Mercedes-Benz SL-Class (1989 - 2002) SL500 Silver Arrow 2d Auto (2002/51) Owner Review
Want to know everything there is to know about this car?
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Summary
What does this car say about you?
It suggests expensive tastes and refinement.
What do your friends / family / neighbours think of the car?
Everybody (except me) thinks it's terrific. Until they get stranded in it, that is...
Would you buy this car again and why?
No. Most of my friends and colleagues have had terrible reliability problems with their Mercs and have suffered the same indifference and incompetence at the hands of the dealers. I wouldn't touch another Mercedes. Ever.
What are you likely to buy next?
Bentley.
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Buying experience
Type of dealer you bought from?
Independent
Did you buy this car new?
No
What price did you pay?
£0
When did you buy the car?
July 2003
Did you get a good deal and why?
The price was top book price.
Is there any special reason why you bought this car?
I imagined that it would be reliable and give me at least 10 years enjoyable trouble-free motoring.
What was the dealer like?
Excellent.
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Driving it
What's it like to drive?
It's smooth, fast, handles predictably and is supremely comfortable on a run, but lacks the fiery response of a real sportscar.
What's it like to park?
It's extremely wieldy around town and is easily wedged into the tightest parking spaces.
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Living with it
Have you had any problems with the car?
It has been a nightmare. The Engine Management chip failed after its first 12,000 miles. The car was off the road for 3 months, before Mercedes fitted a second-hand chip - charging me for a new one: they wouldn't countenance a warranty claim because the vehicle was 13 months old. Since then it has been downhill all the way. In 43 years of motoring I have never had a car that spent so long off the road or needed so many repairs. The bodywork is now covered in rust, the aircon doesn't work, the outside temperature gauge tells me the outside temperature is a constant -38 degrees, the hood mechanism only works intermittently,the track rod ends seized and needed replacing two weeks ago ('it's to be expected with an old car like this' said the service manager - it's 5 years old and done 45,000
What's most practical about your car?
It's quite comfortable for two.
Favourite gadget, option or accessory?
This was the top of the range, special edition run-out model, but is spartanly equipped that my son's Omega has more toys and accessories.
