bruceeboy |
01-10-2019 12:00 PM |
I purchased a 2011 SL63 a few months ago and had been casually shopping for ~ 1 year, when I realized my daily driver had to go. Here's what I learned in the process: - There's always some SL63's listed, but it was clear I was not going to find any locally and I'd have to travel to make a purchase.
- The majority have had multiple owners/leases - so I tried to use Carfax data to give me some assurance none had been exposed to road salt or were in an accident.
- I found one dark gray SL63 in that time period, one owner car listed (very rare color) - it sold before I could act - dealer would not accept a deposit to hold until I could drive up the next day..
I purchased a black/black (most common color) from a small dealer 10 hours drive from my home. Before I drove up to examine it the dealer put it on a lift, shot some pics and emailed them to me. When I inspected it, there were no obvious flaws, test drive went well. Here's what I missed: - RF SAM module is defective and would have shown up if I had brought along a good OBD scanner (purchased an Autel MD802 after the fact). Only apparent effect is the Distronic adaptive cruise won't stay engaged for more than 10 minutes - est replacement cost $850. It would have been difficult to interpret a lot of the scan data. There were quite a few codes - obviously hadn't been cleared for some time.
- Slow hydraulic steering leak - est dealer cost to replace steering rack ~ $1000.
- Gas spring for the center console was shot (same for the hood, which was obvious during inspection and the dealer had ordered replacements which were shipped to me after purchase).
- Engine mount - 1 ruptured as reported during a subsequent service at a Mercedes dealer. Recommended replacing both mounts and indicated trans mount was also worn.
- Front end alignment - I did not notice the very inside edge of one front tire had more wear than the rest. Local dealer spent 3 hours trying to bring alignment in spec and indicated they got close but not perfect. This is the one mystery that still concerns me a little. A different dealer advised me the SL63's are very difficult to align. This still needs sorting.
At the end of the day, I don't regret my purchase or feel I was necessarily taken advantage of. After shopping for 1 year+ I was pretty comfortable that I was paying below market price based on mileage & appearance. The items I've noted above appear to be common wear items (after all the car is 8 years old) and both Mercedes dealers that have seen the car since thought it was in great shape for a 2011. If I had knowledge of the items I missed, I might have been able to do a little more negotiating, but that's only speculation of course.
|