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I would LOVE a panorama roof on the SLK. But I've heard nothing about that and my dealer didn't mention it. I'm guessing (only a guess) that M-B wants to keep some features for the pricier SL, because a 270-hp SLK is awfully close to a 302-hp SL, and they're both 2-seat toys.
Already looked at a new Boxster and Z4. The SLK350 looks to outperform the dated Boxster S, and Z4's are already piling up on used car lots. I have some reservations about the SLK, given the recent downturn in M-B initial quality ratings, but my '98 was virtually problem free (bad gas gauge and instrument cluster being the exceptions) so I'm still leaning towards it.
J
Contrast this to my '02 Audi A6 4.2 and my '02 Audi S6, which each went through electronic control modules at 12-week intervals like clockwork. And to my '00 Jaguar S-Type, which went through two modules, one transmission, and one suspension recall. And -- worst of all -- to my '98 Corvette which was in the shop 13 times in the 15 miserable months I owned it with more problems than I can recount in anything shorter than a novella.
For a car with as much technology and as many motors, switches, and gizmos as the new SL, I've found the initial build quality to be remarkably good.
BTW -- just got the new Renntech Monolite wheels put on today. They look quite good and are considerably lighter (20 lbs. vs. 31 lbs.) than the AMG 5-spokers they replaced. Maybe it's just a delusion, but the suspension feels quicker and more planted on the rough Chicago streets with the new wheels. Perfect fit, too. For anyone looking to upgrade wheels, they're worth considering, IMHO.
Shoes,
You got rid of the E55??
M
www.renntechmercedes.com
That car appears to have the 19" (which Renntech usually puts on these cars) instead of the 18" I have on my car. I do most of my driving in a pothole-ridden city and didn't want to go with ultra-low profile tires.
Anyway, I thought the "comfort seat" pkg in the '04 SL500 would make me happier than the rather hard seats in the S430, but on long trips, they're even more Teutonically cruel!
Right this minute, my dealer is padding the seat for me and providing some downward angle potential for the cushion, so I hope that helps. Otherwise, kids be darned, I'm heading back to Caddyland.
I've got a 2003 SL55 with that fuel tank problem you described and it drives me nuts. Do you know of anyone who successfully had this problem fixed by Mercedes?
Renntech advised me ahead of time that I would have to pull the airbag out of my existing wheel to install in the new wheel. So far, so good. What they did not tell me was that I also had to pull the steering wheel menu and audio buttons and the large center cap off the existing wheel. Big problem. All those items are obviously black, and Renntech knew they were . . . both because I told the salesman and because Renntech claims to specialize in converting SL55's. Renntech did not supply the buttons and center cap, and they won't take the wheel back, since they say it was a special order item. So I've either lost the $1700 I spent for the Renntech wheel, or I've got to spend another $1000 to order the light ash components from Mercedes to complete the wheel change-out.
I'm just going to throw the Renntech wheel in the garbage and write this off as a bad experience with internet purchases. But I'm disappointed that a company with Renntech's reputation for quality will not accept any responsibility for not disclosing to me that additional parts would be needed to complete the wheel swap.
CAVEAT EMPTOR, I guess.
The ownership experience is severely blighted by the regular appearance of faults, which always necessitate a visit back to a Mercedes service department. And the SL-specific parts are often not available immediately which means your car sits, un-drivable, in the repair shop waiting for a back order part.
In the last 10 months of ownership, I have spent a month driving loan cars, whilst waiting for various parts and repairs. Now let me say quickly that Mercedes has paid for every repair under warrantee and every loan car under courtesy, but that does not take away the irritation of the continuous unreliability of this flagship car.
This week’s fault is the seat-belt pre-tensioner (car unsafe to drive, we have been waiting 10 days for parts), but previous failures have included hydraulic suspension (car not drivable), exhaust system failure (car not legal to drive) and the electric seat adjustment getting stuck in the full-forward position (so that you cannot get into the seat!).
If you are buying an SL500 as a sunny-day third car – go ahead. But don’t buy one if you want something reliable to enjoy whenever the sun comes out - because, as likely as not, you'll be in a diesel C-class estate loan car when the sun actually comes out for a day.
I've owned various M-B models for 14 years (2 S class, 2 CL class and this SL) and I can honestly say this is the first time I've had problems with the quality of a Mercedes or had a car that couldn't get fixed. Except for the occasional fisrt gear issue, the problems I've experienced aren't debilating as the car still works, but they are extremely frustrating.
Before I got the SL I had a 2000 CL, which I absolutely loved, and as I await my next service appointment I find my thoughts turning more and more to a new CL55. Electrical gremlins aside, I've found my SL to be a wee bit too small, and at 6'3" I find getting in and out of the car difficult. Without a doubt the SL is a beautiful car, and tooling around with the top down simply can't be beat. But I'm going to get rid of this SL, and I think it's time to return to a CL. My only question is whether or not M-B will be changing the body style for the CL any time soon.
It spends too much time in the shop, though they do treat me nicely & I too get a decent loaner (C class) while I wait for this or that.
I've had no problems that have yet rendered the vehicle undriveable, but seat motor probs have been recurrent (oh the comfort seat pkg is a real waste). I do sometimes feel the tranny getting stuck in 1 st gear, esp when it's cold, but so far it hasn't stranded me.
M
PROBLEMS: BRAKING PROBLEMS, GAS TANK NOISE, TRUNK NOISE, BRAKES SLIPPING AND KNOCKING, NAV GOING OFF, ROOF LEAKING, CAR NOT STARTING, KEYLESS GO NOT WORKING, KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION (I USE WHEN KEYLESS GO ISN'T WORKING....I PAID FOR KEYLESS GO AND HAVE TO CARY THE ACTUAL KEY AROUND B/C THAT NEVER WORKS)!
THE CAR NOW HAS 14,000 MILES ON IT AT LESS THAN 8,000 THE DEALERSHIP GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CAR. NOW I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES. I AM SURE THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED ON THE DRIVER FROM THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WOULD NOT ADMIT IT.
THEN AT 14,000 THEY HIT SOMETHING ELSE WITH THE CAR WHEN IT WAS IN THEIR CARE....THE FRONT WAS DAMAGED AND ALL PAINT CHIPS ON MY CAR
EVERYONE PLEASE BE AWARE THAT MB AND THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE CONSUMER. IF YOU WANT AN SL BE PREPAIRED FOR TROUBLE.
thank you
Host
I LOVE IT - it fits me like a glove and wow, is it fun to drive.
However - my long-legged husband doesn't fit into it very well. For some reason, the drivers side power seat doesn't go back as far as the passenger side. That, along with the extra stuff under the dash on the driver's side, make for an uncomfortable drive for him.
I'm wondering if there might be a problem with the seat. It would only need to go down and back another couple of inches to make it work for him.
Any suggestions?
I am SO glad we didn't buy the Solara...................
I am planning to but a 98 SL500 that has 31,000 miles and is really clean in and outside. I was wondering if you would share the types of problems that are showing up on your 99 so that I may check for these prior to buying the car. Thank you very much for any insights you may have.
Glorious excess.
M
Merc, I mean I like horsepower and torque as much as the next guy but SL65 is where I have to draw the line. Yeah, I can see myself paying 30-50k more for a 600 vs 500 cuz you get more in terms of power and luxury but come on, no amateur can really drive the 65 with any appreciable difference than the 600. I had 2002 Carrera Turbo with 415hp, 415lb and I doubt that I even got remotely close to testing the limits of that car. I find it hard to spend 60k more than a 600 for extra acceleration that I'd never be able to appreciate as a pretty decent amateur driver.
M
What problems are common to these models and are the 300 or 500 series more reliable? I'm more concerned about reliability and repair cost than extra horsepower.
I'm use to Lexus/Toyota products, and have never owned a Benz. This car will be for summer only.
Car was serviced 2k miles ago (new plugs, belt tightener, fuel and air filter, oil).
Car was brought to shop for A/C insufficiency. O ring replaced. Mechanic says car is leaking power steering fluid (no evidence where car is parked at house, however). While getting to power steering replacement, mechanic notices "shabby condition" of distributor cap. There have been no problems I've noticed, such as hesitation.
I'm not tech savvy about cars, but wouldn't a distrib cap in shabby shape have been evident 2k miles ago when plugs were changed? :confuse:
Thanks for comments.
Yes, those AMG packages do attract a lot of attention out here in the desert, aas well.
I'm new to this forum and would appreciate your help. I'm in the market for a 2004 SL55. I've got the brochures from 2003-2005. I know, starting in 2004, they went to a 7-Speed Automatic Transmission. And I know, starting in 2005, the Nav. System is done as a DVD.
But, what I'm really trying to learn is what the differences are among the 3 years. In other words, what would I loose by getting a 2004 over a 2005 really?
Thanks in advance for your opinion.
Bill
Any information you can share will be appreciated.
Thanks!
Bill
Excellent condition, all original equipment, including all rubber. In his words, "it's never seen the rain." 21K miles. Light Blue is the closest color I found on Edmunds appraisal tool, but he calls it Teal.
About 2 years ago, I was with him when a guy offered him 35K for it. Pops thinks he can get about 30 now. I ran it through the appraisal tool here on Edmunds and it gave a seller's price of $9,645. Huge difference.
I've been drooling over this car for a long time. If the TMV is closer to this site's #, I wanna take it from him. No can do if it's in the ball park of 30K.
Anybody have any insight what the real price range of this car should be?
Thanks.
If your dad still thinks he can get $30k for it now, he's in fro a rude awakening. I seriously doubt he could get the $9,645 you calculated through Edmunds. The 560 is hardly a collectors item. In the DC area, I've seen them in the Post for anywhere from $5,000 to $8,500.
He lives in DC metro area (mighty Olney) and said he will be putting it in the paper soon. I asked him to give me the mechanic's name & where he works, in case it may support the bonehead theory. Still waiting for the info...