New SL350 owner & plans for a 2 month road trip

[LCADE]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Mercedes Forum, and a first time owner of a 2009 SL350 that I've bought 2 weeks ago. I had it initially checked with the garage on the day I bought it (off a private seller and check with his garage) and all seemed well. I've now had a chance to really dig into using the car and a couple of nasty surprises have popped up:
1) The breather unit on the left hand side of the engine is dripping oil onto the exhaust
2) Cigarette Lighter is faulty (fuse F11 works just fine)
3) The driver side window unit the previous owner broke the button for the passenger window

These problems though I feel like there are easy solutions to (i.e get them all replaced)

I've never driven another SL350 aside from this one however, and I've noticed the car pulls to the left, especially when slowing down to a halt.

I have a few questions maybe the erudites on this forum could help?

I'm going to get it serviced (B) this week, and make sure all is spick and span for a very long (3000 mile) road trip in Europe, should there be anything (apart from the service)vI would have to consider before I do though?

Many thanks!

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi and welcome.

None of the problems you mentioned are particularly difficult or expensive to sort.
The breather oil leak is a common issue.

The pulling left may be tyre pressures, alignment or different tyres across the front axle.
If you get alignment done the experts are Wheels in Motion in Buckinghamshire.
Avantgarde near Bristol are also highly recommended. It will really need a proper 4 wheel alignment to get right (using a Hunter alignment machine).

Regarding the road trip there aren't really any specific precautions to take. Perhaps the one thing to check is youthat you can unlock the door and boot using the emergency key. Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork for where you're going (including whatever may be needed in the event of a no deal Brexit if you're travelling after 31st October).
A small selection of tools can be useful.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome, as above once you get those bits fixed an SL would be like any other car on a road trip except more comfortable! Ok luggage space is a challenge but soft bags behind the seats work well...

 

[star]

I’d change the crank sensor.

 

[LostKiwi]

I’d change the crank sensor.

Good point. Or at least take one with tools to change.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

You could swop the front wheels left to right (assuming the tyres aren't directional). Mine used to pull left until I did that

 

[peterws1957]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Mercedes Forum, and a first time owner of a 2009 SL350 that I've bought 2 weeks ago. I had it initially checked with the garage on the day I bought it (off a private seller and check with his garage) and all seemed well. I've now had a chance to really dig into using the car and a couple of nasty surprises have popped up:
1) The breather unit on the left hand side of the engine is dripping oil onto the exhaust
2) Cigarette Lighter is faulty (fuse F11 works just fine)
3) The driver side window unit the previous owner broke the button for the passenger window

These problems though I feel like there are easy solutions to (i.e get them all replaced)

I've never driven another SL350 aside from this one however, and I've noticed the car pulls to the left, especially when slowing down to a halt.

I have a few questions maybe the erudites on this forum could help?

I'm going to get it serviced (B) this week, and make sure all is spick and span for a very long (3000 mile) road trip in Europe, should there be anything (apart from the service)vI would have to consider before I do though?

Many thanks!

One thing I would be checking before setting off is whether the boot leaks! If it does make sure both pumps are well protected by waterproof material.

 

[Wighty]

I’d change the crank sensor.

Been thinking of doing this on both my 10 year old cars , I take it you think it's a good time related change ?

 

[Wighty]

Hi everyone,

I'm new to the Mercedes Forum, and a first time owner of a 2009 SL350 that I've bought 2 weeks ago. I had it initially checked with the garage on the day I bought it (off a private seller and check with his garage) and all seemed well. I've now had a chance to really dig into using the car and a couple of nasty surprises have popped up:
1) The breather unit on the left hand side of the engine is dripping oil onto the exhaust
2) Cigarette Lighter is faulty (fuse F11 works just fine)
3) The driver side window unit the previous owner broke the button for the passenger window

These problems though I feel like there are easy solutions to (i.e get them all replaced)

I've never driven another SL350 aside from this one however, and I've noticed the car pulls to the left, especially when slowing down to a halt.

I have a few questions maybe the erudites on this forum could help?

I'm going to get it serviced (B) this week, and make sure all is spick and span for a very long (3000 mile) road trip in Europe, should there be anything (apart from the service)vI would have to consider before I do though?

Many thanks!

Welcome buddy , lovely car .
Update your user details to show where you live , that makes advice about good Mercedes Independents easier from the rest of us .
What mileage has the car got , because recommended gearbox fluid and filter changes is every 40k miles (ish) . It's a cheap way if future proofing the gearbox . About £250 at an Indy

 

[davemercedes]

Hello LCADE and welcome!

Yup, Wighty's absolutely right and from the postings on here, the transmission service seems to be the most overlooked thing. Okay you have to shell out c.£250 to get it serviced with a fluid/gasket change etc - but compare that to the price of a gearbox when you're deep into your European trip!

You will benefit greatly from finding a Mercedes Independent Specialist i.e.: "Indie"... starting with doing your transmission service - this is not a job for your local garage! These guys live and breathe Mercedes and have forgotten more than a lot of dealership people will ever know. We have a few as members here - often providing helpful advice. But you need to post up your location so that someone can give you a suitable recommendation.

When the time comes I hope you'll post some pics and story about your European trip.

 

[LCADE]

Thanks everyone, i’ve pretty much listed all the above into a to do list and will ask a MB specialist in Twickenham to do the job. Agree that its better to spend a little more at the beginning than a lot in the middle of nowhere!

Will definitely upload a pic

 

[Srdl]

Hi and welcome to the forum.

I presume you are aware of some of the extra requirements for driving in Europe. For example, you need to display a vignette to drive on Swiss or Austrian motorways and your may need an emissions sticker for some of the major cities in France or Germany.

This website is very useful for all the Low Emission Zone details as is their app:
https://www.green-zones.eu/en.html
The Germans and French stickers are very easy to apply for.

I've used this website a couple of times to get Motorway stickers.
https://www.tolltickets.com/en/

I'm looking forward to hearing more about the trip!

 

[LostKiwi]

If you want a toll tag the cheapest I've found that are happy to accept UK bank accounts is APRR.
You buy the tag for €11, then it costs €1.70 plus the standard toll for each calendar month you use it in. Payment is taken by DD the following month.
The calendar months you don't use it you pay nothing.

Details here:
http://www.aprr.fr/fr/telepeagelibert/particuliers/offre-occasionnels

 

[LCADE]

All, after 2 months of travelling, doing approximately 7,000 km and crossing France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, I can confirm the SL drives really comfortably!

Aside from having to change to winter tyres in Slovenia (I was slipping around too much on M+S tyres) the main issue I feared aside from an engine failure was a boot leak leading to the PSE Pump failing.

Leak!
Lo-and-behold, It rained for two solid weeks and when parked in Ljubliana attempting to lock the car failed, I knew I got the issue. A stunning three litres of water were sloshing around at the bottom! Having drained and dried the boot I decided to go on and find a MB garage for a proper assessment when in Serbia (far cheaper). But parking the car at the MB garage, I managed to lock the car, so the pb sorted itself out. I went and got all the seals changed anyway for far cheaper than what was quoted in the UK (technical costs £30 an hour there). Ultimately, the pump would fail again in Austria at -9 in a national park... I'll look to get it fixed (if anyone knows a specialist as a new pump costs a whopping £900, and MB quote ridiculously in the UK).

Mysterious battery drain
3 times over the course of the trip the car failed to start and I needed to jump start it. the conditions for each time were the same, the car was left outside, it rained, I didn't drive it for 2 days. Despite having gotten the batteries checked over and over with the garages telling me they're 100% fine. the mystery continues...

Engine squeak
I have now noticed the engine when running idle, has a little squeak/squeal louder than before, I suspect it linked to the belt and will get that checked ASAP.

In total, I averaged around 28 to 32 mpg which I think was pretty good. Fuel prices varied hugely, Hungary costing 90p a litre, France costing 140p a litre. If you're ever in Luxembourg, do fill up as its subsidised there.

 

[LostKiwi]

Sounds like a great trip!
The pump may be repairable - possibly have someone like @JohnnySBC take a look?
Battery drain could be the pump, Comand or any of half a dozen other things and will probably take a while to trace.

The squeak will probably be a belt tensioner or idler on the serpentine belt - very common.

 

[Wighty]

All, after 2 months of travelling, doing approximately 7,000 km and crossing France, Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Italy, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovakia, Austria, I can confirm the SL drives really comfortably!

Aside from having to change to winter tyres in Slovenia (I was slipping around too much on M+S tyres) the main issue I feared aside from an engine failure was a boot leak leading to the PSE Pump failing.

Leak!
Lo-and-behold, It rained for two solid weeks and when parked in Ljubliana attempting to lock the car failed, I knew I got the issue. A stunning three litres of water were sloshing around at the bottom! Having drained and dried the boot I decided to go on and find a MB garage for a proper assessment when in Serbia (far cheaper). But parking the car at the MB garage, I managed to lock the car, so the pb sorted itself out. I went and got all the seals changed anyway for far cheaper than what was quoted in the UK (technical costs £30 an hour there). Ultimately, the pump would fail again in Austria at -9 in a national park... I'll look to get it fixed (if anyone knows a specialist as a new pump costs a whopping £900, and MB quote ridiculously in the UK).

Mysterious battery drain
3 times over the course of the trip the car failed to start and I needed to jump start it. the conditions for each time were the same, the car was left outside, it rained, I didn't drive it for 2 days. Despite having gotten the batteries checked over and over with the garages telling me they're 100% fine. the mystery continues...

Engine squeak
I have now noticed the engine when running idle, has a little squeak/squeal louder than before, I suspect it linked to the belt and will get that checked ASAP.

In total, I averaged around 28 to 32 mpg which I think was pretty good. Fuel prices varied hugely, Hungary costing 90p a litre, France costing 140p a litre. If you're ever in Luxembourg, do fill up as its subsidised there.

Fantastic trip buddy , I’ve done as far as Austria and Italy , but how was the Serbia/Slovakia/Hungary and Croatia section , as far as roads , scenery , security ?
I know it’s a broad question , might be something I will do in the next few years

 

[LCADE]

I forgot to mention that my physical key snapped in half when trying to open the boot in Austria (because the PSE pump failed and no central locking). Never seen that before!


Ultimately it definitely was an experience, and I’ll try and get everything down as clearly as possible:

I think the first thing to say is that where ever I was, I got curious and inquisitive looks, be it by fellow drivers or pedestrians. There's wasn't one country (bar maybe Switzerland) where people either looked at the car, the number plates or both.

Roads
By far the best roads were in Austria. They were close to new, really well maintained and the views you get from driving are breath taking. I'd recommend driving from Vienna to Ramsau Am Dachsein on the 320 and 113 motorways.
Slovenia is another country I will definitely go again, as its a very scenic country, the roads are good, and you can get from A to B very easily and with little traffic. Serbian roads were not the best, quite uneven and a fair few potholes.

Drivers
I can't explain a road trip without giving my impressions of the cultural differences in driving. Apologies in advance these are not generalisations but my experiences. I think the worst drivers I encountered were probably the Belgians, followed by the Italians and the French. They literally pull out to overtake with very little warning or distance, and seem to enjoy driving 30cm behind you, as if in a Grand Prix. The Germans and the Austrians seemed to be the best when it came to overtaking (giving loads of distance etc etc) and respecting speed limits, and just generally safe.

Because of the leaky boot and the idea I could get stuck in the middle of nowhere if the car got nicked I chose to park it mainly in secure car parks everywhere I went. It didn't turn out to be too expensive and I think was worth it for peace of mind. Average costs were around 18 euros a day, with Switzerland being the most expensive (for everything) and Serbia being the cheapest.

In terms of visiting and friendliness, I really must admit there wasn't a single person/culture that wasn't welcoming, it was really interesting to drive from Belgrade to Budapest then to Vienna to really see the evolution of the Hapsburg empire from border to centre.

Top thoughts per country would be:
Austria: Kalkalpen national park, Salzburg and of course Vienna
Germany: The Mosel river notably Bernkastel (try German Rieslings at Joh. Joss's Prüm)
Italy: The dolomites, Selva di Val Gardena. (these mountains will take your breath away). The Slovenian/Italian Border, notably Cormons and Prepotto next to Trieste, you can stay at some wineries such as Lupinc or Zidarich.
Serbia: Belgrade is bohemian and there's very good food.
Hungary: Eger and Villany for the countryside
Slovenia: Tolmin and Bled
Slovakia: Bratislava you can do in a day and a half.
France: I particularly liked driving across the A89 from Toulouse to Bordeaux or the A20 from Paris to Limoges.


Best,

L