Looking at buying a 2003 Sl350 as my weekend car. It's a big commitment as I know I'll want the car to be perfect. At the moment it has a horn issue that sounds intermittently when driving. A rear bulb that won't stay in. Centre glove box light on dash. I'm worried that it may take a long time to sort these out and be expensive? Any thoughts or specialised dealers in the Perthshire area advice would be most welcome?
Electronic Gremlins
- Thread starter Ddingwall
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Petrol Pete
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
Hello and welcome .Are you sure it is the horn that is sounding and not the alarm sounder ? Horn sounding when the steering is turned is often the clock spring in the steering column faulty (on some cars).
Your alarm sounder could be on its way out , when they start failing they can bring up all sorts of odd faults . I am not 100% sure if you car has one or where it might be . on my 2006 C class it is easily accessible behind the wheel arch liner LHS front wheel right hand side. It can easily be unplugged in situ just to see if the beeping noise goes away. Unless of course you are sure it's the cars main horn that is sounding.
P.S you are getting yourself into a fairly complex 18 year old Mercedes Benz . It was the first of the SL with vario roof that can have its own issues if not serviced correctly , the V6 engine in it has some potentially very expensive (fatal) flaws in it . It's a popular engine but you need to do your research on W272/273 powerplant
www.mercedesmedic.com
www.carfolio.com
The SL350 had 'normal' suspension but I believe at some point the more complex and expensive to fix suspension from the 500 model could be ordered as a factory option. If fitted you need to be aware of future repair costs especially on an older car.
I was very close to buying one from someone I knew but circumstances changed and I put the plan on hold . But it still might happen .
Your alarm sounder could be on its way out , when they start failing they can bring up all sorts of odd faults . I am not 100% sure if you car has one or where it might be . on my 2006 C class it is easily accessible behind the wheel arch liner LHS front wheel right hand side. It can easily be unplugged in situ just to see if the beeping noise goes away. Unless of course you are sure it's the cars main horn that is sounding.
P.S you are getting yourself into a fairly complex 18 year old Mercedes Benz . It was the first of the SL with vario roof that can have its own issues if not serviced correctly , the V6 engine in it has some potentially very expensive (fatal) flaws in it . It's a popular engine but you need to do your research on W272/273 powerplant
Mercedes Benz balance shaft engine issues. How to check by VIN. M272/273 – MB Medic
www.mercedesmedic.com
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL 350 R 230 specifications, technical data, performance
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL 350 - full technical specs sheet, including performance data, economy and emissions, dimensions, weight and engine particulars.
www.carfolio.com
The SL350 had 'normal' suspension but I believe at some point the more complex and expensive to fix suspension from the 500 model could be ordered as a factory option. If fitted you need to be aware of future repair costs especially on an older car.
I was very close to buying one from someone I knew but circumstances changed and I put the plan on hold . But it still might happen .
Thank you so much for getting back to me on this. No, it's definitely horn. But I'll still check out the alarm sounder just in case. Yes, I understand the pit falls. It's standard suspension at least.Hello and welcome .Are you sure it is the horn that is sounding and not the alarm sounder ? Horn sounding when the steering is turned is often the clock spring in the steering column faulty (on some cars).
Your alarm sounder could be on its way out , when they start failing they can bring up all sorts of odd faults . I am not 100% sure if you car has one or where it might be . on my 2006 C class it is easily accessible behind the wheel arch liner LHS front wheel right hand side. It can easily be unplugged in situ just to see if the beeping noise goes away. Unless of course you are sure it's the cars main horn that is sounding.
P.S you are getting yourself into a fairly complex 18 year old Mercedes Benz . It was the first of the SL with vario roof that can have its own issues if not serviced correctly , the V6 engine in it has some potentially very expensive (fatal) flaws in it . It's a popular engine but you need to do your research on W272/273 powerplant
Mercedes Benz balance shaft engine issues. How to check by VIN. M272/273 – MB Medic
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL 350 R 230 specifications, technical data, performance
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL 350 - full technical specs sheet, including performance data, economy and emissions, dimensions, weight and engine particulars.
The SL350 had 'normal' suspension but I believe at some point the more complex and expensive to fix suspension from the 500 model could be ordered as a factory option. If fitted you need to be aware of future repair costs especially on an older car.
I was very close to buying one from someone I knew but circumstances changed and I put the plan on hold . But it still might happen .
I've seen 13k of original bills including an engine rebuild 7 years ago at Mercedes Bemz.
I'm thinking it might be worth a gamble. I think the key is finding a Mercedes specialist in my area.
Petrol Pete
Hardcore MB Enthusiast
If MB did the engine and the rest of it looks good then go for it . 
if the roof has no history of a hydraulic fluid change , might be worth getting that done .
if the roof has no history of a hydraulic fluid change , might be worth getting that done .Users who are viewing this thread
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