Whats a SL65 (2005 model) like to live with ?
Discussion
This caught my eye the other day, as am looking for a new vehicle shortly;
https://www.mattjohnsonprestigecars.co.uk/used-car...
Day to day it would be the wife's as most of my travel these days during the week is taxi & train. That said, on weekends it would be mine, and occasional trips to London, etc (based in Leeds).
It would probably do circa 8k per annum mileage wise, so interested in peoples previous experience in running costs for such.
Is a warranty an essential ?
I've looked at them in the past, but never quite managed to commit. They are things of beauty both to look at and engineering wise (for a 15 year old car).
https://www.mattjohnsonprestigecars.co.uk/used-car...
Day to day it would be the wife's as most of my travel these days during the week is taxi & train. That said, on weekends it would be mine, and occasional trips to London, etc (based in Leeds).
It would probably do circa 8k per annum mileage wise, so interested in peoples previous experience in running costs for such.
Is a warranty an essential ?
I've looked at them in the past, but never quite managed to commit. They are things of beauty both to look at and engineering wise (for a 15 year old car).
Another one here in black; https://www.avantgardeclassics.co.uk/cars/mercedes...
It's a 15 year old, complex Mercedes from an era where build quality was not at it's best. It was around £150k new and will have servicing costs commensurate with that new price. Coil packs are a known issue and cost a fortune. Brakes will cost a fortune. I don't think you would get any kind of comprehensive warranty either, unless it has had the Mercedes one from new and it's been constantly renewed.
That one has been for sale for ages and I'd expect it to be a very difficult car to sell on, if you ever decided to change.
£50k buys something a lot more special (IMO) or look for the SL55, which will be 95% as good for a lot less money.
All that being said, it's a lovely looking car and would be something I would have in my lottery garage
That one has been for sale for ages and I'd expect it to be a very difficult car to sell on, if you ever decided to change.
£50k buys something a lot more special (IMO) or look for the SL55, which will be 95% as good for a lot less money.
All that being said, it's a lovely looking car and would be something I would have in my lottery garage
My specialist had one in a while ago with one of the turbos requiring attention.
I believe they’re £3k a pop, but can be rebuilt. Coils go, as has been said, but the basic engine, gearbox and diff are strong.
The SL55 offers similar thrills, and a better soundtrack for much less money, and looks the same.
I believe they’re £3k a pop, but can be rebuilt. Coils go, as has been said, but the basic engine, gearbox and diff are strong.
The SL55 offers similar thrills, and a better soundtrack for much less money, and looks the same.
As has been mentioned these cars are what I can only describe as a flawed masterpiece if such a thing exists in the mechanical world rather than a piece of art.
Coil packs at around £1000-£1500 a piece as there are two, suspension can be a expensive unless properly maintained.
If you have deep pockets and don't mind the fact you may not be able to sell it on later it could be the car for you.
To get a decent warranty will be ruinously expensive and probably so full of exclusions it not worth bothering with.
That's probably covered all the real/negative side of potential ownership.
Now the positive, just to put my opinion into perspective I owned an SL63 then owned the outrageous CL65 with the V12 twin turbo engine so I can just imagine what the V12 SL would be like. It will be turbine smooth and gather speed once on the move like you are in some kind of cartoon with the scenery flying past in a blur.
Now I know people don't like the look of the later SL63's but they are superior in handling like night is to day literally.
If I had the choice again I'd buy one of the SL63 with the later twin turbo (if you like it's looks) I thrashed one around the MB World circuits for at least 3 hours and couldn't fault it, you would never drive one that quickly on the road and it behaved impeccably in the dry and the wet.
Coil packs at around £1000-£1500 a piece as there are two, suspension can be a expensive unless properly maintained.
If you have deep pockets and don't mind the fact you may not be able to sell it on later it could be the car for you.
To get a decent warranty will be ruinously expensive and probably so full of exclusions it not worth bothering with.
That's probably covered all the real/negative side of potential ownership.
Now the positive, just to put my opinion into perspective I owned an SL63 then owned the outrageous CL65 with the V12 twin turbo engine so I can just imagine what the V12 SL would be like. It will be turbine smooth and gather speed once on the move like you are in some kind of cartoon with the scenery flying past in a blur.
Now I know people don't like the look of the later SL63's but they are superior in handling like night is to day literally.
If I had the choice again I'd buy one of the SL63 with the later twin turbo (if you like it's looks) I thrashed one around the MB World circuits for at least 3 hours and couldn't fault it, you would never drive one that quickly on the road and it behaved impeccably in the dry and the wet.
Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 14th August 14:00
Edited by BIRMA on Wednesday 14th August 15:00
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