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If you really want a 560 for $10k, you shouldn't have much trouble in the DC area if you look around. Remember, it's a 18 year old car with no enthusaist following and driving dynamics that can hardly be considered sporty given the variety of other two seater roadsters out there. Putting any serious miles on one that has been pampered will soon cost you an arm and a leg in maintenance and repairs. Those are nearly direct qoutes from the dealer, not me.
I like the style of the car more than anything else, especially now that I don't see that many on the road around here anymore. It just felt good cruising around in it, and it's a whole lot sportier than my old del Sol.
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My brother in law bought a 2004 SL500 new, had numersous problems with it in the first 90 days and then traded it, for full credit, on a new SL55. The SL55 was better for the first 6 months, but then had transmission problems and several minor annoyances (nav system screen, power mirrors didn't adjust to memorized setting, etc.).
Out of frustration, he sold the car at a significant loss in May and, since then, has been the extremely satisfied owner of a new 2005 Porsche 911 Cabriolet. His wife had initally resisted, but now can't be pried out of it. It had been 15 years since she last drove a manual transmission, but their new 911 is very driver friendly compared to the older versions. They can even squeeze their 11 year old daughter in the rear seat for short to medium trips. In 3 months, they have put 4,500 miles on the 911 and have another 15,000 miles to go before the first service. The SL55 was sold at 13 months with 5,000 miles at a $21k loss and was out of commission for almost 2 months last fall.
In fairness, I do know others who have had better luck with their Mercedes. Most, however, intend to trade before the end of the factory warranty because they don't want to press their luck.
The car has been perfect. The hardtop makes it good in the winter although I drive my other car in the snow.
Get about 15 to 16 in town and 24 on a trip.
They talk about quality problems, but my sl500 has not even had a blip. Love the sport car feeling with the heavier ride.
1990 sl300, 122k miles. Been really great. All of a sudden, second gear acting funny. Have to rev up the engine to engage 2nd on downshifts. Kind of feels like it may be slipping on upshifts. 2nd gear only.
Anyone have an answer?
One guy told me that each gear is independently adjustable. ???
thanks
M
Thanks, Steven//sjconnect
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Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
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I appreciate any insight any of you can provide.
Regards.
I've read some of the replys here and am of the opinion that I finally found the right place to ask about my MB. As you can see, it's the W107 280SL. I'm trying to replace the trunk lid. I've gotten a lot of different answers on what will fit. Some say any W107s. Other say only convertibles. It currently has a 450SL lid that has rust. Also, do all euros have the rubber spoiler as mine does.
Thanks for any info, Craig
We don't allow buying or selling in the Forums themselves, but you might try clicking the Used Vehicles link on the homepage at Edmunds.com. From there, you can select the Mercedes-Benz model you're interested in to get a sense of what buyers in your area are paying.
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Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
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Need help getting around? claires@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Tell everyone about your buying experience: Write a Dealer Review
Steve
http://www.mcnallycga.com
"So where where can I see one or test drive it?"
In about 20 years, you can try driving up to an unsuspecting dealer in a borrowed BMW or Porsche and try getting a test drive. But don't be dissapointed if they still say no.
As it turns out, my hometown Acura / Mercedes dealer did have an SL65. Also had a nice cherry red SLK55 and a few other AMG models. But guess what the owner of the dealership just picked up for himself? A 2006 Speed Yellow Porsche Cayman. And to think they gave me friendly grief when I bought a 911 last fall. Go figure.
Perhaps by the time you are old enough to afford (and drive) an SL65, AMG will figure out how to make a real sports car - i.e. somethong that weighs less than 2 tons, has a real 6-speed transmission, and has a suspension that can at least match the handling of my old S2000. Until then, if I were you, I'd be dreaming about the Ferrari while I was pounding those nails on the doghouses.
Keep up the good work. Seriously.
M
Thanks,
Zeaman
The interest has definitely worn off.
Part of it is the general decline in Mercedes reliability and build quality. My not so prudent brother-in-law bought an 2004 SL55 at over sticker, had numerous problems to the point that Mercedes gave him a new one and then sold that at a $20k loss less than a year later. He bought a 2005 911 Cabriolet and is the "happiest he has ever been" with a car (first Porsche, after at least 8+ Mercedes).
The other part is supply / demand. There was a time when you had to wait 6 months to get any AMG model and even some non-AMG models. Now the unsold inventories are starting to rival GM. And substantial discounts are available if you look around.
We are inundated with business headlines questioning when GM and/or Ford are going to be filing for bankruptcy. But, IMO, the demise of Mercedes reputation over the past 10 years is the most signifcant challenge they have faced in the company's history. If I polled 100 of my friends and business associates to name the likely brand of their next car, I am certain Mercedes has fallen completely off the top 5 list, whereas it was probably #1 or #2 5-10 years ago.
That said watch the sales numbers go up once the 07' model arrives. A base SL with 382hp should really be popular, it almost makes the 55/600/65 models irrelevant, IMO.
M
Personally - and obviously I am biased - I could never see getting the SL over the new 997 911 Cab. The old 911's were edgy (to the preference of purists) but the new 911 is both an extraordinary performing sports car and a pretty comfortable, well equiped highway cruiser. I have nearly 6,000 miles on ours in 6 months and a third of those have been with the kids in the back. Not to mention that the 911 has received high reliability ratings:
Most reliable luxury cars
I also think Mercedes is cannibalizing on the SL with its other models. It used to be that the SL was the only non-sedan in Mercedes lineup. Now you have the CL, CLS and SLK and CLK Cab all nicking away at the SL's market. It also used to be that the SL500 was the top dog in terms of Mercedes performance. Now, unfortunately, compared to the competition, it is just a dog. The added horsepower of the 2007 may help, but it could also go on a 1,000 lb diet and a (non AMG) suspension upgrade as well. In the long run, I am not sure how many "niche" models Mercedes can profitably maintain. One of my friends is a Mercedes fleet leasing specialist and he's indicated that there are "deals to be had" on every one of the aforementioned models, including every AMG variant.
Not true. The CL (S-Class Coupe before 1997) has been around for ages and the CLK has been around since 1998. The only victim of the SLK was the underpowered SL320 version of the previous R129 SL. The CLK, SLK and SL are all in different price ranges and though the SLK and SL are both 2-seaters they aren't even close in price. Yeah I know you don't consider the SLK a sports car either, but it is the sportier of the two and is no slouch. The SL is the luxury GT that is still entertaining to drive.
We've had this conversation before about the SL and its intended purpose which is not to compete with your car. I know you're just talking when saying that SL is a "dog" so I'll let that go.
M
Thanks for forgiving me that momentary indescretion. The SL500 is hardly a dog, but if it is due for an 80 horsepower upgrade, that should help push its 4,000 lb curb weight a bit more forcefully.
And I guess you are right about the other models being around in the past, but they have definitely gotten a bit more competitive recently. I know of someone that traded an old 500 SL for the redesigned SLK 55. Would never have done that with the old body style SLK.
It also seems that Mercedes is pushing AMG models in higher volumes. It seems like I see about 1 SL55 for every 2 SL500's here in the DC area.
True. I thought the first SLK was cute, but nothing more. This new one especially the SLK55 is really a great little roadster, all that is missing is the stick for some folks.
M
M
Any way to check why I am getting this light or which one is causing it?
Raysl500