SL/R232: Engine light disabled
#1
Member
Thread Starter
Engine light disabled
As of today, it's been 3 full weeks my dealership has had my SL63 to address the "Check engine" light coming on. I was backing out of my driveway when it came on and the engine began to stutter and misfire like when a plug would foul. I pulled it back in and the MB towing people took it to the dealership. We have talked with the Service Manager several time and they basically don't know what to do. They say they have submitted it to MB engineers, but no results yet. They are being asked to take apart the engine and report new info to MB for diagnosis. It seems like a long time not to know anything with all the tools at their disposal. In Texas, 30 days without your car triggers the Lemon Law violation. Hoping for the best soon, but going to look at Aston Martin Vantages in the meantime.
#4
Member
Gents:
My first SL purchase was a 1986 560SL.........Diamond Blue/Blue.......I still own it. ( It has 272 miles) The paint was flawless. The fit and finish exemplary. Each succeeding SL exhibited worse paint and ever more questionable engineering decisions. The 600SL had the infamous wiring issues. The R230 and R231 SL65s have the much sought after "Sunkist smooth" paint. The R232 models are being sold to consumers willing to beta test. Admittedly I do not use my SLs but I took out my trusty 345K mile1982 240D stick yesterday.........incredibly well designed and built.
I recently spoke to a dealership owner at a Mercedes club event. He is beyond frustrated with MBUSA's aloof attitude with the myriad problems presented. He claimed this was the worst new model launch he's ever seen in his decades as a dealer. The SL was traditionally the flagship model........what happened to "The best or nothing" or "engineered like no other car in the world"? I feel sorry for the R232 clients and the dealers and sincerely hope MB gets back to reliability and quality of the past.,
My first SL purchase was a 1986 560SL.........Diamond Blue/Blue.......I still own it. ( It has 272 miles) The paint was flawless. The fit and finish exemplary. Each succeeding SL exhibited worse paint and ever more questionable engineering decisions. The 600SL had the infamous wiring issues. The R230 and R231 SL65s have the much sought after "Sunkist smooth" paint. The R232 models are being sold to consumers willing to beta test. Admittedly I do not use my SLs but I took out my trusty 345K mile1982 240D stick yesterday.........incredibly well designed and built.
I recently spoke to a dealership owner at a Mercedes club event. He is beyond frustrated with MBUSA's aloof attitude with the myriad problems presented. He claimed this was the worst new model launch he's ever seen in his decades as a dealer. The SL was traditionally the flagship model........what happened to "The best or nothing" or "engineered like no other car in the world"? I feel sorry for the R232 clients and the dealers and sincerely hope MB gets back to reliability and quality of the past.,
The following users liked this post:
places (12-27-2023)
#5
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 3,230
Received 1,442 Likes
on
953 Posts
No more MB:(
Gents:
My first SL purchase was a 1986 560SL.........Diamond Blue/Blue.......I still own it. ( It has 272 miles) The paint was flawless. The fit and finish exemplary. Each succeeding SL exhibited worse paint and ever more questionable engineering decisions. The 600SL had the infamous wiring issues. The R230 and R231 SL65s have the much sought after "Sunkist smooth" paint. The R232 models are being sold to consumers willing to beta test. Admittedly I do not use my SLs but I took out my trusty 345K mile1982 240D stick yesterday.........incredibly well designed and built.
I recently spoke to a dealership owner at a Mercedes club event. He is beyond frustrated with MBUSA's aloof attitude with the myriad problems presented. He claimed this was the worst new model launch he's ever seen in his decades as a dealer. The SL was traditionally the flagship model........what happened to "The best or nothing" or "engineered like no other car in the world"? I feel sorry for the R232 clients and the dealers and sincerely hope MB gets back to reliability and quality of the past.,
My first SL purchase was a 1986 560SL.........Diamond Blue/Blue.......I still own it. ( It has 272 miles) The paint was flawless. The fit and finish exemplary. Each succeeding SL exhibited worse paint and ever more questionable engineering decisions. The 600SL had the infamous wiring issues. The R230 and R231 SL65s have the much sought after "Sunkist smooth" paint. The R232 models are being sold to consumers willing to beta test. Admittedly I do not use my SLs but I took out my trusty 345K mile1982 240D stick yesterday.........incredibly well designed and built.
I recently spoke to a dealership owner at a Mercedes club event. He is beyond frustrated with MBUSA's aloof attitude with the myriad problems presented. He claimed this was the worst new model launch he's ever seen in his decades as a dealer. The SL was traditionally the flagship model........what happened to "The best or nothing" or "engineered like no other car in the world"? I feel sorry for the R232 clients and the dealers and sincerely hope MB gets back to reliability and quality of the past.,
#6
Member
Thread Starter
Engine light update
It's now been 34 days without my car or any real explanation other than they had to partially disassemble the engine to gather information for Germany. The last comment was last week saying Germany had sent a major part which would take 30 hours of labor to install. Assuming that works, it looks like I will at best be getting back an SL with major engine problems. Not exactly what I expected from Mercedes AMG. Has anybody had a service order complaint number opened by MB on major engine repairs?
This sucks.
This sucks.
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: Washington DC
Posts: 3,230
Received 1,442 Likes
on
953 Posts
No more MB:(
It's now been 34 days without my car or any real explanation other than they had to partially disassemble the engine to gather information for Germany. The last comment was last week saying Germany had sent a major part which would take 30 hours of labor to install. Assuming that works, it looks like I will at best be getting back an SL with major engine problems. Not exactly what I expected from Mercedes AMG. Has anybody had a service order complaint number opened by MB on major engine repairs?
This sucks.
This sucks.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Thread Starter
We now have a case number with MB of North America and will talk to MBFS next about their getting paid for a car that I don't have. Lemon lawyers looking into it too.
The following users liked this post:
California John (01-11-2024)
#9
Senior Member
Sorry you experience this, On another note is Aston use the same AMG engine so potentially could be the same problems as SLs?
#10
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks but I thought about that and understand that the Vantage uses a prior version of the 63 drivetrain and software so that should avoid whatever my problem is. Also, the 2024 Vantage is getting a drivetrain update supposedly going to a 600+ HP version. That, admittedly, could re-introduce the same issues. Hard to say where this is going, but we are talking to MB North America and next MBFS to see what we can work out. I also look forward to hearing what the underlying problem is that takes 30 hours of labor after they supposedly have the correct new part.
#11
Member
Thread Starter
Now the dealership says another part is coming from Germany in about 2 weeks and that should fix it. Signed representation agreement with a Lemon Lawyer today. Let the game begin.
#13
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Corona Del Mar, CA
Posts: 7,105
Received 3,463 Likes
on
1,972 Posts
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
#14
Member
Thread Starter
The local dealership called and now says MB of North America has authorized them to install a whole new engine in my car. The engine is crated up in New Jersey and should be in the car and back in my possession next week if it goes as planned. Not sure yet if my lemon law attorney has issued a demand letter which triggered this response, but it is some progress. The COO who called also said they are going to be offering some financial reimbursement too so it's too early to say what the results will end up being, including whether I get out of the lease into some other hot rod.
#15
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Corona Del Mar, CA
Posts: 7,105
Received 3,463 Likes
on
1,972 Posts
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
The local dealership called and now says MB of North America has authorized them to install a whole new engine in my car. The engine is crated up in New Jersey and should be in the car and back in my possession next week if it goes as planned. Not sure yet if my lemon law attorney has issued a demand letter which triggered this response, but it is some progress. The COO who called also said they are going to be offering some financial reimbursement too so it's too early to say what the results will end up being, including whether I get out of the lease into some other hot rod.
The following users liked this post:
Raulr (01-24-2024)
#16
Member
Thread Starter
Good thoughts and I'm sure it took some time for MB to come to this conclusion. They had multiple unknown parts come in from Germany supposedly with 30 or so hours of labor expended before they decided on a full replacement with a crate engine. According to one source online, that crate engine costs $71K with major labor costs on top. At least I will get my car back for awhile and, according to the lemon lawyer, will have the opportunity to close the lease out plus get some financial restitution also. The lawyer says the engine replacement is actually an admission that the car they sold me was defective so it makes our case that it was a lemon.
A real shame since I love the car when it works.
A real shame since I love the car when it works.
The following users liked this post:
California John (01-30-2024)
#18
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Corona Del Mar, CA
Posts: 7,105
Received 3,463 Likes
on
1,972 Posts
2020 S560 Sedan, 2019 SL450, 2019 E450 Luxury Trim Wagon, '24 BMW I7 on order...
[QUOTE=JohnGigi;8916149]The new crate engine came in. Here we go. Hope this or the lemon law works.QUOTE]
Since someone signs their name as the ONE person who “hand assembles” these AMG engines, I wonder what will become of “Dieter or Rolf or Hans, etc.” who assembled the defective one??? I am truly amazed that MB would even come close to admitting that one of their AMG “Uber Motors” was found to be defective. I would have thought that they would have told the customer that the car needed a new “Johnson Rod” and would have tried to keep this a very low key thing. I’m impressed and wish the owner a very successful outcome.
Since someone signs their name as the ONE person who “hand assembles” these AMG engines, I wonder what will become of “Dieter or Rolf or Hans, etc.” who assembled the defective one??? I am truly amazed that MB would even come close to admitting that one of their AMG “Uber Motors” was found to be defective. I would have thought that they would have told the customer that the car needed a new “Johnson Rod” and would have tried to keep this a very low key thing. I’m impressed and wish the owner a very successful outcome.
#20
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 900
Received 415 Likes
on
289 Posts
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
How disappointing, sorry this happened…
Haha, but to be fair to Steffen,
I’m not sure the engine actually failed, but rather MB Techs, couldn’t properly diagnose the point of failure. (electrical or otherwise)
At some point, it becomes more economical to R&R the whole assembly to get the car out of the shop. Rather that, than remove the engine several times, commit more labor, to throw parts at it. Honesty, things are so crowded in there, you have to drop the engine or take out many other parts, just to get to some engine components.
Sucks either way though…
Hope they get it right this time and you get the car back soon.
Good Luck!
Last edited by crconsulting; 01-31-2024 at 08:34 PM.
#21
Member
Thread Starter
SL repair work order
Well, after two months I have my SL63 back and it's great. New engine so I have the break-in period to do again. To those interested in such things, these are two of the 12 pages of the work order which give the shop foreman's verbal description. The other 10 pages are the parts list. They said the crate engine by itself was $71,200.
The following 4 users liked this post by JohnGigi:
#22
Member
Join Date: Feb 2023
Location: Chicago and Palm Springs
Posts: 158
Received 118 Likes
on
60 Posts
2022 SL55 AMG Roadster; 2024 Land Rover P400 Defender 110; 2021 Porsche Macan S; 2023 Audi Q5
Well, after two months I have my SL63 back and it's great. New engine so I have the break-in period to do again. To those interested in such things, these are two of the 12 pages of the work order which give the shop foreman's verbal description. The other 10 pages are the parts list. They said the crate engine by itself was $71,200.
The following users liked this post:
California John (02-08-2024)
#23
Super Member
Join Date: Feb 2021
Location: Nor-Cal
Posts: 900
Received 415 Likes
on
289 Posts
2020 GLC300 -2013 Sl550 - 1997 SL600
Damaged Valve Seat & Burnt Valve. Such little mileage points to a probable machining issue or something may have been physically sucked in. Probably an isolated incident.
Delayed by shipping damage to new cylinder head.
Not any less painful 😣 but, glad they got it worked out for you.
Delayed by shipping damage to new cylinder head.
Not any less painful 😣 but, glad they got it worked out for you.
The following users liked this post:
California John (02-08-2024)