit for the roof for like 600$ but I really don’t know if that’s a solution were it to crap out. Argh!
I think we worry a bit too much about the future with our cars. We should just enjoy them in the here and now.
agree Streamliner and/but with your portfolio- it sounds like you can worry less than some of us. A massaging seat malfunction cost almost or maybe the same the price of a 10 year warranty when mine broke less than a year in. I grew up in crap shacks in the Midwest and my rationale for owning , finally , ONE of these cars is what you say- enjoy them , and life, now. Having said that- don’t sell that gorgeous 450
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
Originally Posted by WuLaLa
agree Streamliner and/but with your portfolio- it sounds like you can worry less than some of us. A massaging seat malfunction cost almost or maybe the same the price of a 10 year warranty when mine broke less than a year in. I grew up in crap shacks in the Midwest and my rationale for owning , finally , ONE of these cars is what you say- enjoy them , and life, now. Having said that- don’t sell that gorgeous 450
Well, the “portfolio” wasn’t handed down to me. I started out with pretty much nothing and got it the old fashioned way: I earned it.
Well, the “portfolio” wasn’t handed down to me. I started out with pretty much nothing and got it the old fashioned way: I earned it.
Thank you for politely correcting the record! I didn’t mean to imply that it was handed to you but I wouldn’t have typed something so presumptuous sounding if I’d been more thoughtful.
BUT...if you do ever decide to sell, don't trade. Instead, contact ME as I'm currently looking for one in the brilliant blue metallic. They are rare, so I'm currently "turning over every stone!" Just now selling my2009 SL550 black and looking to upgrade to 2017-2020.
Enjoy!
Reid C
8,000 trouble free miles on my 2019 SL550. Local MB dealer keeps sending me "deals" to trade it in for a 2023 SL whatever. No thanks.
BUT, if you DO EVER decide to sell, don't trade. Contact me, I'm currently "turning over every stone" looking for this precise color combo. In the process of selling my black 2009 SL550 and looking to buy one like this.
Enjoy!
Reid C.
08-14-2023, 03:04 PM
