I have been drooling over the SL55 since they first came out. Three years ago I nearly bought one, but then realized my eyes were bigger than my wallet. Now that I am making quite a bit more money and the prices have dropped on them, I am revisiting the idea of owning one.

However, I am still very scared of the ABC issues which seem to be very prevelant. Is there some kind of fix that can be done to the ABC system that corrects it for 'good' (maybe not forever, but at least make it more reliable)? I am not looking forward to having a looming $3-10K bill for repairs.

I guess the other option would be to get a warranty. In this case, can anyone suggest a good company to go with?

I appreciate any help.

Oh in case it matters, I'd be looking at a 2003-2005 SL55. Preferrably black, in case anyone has one for sale anytime soon.

Budget $3-4K a year in service, ABC included. Don't just focus on the ABC system, think of the car's needs, as a whole.

While I'm not quite as discouraging as the member above in my maintenance estimates... The car once cost $140,000. While the car's value may have decreased, the part costs remain the same as the day the car was made. You will be maintaining a $140,000 car. Just keep that in mind.

Otherwise... I freaking LOVE my SL55 and so does everyone that sees it.

I can understand that. Regular maintenance will be more expensive (even my current BMW is more than a Ford or Chevy). But my biggest fear is the ABC failure. From what I have read it costs pretty much $5k to repair most things on it. If anyone knows of a good warranty company, then I would go with that.

I'm not worried about maintenance, but failures. That would be a good way to sum up my question. And if there is a way to mitigate that risk financially at least, I would be interested in that.

If you are worried about failures, maybe this is not the car for you. Put money in an account for repairs and that should cover you for failures. Arnott has some alternatives to repairing the ABC that have reduced the cost over a dealer, but it is still not cheap. And honestly, there is a very high liklihood the ABC system will go out if it has not done so before you buy the car. Mine failed less than a month after buying a used SL. You just need to be honest with yourself and decide if you can be happy with an SL given that it is more "when it fails" than "'if it fails."

The car is amazing when it runs properly and these forums tend to list all the problems you are lively to ever see. Thus you can go into the process with your eyes open instead of trying tofool yourself that this car that looks perfect will be the one that never breaks. I had 4 issues with my car withing 6 months of ownership - failed seat massage feature, faild soft close, broken glove box latch and the ABC pump dying. Othen than ABC I can live with the rest. the good news is that the engines and transmissions are quite solid. It is all the other electronics and advanced suspension that will get you.

If you decide to get the SL and you have the right frame of mind, you will truly enjoy it.

Z

I have an Arnott strut on my car after OEM failed at 43K......$ 599 with core exchange versus the approximate $ 1,200 for OEM.

Arnott unit has lifetime warranty.

You will have to budget some funds for repair as with any car.

There are aftermarket brake rotors that are less expensive now also for the 55.

The cars are hard to beat for the price.......if the repairs are too frequent you can trade it in.

The majority or bulk of the depreciation has already occurred reducing overall costs.

Put it to you this way....

I purchased my cream puff SL600 with 10K miles on it, about 3 years ago. In those 3 years, and 30K miles, I've had about $10K in warranty work performed. Not one problem was drivetrain related. And it hasn't even had that many issues, to be honest. But, the few times it's been in, it's always a 2K+ repair bill. Most of that was Vario Roof related. YMMV

I have spent $ 8,000 in maintenance and repairs including tires ($1K) - $ 6,000 mostly covered by warranty in 3 years and 18,000 miles of summertime driving......

Warranty was $ 4,000 for 4 years with limit 60K on car.....was worth it, especially since dealer threw it in with the deal at purchase......I have a year left.....

May not be able to get warranty going forward, but will establish maintenance account $ 2 K per year in separate account and keep it running, as I plan to keep the car now after contemplating a sale a few months ago...trade-in value is nothing compared to what the car is....

Last year I completed the recommended 5 year service, and it set me back $4,500, yesterday, I just picked up my SL65 from the dealership for a High Pressure ABC hose that set me back $2,100 (this is a new updated version) and opted to have the IC pump changed to Renntech, not include the parts, they charged me $660 (labor and coolant). The tech said I'm ready for new tires too. This will be the second set of new tires my car only has 16,500 miles and it's not driven hard. I'd recommend researching a warrantee that covers suspension, mine did not.
Todd

What do they do at the 5 year service?

I've had my '03 SL55 since new and it has been fairly trouble free. In 9 years:

1 IC pump
1 set of TPMS
1 AC compressor
1 shifter

Service has been routine, insofar as fluids and filters and a few sets of tires, and one set of rotors and pads. I call this stuff, "the cost of doing business".

If you want a good black car, I have a line on several. PM/email/call

You might have the record for least repairs to a R230.......especially over time........congrats......

He obviously never opens the roof.

I've had my 05 V12 for 2 years and 10K miles, it has also run up around $10K in warranty claims; but other than a leaking low pressure hose, no ABC issues and no vario roof issues. I still have 2 years of warranty remaining, and my car is performing at it's best ever, so SL life is good.

I don't know about a V12, have not inquired, but you should be able to get a warranty for an SL55, depending on mileage and year. Several folks on the W211 AMG forum have purchased E55 warrantys not long ago, not cheap, but factor that cost into your purchase price.

Check with Bruce at Becks Imports, he is a sponsor, and will know what warranty is available for the car you want to buy. Get a warranty and enjoy that SL55, it is an awesome car.

My suggestion is the buy the most recent year you can afford with the thought that a some of the 2003 bugs may have been corrected. And 2005 has a better navi I believe. Search this site for reviews on warranty companies. I had an aftermarket warranty and I still ended up paying out of pocket many times because of the fine print on contract. So be careful. But I can agree like the others , every time I have to get a repair done its always seems to be in range of 1000. Price of parts for our car is insane.

But on top of all of that Ill be going for a topless Sunday drive in a few min.. Jersey Shore

All German NAV systems to this day SUC.......

^ agreed. I love to bust the MB guys chops about Navi everytime I am at the dealer's. My cheap a$$ Garmin kicks its ****. What a sad thing to see a garmin attached to the windshield of a 100k merc.

Yup. Well, to German's engineering defense- the term "infotainment" contains partially the world- "entertainment" which I am not sure the Germans as a nation are aware of

I own a '05 SL55. I bought it with 16K miles and it now has 32K. I've had a grand total of one warranty claim: a leaking valve cover....they replaced both. Other than that, it has been bulletproof.

I've had the car disease all of my life, I'm 62 now. I've owned everything from Corvettes to Daytona Ferraris, Lamborghini Miuras, Porsche Turbos, etc. I am convinced that the SL 55 is the best of all worlds. In sport mode it is sharp, fast and almost brutal in it's 20-60 mph acceleration, but still has a trunk for golf clubs or grandchildren...... In comfort mode it is just that. Gas mileage really sucks. I have SL 65 wheels, 285/30/19 tires are not cheap. Mine was 141K new, and when you do fix it you fix it, you fix a 140K car. An ounce of prevention.......so get a warranty.