Purchasing an SL55...inspection tips!

[paulbenz500]

What i don't understand is why people complain about the running costs of these cars? It's not a 1.2 so don't expect it to be cheap they are what they are and if the costs out weighs the love of having one? then people shouldn't be looking at these cars. It's like having a high maintenance women and saying she costs alot to keep lol

Sent from my GT-I9505 using MBClub UK

 

[MD5]

What i don't understand is why people complain about the running costs of these cars? It's not a 1.2 so don't expect it to be cheap they are what they are and if the costs out weighs the love of having one? then people shouldn't be looking at these cars. It's like having a high maintenance women and saying she costs alot to keep lol

Sent from my GT-I9505 using MBClub UK

With cars such as this, is it not more of a check list to see what's been carried out prior to a second hand purchase to prevent a few nasty surprises afterwards? The unfortunate thing is that with the common fault items that fail regularly, one would be forgiven for expecting a greater life span from them for the costs involved, but I agree otherwise.

 

[DSB SL AMG]

IMHO my take with AMG's / V8/ V12 etc, if a potential buyer asks what's the MPG, it aint the car for them

 

[zoros]

Roof seals leaking - electric motor in boot will fail
Damp behind seats - same as above.
Supercharger cooler pipework - check for corrosion
Check gear lever slips slickly and confidently into PRND.- Any slopiness and the locator peg is worn/damaged and gearbox out.
Graebox oil must be changed every 5 years.
ABC hyd fluid must be changed as soon as the fuid goes black. - check system for leaks.
Leaking fuel pump - listen for ticking at the rear.
Sensotronic uodate - must be done as part of the recall list.
Check voltage regulator recall has been done.

I would disagree about tyre choice. Pick any reputable manufacturer with the correct loading rating and speed rating and you'll be fine. There is a LOT of snobbery around tyres! Check "Tyreleaders" out - untouchable prices.

I recently sold my Maserati Granturismo for the SL55. One of the reasons was to leave behind expensive spares. The SL55 is cheap cheap cheap compared to most other supercars.

Get a waaranty from warrantywise - the best warranty out there.

 

[MicB]

Central Locking can give up as the main control unit sits low down in the boot where it gets wet....expensive.

Remember that a lower ball joint on the front will require a new ABC strut as its an integral unit.

Water leaks in the interior due to the folding roof seals.....check behind the front seats.

Star Motor Services at Caversham have invested in a ball joint machine similar to the one in Liverpool. No longer necessary to purchase a strut if it is the ball joint that is slack.

Mic

 

[E280wilson]

With all the things to look out for that go wrong how on earth do they hold there value so well.

 

[zoros]

Hold their value? £99,000 new 10 years ago and now worth around £15,000???

 

[MicB]

With all the things to look out for that go wrong how on earth do they hold there value so well.

Point taken to some extent but there is a very high probability that ''things to look out for'' will not be an issue on any given car......much more likely that none of the items is a problem.
The R230 is now over twelve years old and the list is a cumulative list of all known issues that have manifested themselves across a small number of tens of thousands of cars over a twelve years period. Worth looking out for but probably not there.
The R230 was a £70k plus car (price positioning more than base cost to manufacture) and fixes can be expensive but in reality there is very little that is unique (Vario roof aside) to the R230 from other models in the MB range.
Creeping paranoia and mythology is the model's biggest enemy I would venture to suggest.

Mic

 

[zoros]

Excellent post

 

[johnlondonw3]

A very balanced position ,which makes absolute sense

 

[johnlondonw3]

I was almost at the point of giving up on an SL until I took a longer view and came to much the same conclusion as MicB ...and clearly everyone has to feel comfortable with the amount of risk associated with ownership of these cars and balance that against the pleasure ...I'm saving hard already for anticipated repair costs !

 

[Jeff666]

Bought one ... yes be aware you may need deep pockets... Comes with the territory. As was said this isn't a "run of the mill car" ... You have to pay for your smiles... Is it worth it? ... Oh yes...