SL500 Reliability

[So Cal Sam]

I've just begun my research into buying a 05 SL500 and I came across this great site with all of you seemingly very experienced MB owners. I've picked up on some threads here and elsewhere that MB quality is not what it used to be and one member said that an owner of a new SL500 should be ready to start paying some big repair bills after 3 or 4 years if the car was to be used as a daily driver. Thats how I plan to use it - any thoughts from any of you on this and just general quality/reliability? Thank you in advance.

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[vraa]

Only the early days for us sucked. Now though, THE CAR IS ROCK SOLID!

[So Cal Sam]

What a great thing to hear Ricky! I think the SL500 is such a beautiful car and I don't want to be turned away from purchasing it but I would not want to spend that kind of money and be running to the shop all the time. For the money I'm not asking for perfection just excellance.

[LovinSL600]

Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal

Only the early days for us sucked. Now though, THE CAR IS ROCK SOLID!

Rock solid? I am not sure that any car is rock solid. Mercedes has it's share of problems but nothing more than other manufactures have.

There is no question the quality of the interior of the cars has deterioated however they do look much better. Mercedes have done a very good job in decreasing the costs while making the interior look more plush and just as good.

One example would be the wood. It used to be hand matched. Today, that is just not the case. In the old days, when you needed to replace a wood part, you had to buy all the wood because every piece was matched up perfectly. Today, you can buy any piece you want and it may or may not match perfectly.

The leather used to be replaced by the month it was purchased and a lot number. Today, there are no lot numbers. You just replace the leather and hope the color matches.

Again, I am not sure this is worse than any other car but to say the quality hasn't deteriorated on the inside is just not true. It is true, that even with this, the interior looks just as good or even better.

I actually think they have improved the body work, the paint and the engine.

Overall, you can't go wrong buying a Mercedes. They have their problems like anyone but they are great cars.

Good luck.

[vraa]

Ssssh, let him fall into the trap first

The car reliability wise is fine, if you are looking for a good interior, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a anything pretty much, look somewhere else.
UNLESS YOU WANT A TWO SEATER HARDTOP! Mercedes SL is the best on the market.

[LovinSL600]

Originally Posted by ricky.agrawal

Ssssh, let him fall into the trap first

The car reliability wise is fine, if you are looking for a good interior, look somewhere else. If you are looking for a anything pretty much, look somewhere else.
UNLESS YOU WANT A TWO SEATER HARDTOP! Mercedes SL is the best on the market.

You are so funny. Hey, this guy could live down the road from either you or me. Got to tell him the truth.

[vraa]

Aye!

Our cars almost three years old? I'm not sure, but we haven't been paying big bills, I wouldn't worry about it... yet.

blueSL is right, down the road however, it'll get expensive. But don't let that deter you!

[So Cal Sam]

As I said, I'm not looking for perfection just excellance and I believe thats what you guys are saying I'll get for the most part. I went to test drive the SL500 but to get to the lot where the black/berry red model was they had me drive a SL600 to get there. Wow, what an engine - I felt like this 4000 lb. plus car was my old 422 lb. 1972 Kawasaki 750. The SL500 had plenty of power for me but that SL600 had me thinking for a moment. I like the interior of the SL - its fit and finish seem fine. I'm not educated enough in the finer things in the automobile world yet such as matching leather and wood but I understand your drift in terms of a downward move in material quality. Thanks again.

[LovinSL600]

Originally Posted by So Cal Sam

As I said, I'm not looking for perfection just excellance and I believe thats what you guys are saying I'll get for the most part. I went to test drive the SL500 but to get to the lot where the black/berry red model was they had me drive a SL600 to get there. Wow, what an engine - I felt like this 4000 lb. plus car was my old 422 lb. 1972 Kawasaki 750. The SL500 had plenty of power for me but that SL600 had me thinking for a moment. I like the interior of the SL - its fit and finish seem fine. I'm not educated enough in the finer things in the automobile world yet such as matching leather and wood but I understand your drift in terms of a downward move in material quality. Thanks again.

I think you have it. I will tell you that the interior, while they may look the same, are very different in feel. The SL600 is much nicer than the SL500. The two biggest differences are the Alcantara finishes and the quality of the leather.

As for the engine, that is obvious as well.

[So Cal Sam]

I have to expose my ignorance once more here...what is the Alcantara finish?

[ajf1]

its a type of suede used for the headliner and other parts of the car that escape my mind right now, so cal sam sent you a pm.

[LovinSL600]

Originally Posted by ajf1

its a type of suede used for the headliner and other parts of the car that escape my mind right now, so cal sam sent you a pm.

Alcantara is not actually suede but leather. It is used on the sunvisors, A-pillars and the front, center and rear headliners on the SL600. On the SL55, in addition to these areas, the instrument cluster cover is also alcantara.

On the SL500, these areas are plastic with texture.

[StephenK]

Here is a website about it if you would like some more information

http://www.alcantara.it/english/index_f.htm

This looks a lot nicer than the standard product found in the SL500.

[So Cal Sam]

Thanks for the website addy for Alcantara...now I have another thing to wish for. Beautiful photos of your SL600 Stephen. Does anyone have any photos of a black SL with the Berry Red interior?

[StephenK]

Originally Posted by So Cal Sam

Thanks for the website addy for Alcantara...now I have another thing to wish for. Beautiful photos of your SL600 Stephen. Does anyone have any photos of a black SL with the Berry Red interior?

Thank you for the compliment, if I see a picture with the Berry Red interior I will let you know.

[jasab]

If you want exceptional build quality and reliability, buy a lexus ls430.
If you want the best looking car get the SL.

[WIldcat465]

Go for the 600. I owned a 500 for 60 days and traded up. The 600 is in a different league than the 500 and most other MBs for that matter.

[jasab]

The depriciation is to steep on the 600.
At this point in time I don't want to take it.

[03SilverSL]

I live in LA and thought my new '03 SL500 would be the perfect commuter car and weekend cruiser when I bought it new a year and a half ago. But after the car was less than one year old, I bought an '04 X5 as a second car. I became fed up with driving around in loaner C-class sedans while my new roadster sat in the MB shop so many times for repair (various problems: top malfunctions, locked out, wouldn't start, leaking trunk, top rattles when stowed, rattles, parktronic "demons", etc.) I would have to say I am unhappy with the car's reliability.

[So Cal Sam]

Thanks 03SilverSL. I'm sorry to hear you had so many problems. Do you think that being a 2003 model had anything to do with it? I seem to gather through this forum and others that things have gotten better in 04 and 05. I don't want the kind of headaches you described so I'm hoping to confirm my sentence above that 05 is a good year for the SL. I live in LA too (El Segundo) - what dealer did you purchase from and would you recommend them even though you can't recommend the car?

Here is a pic of a Berry Red interior that I was looking for.

[jettie1767]

I'm on my 7th month with my '05 SL55. No real problems to speak about. The car has been rock solid for me and I'm loving every minute I'm driving it!

[vraa]

Do you think you can jump upto a SL55 or 600 later on?

The SL500 does seem cheap on the inside. Especially compared to me 11 year old LS.

[jasab]

I agree the SL500 especially on the roof lining is poor compared to the rest of the car. The 600 is more plush.
The sun visors are a disgrace. Plasticky, dont hold easily at the position you want. Being positive 90% of the interior is excellent and very well built.
I need a positive thread!

[jasab]

In the future I would like a 600, would for me be a preference to the 55.
I'm sure the 600 requires premium unleaded which is getting rarer here.

[jettie1767]

I would have to agree. I had an '04 500 for about 6 months and thought the interior was just too plasticky. The 55 is more sporty and elegant inside.