SL/R232: SL63 Dead battery issue
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Joined: Sep 2019
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AMG GTS (2016), GL63 (2016), SL63 (2022) -- Old Cars: E400, CLS 63s, ML 63, CL 600, S550 ...
I live in a condo and face the same problem. A high end car dealer lives there and he uses a portable charging device to run the trickle chargers attached to his two Ferraris. He uses the portable Anker Solix F2000 for sale on Amazon at $1399. It takes about 1 to 2 hours to charge it and as far as I can tell he can go a very long time charging his cars without recharging the portable charger. I haven't called Anker yet but they have a phone number on the internet where you can ask these kinds of questions. Might be worth it if you haven't found a solution yet. Though since you posted on February 8th I sure hope you have found a solution by now.
As a much cheaper alternative you could, of course, just buy another good-size starter battery - or better yet a marine deep cycle battery of similar capacity (and of course 12 volts), and a pair of jumper cables. Keep the spare battery somewhere on a trickle charger. When you are going to be leaving your car for an extended period, drag the battery out to your car, stick it in your trunk, and hook it up to a (hopefully) convenient point such as where you would boost your car battery. This way you will greatly extend the amount of time your car can sit without charging.
Of course the battery is heavy (but I imagine the Anker unit is as well).
All the usual caveats apply .... do your own homework to verify what I have said before doing anything. It is your car and if you break it I'll be sympathetic but can't help you otherwise. And if you do something really dumb, I might not even be sympathetic. :-)
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
To me, the real issue here is that unless things have changed recently, MB does not TELL prospective buyers of these cars that they require extraordinary care. How is anyone supposed to know? You walk into the showroom where you have purchased new MB's before, you see this nice SL and you go for it. Is there any sort of "WARNING" sticker affixed to the window, saying that these cars may require the owner to constantly use a trickle charger? Do they tell you about double clicking the key fob and that you need to remove the fob from being anywhere near the vehicle when it is parked in your garage? No. They just sell you the car and then when there are issues, they hand you a trickle charger and give you the facts of life as to how you need to change YOUR behavior to care for these improperly engineered $200K+ cars.
I'm happy for you folks who find the R232's just SO enjoyable and compelling that you are willing to put up with this. I would not put up with it for a minute.
I'm happy for you folks who find the R232's just SO enjoyable and compelling that you are willing to put up with this. I would not put up with it for a minute.
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AMG GTS (2016), GL63 (2016), SL63 (2022) -- Old Cars: E400, CLS 63s, ML 63, CL 600, S550 ...
Not trying to argue with you at all or to be defensive about the car (people are more than free to love or hate the car) - just to point out that nothing I said indicates the cars need any special care at all, and I certainly do not give mine any special care in this regard (and have not needed to).
The only thing I have seen is that the car warns me a fair bit after a week or so if it is sitting idle.
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
I understand that if they did need extraordinary care that this would indeed be a huge problem. But my point is that I don't think they do need extraordinary care. Every car will deplete its battery when sitting idle. Every new car that depends on computers gets very unhappy if the voltage drops below a certain point. My comments about the extra battery apply to any car that sits idle for a long time and can't be plugged in.
Not trying to argue with you at all or to be defensive about the car (people are more than free to love or hate the car) - just to point out that nothing I said indicates the cars need any special care at all, and I certainly do not give mine any special care in this regard (and have not needed to).
The only thing I have seen is that the car warns me a fair bit after a week or so if it is sitting idle.
Not trying to argue with you at all or to be defensive about the car (people are more than free to love or hate the car) - just to point out that nothing I said indicates the cars need any special care at all, and I certainly do not give mine any special care in this regard (and have not needed to).
The only thing I have seen is that the car warns me a fair bit after a week or so if it is sitting idle.
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: San Francisco Bay Area, California USA
AMG SL63 & GLE580 & SL500
I understand that if they did need extraordinary care that this would indeed be a huge problem. But my point is that I don't think they do need extraordinary care. Every car will deplete its battery when sitting idle. Every new car that depends on computers gets very unhappy if the voltage drops below a certain point. My comments about the extra battery apply to any car that sits idle for a long time and can't be plugged in.
Not trying to argue with you at all or to be defensive about the car (people are more than free to love or hate the car) - just to point out that nothing I said indicates the cars need any special care at all, and I certainly do not give mine any special care in this regard (and have not needed to).
The only thing I have seen is that the car warns me a fair bit after a week or so if it is sitting idle.
Not trying to argue with you at all or to be defensive about the car (people are more than free to love or hate the car) - just to point out that nothing I said indicates the cars need any special care at all, and I certainly do not give mine any special care in this regard (and have not needed to).
The only thing I have seen is that the car warns me a fair bit after a week or so if it is sitting idle.
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AMG GTS (2016), GL63 (2016), SL63 (2022) -- Old Cars: E400, CLS 63s, ML 63, CL 600, S550 ...
I appreciate your thoughts. I had a 2022 S580. It was constantly giving me this warning message and that warning message. One day, I drove it home for lunch and on my way back to my office, in lunch rush traffic on a very congested area of Pacific Coast Hwy., I get a red message that says "12V battery low-pull to side of road and charge." Before I could even change lanes, the car went 100% dead. Even the emergency flashers would not work. Had this happened at night on an L.A. freeway, I might not be writing this here. I have had 17 brand new MB's. I have had several SL's that I would leave unused for over 30 days at a crack and I never had a problem. These new cars are DIFFERENT and MB needs to tell folks, before they sign on the dotted line.
But yes - I completely agree that the MBUX is a huge departure from the past systems and absolutely has some issues to work out (especially with notifications as we have all been discussing).
Time will tell about general reliability and other issues.
Thanks for the comments.
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Yes. This car needs care as does must new super cars …. I can live with this. My friend with a brand new Ferrari 812 (?) has already had his car on a flatbed going back to the dealer as it was dead in his garage and would not jump start. Mercedes did five recalls on my AMG SL63 R232 and yes, they put a trickle charger in the trunk. However, they did not “hook it up” nor did they install a plug in the trunk !! They told me that I have to pay to have it either hooked up or a plug installed. “Penny wise, and pound foolish”! After a “polite” confrontation with the service manager, he finally agreed to install a plug in the trunk at “no charge” !
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: San Francisco Bay Area, California USA
AMG SL63 & GLE580 & SL500
I can't buy the "super car" explanation. Reliability is one reason folks buy MB's. Those who go with an exotic such as a Ferrari, Lambo, etc. EXPECT the problems that have been legendary with exotic cars. The R232 and other new MB's are supposed to be reliable and relatively "bullet proof," but since 2020, the new models have all had issues.
Agreed. Okay …. We’ve purchased 21 new MBZ vehicles and lots of pre-owned beginning in 1975. As you, we’ve left cars for weeks and never had problems until our new AMG SL63’s …. I’m on my second one …
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Member
Joined: Sep 2019
Posts: 75
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AMG GTS (2016), GL63 (2016), SL63 (2022) -- Old Cars: E400, CLS 63s, ML 63, CL 600, S550 ...
I can't buy the "super car" explanation. Reliability is one reason folks buy MB's. Those who go with an exotic such as a Ferrari, Lambo, etc. EXPECT the problems that have been legendary with exotic cars. The R232 and other new MB's are supposed to be reliable and relatively "bullet proof," but since 2020, the new models have all had issues.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 8,124
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Yikes - that's a bad breakdown. I am curious if you were able to find out what failed. Battery short?
But yes - I completely agree that the MBUX is a huge departure from the past systems and absolutely has some issues to work out (especially with notifications as we have all been discussing).
Time will tell about general reliability and other issues.
Thanks for the comments.
But yes - I completely agree that the MBUX is a huge departure from the past systems and absolutely has some issues to work out (especially with notifications as we have all been discussing).
Time will tell about general reliability and other issues.
Thanks for the comments.
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From: Land of 10,000 lakes
AMG GTC Roadster, E63s Ed.1, M8 Comp. Coupe
So they found an intermittent component, repaired it and your car ended up to be lemoned. No great but you were able to unload it.
The reality of all modern cars is a high reliance of lots of stand-by power and engines that require 48Volt tech. Couple this with a key vendor to the industry (Bosch) that struggles with deliveries and some quality issues (Mercedes can't build 100,000 E/GLC-Class models resulting in a $500Million loss of profit due to that issue).
This is of course a separate issue than MBUX's excessive and annoying messaging about non-existent battery issues. That is a coding issue that MB can and needs to fix.
The reality of all modern cars is a high reliance of lots of stand-by power and engines that require 48Volt tech. Couple this with a key vendor to the industry (Bosch) that struggles with deliveries and some quality issues (Mercedes can't build 100,000 E/GLC-Class models resulting in a $500Million loss of profit due to that issue).
This is of course a separate issue than MBUX's excessive and annoying messaging about non-existent battery issues. That is a coding issue that MB can and needs to fix.
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Joined: Sep 2019
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AMG GTS (2016), GL63 (2016), SL63 (2022) -- Old Cars: E400, CLS 63s, ML 63, CL 600, S550 ...
Wow - took a month. That would be annoying. I had a similar experience a few months back - but at the MB body shop. The car took 6 weeks to repair - all because they had to keep waiting for parts. And one is still back ordered now (but I can drive without it).
Sorry you had this experience. It's a pain. I can see they did perform a lot of tests - I wonder if that was the issue or if they had to wait for parts as happens so much these days.
Hope the car is trouble free for you now.
All the best -
Sorry you had this experience. It's a pain. I can see they did perform a lot of tests - I wonder if that was the issue or if they had to wait for parts as happens so much these days.
Hope the car is trouble free for you now.
All the best -
MBWorld Fanatic!
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From: Corona Del Mar, CA
2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, 2024 BMW I7 xDrive60
Wow - took a month. That would be annoying. I had a similar experience a few months back - but at the MB body shop. The car took 6 weeks to repair - all because they had to keep waiting for parts. And one is still back ordered now (but I can drive without it).
Sorry you had this experience. It's a pain. I can see they did perform a lot of tests - I wonder if that was the issue or if they had to wait for parts as happens so much these days.
Hope the car is trouble free for you now.
All the best -
Sorry you had this experience. It's a pain. I can see they did perform a lot of tests - I wonder if that was the issue or if they had to wait for parts as happens so much these days.
Hope the car is trouble free for you now.
All the best -
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From: Lake Worth, FL
'22 SL63, '22 Tesla Model S LR and X LR
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From: GA
‘24 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo;'22 AMG SL55;'23 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe;'13 Porsche Boxster S
@Huncowboy - no need to remove the battery. Just loosen the battery terminal post clamps to connect the charger wires to the battery terminal nuts that you loosened. Fyi, I stopped using the battery charger/tender. The false messages about the critical state of the battery on my phone were too annoying. The only messages that I get now on my phone without the charger/tender connected are that the car is unlocked. I have also left my keys by accident in the car unlocked for several days without any negative effect on the battery. The car has always started up for me.
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Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Lake Worth, FL
'22 SL63, '22 Tesla Model S LR and X LR
@Huncowboy - no need to remove the battery. Just loosen the battery terminal post clamps to connect the charger wires to the battery terminal nuts that you loosened. Fyi, I stopped using the battery charger/tender. The false messages about the critical state of the battery on my phone were too annoying. The only messages that I get now on my phone without the charger/tender connected are that the car is unlocked. I have also left my keys by accident in the car unlocked for several days without any negative effect on the battery. The car has always started up for me.
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From: Chicago and Palm Springs
2025 BMW Z4 M40i (Manual); 2025 Lexus NXH Luxury; 2021 Porsche Macan S; 2023 Audi Q5
@Huncowboy - no need to remove the battery. Just loosen the battery terminal post clamps to connect the charger wires to the battery terminal nuts that you loosened. Fyi, I stopped using the battery charger/tender. The false messages about the critical state of the battery on my phone were too annoying. The only messages that I get now on my phone without the charger/tender connected are that the car is unlocked. I have also left my keys by accident in the car unlocked for several days without any negative effect on the battery. The car has always started up for me.
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Joined: Nov 2017
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From: San Francisco Bay Area, California USA
AMG SL63 & GLE580 & SL500
Hi wem …. Thanks for the info …. I’m curious, you said that you have left your key inside the car for a time and then it still starts up ? How do you get into the car when you have left the key inside the car ?
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From: GA
‘24 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo;'22 AMG SL55;'23 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe;'13 Porsche Boxster S
A few times, I have left the key fob by accident in the cup holder while in my garage. I don’t lock the car since I’m at home. In doing so (by accident), I don’t do the two most common suggestions to preserve the battery (lock the car and keep the fob at least 30 feet away).
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2023 Taycan GTS, 2022 AMG SL63 and 2024 Cayenne S
So I dont get it; I have had the car on a trickle charger since I last drove it a week ago, the charger indicates almost a full charge and yet when I went to get something from the car, the app sent me a critical charge on the starter battery message. There is something messed up here....
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 104
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From: Lake Worth, FL
'22 SL63, '22 Tesla Model S LR and X LR
@Huncowboy - no need to remove the battery. Just loosen the battery terminal post clamps to connect the charger wires to the battery terminal nuts that you loosened. Fyi, I stopped using the battery charger/tender. The false messages about the critical state of the battery on my phone were too annoying. The only messages that I get now on my phone without the charger/tender connected are that the car is unlocked. I have also left my keys by accident in the car unlocked for several days without any negative effect on the battery. The car has always started up for me.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 293
Likes: 214
From: GA
‘24 Maserati GranTurismo Trofeo;'22 AMG SL55;'23 Porsche Cayenne S Coupe;'13 Porsche Boxster S
No - you are not missing an additional cable. In order to make a "permanent" connection to the battery terminals, you need to sacrifice the 12v/cigarette socket adapter (I was originally told this by the MB Service Advisor). If you look at post 36 in this thread there are more details on the additional parts needed to create battery terminal connectors. However, if you don't want to do any cutting or sacrifice the 12v/cigarette socket adapter, it is almost as convenient to use the battery clamps/jaws that are supplied with the MB Charger. Just remove the red plastic cover on the battery to expose the positive terminal and connect the jaws to the positive and negative battery posts.
Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 104
Likes: 12
From: Lake Worth, FL
'22 SL63, '22 Tesla Model S LR and X LR
No - you are not missing an additional cable. In order to make a "permanent" connection to the battery terminals, you need to sacrifice the 12v/cigarette socket adapter (I was originally told this by the MB Service Advisor). If you look at post 36 in this thread there are more details on the additional parts needed to create battery terminal connectors. However, if you don't want to do any cutting or sacrifice the 12v/cigarette socket adapter, it is almost as convenient to use the battery clamps/jaws that are supplied with the MB Charger. Just remove the red plastic cover on the battery to expose the positive terminal and connect the jaws to the positive and negative battery posts.
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Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 90
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From: Hillsborough NC
2022 AMG SL63, 992 GT3, Taycan Turbo, 1966 Shelby Cobra, Ford Raptor, KTM 1290 Super Duke R Evo
No - you are not missing an additional cable. In order to make a "permanent" connection to the battery terminals, you need to sacrifice the 12v/cigarette socket adapter (I was originally told this by the MB Service Advisor). If you look at post 36 in this thread there are more details on the additional parts needed to create battery terminal connectors. However, if you don't want to do any cutting or sacrifice the 12v/cigarette socket adapter, it is almost as convenient to use the battery clamps/jaws that are supplied with the MB Charger. Just remove the red plastic cover on the battery to expose the positive terminal and connect the jaws to the positive and negative battery posts.
