Mercedes S500?? Thoughts?

Wanderer

Wanderer

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5,791
What does the hive mind think about the build quality of the QP5 et al from same era? I find it exemplary apart the usual Italian bits - mine has no stickers under the bonnet for paint codes etc, and no - it's not been in an accident.

Better then the Alfa 166 I had before and also the Cadillac CTS (plasticky) I had in between. Much better. Can't fault.
 
Guy

Guy

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2,102
Wanderer said:
What does the hive mind think about the build quality of the QP5 et al from same era? I find it exemplary apart the usual Italian bits - mine has no stickers under the bonnet for paint codes etc, and no - it's not been in an accident.

Better then the Alfa 166 I had before and also the Cadillac CTS (plasticky) I had in between. Much better. Can't fault.
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I had my QPV for 3 years and it was dependable and little broke (mirror motor and a parking sensor). I would say well built, as a modern German is today but nothing like a Merc from the 90s (W124/W126/W140/R129) or an air cooled 911 such as the 993. The weakness in build quality was the paint, very soft and easy to scratch. The need for expensive suspension components at around 40/50k is something I would not expect on a German. The trade off for the sheer beauty, the way it drove and the feel good factor (especially the sound) far outweighed the downsides!
 
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mgtsroar

Junior Member
Messages
69
I definitely had lots of visits to the MD when I had my sl500 .... but .... still loved the drive and the car! Sold it as needed more seats and always loved the maserati granturismo after seeing a neighbours one!! Get the taxi/airport transfer thing hence why I am looking for one not in silver or black, and also not a basic spec diesel with minimal options ticked. Reviews of the w221 point to better build quality and also an excellent drive in the s500 z plus practicality as will swallow up two child seats and also pram and shopping for the wife in the boot. A second masersti qp although would love to can't justify the cost at this point for a short journey run around........ thanks for all the advice and tips!!
 
Lavazza

Lavazza

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1,060
mgtsroar said:
I definitely had lots of visits to the MD when I had my sl500 .... but .... still loved the drive and the car! Sold it as needed more seats and always loved the maserati granturismo after seeing a neighbours one!! Get the taxi/airport transfer thing hence why I am looking for one not in silver or black, and also not a basic spec diesel with minimal options ticked. Reviews of the w221 point to better build quality and also an excellent drive in the s500 z plus practicality as will swallow up two child seats and also pram and shopping for the wife in the boot. A second masersti qp although would love to can't justify the cost at this point for a short journey run around........ thanks for all the advice and tips!!
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If you're UK based, I watch MTSV, Charles Ironside and Edward Hall.
 
Andyk

Andyk

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61,125
Davidt99 said:
The R129 is one of the best SLs, especially with the m119 5.0l V8. I have the last of the beautiful SLs, an R230 with the m113 5.0l V8.
View attachment 69878
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Just love these......Didn't they have a few issues. A friend had a smaller engine one and had no end of issues especially with the roof. Tell me that was a one off and I would love one.....
 
Swedish Paul

Swedish Paul

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1,809
Andyk said:
Just love these......Didn't they have a few issues. A friend had a smaller engine one and had no end of issues especially with the roof. Tell me that was a one off and I would love one.....
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I read somewhere that the roof issues were fixed post 2005.
 
Oneball

Oneball

Member
Messages
11,106
Andyk said:
Just love these......Didn't they have a few issues. A friend had a smaller engine one and had no end of issues especially with the roof. Tell me that was a one off and I would love one.....
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The seal at the base of the roof was a bad design. It was changed on the later cars but can be easily retro-fitted. Almost all the electrical issues were due to the seal letting in water which smoked the body ecu behind the seats.
 
Davidt99

Davidt99

Member
Messages
184
Andyk said:
Just love these......Didn't they have a few issues. A friend had a smaller engine one and had no end of issues especially with the roof. Tell me that was a one off and I would love one.....
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The engines and gearboxes are rock solid in the SL500 and SL55 versions, the SL350 has some engine issues with the balance shafts.

The main issue with the R230 SLs are water leaks which can cause electrical issues in the boot and the passenger footwell (both easily avoidable), the roof mechanism can cause issues with the micro switches but IME this is not common, and there used to be reports of huge Bill's for suspension faults but whilst the suspension (Active Body Control) can breakdown it's no longer a beyond economical repair issue. The best advice I can give if you are looking to buy an SL is check everything and dont be tempted by a cheap car.
 
D

DavidL

Member
Messages
214
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mgtsroar

Junior Member
Messages
69
Davidt99 said:
The R129 is one of the best SLs, especially with the m119 5.0l V8. I have the last of the beautiful SLs, an R230 with the m113 5.0l V8.
View attachment 69878
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I had 2003 SL500 in obsidian black with the same AMG kit and F1 pace car split rim wheels. It was a lovely car still miss it, the engine or gear box never failed, I had to replace 2 expensive struts on the ABC system and replace the air pump in the boot as the rear seal leaked water and so replaced the seal. The car is still going strong , my brother took it off me. Still miss it when I see him drive off in it!
 
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mgtsroar

Junior Member
Messages
69
DavidL said:
I keep looking at this
View attachment 69916
I'm sure it was a few K cheaper last month so close to 20 might buy it. Not many in this colour. Or any colour for that matter.
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Lovely car and colour!! Definitely a future classic I think!
 
Davidt99

Davidt99

Member
Messages
184
DavidL said:
I keep looking at this
View attachment 69916
I'm sure it was a few K cheaper last month so close to 20 might buy it. Not many in this colour. Or any colour for that matter.
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Love the colour, not many around like that. Price looks spot on too.
 
Andyk

Andyk

Member
Messages
61,125
Davidt99 said:
The engines and gearboxes are rock solid in the SL500 and SL55 versions, the SL350 has some engine issues with the balance shafts.

The main issue with the R230 SLs are water leaks which can cause electrical issues in the boot and the passenger footwell (both easily avoidable), the roof mechanism can cause issues with the micro switches but IME this is not common, and there used to be reports of huge Bill's for suspension faults but whilst the suspension (Active Body Control) can breakdown it's no longer a beyond economical repair issue. The best advice I can give if you are looking to buy an SL is check everything and dont be tempted by a cheap car.
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Good information ...thanks. Yes my friend had a 350 which makes sense reading the above.
 
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