Mercedes SL500 running costs

[[TW]Fox]

Hi guys,

Anyone in this section run a 2002-2008 SL500?

Trying to find out what sort of running costs these carry - I know 'lots' is probably the answer, but I'd love to quantify that.

Servicing/Discs/Pads/etc is the main area of concern. Are they reliable? Will third party warranty companies touch them? Whats the real world fuel consumption like?

Thanks!

[5 wh]

I can only report on fuel consumption because Ive not had to do anything servicewise to my 2004 car yet.Over the 500 or so miles I have driven I have averaged 21.9mpg.

[[TW]Fox]

What sort of driving is that?

[5 wh]

Mixed-round town,motorway,country lanes etc.I dont hang around so Im sure it would be quite easy to better these figures.

[TonyF]

The best I got was 27 mpg on a round trip to normandy france, really good car for touring in and very comfy. In the real world I would say an average of 20 mpg is where its at.
Have got an SL55 AMG now......... what a car.

[davidn]

I've been running one as my only car now since October 07. Had an A service via an indy at around £300 inc. air con regas and wiper blades. Broke the inner door handle - £175 for the linkage and labour and most recently had a leak in the air con high pressure valve fixed for around £400, most of which was labour. So with those as examples I'd say pretty reasonable considering the complexity of the car.
As for MPG most of my driving is around town and it averages 17mpg. On a longish run A roads and M ways up to 22 to 25 but generally I get 300 miles out of a tank at just under £80 to fill up.
All in all very pleased with it and cheaper than I expected to maintain (so far).
David