SL warning

[bobmedley]

Now that the new shape SL's are coming down in price people may be tempted to have a punt, but be aware.

Mine is being traded in on Friday & I took it to the dealers to check out a leak in the boot. It's got the Tier 1 warranty which I thought covered it, except it doesn't and was told that if I wanted a guaranteed fix then the cost would be £2,000 to replace all the seals. This is a common and known fault to Mercedes for the SL so they would generously(!?) knock off 25% for goodwill.

If you ignore the leak, the position of the pump that drives the roof causes it to fill with water and if that blows then that is another £2,000 to replace.

The only warranty that covers the seals is the three year factory one, so on any car older you need to take care.

 

[verytalldave]

Does this affect SLK's as well?

 

[bobmedley]

The service adviser said that SLK's were rarely affected, but if they did have problems it's the same answer - they are not covered under warranty.

 

[portzy]

Does this affect SLK's as well?

Yes, as I can attest. The roof gubbings are in a different place on the SLK (R171) though and are "weatherproofed" just in case. On mine the leak was apparent but not torrential in as much as I had two small water spots about 1.5" in diameter on each side of the boot divider in the concave bits and just a couple of minor droplets on the wheel arch carpet off/side.

Portzy.

 

[C240Sport97]

The SL boot leak is a well known issue.

Apparently fixed in the facelift (mid 06) version.

If buying used SL, makes sense to get dealer to confirm in writing that any boot leaks issued will be fixed FOC. This was a condition on 2 SL's that I nearly bought.

 

[BTB 500]

R230s seem prone to suspension issues too (leaking struts etc.).

I've decided to hang on to my R129!

 

[bobmedley]

R230s seem prone to suspension issues too (leaking struts etc.).

I've decided to hang on to my R129!

It failed it's MOT on a rear leaking strut - the replacements cost £1,000 each so with fitting and VAT it came to c£2,500, but thankfully this was covered under the warranty.

The air-con control unit also went and that cost £1,000 to replace (again under warranty - they must hate me) - I don't think there is a spare part on the car that cost less than four figures

 

[rajinder_1]

R230s seem prone to suspension issues too (leaking struts etc.).

I've decided to hang on to my R129!

Old is Gold!!!!!

 

[IanA2]

I've decided to hang on to my R129!

129 = a better design and a better build....

 

[BTB 500]

It failed it's MOT on a rear leaking strut - the replacements cost £1,000 each so with fitting and VAT it came to c£2,500, but thankfully this was covered under the warranty.

The air-con control unit also went and that cost £1,000 to replace (again under warranty - they must hate me) - I don't think there is a spare part on the car that cost less than four figures

Blimey.

My R129 has ADS so there's potential for big bills at some point, but it is 12 years old now so it hasn't done badly. Touch wood the car has never had so much as an advisory at MOT.

 

[Sp!ke]

ADS = Adaptive damping?

 

[BTB 500]

ADS = Adaptive damping?

Sorry, yes.

 

[KNU7S]

Blimey.

My R129 has ADS so there's potential for big bills at some point, but it is 12 years old now so it hasn't done badly. Touch wood the car has never had so much as an advisory at MOT.

Mine has that and 5000 miles ago (4years) it was rebuilt but now the rear suspension is creaking a little.....any ideas??