Living with a Mercedes V12 - the good, the bad and the ugly
Discussion
I've been lucky enough to own a few AMG V8 powered monsters over the years, but have an itch that only a V12 can scratch. Talking to my independent and also my local MB dealer here in Houston has almost shattered my dreams - both have said to stay away from V12s as they are always in need of work, and that work doesn't come cheap. The heart wants what the heart wants however, so I thought I'd throw it out to the PH massive to find out what experiences you guys have had - are they really that unreliable to live with? What issues have you had, and how expensive has it been? More importantly, are they worth it?
The only balancing story I've had thus far is from a friend that owns a 2007 SL65 AMG, and has had no issues whatsoever in the three years that he has had it (though in all fairness it's not his daily driver).
The only balancing story I've had thus far is from a friend that owns a 2007 SL65 AMG, and has had no issues whatsoever in the three years that he has had it (though in all fairness it's not his daily driver).
Aside from needing more parts, eg. 24 spark plugs, and larger oil capacity etc. the only weakness I know of is the coil packs. There are two of them on the V12. On the earlier engine V12's the problems were allegedly down to the active cylinder shutdown, which closed off the left bank of cylinders to save fuel under light throttle loads. This was de-activated by dealers with Star diagnostics. The later bi-turbo engines seem to fare a little better, but if you google 'Mercedes V12 Coil Packs' you will find many owners have had issues. Changing the HT leads with the plugs regularly apparently helps.
Owned a SL55 pacecar version few years back then owned some other interesting machinery before deciding to buy SL65. Shortly after purchase had to renew both coil packs (ouch) but have not had issue since. What a car. If you want something for just wafting to a restaurant in the evening to the incredible after burner experience on the autoroute BUY. The current road tests on the latest model confirm just how monumental the engine is. Latest model £170,000 a 2004/ 2005 £35,000 - £40,000. Don't bother with a Merc Warranty ( too many get outs when I considered) just put the £3,000 it would of cost to one side each year so when a big bill arrives it doesn't hurt so much.
Have owned an 2004 SL65 for nearly 2 years and 10k miles now, has been very reliable. The PO changed coil packs, as said these are a common repair.
I have kept up the MB tier 1 warranty and the annual cost is in line with other similar marques (around £1300 per year), the tier 1 cover is comprehensive in my humble view.
Am thinking of selling also if anyone is interested - 54 plate, silver, 55k miles, full MB history, and MB tier 1 warranty.
They are great cars - easy cruiser when required but rocket ship when the turbos wind up and the horizon beckons
The value for money these now offer is awesome given the £150k+ sticker prices when new.
I have kept up the MB tier 1 warranty and the annual cost is in line with other similar marques (around £1300 per year), the tier 1 cover is comprehensive in my humble view.
Am thinking of selling also if anyone is interested - 54 plate, silver, 55k miles, full MB history, and MB tier 1 warranty.
They are great cars - easy cruiser when required but rocket ship when the turbos wind up and the horizon beckons
The value for money these now offer is awesome given the £150k+ sticker prices when new.Lagerlout said:
No problems at all with my W221 S65, buy one, they are just utterly brilliant. I'm selling my S65 at the moment and going for a SL63, if I could afford a SL65 I would buy one!
Hi I have an S65 too and you and I have shared notes before. Why are u selling as a matter of interest? I still have mine and covered 55000 virtually trouble free miles now. cannot think of replacing mine as like you I think it was probably one of the best all rounders out there!!DesmoTip said:
I've been lucky enough to own a few AMG V8 powered monsters over the years, but have an itch that only a V12 can scratch. Talking to my independent and also my local MB dealer here in Houston has almost shattered my dreams - both have said to stay away from V12s as they are always in need of work, and that work doesn't come cheap. The heart wants what the heart wants however, so I thought I'd throw it out to the PH massive to find out what experiences you guys have had - are they really that unreliable to live with? What issues have you had, and how expensive has it been? More importantly, are they worth it?
The only balancing story I've had thus far is from a friend that owns a 2007 SL65 AMG, and has had no issues whatsoever in the three years that he has had it (though in all fairness it's not his daily driver).
I have driven 50000 miles in an S65. All trouble free. I have listed all the costs under my Garage section since i owned it so you may find that useful OP..The only balancing story I've had thus far is from a friend that owns a 2007 SL65 AMG, and has had no issues whatsoever in the three years that he has had it (though in all fairness it's not his daily driver).
DesmoTip said:
I've been lucky enough to own a few AMG V8 powered monsters over the years, but have an itch that only a V12 can scratch. Talking to my independent and also my local MB dealer here in Houston has almost shattered my dreams - both have said to stay away from V12s as they are always in need of work, and that work doesn't come cheap. The heart wants what the heart wants however, so I thought I'd throw it out to the PH massive to find out what experiences you guys have had - are they really that unreliable to live with? What issues have you had, and how expensive has it been? More importantly, are they worth it?
The only balancing story I've had thus far is from a friend that owns a 2007 SL65 AMG, and has had no issues whatsoever in the three years that he has had it (though in all fairness it's not his daily driver).
I have driven 50000 miles in an S65. All trouble free. I have listed all the costs under my Garage section since i owned it so you may find that useful OP..The only balancing story I've had thus far is from a friend that owns a 2007 SL65 AMG, and has had no issues whatsoever in the three years that he has had it (though in all fairness it's not his daily driver).
FalconWood said:
Hi I have an S65 too and you and I have shared notes before. Why are u selling as a matter of interest? I still have mine and covered 55000 virtually trouble free miles now. cannot think of replacing mine as like you I think it was probably one of the best all rounders out there!!
I think it is the best all rounder out there, it's an amazing car that simply cannot be replaced. Unfortunately I was bitten by the change monkey as a small lad 
as my friends would attest! Well that's one reason, the other is that I love convertibles. I also want something a bit smaller to drive around in everyday so I'm getting a more normal car for that role so I can keep the SL in the garage. I have a couple of old classics but they aren't much use to me now if I want to go any distances. Anyway that's how I justify it to myself, but yes, I am mad getting rid of the S65! Thanks for all the comments, chaps. Now all I need to decide is whether to go CL or S. Can anyone comment on the convenience of having a baby's car seat in the back of a CL? Baber fever with the wife is at an all-time high, and I'm convinced that once our new house is built at the end of this year I'll be out of reasons we can't start our family proper.
Comedy value SL65 AMG at Lincoln Mercedes-Benz. 50k miles, £29grand and presumably with the usual decent Merc used car warranty.
We use a coupe with baby seat often and it is easy, if anything, easier than a four door because the door doesn't get in the way. The trick is to get in the car with the baby seat and insert from the footwell.
We use a coupe with baby seat often and it is easy, if anything, easier than a four door because the door doesn't get in the way. The trick is to get in the car with the baby seat and insert from the footwell.
DesmoTip said:
Thanks for all the comments, chaps. Now all I need to decide is whether to go CL or S. Can anyone comment on the convenience of having a baby's car seat in the back of a CL? Baber fever with the wife is at an all-time high, and I'm convinced that once our new house is built at the end of this year I'll be out of reasons we can't start our family proper.
Go Gay?DesmoTip said:
Thanks for all the comments, chaps. Now all I need to decide is whether to go CL or S. Can anyone comment on the convenience of having a baby's car seat in the back of a CL? Baber fever with the wife is at an all-time high, and I'm convinced that once our new house is built at the end of this year I'll be out of reasons we can't start our family proper.
I've got a CL (albeit a lowly 500)and a child on the way. I ain't changing it!Although, when compared to my other half's SLK, the CL is much more practical!
I've just bought a CL65 AMG. I had been thinking of a replacement for my Phaeton so the Cl was the natural choice for me.
Over the past few months I have tried a CL 63 with the wonderful 6.2 litre N/A that I had in my SL63 then the much later 5.5 turbo they were both really nice cars and I could not fault one item.
So as a wildcard I tried a 2007 CL600 which I thought was wonderful because the motor was smooth and very powerful, but having had an AMG I thought to myself I wonder what the AMG version of the V12 is like.
Anyway time passed and I noticed one come up for sale, my brief bit of research into them indicated only 26 registered in the UK so not exactly a big choice for sale.
Just out of curiosity I phoned about the car and all seemed OK so made the appointment to try it (apart from my wife accidentally driving off with my keys in her car) being a bit late I arrived to try the car. Once properly warmed up the guy said the road was clear so floor it if you want which I did and by god it flew in a magic carpet cartoon sort of way. I had been trying 2015 Nissan GTr's as a replacement and this felt just as quick but a lot smoother.
Needles to say I put a deposit on it and bought it.
It is obvious that a car costing £160K new is going to be expensive to maintain correctly, but I have had it on good authority from a forum member who has just bought one too that the costs over a 3 year period which the last owner had the car only amounted to a few hundred pound (apart from service costs that is)
There was an issue with the older models with the coil packs going which I think was something to do with the shutting down of one cylinder bank but the later cars do not do this so hopefully coil pack replacement is now minimised.
I've had the car a week now and apart from the first day getting stuck in traffic on the M25 where the computer registered a worrying 8 MPG the car has now settled down to about 16 MPG.
On the right twisty A road this car can take your breath away with the unflustered way it deals with gobbling up the miles at warp factor 4.
I normally keep my cars about a year but I honestly think this one is a bit special and maybe keep it a lot longer.
I'm beginning to get what AMG were trying to achieve with this car.
Over the past few months I have tried a CL 63 with the wonderful 6.2 litre N/A that I had in my SL63 then the much later 5.5 turbo they were both really nice cars and I could not fault one item.
So as a wildcard I tried a 2007 CL600 which I thought was wonderful because the motor was smooth and very powerful, but having had an AMG I thought to myself I wonder what the AMG version of the V12 is like.
Anyway time passed and I noticed one come up for sale, my brief bit of research into them indicated only 26 registered in the UK so not exactly a big choice for sale.
Just out of curiosity I phoned about the car and all seemed OK so made the appointment to try it (apart from my wife accidentally driving off with my keys in her car) being a bit late I arrived to try the car. Once properly warmed up the guy said the road was clear so floor it if you want which I did and by god it flew in a magic carpet cartoon sort of way. I had been trying 2015 Nissan GTr's as a replacement and this felt just as quick but a lot smoother.
Needles to say I put a deposit on it and bought it.
It is obvious that a car costing £160K new is going to be expensive to maintain correctly, but I have had it on good authority from a forum member who has just bought one too that the costs over a 3 year period which the last owner had the car only amounted to a few hundred pound (apart from service costs that is)
There was an issue with the older models with the coil packs going which I think was something to do with the shutting down of one cylinder bank but the later cars do not do this so hopefully coil pack replacement is now minimised.
I've had the car a week now and apart from the first day getting stuck in traffic on the M25 where the computer registered a worrying 8 MPG the car has now settled down to about 16 MPG.
On the right twisty A road this car can take your breath away with the unflustered way it deals with gobbling up the miles at warp factor 4.
I normally keep my cars about a year but I honestly think this one is a bit special and maybe keep it a lot longer.
I'm beginning to get what AMG were trying to achieve with this car.
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