SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: SL55 - is it worth it?
Thread Starter
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 2,447
Likes: 14
From: UK
SL55 AMG
SL55 - is it worth the hassle?
I've been interested in the SL55 for a long time and have one of the first made - and that may be my problem - but I am just beginning to wonder if it is worth the hassle.
The reliability of my car has been shockingly bad, a series of faults mostly related to the fancy hydraulic and braking systems which are invariably expensive to fix. The sheer complexity of the car - and the capability of the diagnostics which lag it - means that problems can be difficult to diagnose.
Right now, my car has been in the dealer's workshop for a month without them fixing a loss of power problem above 50 mph. They want to replace two parts at a cost of $1000 (parts and labour) and there's no guarantee this will fix it. They are clutching at straws - stabbing in the dark - and MB Technical are no better. I've told them if the parts do not fix the car, I'm not paying for them.
The month before, the car drained its ABC fluid through a leaky valve block which cost $700 to fix.
The car needs new ball-joints and it will only be a matter of time before something goes wrong with the suspension struts at something like $1500 a corner. The wheels are corroding under the lacquer and need refinishing.
And on and on... The car is now worth 15% of what I paid for it 10 years ago, still less than 20000 miles.
I'm finding it increasingly difficult to continue pouring money into this car. My Ferrari, much less complex, is more fun to drive and has never once let me down.
The reliability of my car has been shockingly bad, a series of faults mostly related to the fancy hydraulic and braking systems which are invariably expensive to fix. The sheer complexity of the car - and the capability of the diagnostics which lag it - means that problems can be difficult to diagnose.
Right now, my car has been in the dealer's workshop for a month without them fixing a loss of power problem above 50 mph. They want to replace two parts at a cost of $1000 (parts and labour) and there's no guarantee this will fix it. They are clutching at straws - stabbing in the dark - and MB Technical are no better. I've told them if the parts do not fix the car, I'm not paying for them.
The month before, the car drained its ABC fluid through a leaky valve block which cost $700 to fix.
The car needs new ball-joints and it will only be a matter of time before something goes wrong with the suspension struts at something like $1500 a corner. The wheels are corroding under the lacquer and need refinishing.
And on and on... The car is now worth 15% of what I paid for it 10 years ago, still less than 20000 miles.
I'm finding it increasingly difficult to continue pouring money into this car. My Ferrari, much less complex, is more fun to drive and has never once let me down.
Last edited by blueSL; Sep 10, 2012 at 05:18 AM.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 1,477
Likes: 1
From: Colorado
07' SL65, 04' E55, 03' Evo8, 08' GSXR, DSM's...
/\ Yeah i'll have to agree, just sell it, you have a much more fun car to drive. Although most of the problems you listed are the common issues with the car and i think most owners eventually go through all of them. Also sounds like you need to find a good indy shop.
Are they replacing the i/c pump?
Good luck.
Aaron
Are they replacing the i/c pump?
Good luck.
Aaron
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,268
Likes: 253
the question is- when it works right- is it worth to you?
my sl65 is worth to me.
if you grow to despise the car and be afraid that it will leave you on the side of the road- get rid of it.
it is really that simple.
my sl65 is worth to me.
if you grow to despise the car and be afraid that it will leave you on the side of the road- get rid of it.
it is really that simple.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 252
Likes: 0
From: Jersey
SL55
I feel your pain.. I'm on the verge of selling mine for the same reason. My aftermarket warranty is bs... so its an endless money pit! Nice car on outside but people have no idea what it costs to maintain.
Trending Topics
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,703
Likes: 5
From: Arizona
SL55AMG, Ferrari 348, Ferrari Testarossa, Ferrari F40, Ferrari Mondial t, Ducati 916, Indycar
I'm sorry to hear of the SL55 woes. With only 20K miles, it wasn't driven much. As a Ferrari owner, you should be familiar with fluid changes, etc... regardless of miles. Have you kept up on this?
My '03 has been bullet proof. It gets driven a bit more, but more importantly, ALL fluids get serviced...... ABC, brake, coolant, oil, etc, etc
My '03 has been bullet proof. It gets driven a bit more, but more importantly, ALL fluids get serviced...... ABC, brake, coolant, oil, etc, etc
MB World Stories
The Best of Mercedes & AMG
New Electric Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupe Unveiled: 10 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)
Verdad Gallardo
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren
Verdad Gallardo
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine
Verdad Gallardo
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction
Verdad Gallardo
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know
Verdad Gallardo
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve
Verdad Gallardo
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,908
Likes: 17
From: Florida
03SL55
I'm sorry to hear of the SL55 woes. With only 20K miles, it wasn't driven much. As a Ferrari owner, you should be familiar with fluid changes, etc... regardless of miles. Have you kept up on this?
My '03 has been bullet proof. It gets driven a bit more, but more importantly, ALL fluids get serviced...... ABC, brake, coolant, oil, etc, etc
My '03 has been bullet proof. It gets driven a bit more, but more importantly, ALL fluids get serviced...... ABC, brake, coolant, oil, etc, etc
Same here, I think you got a lemon BlueSL.
Member
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 125
Likes: 0
From: UK
Designo Brilliant Black Paint W219
Back to the main subject ,if the OP did not love his SL, I don't think he will even spend a dime to fix any issues associated with the car. I think where he is beginning to give up is after series of money spent, the issues still persist and anybody in his position will feel the same way. There are people who drive cars for the sake of driving high performance cars but in return do not attach sentiments or show love to their cars and for such people it's straight forward "GET RID" of the car when anything potential goes wrong while the other types who I call the "real enthusiasts" who would do anything to get the car going even when the car is on the verge of collapse. I personally attach sentiments to my cars that I often persist with endless repairs even when my friends tell me to get rid of.
The cars I have enjoyed the most are the ones that drained my wallet to a certain extent if you guys know what I am talking about.
Last edited by mcobinad; Sep 19, 2012 at 11:43 AM.
Super Member
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: Sweden
SL55AMG + SL600 + E320 + A180
No comments
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
SL55 AMG
I own an '03 SL55 and its been bulletproof...."so far". But I fully expect it to give me some financial burden at some point. That said, for a car of its caliber, (judged by pure fun of driving and head turning qualities), I've no intent of swapping for something else. I guess I'm even going the other direction and intending to test it's reliability by pushing it a bit. Was stock....but within the month is going to have MBH long tube headers, a new heat exchange pump, a 180mm crank pulley, an 82mm throttle body, and new tune. Of course....with all that I had to pull the trigger on a widebody conversion and custom paint as well with some new custom wheels. Excited as hell to give it a "rebirth"!
Anyway...the list of issues above seems like this car was, in fact, a lemon, or it was poorly maintained. Other possibility was it wasn't driven "enough"??
Good luck....but if you get it fixed and get it fixed "right", you shouldn't have to address the same issue again for a very long time.
Anyway...the list of issues above seems like this car was, in fact, a lemon, or it was poorly maintained. Other possibility was it wasn't driven "enough"??
Good luck....but if you get it fixed and get it fixed "right", you shouldn't have to address the same issue again for a very long time.
Former Vendor of MBWorld
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 93
From: Valley of the Sun, Arizona
C63, SL55, E55, CLS55, ML63, C55
I love my SL55. However it will be for sale soon with about 6k miles worth of warranty left on it. Its been pretty damn rock solid for me. with 55K miles on the clock.
