Just bought 2007 SL55 - first steps

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AMadGit

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Oct 29, 2015
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SL55
Good morning.

I'm new to Merc ownership and want to keep my SL55 well maintained. It has 40k on it and a full MBSH which I will keep up.

If possible I want to head off any common problems before they occur. As far as I'm aware, all is currently good with the ABC and water does not get into the boot.

What would be good preventative maintenance at this stage for the ABC and anything else?

Re general ownership I've signed up for MercedesMe but it doesn't seem to be much use for cars older than 2008.
I'd like to get hold of the MB service history - all I've got is a series of stamps in the book and a few receipts.
Do Mercedes offer service warranties?
Is there a way to become 'approved' or would that be automatic with a MBSH.

Sorry for all the Qs but I've got some catching up to do on the world of MB.
 
Firstly congrats on your purchase.the forum has moved on a bit and you will see that the c63 and eclass amgs rule the roost at the moment.sl55 owners seem to be thin on the ground nowadays.i have a sl 55 .change the abc fluid if it's not already been done,after that it's routine stuff.i would find a good independant merc garage to service and look after your car.loads of info on here about good insdys in your area.hth col
 
Congrats on the new purchase, and the above post just about sums it up
 
Nice purchase , must be one of the last made being 2007
 
Any pictures fella?



Here's a quick snap - I haven't had time to do any better yet.
It's going for an ABC flush and general check over at a local Merc specialist on Monday.
Interestingly a sort of a whine/moan from the engine appeared the other day linked to revs as I was pottering in traffic. And it hasn't gone away. I thought it might be the gearbox but fortunately it isn't.
It kind of sounds like what you'd expect a supercharger to sound like, except this engine was very quiet for about 2 weeks prior!
It's annoying but I'm hoping this specialist will have heard them all before.
 

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I hope you've deep pockets - R230 SLs are lovely cars, but they sure can drain the wallet.

Likely issues coming to a car near you one day ... soon:

ABC
SBC
Boot seals
Rear window seal
Fuel tank baffles

Good luck :D
 
Or possibly none of the above just enjoy it and be prepared to spend as and when and welcome to the club.

Tony.
 
Hi, welcome to the forum and good luck with the car. As above, be prepared to spend some money on it.
 
Re ABC

Learn and understand how the system works - it pays off regardless if you're a DIYer or not. Preventative maintenance is the key. Pentosin can be ordered from Germany at 1/2 of the main dealer's cost. If you're a DIYer, than it's total fun.
 
I hope you've deep pockets - R230 SLs are lovely cars, but they sure can drain the wallet.

Likely issues coming to a car near you one day ... soon:

ABC
SBC
Boot seals
Rear window seal
Fuel tank baffles

Good luck :D

pointless and inaccurate scaremongering :fail
 
nice car, enjoy it!
 
Ive owned a CL55 Kompressor for 9 years (similar to the sl).
As summed up well in the previous posts, sometimes you do get problems, many of the small common problems are an easy(ish) diy fix believe it or not. You'll find this forum a great help in regards to that.
It's all insignificant when you get a summer day on country road with the noise of a Supercharged V8. Enjoy it and have fun :D.
 
pointless and inaccurate scaremongering :fail

I own one and it's seen all those issues in its "full MB service history" lifetime so hardly pointless.

The R230 is the least reliable car on the road according to major aftermarket warranty company research. All the issues I mention are common issues.

That said if you want to keep your blinkers on crack on!
 
I did a fair bit of research before buying so I know what nasties these cars can throw up and I've read the comments from disappointed owners.
It comes with the territory really - I'm sure Porsche ownership isn't the cheapest way to get about either.

The car is as dry as a bone in the boot - the later seals seem to work but I'll still have to keep an eye one that.

It's this new engine related noise that's getting my attention at the moment - if I can get that sorted I'll be happy. I haven't even taken it out of Comfort yet!
 
I did a fair bit of research before buying so I know what nasties these cars can throw up and I've read the comments from disappointed owners.
It comes with the territory really - I'm sure Porsche ownership isn't the cheapest way to get about either.

The car is as dry as a bone in the boot - the later seals seem to work but I'll still have to keep an eye one that.

It's this new engine related noise that's getting my attention at the moment - if I can get that sorted I'll be happy. I haven't even taken it out of Comfort yet!

The noise you are experiencing could well be one of the pulleys at the front of the engine. Also, check the water pump as that can make a noise before giving up and leaking. Hopefully nothing serious:thumb:
 
I own one and it's seen all those issues in its "full MB service history" lifetime so hardly pointless.

The R230 is the least reliable car on the road according to major aftermarket warranty company research. All the issues I mention are common issues.

That said if you want to keep your blinkers on crack on!

and I've owned three over an eight year period

ABC - possible
SBC - rarely and by no means limited to R230
Boot seals - an easy "once and for all" DIY £10 fix
Rear window seal - no idea what this is
Fuel tank baffles - very rare
 
Boot seals - an easy "once and for all" DIY £10 fix

Pardon me while I laugh my **** off at this nonsense!

The rest of your post isn't worth discussing just on the basis of that!

Anyway at the end of the day who gives a ***! I'm out!
 
Pardon me while I laugh my **** off at this nonsense!

The rest of your post isn't worth discussing just on the basis of that!

Anyway at the end of the day who gives a ***! I'm out!

I think the OP possibly gives a ***

To the OP - the boot seal fix is a very easy fix should you need to do it.
 

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