Hi folks

I'm still wondering what convertible to buy... seen this on AT, what do people think - any horror stories of the SL500 (this is a 2005 car). Black with red. Not sure. A lot of car for the money.

Hi, as you say a lot of car for not much money, not sure about the red interior, not my choice, I had the previous model for 7 years, didn't have to spend a penny on it, everything worked, and nothing broke in the time I had it. if only Range Rovers were so reliable......  SC 4.2, 2012 face lifted, 25K miles, 1 previous owner
Triumph TR6 1973
Triumph Bonneville 1970
Previous:
2002 TD6
Merc SL500
Escort RS Cosworth
RR 3.9 Vogue
4.2 E type Jag replica (challenger)
Escort RS2000 (many)
Escort RS 1600 Turbo

Graham, IIRC there was a 'facelift' around 2005/2006, maybe someone with more knowledge will enlighten us nice car, not a fan of red personally

Rosco wrote:

Graham, IIRC there was a 'facelift' around 2005/2006...

87RJD wrote:

I had the previous model for 7 years, didn't have to spend a penny on it, everything worked, and nothing broke in the time I had it...

Personally I don't like 2 seater convertibles, I am on the look out for a 6 series as they also seem good value at the moment

Hello,
Check out the Mercedes forums. The SL 500 has rear air suspension and each side is around £1000 ( full fat £240). there are also issues with the brake accumulator pump. I also looked at buying one of these, but after doing a little research it put me off- and I drive a p38!

Steve ( still looking for a grey Supercharged).

I have a SL350 2009 what a great car.
Its plenty quick enough and I've not had any problems with it.
As you have said its a weekend car so would expect it to be not a lot of trouble.

That new 350 is almost as powerful as the old 500... Graham

____
Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey

Mine is 315 BHP
The only thing i would ask more of it is the 0-60 as its about 6 secs.
i love the thing  2020 Porsche Panamera Turbo Hybrid (V FAST)
2017 Range Rover Autobiography 5.0 V8
2018 JCW Mini Cooper
2018 Skoda VRS

Full Inspection & Comprehensive warranty to cover yourself ...

2 horror stories from friends. Can't remember all the ins & outs, but along the lines of....

1) bought an SL 55 from Saxtons, air suspension + something else
I can't remember. It was a 4k bill from Mercedes , they basically said it was unsafe

2) had a SL500 for a number of years, cost £30k. no issues. Took in for a service, Merc
Said it needed 7k of repairs, electronics , gearbox issue
Uneconomic to do it, sold to "we buy any car" £5.5k !!

I love them , but like the FFRR, plenty of toys to go wrong  Alcohol and eBay is never a good mix

2006 4.2 Supercharged, Java Black

7k. Good grief.

probably means a good warranty is vital. I might look at the MB approved used. Graham

____
Gone: 10MY L320 RR Sport HSE, Ipanema Sand
Gone: 20MY Jaguar iPace HSE, Silicon Silver
Gone: 17MY RR Evoque SE Tech, Loire Blue
Gone: 08MY Discovery 3 XS, Stornoway Grey
Gone: 07MY FFRR TDV8 Vogue, Stornoway Grey

Most common issue is water in the boot. Seals are pants on the early ones, and still fairly pants on the later ones. 2011 Stornaway Grey 5.0SC Autobiography

+1 on the boot water ingress....took 7 visits to MB to sort my 55AMG out...then an oil leak that i never got to the bottom of ...eventually gave up and got rid after 3k in bills....loverly car tho GONE 2010 Facelifted 3.6 TDV8 - Stornoway Grey + 22" Overfinch Olympus
HAVE 1999 Discovery 2 GS 4.0 V8 - Silver - Off Road Toy
GONE 2013 L405 4.4 SDV8 Vogue. Black with Silver roofline and 22" s
HAVE 2015 Jaguar XF.

Just been looking into a SL500 or SL55 myself..heard about all the troubles with them, but that didnt sway me from buying an L322 even if it did have soem "nightmare" issues that were easily and cheaply sorted out...

Lovely cars that can also be facelifted like the L322 quite easily to an SL65 or SL63...