SL500 ownership - year 1
Discussion
Well its been a year since we bought our SL500 (2003) and in the 20,000 miles we have covered I have to say it generally been a pleasure.
We have had 2 services and a bit of Warranty work . . .
Last week - I noticed (as I drove away from our Merc Garage) a banging sound - I stopped and tried to find out what it was and then carried on down the road - the banging just continued and I quickly located it to the FUEL TANK!!!!
Anyway - went back to the Garage who immediately said that there have been some issues with something coming loose in the fuel tank - my warranty runs out this week luckily - and that Merc would obvioulsy cover it under warranty - anyway - all the work has been done - no worries - thanks Merc WSM - they are great.
So the only other issue I have with the car - ever since we picked it up - is that when you get up to motorway speeds the whole car starts to vibrate - we have balanced all the wheels several times - had new tyres put on - changed the wheels - but it makes no difference!!!
VERY annoying - livable - but annoying and we are still no clearer as to the cause - any suggestions would be welcome.
Now we come to decision time to renew the Merc Warranty or take a risk???
At £1400 its not cheap - but if one suspension leg fails thats £1500 at least - the fuel tank must have been about £2500 all in to change etc etc so I will probably go for it - 3 more days to save up and decide.
I have had other Warranty Quotes - but I am certain that their cover (whatever they say) will not be as comprehensive and they will try and wiggle out as best they can.
Comments/suggestions on the vibration - much appreciated - Khushy
We have had 2 services and a bit of Warranty work . . .
Last week - I noticed (as I drove away from our Merc Garage) a banging sound - I stopped and tried to find out what it was and then carried on down the road - the banging just continued and I quickly located it to the FUEL TANK!!!!
Anyway - went back to the Garage who immediately said that there have been some issues with something coming loose in the fuel tank - my warranty runs out this week luckily - and that Merc would obvioulsy cover it under warranty - anyway - all the work has been done - no worries - thanks Merc WSM - they are great.
So the only other issue I have with the car - ever since we picked it up - is that when you get up to motorway speeds the whole car starts to vibrate - we have balanced all the wheels several times - had new tyres put on - changed the wheels - but it makes no difference!!!
VERY annoying - livable - but annoying and we are still no clearer as to the cause - any suggestions would be welcome.
Now we come to decision time to renew the Merc Warranty or take a risk???
At £1400 its not cheap - but if one suspension leg fails thats £1500 at least - the fuel tank must have been about £2500 all in to change etc etc so I will probably go for it - 3 more days to save up and decide.
I have had other Warranty Quotes - but I am certain that their cover (whatever they say) will not be as comprehensive and they will try and wiggle out as best they can.
Comments/suggestions on the vibration - much appreciated - Khushy
Edited by khushy on Monday 2nd June 09:39
Vibration is NOTHING to do with Wheels or tyres - I have had new tyres and new wheels!!!!G
The vibration is constant at m'way speeds - not on acceleration or braking.
As for the warranty/service package - I dont think its available for cars after a certain year or model - when I enquired about this they said no!
khushy
The vibration is constant at m'way speeds - not on acceleration or braking.
As for the warranty/service package - I dont think its available for cars after a certain year or model - when I enquired about this they said no!
khushy
Edited by khushy on Monday 2nd June 11:30
it has done this ever since I have had the car (12 months) the dealer that I use had an SL on the forecourt - they took that out for a test drive as a comparison and . . . .
it did exactly the same!!!!
Anyway - I have already spoken to them and they will have a good look at the prop and the mountings - the vibration seems to come from th rear of the car!!!
Please keep suggestions coming in - most useful - thanks.
khushy
it did exactly the same!!!!
Anyway - I have already spoken to them and they will have a good look at the prop and the mountings - the vibration seems to come from th rear of the car!!!
Please keep suggestions coming in - most useful - thanks.
khushy
the wheels are perfect - as I have said already - I have checked them myself!
My Merc dealership have ordered a new prop and are going to have a good look at the bearings and the mounts and I will get them to also look at the donuts (although I am sure they have seen plenty before) - thanks again for all the comments and suggestions so far.
PLEASE GIVE UP ON THE "ARE YOU SURE THE WHEELS ARE ROUND" STUFF!!!
LOL
khushy
My Merc dealership have ordered a new prop and are going to have a good look at the bearings and the mounts and I will get them to also look at the donuts (although I am sure they have seen plenty before) - thanks again for all the comments and suggestions so far.
PLEASE GIVE UP ON THE "ARE YOU SURE THE WHEELS ARE ROUND" STUFF!!!
LOL
khushy
mickyveloce said:
Had the symptoms you described been in relation to a C class or E class ( older model) then I`d have said that the steering damper had worn out .
Mercs fitted with the traditional steering box (as opposed to rack and pinion) are equipped with a steering damper (which costs about 30-40 pounds from Merc ) . It`s a very simple operation to replace them and the major symptom of their failing is the vibration at 70mph .
As I`m not an expert on the SL500 you have then this could have been a complete red herring (!)
MickyVeloce
The only things is that my vibration comes from the rear of the car - not the front!Mercs fitted with the traditional steering box (as opposed to rack and pinion) are equipped with a steering damper (which costs about 30-40 pounds from Merc ) . It`s a very simple operation to replace them and the major symptom of their failing is the vibration at 70mph .
As I`m not an expert on the SL500 you have then this could have been a complete red herring (!)
MickyVeloce
khushy
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