Mitsubishi 3000 GT VR-4 turbo, Integra Type-R Jackson supercharged, E46 M3 Active Autowerke supercharged, Mitsubishi Eclipse GSR Turbo

(just a little experience)

 

I would think that the engineers at MB/AMG would take the 22 lbs into consideration and build everything connected to this dynamic up to speed for durability over time...........

 

igree, the SL65 motor was designed and built from the bottom up for it's boost.

 

I think this is where I'm at. Have had the front arm bushings replaced under warranty. Need to drop the rear "washers" on the subframe mounts to see how many pieces I think those mounts are in... Do get a rough idle with a check engine light (that goes off after a few normal start/running of the engine). Just rolled over 40k miles.

Love the car, but like the rest have mentioned it's not the cheapest thing to maintain. I humor the dealer for my services so they don't argue warranty items. I've had a few things replaced under warranty as it is. I bought mine CPO with 3 years of MB warranty. I think it's getting close to paying for itself in the year and a half I've owned my sl65.

 

I found a warranty at AA Auto Protection, anybody familiar with this company? Thoughts?

 

Boost peaks at ~21lbs....but quickly tapers and holds around 15ish

 

I am on my second SL65. They are expensive to fix. But you either pay depreciation or repair bills. If you bought a new one it would have depreciated 100k in 2 years. That expensive. 10k a year in repair bills looks cheap. People reach up to buy an old one of these for 50k so they can look like a baller. If you are going to ride like a sport you are going to pay like a sport.

 

Interesting perspective and the numbers are hard to debate, but i never wanted to be or look like a "baller". A term i understand, but can't say i've heard before. Different circles i suppose. I want the "old 65" because it's a drivers dream, at least mine. I love to drive great cars, this one i expect to be amazing. I reject the notion that all these guys drive SL's just to impress. It's hard not too, lol, but you know what i mean.

As far as repair cost, that's why I am intent on getting a "good warranty" if at all possible. Still shopping.

 

1) Mercedes gave me $ 10,000 more for my 2003 C4S Porsche on a trade

2) Price was good after depreciation - dealer dropped $ 7K or 10% from the price 3 years ago when I bought it.

3) The performance - fast and effortless

4) Versatility - hardtop convertible - very key

5) Great smooth ride for long trips..amazed that it gets 21mpg highway...

6) Solid service record with low miles - 26K, now 43K

Don't like navigation system, small trunk and that is about it........

Its a classic that requires no posing...........although, speaking of "ballers" I bought it a half hour before a NBA player that I saw afterwards at the dealer was going to!!

 

This was a very good read. Thanks for the input to those who gave their $.02... I have a few questions. I'm picking up my SL65 this weekend, what should I immediately inspect before purchasing it as well as anything I should take care of right away after buying it? Fluid changes, spark plug inspection, etc.?

This subforum has a lot of content that is hard to filter for the info I need. So owner experience would be great.

 

I would take the VIN to a MB dealer and have them run the car for previous service records to see what was done and review that work on the car, etc. if applicable.

Car Fax on the car will show anything major or under warranty.

Once you have the computer stored records and any documents/records that came with the car, that will tell you what to change/replace, etc......and when.....

I wouldn't spend money needlessly on fluid changes unless it needs to be done.....and records don't show anything related to that....

Depending on the mileage....a transmission service is good to do at 40K if it hasn't been done and also check the serpentine engine belt tensioner, as it may need replaced at 50K or a little less....check the same belt for any cracks also as it may need replaced.......

Test drive the car before handing over the cash.....even if you did before....

Do a deliberate FULL throttle test a few times to make sure it doesn't misfire....if it does, coil packs could be ready for replacement.....the misfires seem to typically occur only under FULL throttle.....

Use the paddle shifters to make sure all works smoothly in every mode C,S and manual....

Brake real hard a few times from 70mph+ to see how straight it stops and any unusual noises from pads/rotors - it should be quiet/smooth.....I had to replace my front rotors at 30K - $ 2,000 job...I also test drove a car where it had a real grinding bouncing type of feeling......

Make sure the car's ABC rises up and down before purchase as it is supposed to....operate all electronics, i.e. CD changer, radio, seats, internal rear trunk release switch, etc..check Distronic cruise - if equipped....lights, just everything operational......wipers......windows, etc...

Use steering wheel buttons to check on-board computer operation...

Test anything associated with the PSE air system, i.e. the massaging seats and automatic trunk soft close......struts for the trunk lid known to go bad soon.....

Check the glovebox to make sure the latch works....common repair adjustment issue.....

Operate the hardtop several times to make sure smoothly working....

Spring link bushings tend to go fast on these cars.....check to see if anything noted in records, etc....have them check them if possible before delivery....$ 750-$ 1K repair...I had them done on mine before delivery....

Check motor mounts - another weakness over time....

There was a service bulletin (TSB) on a creaking noise in the suspension when backing up real slow and turning the wheel either way - say out of a driveway....do that to see if all is quiet....$ 200 fix when it happens - lubrication issue, etc...

Spark plugs in the 65 recommended to be changed at 5 years old regardless of mileage according to the manual, etc...

Other than that......have a blast and you'll love this car!!!

 

Thanks for all of the info. The carfax has pretty complete details regarding service and maintenance including this most recent entry:

Engine checked
Steering/suspension checked
Washed/detailed
Fuel injection system checked
Fuel system checked
Spark plug(s) replaced
Ignition coil(s) replaced
Electrical system checked
Engine/powertrain computer/module checked
Battery/charging system checked

Those two items were my most immediate concern.

 

Sounds like the car had the misfire issue for sure.......how many miles on the car then when coils and plugs replaced and how about now?

Some of the fuel system checks may have had to do with misfires/CEL also as they were diagnosing to fix the situation, etc...

Coils are about $ 1,200 to $ 1,600 a piece and plugs can cost a bit, so good that stuff was replaced.......

Great you checked all this stuff with the PPI.......

 

That was a great checklist...surely this can be applied to an SL55 for all similar parts, I assume.

 

Guess everything could be similar except monitoring of supercharger belts, etc.....

I don't believe the V8 had many regular coil pack issues, if any....

 

I'm heavily considering having the SpeeDriven 800 hp kit, heat exchanger and high flow pump installed right away, from what I'm reading the pumps on these go out pretty easily and maybe this will delay the inevitable?

Thanks again for the checklist abiazis.