Sl500 running costs compared to BMW 330

[CIS121]

I've a question about the Sl, in particular the SL500. I'm looking to replace my current car and this is top of my affordable list. Well, a little over, but hey! I could cope with the purchase price, fuel and insurance, but have a few questions about the running costs. I've got a BMW 330Ci currently and have no problems with cost of services etc, but it's obviously a very different league.

What are the typcial servicing costs like compared to a car like mine? 50% more? double, triple?

Also, do SL's suffer many reliability issues? I'm a big fan of extended warranties so am mainly concerned by the more major breakdowns that leave a car stranded and in the garage for weeks.

Many thanks!

[K321]

check the SL's roof. I heard that half of SL's have a misaligned roof and that it leaks and no matter how many times to the dealership they cannot fix it. Check that all the seals on the roof are working as I know from a friend that this is a very annoying fault.

[dazren]

What age car? ie old shape or current?

[AL001]

If you want to fix your running costs, enquire about "Service Plus". I run it on my SL65 and it costs £880pa (2yr agreement). Quotes are model and mileage dependent, mine's based on 10k miles pa. Only thing I pay for is tyres, everything else covered including wear items like discs/pads, a potentially big cost on my car.


P.S. Never had leaks or any other problems in 8 months since bought it.

[CIS121]

Hi guys,

Thanks for your replies. I'd be looking for a car approx 2-4 years old and from a main dealer. The Service Plus sounds awesome if it includes pads etc. I pay about £500-600 for the extended warranty currently and wear and tear items including any rubber seals aren't included. Is Service Plus an extended warranty offered by Merc dealerships? This sounds like exactly what I'd be looking for to limit maintenance costs.

Regarding the roof, it hadn't dawned on me that a folding roof could leak, but why shouldn't it. Is this a problem that effects certain cars, or are they all effected to an extent?

[AL001]

From my research, everything covered by warranty is covered by Service Plus. With a warranty, you would still have to pay for regular servicing and wear/tear items though.