SL55/63/65/R230 AMG: Honeymoon's Over!
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
Honeymoon's Over!
Well, I suppose it had to happen one day, I've been too lucky with reliability up to now.
Two nights ago, pouring with rain, overtaking, strange drifting sensation from the back end, "ABC Visit Workshop" on the display. 2 miles further on, the whole display turns red "ABC Drive Carefully!". Sat Nav screen freezes and pixellates, none of the Command or steering wheel buttons work and when it does recover, the SatNav starts taking me back to where I've come from.
Car's still running, but I'm now lost in a city I do not know (Bristol), late at night, attrocious wet and windy weather and the car is bouncing around like it's on the bed springs of a cheap bordello.
First to do today is to disconnect the battery to see if that cures it, otherwise back to the dealer. Not that they're being very helpful. They can't see the car for two weeks.
It's all fine while under warranty, but how is it going to be once the warranty runs out? The moral of this sorry tale is that whatever you may have been told about the SL being Mercedes returning to quality form, they're not. The car is too complex for its own good. Fortunately, my old 129 SL just goes on and on, never a problem with it.
Two nights ago, pouring with rain, overtaking, strange drifting sensation from the back end, "ABC Visit Workshop" on the display. 2 miles further on, the whole display turns red "ABC Drive Carefully!". Sat Nav screen freezes and pixellates, none of the Command or steering wheel buttons work and when it does recover, the SatNav starts taking me back to where I've come from.
Car's still running, but I'm now lost in a city I do not know (Bristol), late at night, attrocious wet and windy weather and the car is bouncing around like it's on the bed springs of a cheap bordello.
First to do today is to disconnect the battery to see if that cures it, otherwise back to the dealer. Not that they're being very helpful. They can't see the car for two weeks.
It's all fine while under warranty, but how is it going to be once the warranty runs out? The moral of this sorry tale is that whatever you may have been told about the SL being Mercedes returning to quality form, they're not. The car is too complex for its own good. Fortunately, my old 129 SL just goes on and on, never a problem with it.
Last edited by blueSL; Jan 9, 2004 at 10:47 PM.
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From: San Francisco
Pretty scary, and not very surprising. The worst part is the dealer's two week put-off.
I enjoy my SL55, but I view it like my Ferrari - it's for fun, not for serious. I think MB used to build a good car, but now they've followed the road of the computer software people - they think "features" sell better than reliabilty.
And to make it worse, they and their dealers have acquired a sense of arrogance that is just plain stupid. Several weeks ago I left a message for the MB salesman I normally deal with here in San Francisco saying I wanted to buy an SL600. It took hin ten days to return my call. (It took me ten seeconds to tell my secretary that I wouldn't talk to him.) I ordered a Ferrari 360 instead, but I don't think MB cares.
And I think it's going to get worse before it gets better - I had the same experience trying to buy a Maybach two months ago. The salesman (a different one; this one works at the factory dealership in Manhattan) told me he would call me after the weekend, but I never heard for him, So I sent him an e-mail asking a question about the car. No response. I guess those Maybachs are just jumping off the shelf.
As I said, it's going to get worse before it gets better. I don't plan on holding any of my Mercedes past the expiration of the warranty, and I don't plan to replace them either. Al least not with a Mercedes.
I enjoy my SL55, but I view it like my Ferrari - it's for fun, not for serious. I think MB used to build a good car, but now they've followed the road of the computer software people - they think "features" sell better than reliabilty.
And to make it worse, they and their dealers have acquired a sense of arrogance that is just plain stupid. Several weeks ago I left a message for the MB salesman I normally deal with here in San Francisco saying I wanted to buy an SL600. It took hin ten days to return my call. (It took me ten seeconds to tell my secretary that I wouldn't talk to him.) I ordered a Ferrari 360 instead, but I don't think MB cares.
And I think it's going to get worse before it gets better - I had the same experience trying to buy a Maybach two months ago. The salesman (a different one; this one works at the factory dealership in Manhattan) told me he would call me after the weekend, but I never heard for him, So I sent him an e-mail asking a question about the car. No response. I guess those Maybachs are just jumping off the shelf.
As I said, it's going to get worse before it gets better. I don't plan on holding any of my Mercedes past the expiration of the warranty, and I don't plan to replace them either. Al least not with a Mercedes.
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From: UK
Sorry to hear the news blueSL.. How many miles have you done now?
Although my SL55 has been trouble free so far (5200 miles) I agree with you about the car being too complex. At the end of the warranty I will have some serious thinking to do. Perhaps buying an extended warranty is one option but I also have my name down for an SLK55 AMG. Perhaps the new SLK isnt so complex and 0 - 100 kph in 4.9 secs isnt slow either.
Although my SL55 has been trouble free so far (5200 miles) I agree with you about the car being too complex. At the end of the warranty I will have some serious thinking to do. Perhaps buying an extended warranty is one option but I also have my name down for an SLK55 AMG. Perhaps the new SLK isnt so complex and 0 - 100 kph in 4.9 secs isnt slow either.
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From: Manchester, UK
Mercedes-Benz A170 CDI
The SLK55 will be able to pull of 0-60 in less than 5, but can it pull the standing km in 23? And do 200mph without breaking a sweat?
The SLK55 is a disappointment in terms of performance compared to the old one, the 32K could pull off around 182~mph top speed. This new engine has about 11Hp more, we all know the difference between the W210 E55 and the W211, why couldn't they pull that off with the SLK? Its MB's fault, since the 32K was so strong in the first place, and they can't exactly follow that up with a detuned V8K
The same engine powers the heavier CLK55 thats why. I bet applying their DI engine technology they could easily get 440HP out of this thing.
Anyways, when all is said and done, an AMG V8 is always a magnificent engine
BlueSL sorry to hear about the problems, all Merc models are too complex for their own good, extended warranty is a sure thing to buy.
I guess in some weird way, unreliability in a Mercedes gives the car character After all, non of us are exactly perfect?
The SLK55 is a disappointment in terms of performance compared to the old one, the 32K could pull off around 182~mph top speed. This new engine has about 11Hp more, we all know the difference between the W210 E55 and the W211, why couldn't they pull that off with the SLK? Its MB's fault, since the 32K was so strong in the first place, and they can't exactly follow that up with a detuned V8K
The same engine powers the heavier CLK55 thats why. I bet applying their DI engine technology they could easily get 440HP out of this thing.
Anyways, when all is said and done, an AMG V8 is always a magnificent engine
BlueSL sorry to hear about the problems, all Merc models are too complex for their own good, extended warranty is a sure thing to buy.
I guess in some weird way, unreliability in a Mercedes gives the car character
After all, non of us are exactly perfect?
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Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Boston
SL600, A8L W12, Continental GT, Range Rover SC
I sympathize, blueSL. I’ve told the story of my reliability problems with the SL55 on this board before, so I won’t repeat it. Perhaps there will be fewer bugs in 04 SLs than 03s. My S500 is an 01, a couple years into the model’s production run, and it hasn’t had as many problems.
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From: Mijas Costa, Spain
SL500 Ex SL55, ML55, S430
Hi BlueSL, Sorry to hear of your woe.
Did the IT world 'fix all' (turn it off and then back on again) battery disconnect do the trick?
Hope it did. A 2 week wait is appauling. Have Mercedes Assistance put you in a suitable replacement?
This used to be the only good thing about my troublesome S430 - I got to try the whole range E, S and ML classes whilst the 430 was being repaired on various occasions.
Unbeleivably I got rid of this car and swapped it for another S430 exactly the same - colour, spec, year etc although a few more miles and the higher mile replacement has been trouble free (it is covered by an extended warranty!).
Does any one know what problems Jeremy Clarkson (UK TV Presenter) has had with his SL55? - he seems to be constantly slanging Mercedes but I have not heard any specifics - they must regret selling him one and allowing him to jump the waiting list.
Did the IT world 'fix all' (turn it off and then back on again) battery disconnect do the trick?
Hope it did. A 2 week wait is appauling. Have Mercedes Assistance put you in a suitable replacement?
This used to be the only good thing about my troublesome S430 - I got to try the whole range E, S and ML classes whilst the 430 was being repaired on various occasions.
Unbeleivably I got rid of this car and swapped it for another S430 exactly the same - colour, spec, year etc although a few more miles and the higher mile replacement has been trouble free (it is covered by an extended warranty!).
Does any one know what problems Jeremy Clarkson (UK TV Presenter) has had with his SL55? - he seems to be constantly slanging Mercedes but I have not heard any specifics - they must regret selling him one and allowing him to jump the waiting list.
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
The battery disconnect didn't work and the errors now appear within 10 seconds of starting the engine. Fortunately MB Stratford upon Avon are going to look at the car as 2pm today so we'll see.
As it happens I spoke to Jeremy Clarkson while we were waiting at a train station the day after this problem occured, and talked about MB quality. He's had the same problems with MB Oxford regarding service and has had two replacement gearboxes. Nice guy to talk to...
As it happens I spoke to Jeremy Clarkson while we were waiting at a train station the day after this problem occured, and talked about MB quality. He's had the same problems with MB Oxford regarding service and has had two replacement gearboxes. Nice guy to talk to...
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From: Brunei
Too Young To Drive
Originally posted by morebhp
Does any one know what problems Jeremy Clarkson (UK TV Presenter) has had with his SL55? - he seems to be constantly slanging Mercedes but I have not heard any specifics - they must regret selling him one and allowing him to jump the waiting list.
Does any one know what problems Jeremy Clarkson (UK TV Presenter) has had with his SL55? - he seems to be constantly slanging Mercedes but I have not heard any specifics - they must regret selling him one and allowing him to jump the waiting list.
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
As I said, I found him a very easy person to engage with...
Turns out my SL55 has no pressure in the hydraulic circuit controlling the adjustable spring/damper units making up ABC; looks like the car has dumped its hydraulic fluid over the road some place because the one place it is not is in the car where it belongs. Since the failure was sudden and catastrophic, that points to a component failure (pump, valve, ruptured pipe) and not just a drip-drip leak from a weeping pipe union.
The car was bouncing around more than ever on the way to the dealership, made me feel quick sick while driving and the technician judged the car too dangerous and would not let me drive it home. They have no idea what has failed, or how long it will take to fix but I did ask them to read out all the other errors and fix those as well.
The Mercedes break-down policy will collect you car and get you home but, if you drive the car in and it's condemned, you're on your own. That will be $60 for the taxi fare home, thank you. Dealer was helpful and tried to get MB to authorise the taxi-fare as a goodwill gesture but failed. I've just given them a rocket and told them they are mean and penny-pinching.
Turns out my SL55 has no pressure in the hydraulic circuit controlling the adjustable spring/damper units making up ABC; looks like the car has dumped its hydraulic fluid over the road some place because the one place it is not is in the car where it belongs. Since the failure was sudden and catastrophic, that points to a component failure (pump, valve, ruptured pipe) and not just a drip-drip leak from a weeping pipe union.
The car was bouncing around more than ever on the way to the dealership, made me feel quick sick while driving and the technician judged the car too dangerous and would not let me drive it home. They have no idea what has failed, or how long it will take to fix but I did ask them to read out all the other errors and fix those as well.
The Mercedes break-down policy will collect you car and get you home but, if you drive the car in and it's condemned, you're on your own. That will be $60 for the taxi fare home, thank you. Dealer was helpful and tried to get MB to authorise the taxi-fare as a goodwill gesture but failed. I've just given them a rocket and told them they are mean and penny-pinching.
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From: McLean, VA
S4
Originally posted by White Knight II
Pretty scary, and not very surprising. The worst part is the dealer's two week put-off.
I enjoy my SL55, but I view it like my Ferrari - it's for fun, not for serious. I think MB used to build a good car, but now they've followed the road of the computer software people - they think "features" sell better than reliabilty.
And to make it worse, they and their dealers have acquired a sense of arrogance that is just plain stupid. Several weeks ago I left a message for the MB salesman I normally deal with here in San Francisco saying I wanted to buy an SL600. It took hin ten days to return my call. (It took me ten seeconds to tell my secretary that I wouldn't talk to him.) I ordered a Ferrari 360 instead, but I don't think MB cares.
And I think it's going to get worse before it gets better - I had the same experience trying to buy a Maybach two months ago. The salesman (a different one; this one works at the factory dealership in Manhattan) told me he would call me after the weekend, but I never heard for him, So I sent him an e-mail asking a question about the car. No response. I guess those Maybachs are just jumping off the shelf.
As I said, it's going to get worse before it gets better. I don't plan on holding any of my Mercedes past the expiration of the warranty, and I don't plan to replace them either. Al least not with a Mercedes.
Pretty scary, and not very surprising. The worst part is the dealer's two week put-off.
I enjoy my SL55, but I view it like my Ferrari - it's for fun, not for serious. I think MB used to build a good car, but now they've followed the road of the computer software people - they think "features" sell better than reliabilty.
And to make it worse, they and their dealers have acquired a sense of arrogance that is just plain stupid. Several weeks ago I left a message for the MB salesman I normally deal with here in San Francisco saying I wanted to buy an SL600. It took hin ten days to return my call. (It took me ten seeconds to tell my secretary that I wouldn't talk to him.) I ordered a Ferrari 360 instead, but I don't think MB cares.
And I think it's going to get worse before it gets better - I had the same experience trying to buy a Maybach two months ago. The salesman (a different one; this one works at the factory dealership in Manhattan) told me he would call me after the weekend, but I never heard for him, So I sent him an e-mail asking a question about the car. No response. I guess those Maybachs are just jumping off the shelf.
As I said, it's going to get worse before it gets better. I don't plan on holding any of my Mercedes past the expiration of the warranty, and I don't plan to replace them either. Al least not with a Mercedes.
congrats on the 360, (nice addition to an amazing collection---droptop 550
) good luck.
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What does "condemned" mean. So if some light flashes at you you should call out MB and not drive it anywhere?
It is completely unacceptable behaviour from MB to be so customer unfriendly. It is a shame the car is overall quite nice, but I am going for a 911 next...no way would I put up with this. Can you imagine if this happened 1 day out of warranty? Expect a bill into 000s I would think.
BTW: Check out the AMG board, we are collecting names of people who own SL55s to write a collective letter to MB telling them of their need to improve customer service and expertise in the SLs in general. This sounds like an excellent candidate to add.
DB1
It is completely unacceptable behaviour from MB to be so customer unfriendly. It is a shame the car is overall quite nice, but I am going for a 911 next...no way would I put up with this. Can you imagine if this happened 1 day out of warranty? Expect a bill into 000s I would think.
BTW: Check out the AMG board, we are collecting names of people who own SL55s to write a collective letter to MB telling them of their need to improve customer service and expertise in the SLs in general. This sounds like an excellent candidate to add.
DB1
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SL55 AMG
So far as they were concerned, the car was not safe to drive. "Condemned" is my (slightly emotive) work. Whatever, a £95k car, 3k miles, undriveable.
Truly these cars are going to be a nightmare out of warranty so the message has to be to accept nothing second rate with these cars and get every error, every oddity checked.
Truly these cars are going to be a nightmare out of warranty so the message has to be to accept nothing second rate with these cars and get every error, every oddity checked.
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OK understood, but how do you make that determination? ie when is is unsafe to drive - what warning shows up?
eg: I had a BAS warning come up once, then it went away again. I have also seen a "Low Pressure" warning after not drivng for 10 days, then the pump whirred up and it went away..
Point is: Who makes the call?
DB1
eg: I had a BAS warning come up once, then it went away again. I have also seen a "Low Pressure" warning after not drivng for 10 days, then the pump whirred up and it went away..
Point is: Who makes the call?
DB1
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From: UK
SL55 AMG
There are some red warnings which simply alert - for example if the bonnet is not latched or if you switch off the engine without engaging park.
For problems, some messages say "Stop!", for example, extreme brake failure, though that might be easier said than done if you've no brakes. Other say "Drive Carefully", such as my ABC problem. That's why I took the car in myself and it was when the technicians saw the extent of the problem that they said the car should not be driven. It was all over the place on the way over there.
I've checked my garage floor and there's no sign of hydraulic fluid, so it's long departed.
For problems, some messages say "Stop!", for example, extreme brake failure, though that might be easier said than done if you've no brakes. Other say "Drive Carefully", such as my ABC problem. That's why I took the car in myself and it was when the technicians saw the extent of the problem that they said the car should not be driven. It was all over the place on the way over there.
I've checked my garage floor and there's no sign of hydraulic fluid, so it's long departed.
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If the failure was so catastrophic, and you have no sign of the fluid howcome this sign didn't come up before? It sounds unlikely that the fluid could have been dumped in a second with no trace anywhere.
I can understand STOP, but Drive carefully and then this reaction...
Interesting to see what they say.
DB1
I can understand STOP, but Drive carefully and then this reaction...
Interesting to see what they say.
DB1
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SL55 AMG
There were two messages which "ABC Visit Workshop" and red "ABC Drive Carefully" which looks like they mean "warning" and "severe". What was surprising is how quickly it moved from one to the other, in the space of 2 miles and 3 minutes. If there's a gradual fluid loss, you'd expect to get more warning than that.
The dealer has now been on the phone to say that they have found a leak in one of the pipes feeding the front suspension struts. They have fixed that, replenished the hydraulic fluid and all is apparently well.
The dealer has now been on the phone to say that they have found a leak in one of the pipes feeding the front suspension struts. They have fixed that, replenished the hydraulic fluid and all is apparently well.
Last edited by blueSL; Jan 13, 2004 at 08:52 AM.
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oops didn't read the last line of your post !! Good news..
So, now I am imagining travelling at 255kmh on the rare occasion we take it to Germany (or a track) and a darn hose pops....isn't that what we pay £95k for?
BTW: Did I meet you at Maffs house a while back on the UK GTG?
DB1
So, now I am imagining travelling at 255kmh on the rare occasion we take it to Germany (or a track) and a darn hose pops....isn't that what we pay £95k for?
BTW: Did I meet you at Maffs house a while back on the UK GTG?
DB1
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SL55 AMG
One of the tricks Mercedes can do is to fool the car into thinking it's on rough terrain when all four wheels are actually planted on level ground. The car then bucks and rolls - they call it the rodeo test - and it shows just how much hydraulic power is available to run the ABC. Equally, the suspension height adjustment raises the car much more quickly than in previous models, again indicating high pressure in the hydraulics.
Any significant leak in the system is going to drain the reservoir of fluid as the pump tries to maintain pressure and this is what I expect happened on my car. The pipe broke suddenly and 2 minutes was all it took to empty the reservoir through the resulting hole.
Any significant leak in the system is going to drain the reservoir of fluid as the pump tries to maintain pressure and this is what I expect happened on my car. The pipe broke suddenly and 2 minutes was all it took to empty the reservoir through the resulting hole.
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way too much complexity....waiting to go wrong as just evidenced...expect the prices of these to drop significantly as they come out of warranty....what is the chance of a goodwill gesture if they cannot stump up the taxi fare?
BTW: Did you see my question about whether we had met?
DB1
BTW: Did you see my question about whether we had met?
DB1
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From: london
can i add in the very poor customer service i recieved on my CL as well, with regard to sending letters!
sent one a while backall i got is apology letter....
absolutely useless! - and let me tell you porsche aint not better alli have is hassle when i take my boxster in
sent one a while backall i got is apology letter....
absolutely useless! - and let me tell you porsche aint not better alli have is hassle when i take my boxster in
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SL55 AMG
Well, you could have knocked me over with the feather. The Service Receptionist, Jayne, at MB Stratford-upon-Avon actually called to apologise the car is going to be delayed.
Let's hear it for her, someone who does actually do her job!!
Let's hear it for her, someone who does actually do her job!!
