2002 SL55 - How Reliable?
Discussion
Hi everyone,
My parents are in the market to change their 996 C4 and are considering an SL55. I'm interested to know how they are in terms of reliability. We're looking at the 02/03 models, with between 20 - 40k miles on the clock, which would be used pretty much for short trips on a daily basis (supermarket run etc). From anyone who has owned one, how are they to live with day to day and with it originally being such an expensive and mechanical car, in your experience, how likely are electrical faults? Any other average running costs would be great.
They're also considering an 05 997 cab, anyone with experience of both cars, feel free to add a comparison.
Cheers,
Mike
My parents are in the market to change their 996 C4 and are considering an SL55. I'm interested to know how they are in terms of reliability. We're looking at the 02/03 models, with between 20 - 40k miles on the clock, which would be used pretty much for short trips on a daily basis (supermarket run etc). From anyone who has owned one, how are they to live with day to day and with it originally being such an expensive and mechanical car, in your experience, how likely are electrical faults? Any other average running costs would be great.
They're also considering an 05 997 cab, anyone with experience of both cars, feel free to add a comparison.
Cheers,
Mike
I haven't owned one but I have acted professionally for three people who have: each wanted to reject the car because of persistent unreliability.
That is not to say they are unreliable. I think there are two general rules. (1) the more optional bits and bobs, the less reliable, especially problematic is Keyless Go. (2) later models are better.
That is not to say they are unreliable. I think there are two general rules. (1) the more optional bits and bobs, the less reliable, especially problematic is Keyless Go. (2) later models are better.
Im not a big fan of the power delivery of the sl55,I feel the sl500,although less powerful,is smoother for everyday use esp round town.Comparing it to a 997 the Porsche feels a much better quality product with more character and sense of occasion.A 997 will be more expensive however.
The main problem with the car is the seal around the boot lid and folding roof. On some cars it leaks and the dealers seem unable to cure it. The main problem is that your boot fills with water and under the floor of the boot are the two batteries, a host of electrics and motor for the folding roof. Everything goes haywire and a close friend of mine ended up with a £2000 bill for repair and Mercedes just told him to go swivel as they claimed the car was faultless!
As for keyless go, he had a problem where the car wouldn't switch off and had to call the emergency number for Merc who sent a local tech who pulled fuses until the engine switched off.
As for keyless go, he had a problem where the car wouldn't switch off and had to call the emergency number for Merc who sent a local tech who pulled fuses until the engine switched off.
Had mine for about 16 months. Bought one with extended warranty which has proved useful but only for non-critical bits - replacements for supercharger clutch and various other pulleys to stop an annoying squeak from the engine (which has recently returned). Then had the supercharger coolant pump replaced - this is a common failure - probably an inevitable one, so have that checked. Lastly, the front suspension legs were changed due to slight wear in the bottom ball joints. This was noticed at a recent routine service. Other than those, nothing has actually gone wrong/failed.
Reliability is a relative thing in terms of both what you're used to, and the cost of fixing things that go wrong. Mine's been absolutely perfect - all the above were my choices to have fixed, and had not affected the performance in any way. The coolant pump would never have been noticed if I'd only ever driven in the U.K. as it needs high temperatures and heavy use to expose this problem.
As a car for all reasons, it is a bit of a bargain second hand. It wasn't EVO's best convertible for over 5 years for no reason!
Reliability is a relative thing in terms of both what you're used to, and the cost of fixing things that go wrong. Mine's been absolutely perfect - all the above were my choices to have fixed, and had not affected the performance in any way. The coolant pump would never have been noticed if I'd only ever driven in the U.K. as it needs high temperatures and heavy use to expose this problem.
As a car for all reasons, it is a bit of a bargain second hand. It wasn't EVO's best convertible for over 5 years for no reason!
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