2005/2006 SL500: Issues? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

EricSilver · #1 01-15-2015, 05:37 PM

Other than the ABC suspension, what are potential cons of the R230 SL500?

I am at that point where I start thinking of "what's next" after my E430 (which has proven to be a wonderful car) and I was thinking the 2007 E550 would be next, until I began seeing so many very attractively priced SL500's. Are they good, reliable cars?

jcyuhn · #2 01-15-2015, 06:07 PM

Can't speak to the r230 overall. It does have SBC brakes, same as the w211 series. But the drivetrain is well proven; the m113 v8 and 722.6 transmission are solid pieces.

JCE · #3 01-17-2015, 10:49 PM

We just got a 2003 500sl from our mechanic of the last 15 years. He had all the records from the first owner, and aside from the SBC and ABC campaigns from MB, most of the records were for relatively minor bits. He had owned the car for a year (96k miles) and had in the last year had reinspected the SBC parts that were done at 75 k by the original owner, and replaced the ABC components most likely to need attention. He also had done the expensive 100k service. replaced the hood struts, made sure the roll bar and top mechanisms were in great shape, etc.

So of course, the first week after we bought the car a $100 HID bulb went, and one of the accumulators dumped hydraulic oil on the driveway. He worked with us on the parts and labor, but the front accumulator and reservoir are the easier of the set on the car to repair. So these are a couple other things when checking out a prospective car. I am sure that such a tech target-rich car will have other issues popping up - we had the electronic ignition and the electronic throttle position sensor fail on our last modern MB which were expenses related to the gee-whiz way of making smart cars these days.

Offsetting this was the great working relationship we had with him and his promise that it was a good car, mostly gravel pits in the front being the main downside. The price was great, and he needed to sell it before Jan 1 for unexpected medical expenses. So we bought it, accepting it would probably need work along the way, that the parts would be expensive, and that it wasn't a new car or under warranty. But the handling and ride is amazing, even with 11 year old technology (6 disk CD changer and disk nav system). Love it so far, and it even delivered 24.8 mpg freeway on my wife's first out of town drive. Solid and hefty feeling at 4000+ lbs, but very nimble in the corners.

Time will tell, but so far it is great!

EricSilver · #4 01-18-2015, 10:29 AM

JCE, thanks.

From my research, it looks like the 2007-08 SL550 cars had the ABC issues worked out so I will focus on those, to mitigate the ABC risk. My research also shows something else, which you corroborate:

The wives usually end up driving this car.

I am not married so that is not a factor for me, but I am beginning to get the impression that SL500's are chick magnets.

JCE · #5 01-19-2015, 01:55 AM

Chick magnets - but the chicks are more interested in the car! This was her Christmas present, I have driven it twice! It is really quick and comfortable, which is probably the reason I won't get it away from her very often. Supposedly the 500sl is the most ticketed car in so Cal, and red is the most ticketed color. I think my wife is out to test those opinions!

EricSilver · #6 01-19-2015, 10:35 AM

Interestingly, I drove past a red R230 yesterday in Wash. DC -- or rather it drove past me.

What aroused my attention for this car was one my neighbor had a few years ago but his was an SL55 AMG. The appearance was obviously more aggressive and masculine, and the engine/exhaust sound was glorious. But the $10K-$15K premium over the '07 SL550 is not. Nonetheless, if business is good when I go shopping this spring, I will consider it among my options.

JCE · #7 01-20-2015, 12:53 AM

I may be wrong, but from what I read the 2003-2006 had the older 3 valve v8, which is supposed to be very durable. The newer ones and the AMG 55 had the newer 4 valve v8? Not sure when they went to the 7 speed auto.

I have seen a couple AMG 55sl samples around laguna beach and Newport, but 1 of them was badge engineered I think - it didn't have the AMG tail pipe tip extensions, just the oval tips like ours. Didn't sound any different from ours either.

EricSilver · #8 01-21-2015, 09:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JCE

I have seen a couple AMG 55sl samples around laguna beach and Newport, but 1 of them was badge engineered I think - it didn't have the AMG tail pipe tip extensions, just the oval tips like ours. Didn't sound any different from ours either.

Believe it or not, my neighbor's SL55 is the only one I have ever seen.