Bad Buy 500SL?

[SL63 Mark]

My "touching wood" post.

Unlike Craig I've had my CL for 8 months and all I've had to do so far was replace the COMAND...but I made money on that.

I did the brakes all round...but I don't think that counts as a "problem".

So far, so good.

Depends on mileage IMHO, keep it reasonable and you'll be fine. I do 5,000 a year max in mine.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Just completed the ABC fluid and filter change Craiglxviii. In fact the removed fluid was surprisingly clean. Perhaps it was changed prior to my purchase although not recorded? JC.

Quite possibly... but make sure you repeat that mantra!

 

[Craiglxviii]

My "touching wood" post.

Unlike Craig I've had my CL for 8 months and all I've had to do so far was replace the COMAND...but I made money on that.

I did the brakes all round...but I don't think that counts as a "problem".

So far, so good.

The main problem I have now is the navi head unit doesn't work, hasn't from purchase. It's a job I have planned for Malcolm when he gets out of the krankenhaus.

Aside from that, everything else that has needed doing to the car has been mainly due to neglect taking its toll. Everything except, conceivably, the internal strut sensor failing. The ABC pump, fluid, valve block, wash pump, lighting electrics... all down to sheer neglect by the previous 1-2 owners.

 

[Naraic]

The main problem I have now is the navi head unit doesn't work, hasn't from purchase. It's a job I have planned for Malcolm when he gets out of the krankenhaus.

Aside from that, everything else that has needed doing to the car has been mainly due to neglect taking its toll. Everything except, conceivably, the internal strut sensor failing. The ABC pump, fluid, valve block, wash pump, lighting electrics... all down to sheer neglect by the previous 1-2 owners.

Mine was a one owner car, with a service and other stamps each year.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Mine was a one owner car, with a service and other stamps each year.

Mine was sat in a corner of a dodgy used car dealership located at the edge of a load of fields...

I seem to recall you were pretty lucky with yours, you knew the owner or somesuch wasn't it?

 

[John Laidlaw]

Mine was sat in a corner of a dodgy used car dealership located at the edge of a load of fields...

I seem to recall you were pretty lucky with yours, you knew the owner or somesuch wasn't it?

I knew the previous owner of mine ( as do a LOT on here) but it was the previous 3 I'm not sure about!!

 

[pancholi]

as craig and SL55 MARK and others have said:
if you are enjoying the car and its not a lemon then don’t fret.
all cars need maintenance.
like others on this forum, when i get a car that is new to me i do a full preventative service:
1) engine oil/filters, spark plugs( unless documented), air filter, belts( unless not needed)
2) gearbox oil/filter (costs 140-160 pounds at my Merc indie) for my peace of mind.
3) i currently have a CL and previously a SL55 i did the full ABC fluid change+ rodeo, thankfully which you have already done.
4) currently having a 211 E55. i have found a reputable place in Germany that sells reconditioned/warranted SBC units, so when mine fails i will either get it reset or change it. all at a dramatically reduced cost when compared to dealership prices. but make sure you have a good MB indie.

sounds that you are enjoying your car. lots of members here with knowledge that will ease ownership issues.
raj

 

[00slk]

We have had our SL500 for 16months and done over 13000mls and have had no real issues, just tyres and servicing. Had the tank baffle done today which has been like it since we bought the car. Haven't had the 55 long enough yet to comment, though it has the, 'oh yer factor'

 

[Painter16]

Don't think it makes any difference what make it is .with second hand it's how there looked after that counts

 

[television]

Don't think it makes any difference what make it is .with second hand it's how there looked after that counts

This would be correct in many ways,

 

[Submariner1]

I'm voting against your Indy over the gearbox ATF and filter change ...I'm guessing he isn't a Merc specialist Indy . The change is done at 35-40000 miles and many on here will also keep doing it at this repeat mileage ( including me ) . You really do feel the difference and for the price...don't get a main dealer to do it and you should save £100 getting a Merc Indy to do it , even if you have to travel a bit to get it done .
£200 for the oil change or £4000 for the gearbox .

With you on this.
Go to Phil at Welwyn Merx, a really great job, not just a gearbox oil change, he drains the torque converter, and gearbox and cleans it all out plus a new filter ... all parts and lubricants genuine MB. Kinda guy you can trust but I also saw all the MB packaging .
They are also very knowledgable .. top mechanics at a very reasonable price. Cant remember but think it was 1/2 or 2/3 the price of a main dealer, where the 'apprentice' probably just replaces the oil and changes the filter, this is more like a gearbox overhaul.

OK he said it was very clean, but as the car is left outside ..condensation?
Also all oil degrades over time, and every bit of crude starts to add up, no?
Nicer to have it running on squeaky clean ATF fluid , causing no wear and not blocking up oilways ... and No trouble imo.

Plus it preserves my Mobilo Breakdown and corrosion cover .. one has to comply with MB servicing

 

[Submariner1]

Just to add to the case...Bit like Craig, not so bad though. I've had my SL500 for 9 months, I bought it as a 'known' vehicle which helped and I also made a provision to put aside to bring the car up to a standard I wanted it. I've spent c30% of the original purchase price. If I sold it now id lose all that and more for sure. In other words Ive invested beyond its probable value.
However thats not been the point for me. I now have a cracking car which will keep me happy for 5-10 years. Hopefully apart from a UB I have on order, remap arranged for February and inevitably 4 x new summer tyres 2017 should be considerably cheaper than 2016 was!
And to add, yes I've had both front struts resin repaired successfully.
Also had a brand new NSR strut fitted too (original MB)...this was one of the items I hadn't actually budgeted for /was unexpected along with a front passenger SAM and a front grille
All the other stuff Ive done has been proactive/improvements or (like you), preventative maintenance (including ABC fluid change and rodeo after the strut repairs)
Bad buy? Not for me
The ATF fluid change is up to you really just maybe extra cost you dont need

I understand your statement of "probably over-invested"
To me the kind of preventative maintenance and what I call "enhancement repairs" .. like a new front strut are what I call advanced investments.
Once the car is all sorted, to a std. that say a fussy owner like me would have kept a new car at; can only pay dividends long term.
What I mean is ..
If say you there are a lot of similar cars but a bit neglected at £15K and a few well maintained with no problems, but no major stuff done at £17K. If you paid £16K for a middle of the road one but then spent £2 on a new ABC pump and a strut and all lubticants changed. Yes your investment is circa £1K more but you have done the kind of repairs the £17k ones will probably hit over the next year. If they do then their real spend is £19K
So you havent really over invested, have you
Plus a trouble free drive ... now thats worth bucketfuls imo.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Fair points there!
Turn of year there's always a temptation to make a change but I'm resisting so far....

 

[Gkinghorn]

I've stopped drooling over SL's .... no that's a lie...


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