Does anybody own or have owned an sl500 or sl55 Amg? I'm interested in maybe having one but I don't know much about them other than the fact the build quality maybe a little suspect and the abc suspension system is junk.

Congratulations on the new job Si.....:thumbup:

 

 

 

Company car tax on a Merc is not so bad - as with premium German motors (Audi/BMW/Merc) the emissions are generally lower than most comparable cars. It's the tax on fuel that's the killer. Unless you drive 12,000 PRIVATE miles a year, you're better off paying for your own fuel; it's cheaper than paying the tax. Just reclaim business fuel at circa 12p per mile...:wink:

 

You will have to explain the details to me some when Richard. My HMRC tax brake down last year, the company car cost me a fair few quid if I understood it properly.

My boss has a 2002 sl500, and honestly it goes wrong every other month and the parts are always £500 and upwards, the SBC control unit is actually programmed to record every application of the brake pedal and once it reaches a pre determined figure it actually logs a DTC lights up the dash like a xmas tree and it means the unit must be replaced, the unit alone was £1200!

 

Suspension legs have been replaced at a cost of £875 each on the rear, central locking control unit in the boot packed up, another £600.

 

Just some info on my only experience of these cars.

Does anybody own or have owned an sl500 or sl55 Amg? I'm interested in maybe having one but I don't know much about them other than the fact the build quality maybe a little suspect and the abc suspension system is junk.

 

I look after a 500 sl 05 plate and the cars got zero rust,id say the earlier ones 2001 were dodgy but merc started to get there act together.amazing engines and running gear,parts are horrendous money though so be warned.16 spark plugs on a v8 model,last set i fitted on a lpg 420ML cost £260 the set !

My mum had an SL500, fantastic car we never had any issues with it. Depending on how old, I think RUST was the big thing to look out for then. Mum and dad now drive S-Class Mercs, and I drive a CL500.

Edited May 29, 20169 yr by Sudesh

Whilst I rebuild my Zed I drive a 320 CLK, and have looked at CL500s. I hear that the ABC suspension system is a nightmare and crazy expensive if goes wrong. At the moment in my CLK the CANBUS thinks I have a brake light out and decides to use my tail light as a substitute brake light...apart from I don't - the bulb is fine. From research the rear CANBUS controller (part of the rear fusebox I think) is the issue. Thing is, older cars, especially 'fancier' cars, with all the bells and whistles are a nightmare maintain and fix without a good club backing them. Let's face it, people with Mercs likely didn't get their hands dirty... I actually watched a video on Youtube showing Merc CLK drivers how to change their oil themselves!! I thought 'really!!' Don't get me wrong, I love my Merc, but fixing it myself without any real help from a club is almost impossible....so just something to consider.

Edited May 29, 20169 yr by MasterCookieman

Yip! If suspension goes wrong with the ABC, it's big bucks. I don't drive mine all the time as I have all cars/van...but when the CL is left for a week or more, you. Can see drop at the rear.