New SL500 Owner from Phoenix

[SL500 Roadster]

I am the proud new owner of a 1997 SL500 Sport. 93k miles in near flawless condition, I'm pretty stoked. My wife totaled her 1998 750IL BMW V12 and this is the result of that accident. She was fine btw.

Total newbie here with regard to Mercedes Benz. I'm more of an American car guy, like Mustangs, I've had a few.

The BMW was serviced. There is a big difference with regard to Fair Market Value and Agreed Value. Always be sure to get agreed value where possible with your insurance, it can really cost you in a total loss.

Anyway...

I have some questions.

1.
Is changing the oil the same as an American car? Ive heard I need to suck the oil out, cant I just drop the drain plug? What oil would you use??

I don't know all the history on the cars service, its all at the local Mercedes dealer. The guy I bought the car from said he didnt keep the papers. Ive called the dealership prior to buying and they said he was excellent with service and I can get a copy of the complete records any time. Of course theyd also like to have my business.

2.
Is it normal for the top releasing and engaging suppose to be so loud? It works perfectly and we tested it about 10 times before buying based on people saying to do it at least 3 times.

Releasing just sounds noisy.

3.
Are the door hinges always so noisy? Ive tried spraying WD40 to see if it quieted things but it hasn't. Any suggestions or do I just need some grease?

4.
Online resource for Parts. Also any good recommendations for mechanics in Phoenix, Arizona?

Any thing you guys can recommend I should be looking into other than the normal maintenance things I'm doing after acquiring any used car. I had the car inspected at the Mercedes dealership prior to buying and I'm beginning to tackle the findings.

Man I feel really dumb. I know when you buy American parts it usually dealership first, napa, then all the auto stores, sort of in that order.

With Mercedes Im finding Mercedes Dealership Parts VERY EXPENSIVE then I find places online, and Manufacturers like Boge parts, Westar, DEA, Corteco and a few others. What parts are considered high quality that doesn't come from the dealership or their price tag. I'm looking for engine and tranny mounts and the dealer quoted me over 500 USD yet I can find cheaper online. What brand parts are considered good parts?

I been missing out that's for sure this SL500 is bad to the bone, definitely the nicest car Ive ever owned.

[abiby]

1.
Is changing the oil the same as an American car? Ive heard I need to suck the oil out, cant I just drop the drain plug? What oil would you use??

You can change the same as with an American car. MB has a cartridge filter rather than spinon. As the MB filter is accessed from above, if you suck out the oil you don't need to go under the car.

2.
Is it normal for the top releasing and engaging suppose to be so loud? It works perfectly and we tested it about 10 times before buying based on people saying to do it at least 3 times.

Mine sounds noisy as well. Also a couple others I looked at sounded the same. Is it normal... damned if I know.

3.
Are the door hinges always so noisy? Ive tried spraying WD40 to see if it quieted things but it hasn't. Any suggestions or do I just need some grease?

Grease

4.
Online resource for Parts.

The sponsor of this forum is a good source though there are others out there.

Also any good recommendations for mechanics in Phoenix, Arizona?
No idea, sorry. However some forums have shops listed by location.

Man I feel really dumb. I know when you buy American parts it usually dealership first, napa, then all the auto stores, sort of in that order.

IMO online supplier followed by dealer is my choice.

With Mercedes Im finding Mercedes Dealership Parts VERY EXPENSIVE then I find places online, and Manufacturers like Boge parts, Westar, DEA, Corteco and a few others. What parts are considered high quality that doesn't come from the dealership or their price tag. I'm looking for engine and tranny mounts and the dealer quoted me over 500 USD yet I can find cheaper online. What brand parts are considered good parts?

Always ask dealer for discount. If they won't give it, go to another dealer. Rubber is one thing many recommend keeping with MB parts.

[TheDon]

I hope the top hydraulics have been done on that car. I just did all 8 on my Cabriolet.. The SL has 12 by the way.

[SL500 Roadster]

Ya Im thinking the top is totally normal. Ive put it up and down about 20 times now and it seems fine, slightly noisy but definitely seems normal, it pulls the hard top down rock solid.

Loving this car so far. Its totally different than any car Ive driven. Very stable and solid feeling, yet definitely allows for some spirited driving. I'm easy on mine, it wasn't build to be a race car.

Are there more good message boards? Ive tried a couple and unbelievably there are sites you have to pay for to have certain accesses. I would never pay for message board access. Any site suggestions for the SL500?

[deanyel]

It sounds like you'll need to replace the door stops.

[Gusfazekas]

I have a '95 as my driver and many parts from a '97 that had only 6K miles on it when it was hit and stored. Log into RepairPal.com and on the page at the top you can input your car, year and model. The results will show the soft spots in this car of yours. The '97 is better than the early models like my '95. I have replaced many of the parts/systems in question myself or with the assistance of some MBZ certified mechanics I found who work off the clock here in Cleveland Ohio. The Peach Parts Sponsors are helpful and have parts you need at a lower cost than the dealer, in addition, I have a pretty good line on other discounted parts vendors, wiring harness suppliers, donor cars and such as well as online repair videos. All the top cylinders tend to leak over time and knowing where and how to have them rebuilt instead of replaced can save you thousands. email me when you need some help or donor parts fazekas@baxter.com till August when I'm retiring and have to get a new email address

Good Luck, Steve Bye the bye, the top releases are the most noisy part of the top movement.

[deanyel]

Originally Posted by Gusfazekas

Log into RepairPal.com and on the page at the top you can input your car, year and model. The results will show the soft spots in this car of yours. The '97 is better than the early models like my '95.

I wasn't able to do this. But tell us more - what are the problems that a 95 has that a 97 does not? I'm more aware of the other direction - problems on a 97 that don't exist on a 95.

[RadioTek]

1) WD-40 is not a lubricant, it is a Water Displacement spray. It doesn't hang around long enough to be useful as a lubricant. I use motorcycle chain lube on my door check, the long spout helps me get it closer to where it needs to go. Plus I've had it around for a long time.

2) **********.com online, in Tempe, but over $100.00 order is free shipping. They have a lot of stuff for Mercedes.

3) If you need something immediately, BAP Imports should be able to help you for a lot of stuff. 14 locations around the valley.

[SL500 Roadster]

Looks like they nixed your attempt at giving me another site.

[TheDon]

buy parts through fastlane to support the forum

[SL500 Roadster]

Sure I can appreciate that, but I always look for the best parts at the best price. If Fastlane has the cheapest and best part available then Ill shop with them, if not, I wont. Most of these parts places are nothing more than drop shippers anyway.

I support the forum by registering. Spending money should not be the reason for this forum. I gotta tell you Ive been really shocked and disappointed with the message boards available for Mercedes owners.

Seems money is the first thought!

I run 3 Mustang websites and never would it be about money, those guys would leave the site immediately if I did.

But keep doing whats working for ya. Cant guarantee how long Ill be around anyway

[rowdie]

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocator/index.cfm?siteid=214660&catalogid=0
On-line MB Dealer. You will need the part number to search.

[frankengrant]

Originally Posted by SL500 Roadster

Sure I can appreciate that, but I always look for the best parts at the best price. If Fastlane has the cheapest and best part available then Ill shop with them, if not, I wont. Most of these parts places are nothing more than drop shippers anyway.

I support the forum by registering. Spending money should not be the reason for this forum. I gotta tell you Ive been really shocked and disappointed with the message boards available for Mercedes owners.

Seems money is the first thought!

I run 3 Mustang websites and never would it be about money, those guys would leave the site immediately if I did.

But keep doing whats working for ya. Cant guarantee how long Ill be around anyway

This forum is sponsored by fastlane and allparts, it is one of the best, if not the best forum for information on DIY mercedes work. Without Allparts and fastlane, peachparts forum would not exist. They have good prices, good support, and will work hard to get you what you need.

Its not about making a buck then leaving you high and dry when something goes wrong. You can come on here and get all of the support you need directly from the people you bought from.

A good mechanic in the Phoenix Area is Kenny Hazinoff at German Car Service, tell them Grant sent you:

2608 North Scottsdale Road Scottsdale, AZ 85257 - (480) 970-6776

They are by far the best in the valley, and are the only ones who work on my 300D, even though I live 30 minutes away from them without traffic.

[Will_w202]

[QUOTE=frankengrant;2714098]This forum is sponsored by fastlane and allparts, it is one of the best, if not the best forum for information on DIY mercedes work. Without Allparts and fastlane, peachparts forum would not exist. They have good prices, good support, and will work hard to get you what you need.

Its not about making a buck then leaving you high and dry when something goes wrong. You can come on here and get all of the support you need directly from the people you bought from. /QUOTE]

If anything, fastlane is a blessing, and one of the best things about this forum that I found when I bought my first benz 7 years ago. Good luck finding prices cheaper than theirs. On occasion, dealers have matched fastlane's price in order to get my business, because I dont think you'll find a better price for OEM parts

[rowdie]

A good resource to have is the MB Electronics Parts Catalogue or EPC. It is free to US residents but requires a credit card to prove residency. You can look up your part numbers and there are diagrams showing components. https://epc.startekinfo.com/epc/login.jsp

I have never used either of the forum sponsors so can't comment.