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Mercedes-Benz SL and SLK (all models)

786 messages,  Last post on Jul 24, 2012 at 10:07 AM

You are in the Mercedes-Benz SL/SLK-Class Forum.

What is this discussion about? Mercedes-Benz SL-Class, Convertible

Messages Page 61 of 80

#593 of 786 SL500 disappointment by ziliox

May 12, 2004 (8:52 am)

I've had my '03 SL500 for about 18 months and 8000 miles, and have had recurring electrical problems for the past 12 months. At any moment while driving I am likely to get a potpourri of warning lights - BAS, ESP, check engine, engine coolant, and the most frequent light: Transmission! Visit Workshop. Except for the tranny warning, all are false alarms, and disappear after shutting down the engine and then restarting. The transmission warning is much more interesting. Nine times out of ten it too is a false alarm, but every once in a while it illuminates and continues to re-appear even after clearing the message. When that happens, I know what to expect. The car will not shift out of first gear without careful and serious coaxing. Though that has only happened to me four times, it is a real attention getter and has left me quite frustrated with the car. Needless to say I have become a regular at the M-B service shop, and while the shop has been great and accomodative, replacing control modules, batteries, harnesses, etc., the problems keep coming back (in fact I'm waiting for a call from the service manager as I write this).
 
I've owned various M-B models for 14 years (2 S class, 2 CL class and this SL) and I can honestly say this is the first time I've had problems with the quality of a Mercedes or had a car that couldn't get fixed. Except for the occasional fisrt gear issue, the problems I've experienced aren't debilating as the car still works, but they are extremely frustrating.
 
Before I got the SL I had a 2000 CL, which I absolutely loved, and as I await my next service appointment I find my thoughts turning more and more to a new CL55. Electrical gremlins aside, I've found my SL to be a wee bit too small, and at 6'3" I find getting in and out of the car difficult. Without a doubt the SL is a beautiful car, and tooling around with the top down simply can't be beat. But I'm going to get rid of this SL, and I think it's time to return to a CL. My only question is whether or not M-B will be changing the body style for the CL any time soon.

#594 of 786 Me too. by psedrish

May 12, 2004 (10:57 am)

I've had my '04 SL500 for about 5 months, and it seems to have many more little issues than any previous MB I've had (3 S-Class, 1 ML, 1 E & 1 SLK).
 
It spends too much time in the shop, though they do treat me nicely & I too get a decent loaner (C class) while I wait for this or that.
 
I've had no problems that have yet rendered the vehicle undriveable, but seat motor probs have been recurrent (oh the comfort seat pkg is a real waste). I do sometimes feel the tranny getting stuck in 1 st gear, esp when it's cold, but so far it hasn't stranded me.

#595 of 786 ziliox by merc1

May 12, 2004 (10:12 pm)

The current CL has at least 1 more model year (2005) to go, if not 2. The next S-Class is due to be shown at Frankfurt in 2005 (Sept) and the CL will surely follow at either Detroit or Geneva (Jan and March) of 2006 which would make it a 2007 model.
 
M

#596 of 786 1999 SL 500 40,000 miles by law4you

May 13, 2004 (8:11 am)

I now own three Mercedes (1999 SL 500; 2002 S 430; & 2003 CLK 430 Cabriolet)and sold a 1993 300 SE with 40,000 miles on it 2 1/2 years ago. I had so much trouble with the '93 on things that should never go wrong starting around 35,000 miles and costing $6000 to fix the next 5000 miles that I thought I just had a lemon. Now the '99 SL 500 is starting to have things go wrong that should not that I am thinking Mercedes quality is terrible, particularly with only 40,000 miles and 7 yr. 100,000 Starmark warranty which does not seem to cover anything that does go wrong. I say beware of Mercedes quality. My replacement for the '99 is likely to be the new Cadillac or some other worthy car.

#597 of 786 Re: Mercedes Quality [shoes #577] by merebenz

May 13, 2004 (11:42 am)

Replying to: shoes (Mar 24, 2004 4:45 pm)
I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY 2003 SL 500. IT IS ALWAYS AT THE DEALERSHIP AND IT SEEMS THEY DO NOTHING. I PAID A 104,000 FOR IT AND ALL I END UP DRIVING IS LOANER CARS!
 
PROBLEMS: BRAKING PROBLEMS, GAS TANK NOISE, TRUNK NOISE, BRAKES SLIPPING AND KNOCKING, NAV GOING OFF, ROOF LEAKING, CAR NOT STARTING, KEYLESS GO NOT WORKING, KEY IS GETTING STUCK IN IGNITION (I USE WHEN KEYLESS GO ISN'T WORKING....I PAID FOR KEYLESS GO AND HAVE TO CARY THE ACTUAL KEY AROUND B/C THAT NEVER WORKS)!
THE CAR NOW HAS 14,000 MILES ON IT AT LESS THAN 8,000 THE DEALERSHIP GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT WITH MY CAR. NOW I SEE THERE IS A RECALL ON THE BRAKES. I AM SURE THE BRAKES MALFUNCTIONED ON THE DRIVER FROM THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY WOULD NOT ADMIT IT.
 
THEN AT 14,000 THEY HIT SOMETHING ELSE WITH THE CAR WHEN IT WAS IN THEIR CARE....THE FRONT WAS DAMAGED AND ALL PAINT CHIPS ON MY CAR
 
EVERYONE PLEASE BE AWARE THAT MB AND THE DEALERSHIPS DO NOT CARE ABOUT THE CONSUMER. IF YOU WANT AN SL BE PREPAIRED FOR TROUBLE.

#598 of 786 by Mr_Shiftright HOST

May 13, 2004 (6:24 pm)

Please...undo....cap....locks....it....is....very....hard...to...- .read!
 
thank you
 
Host

#599 of 786 SLK by katewa

May 20, 2004 (10:02 am)

#600 of 786 SLK by katewa

May 19, 2004 (5:20 pm)

Well, I'm test driving a 2001 SLK 320 right now. The dealer let me drive it home for the evening so my husband could also drive it.
 
I LOVE IT - it fits me like a glove and wow, is it fun to drive.
 
However - my long-legged husband doesn't fit into it very well. For some reason, the drivers side power seat doesn't go back as far as the passenger side. That, along with the extra stuff under the dash on the driver's side, make for an uncomfortable drive for him.
 
I'm wondering if there might be a problem with the seat. It would only need to go down and back another couple of inches to make it work for him.
 
Any suggestions?

#601 of 786 Re: SLK [katewa #1] by katewa

May 19, 2004 (11:44 pm)

Replying to: katewa (May 19, 2004 5:20 pm)
Never Mind - found out the seat can get a "memory effect". I was able to get the seat to adjust all the way back and my husband could stretch his legs out. Yippee - So I am now the proud owner of an SLK 320!! I really love this car - I'm just going to have to be careful so I don't get a ticket!
 
I am SO glad we didn't buy the Solara...................

#602 of 786 Katewa by yaman

May 20, 2004 (10:02 am)

Congrats-I have had a 99 for 2+ years-it is a lot of fun

Messages Page 61 of 80

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