abiazis

No extra expenses for last 8 months..........enjoy it more when it is as reliable as my Prius....

abiazis

UPDATE to my operating costs.................ABC Hydraulic Line leaking, needs replaced - $ 348, but 18 hours labor to replace as it winds through the bottom of the car for the system, so a $ 2128 repair and the rear main sealing was leaking, $ 1286 to repair.......so another $3414 for Easy Care.........

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Posted below is my history with my car to date - this was a post on AMG Private Lounge I posted previously.....

My AMG is just fantastic when it runs, but not that reliable relative to being in the shop with 50K miles on the clock......have driven it 23k in 4 years.......

My Easy Care Warranty, which cost 4K for 4 years up to 60K on the car has covered Update = $ 8.8k)

Ignition module - $ 1K
Intercooler motor - $.5K
Coil Pack - $ 1.2K
Truck soft close (PSE Pump/Latch) - $ 1.5 K Total expense -
MAP sensor - .1K
Front left strut - $ 1.1K
ABC Line - $ 2.128K
Rear Main Seal - $ 1.286K

My out of pocket - maintenance costs....$ 6.2

New Plugs - .4K
Tires - 1.1K
Glove Box fix - .1K Total expense
Oil changes (3) - .7K
Transmission service - .1K
2 front rotors - 2K
Wipers - .1K
Suspension creak T Service Bulletin (2X) - .4K
Warranty deductibles - .7K
Tensioner and V-belt - .4K
Trunk struts - .1K
Battery - .1K

Operating costs - Gas @ $ 3.70 gal. (16 MPG) and Insurance @ $ 80 month - 8.9

Grand total = $ 23.9 K/approx.

Approx. $1.04 cost per mile on operating costs........................warranty basically paid for repairs in advance with my money and I am $ 4.9 K ahead on warranty approx. with 3 months to go.....depreciation based on my purchase price was another 23K, so double for the cost of ownership per mile to $ approximately $ 2.08.............

Had past year with no repairs in 5,000 miles, only regular maintenance until this week with ABC line and Rear Main Seal issues.......

Time to really evaluate a trade.............re-upping warranty is $ 3K for 2 years.............tough to replace this car unless I bought another used one with a warranty........once you drive a V-12 convertible........tough to beat or replace.....

pjdough

abiazis - thx for the info / advice you provide. Since buying my 65 in feb I've been following your threads; they have provided great insight into what i should expect.
so far, i've only had minor items that have needed attention and my fidelity platinum warranty has taken care of them. my fingers remained crossed...
after driving fun cars since i was young (boss 302, 240z, 911, e55, etc) i never thought i'd experience a car that becomes part of me like the 65 does. it is like no other, esp with the top stowed. i believe i got a great deal on it; 05 in excellent shape, 34k mi, 2+ yrs left on platinum warranty, oem and bbbs-gt wheels, 2 sets of tires, etc., etc., etc., for $45k.
previous owner had all the records; nothing major, mainly scheduled maintenance, and garaged the car during winter months. he took great care of it.
now - she, the 65, has a good record, looks as hot as kim bassinger in 9 1/2 weeks, stops car affectionatos in their tracks, and runs like the bulls of pamplona (only stronger)...so, "if" she costs ~$1-2/mi is she worth it to me? I'd have no other! V-12 biturbo rocks...
thanks again for your participation...

Fastnine

I dunno mine is an 06 i got it a few months ago with 14,000 miles on it.
I got a Fidelity Platinum for 4500 to cover the 5 years i intend to own the car.
I looked for 2 years at all kinds of cars from vipers to GTRs,Z06s Etc drove them all and pulled the trigger on the 65.
Im in love with the car, i have not had any problems with it other then the pulse/air seats stopped working and i have not went to the dealer with it yet.
I checked fuses etc but nothing yet.
The first owner had the trunk locking thing changed under warranty but i herd that was one of the common problems with this car anyhow.
As far as the ABC system i did hydraulics in the Navy and from looking over this system and talking to my tech at the dealer, i asked them how many times does anyone come in and have the ABC system filter and fluid changed? He said NEVER have they done one single one as a proactive thing.
My question is why? The system is pumping this oil threw the system and it gets dirty and breaks down.The system has a filter so what is the filter there for if not to ever be changed?
Maybe I'm nuts i don't know but it can't hurt to try.I know it don't take but a spec of dirt to get stuck in the valve body and cuse it to leak down.
I hear the motors are bullet proof so I'm not worried.I plan on 2018 to trade or sell this one and pick up a 2013 or 2014 depending on what i find at that time.
I would love to keep the car and just have 2 but seeing this thread i think that would be kinda foolish..LOL

ttboost

I've owned my 05 SL65 for 5 months. I have always wanted one, especially all blacked out, and finally found the right car for the right money. Since August, I have spent $100 for a Bosch 010 IC pump, $1700 for both coils and $220 for spark plugs. I do all my own work. I expected these items to fail, based on my mileage (60k miles or so). I also expect parts for a very rare car to cost more than parts for a Camry. I don't expect anything else to go for a while, but who does. I am amazed by this car. Everyone that sees it, is mesmerized. Then they hear it. First car I ever had, that after only a flash, I went 10's at the track. I don't care how much it cost to own this car, probably gonna keep it. Will still buy another 911 turbo in the next few years, but this hardtop convertable with a twin turbo V12 is a keeper...

Fastnine

Doing some research i found that the ABC filter is cheap 40 bucks and easy to change yourself,Also found that the Abc oil is pretty cheap as far as benz parts go.
The older abc filters were 10 micron and the new ones are 3 micron.
Im going to pull out the fluid with a clean turkey baster and replace the filter.
The filter is easy easy to change.
I checked the fluid and it seems clean but could use a refresh.
I did the same thing on my Nissan truck just a drain and fill on the tranny.
I know it may seem like overkill but i can do it for about 90 bucks thats good piece of mind on such an exotic system , it can't hurt keeping the fluid fresh and clean.

BobLibSL55

Just had the fluid and filter replaced last month as part of my end of year maintenance. Had it done @ the dealership and I think it was $650 (don't have bill in front of me). Pretty sure I was raped, but my time is worth more, plus I'm not a big DIY person.

Fastnine

650 is not too too bad I'm sure they charged 300 in labor then 60 for the filter and that fluid is about 25 a can so 100.
Im also sure they flushed out the whole system i guess that takes more time.
My car only has 17k miles so I'm going to just do a filter and drain the tank and refill with fresh fluid.

abiazis

Last 10 months, nothing to repair or replace………….more positive about car now after close to 5 years of ownership……last two years have been smoother than when I had the coil/transformer issues…..

I have been new car shopping but once I get back into the 65 after the various test drives, nothing really compares from a smooth and fast ride perspective which is what everyday driving is really most about……………navigation system is about only real complaint, but it is almost a decade old now, so that is expected, so the iPhone GPS does the trick…..

Porsches are getting way way overpriced now for what they are……….Panamera just too ugly……….GTs and Turbos too over the top……….

Looked at pre-owned Bentley GTCs and GTs, and the 599 and California Ferrari seriously, but the 65 gives a better balance of luxury, versatility, value and performance which is awfully hard to beat……

The SLS roadster would be a nice option, but I will wait for the right pre-owned one to buy at the right price, if I sell the 65……….

Ryan Bell

That's a really good deal. I was looking at an '06 S65 with 40k miles on it about two years ago, and I was quoted $8100 (not a typo) for TWO years through EZcare.

Dave in VA

Ok after a year' I replaced the headlight bulbs, replaced the chrome lip under the front bumper parts were around $350 and $200 to have them installed, 9 quarters of oil from WalMart and a Mann oil filter about $90. I replaced the bulbs because the pervious Owner had very blue bulbs installed and they ran the front end over the curb and cracked the lower lipn the front bumper. So most was just me fixing it up

Dave

vtvette

I purchased my first Mercedes, a 2005 SL55, last July at the urging of my wife (!) as a birthday present to myself.

I've worked on high end and exotic cars my entire adult life. The R230 is absolutely amazing. The level of quality, the performance of the AMG cars, everything about the car is very impressive.

I do all my own work on the car. One of the amazing things about the R230 (at least the V8 cars I've never worked on a V12) is it's quite easy to work on. Since purchasing I've done the following:

Brake pads/rotors front and rear
All 3 ABC Accumulators (preventive maintenance)
Rebuilt both ABC Valve Block's (preventive maintenance)
Flushed and filled ABC Fluid and filter change *Preventive maintenance)
Fuel Filter
Spark Plugs and Wires
Oil Change
Smarttop module (upgrade)
Transmission Mount (preventative)
Drive Shaft Flex Donuts (preventative)
Engine Mounts (one was leaking)
Remove resonators (upgrade)
Front Control arms (bad bushings)
New Tires

That's all I can find to do to the car. Much of it was preventative but I plant to keep the car for quite a while. All said parts were $2500 tires ran an additional $1200. The work was all performed in my garage (on a lift) over two weekends.

I bought my car with 96,000 miles one owner older lady who commuted from Phoenix to LA. I purposely bought a higher mileage well cared for car. I just turned 100,000 miles and the car still feels like new. I drive the car almost every day sans a project requiring my truck. I commute 60 miles every day. At 100,000 miles a German car is barely broken in. GERMAN CARS HATE TO SIT!!!! Spending decades around Audi's, Porsche's, etc the absolute worse thing for a German car is to sit around! That is when they start to develop issues! My car has all the original ABC lines/hoses and not one is showing any sign of weeping.

The gentleman who compared maintenance costs of a SL vs. other exotics, especially of similar performance to a AMG car, is right on. There is nothing (short of a Corvette but that is a completely different car) that will deliver this level of performance for the price. And the build quality, comfort and quality of components of the Mercedes is in an entirely different class.

If you cannot or choose not to do your own work find a good Indy or, get a warranty.

THE BEST MONEY you can spend on a R230 in terms of preventive maintenance is:
KEEP YOUR ABC FLUID FRESH!!!!! No question this is a major reason there are valve block, strut failures, etc. Hydraulic fluid breaks down over time and will eat/corrode seals and hoses. A flush also removes the dirt and debris that accumulates with time.

I will flush my fluid and change my filter every 20,000 miles. It's as easy as changing the oil. No Star Diagnostic necessary!

If you choose to have an Indy work on your car find a good one and treat them right! Bring them cookies (no kidding!) and a bottle of wine around the holidays. You want to become the guy they all know by name and yell "hi" to when you enter the shop. Like any business there is discretion to be had when it's time to write up the bill. You want to be one of the "good guys".

DASHIP

Are there repair manuals available for the SL65, like Haynes or other? Anyone have a link? I found this one:
http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.p...service-repair

It seems to me like most of the repairs for the SL65 are ones that someone with basic mechanical aptitude willing to spin a wrench could do.

abiazis

Just changed oil and brake fluid this year and 2 new rear tires….drove about 5K miles trouble free……no major repair costs…….

abiazis

The last 10K have been repair less.........I've cut down on the miles some but still make sure to drive it every week and raise and lower the ABC.........to keep the fluids flowing and seals lubricated.........

F1BHP

Aviaries your cost per mile is dropping quickly. Less problems and less depreciation. It seems to me that the facelift models may have had a few of these issues taken care of. They are now 5 years old but i do not hear of many issues. What do you guys think or does anybody have any insight into any changes that were made.

sound 8

Thank heavens we don't own a Ferrari...

F1BHP

I owned 3 ferrari 2 430's and a 458 over 5 years and didn't spend a penny or a cent. It cost me around 40k total on resale over the time period. It was actually relatively affordable. Strange as that may sound but true. The 40k is pounds so $65k or $13,000 per annum plus fuel.

sound 8

Obviously you never had them serviced...

F1BHP

Nope no need but even if I did have to you get a 4 year all inclusive service and parts warranty so it would have been included.

sound 8

I don't think servicing is covered by warranty, anyway who would buy a
Ferrari without service history.

F1BHP

Not covered by warranty but it was included for 4 years as part of the purchase price.

abiazis

Went 3 years without any repair expenses and then a small coolant return hose broke and soaked my left side ignition coil.......new ignition coil, 12 plugs and labor = $ 2.0K.......enjoyed the 3 years without any issues and 18K miles.........let's see how it goes the next 3 years))

BlownV8

What was the starting mileage of the 18k run with no repair expenses?

abiazis

41,000 miles.........