Has anyone else experienced an SL63 that lost its mind on power-up? Twice now, I've parked the car after a fairly short drive of 15-25 minutes, locked it and went shopping for 15-20 minutes, and then returned to the car. Upon unlocking it, getting in and starting it up, multiple yellow and red error messages appear one after the other, about lane keeping, other driving assistants, and rear-wheel steering. The yellow warnings just say that a feature is unavailable, but the rear-wheel steering message says not to drive the car.

On both occasions, shutting down, locking the car (while I'm in it) for less than a minute, then powering up again clears the messages and all is well. On some cars this maneuver requires leaving the car locked for 20+ minutes.

I've had a similar experience with my Taycan, just once, and, after a major software update last year, it hasn't recurred.

Sometimes the physical convertible top button works, and sometimes it doesn't.

I attribute this to the usual computer stuff: something not starting up in a timely manner causing other processes to fail. It's only mildly alarming, but it speaks to the need for a software update, not least for the critical battery messages and other software weirdness: right now, my car is locked in my garage but the Mercedes Me app tells me that it's unlocked and that the ignition is on, disabling all remote functions. Not a big deal for me to walk to my garage, but a potential PITA if it's parked at, say, an airport.

As a computer guy since 1970, and a former technical advisory board member for a major US car manufacturer, I know just how messed up auto software is: literally hundreds of modules all with their own code written by dozens of software firms, talking over an ancient (1986) bus. Tesla, despite its problems, built all their own software, with better results.

None of the above affects my liking of the car: I like cars that are engaging and fun to drive, and the SL63 checks those boxes very well. I just wish that car manufacturers -- I'm looking at you, Mercedes, Porsche, McLaren -- got their software act together.

 

Software glitches seem to be on the rise within Mercedes and other manufacturers as they add more electrification and more complex software that hasn't had time to mature yet. Cars with MBUX 1.0 and 2.0 appear to be particularly buggy. They made all these promises with OTA updates, but many modules can still not be actually updated over the air and require a dealer visit and hoping they have a software update to install. The 48V electrical architecture also has been a major source of issues. Most models that have it have issues related to it. For comparison my 2019 C63S coupe is still on the trusted 12V architecture and has the latest COMAND system. Both are very mature and I have yet to experience major glitches like that. Very rarely the COMAND system wouldn't start up and I had to reboot it by holding the on/off button for a few seconds, but I brought it up during my last annual service and there was an update for it. So far so good. First model years always have lots of issues. I generally wait for the facelift before buying a car to let them sort out all the initial bugs and issues. Best to take it in and see if there are updates available and potentially outstanding service campaigns to address known issues.

 

I haven't had anything major like you described Bear. Just the battery messages. But a couple of times the car wouldn't recognize my phone. Until I parked and later it was fine. I've found that with errors with the software often the system has to "Can-Down" before it resets and works normally. And takes a couple of minutes. I think it is indeed the integration of so many systems written by many different companies.

 

Lots of teething problems with the 232 so far. Their initial release last year was rumored to have been delayed due to quality issues. Seems to be the norm the last 3 years with MB products. They are building too many new models, too fast, and can't quite get any of them right. They also are struggling to find competent help at both the dealerships and factory, at least the one in Alabama. Not sure about European factories though.

 

@FlyingBear , my Taycan was one of the first delivered in the US. Having lived through 3 major software updates (1 requiring my car to be at the dealership for 3 weeks), problems with the 12V battery draining (sound familiar?) and a buggy app, it required a bit of patience, but in the end Porsche sorted out even more than expected. The last software update brought my 2020 up to the functionality of the 2022 models (except plug and charge). My new SL is at the port waiting for a boat to be assigned. I will expect similar growing pains as the Taycan, but I have confidence that MB will address all of the bugs.

 

It's moving super fast. Packing 10 gallons into a 5 gallon tank. For these prices it's unfortunate.

 

@wem I agree on the Taycan. I took delivery of my Turbo at the beginning of 2020, so we're both among those who've owned the car longest. I never had any issues with my Taycan and the 2022 software update was nice because it brought the car up to date. My Porsche dealer has a data/update specialist and so the various updates were painless. I would imagine, and hope, that Mercedes is as diligent with software fixes. My Mercedes dealer has always provided excellent service, including debugging software issues with a prior E63S and AMG GTC. Both my Porsche and Mercedes dealer (right next to each other!) are part of the Hendrick group in North Carolina, and I've had consistently strong service from all their dealerships. Company culture counts for a lot.

 

I've owned my car less than 10 hours and this happened to me just now.

 

Awful! I hope you take it in to the dealership to see if there is some new software update and to get your experience into their database.

 

Yeah...It still happens occasionally where something lights up at startup but it seems to go away with a restart or of the battery is "critical" and will go away. Haven't had an error that doesn't seem to right itself.