My Mercedes SL Story

Green1995SVX · #1 09-24-2009, 06:47 PM

This post is for those that complain about the reliability and parts prices of the SVX.

Some of you may know that I recently purchased a Mercedes SL500. I have now had it for just about 2 weeks.

Last weekend we decided to go for a drive in it to Pittsburgh. (About 90 miles away.) The drive there went excellent. Me going on and on about how wonderful the car is and how great it drives. It really does drive like nothing else i've had.

So we are in Pittsburgh doing some shopping. We come out to the car and I go to start it. The belt is squealing very badly. I do a little checking and the belt looks quite old. I decide to be a hero. There is an auto parts store within walking distance. I get a new belt. In order to gain access to the front of the engine, you kind of have to push the upper radiator hose out of the way. I push it back a little. *SNAP* The neck breaks off of the radiator.

Great. I call the auto club and have the car towed home.

A few days later I decide to tear into the problem. It needs a new belt tensioner to begin with. I order that. $150. Not too bad. Then when it came, I realized that I needed a new tensioner adjustment bolt. That's a dealer only part and is $55. Yes, $55 for a bolt. So I get that stuff taken care of and installed. Now to the radiator. $1400. I don't think so. I stuck the neck back on with epoxy. I know. I'm asking for it.

So, then. Everything is back together now. My belt isnt slipping. My ugly radiator patch is holding.

Now I notice I have fuel POURING out of the fuel distributor on the back of the engine. And it's leaking nicely right onto the hot exhaust. After calling Geico and adding more coverage, I decide to check the price of the fuel distributor. $4000! I believe I'm lucky and it's leaking from a plastic valve on the side of the distributor which is only $250. I ordered it and we'll see.

It sure does look pretty, though.

benebob · #2 09-24-2009, 06:55 PM

Its no TVR

. What happened to the Snab? Get a case of the Wally with it?

I would hope you learn your lesson with it and understand that if you cook that engine due to a coolant issue you'll be wishing for that $4000 fuel distributor!

Your right though it does look pretty for a Mercedes that is.

SoCal LS-L · #3 09-24-2009, 07:03 PM

Thats a beautiful car! Sucks about the problems though, sounds like my first car I bought in HS. Hopefully it doesn't turn into Tom Hanks house from "The Money Pit".

Green1995SVX · #4 09-24-2009, 07:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by benebob

Its no TVR

. What happened to the Snab? Get a case of the Wally with it?

I sold the Saab. It wasn't for me. I actually bought the Mercedes with the intention of reselling it. I have fallen in love with it though.

Mike

SilverSpear · #5 09-24-2009, 07:43 PM

Man you should really put your Ebay goggles when tracking PARTS for this car.

(Don't ask me why I am still awake, it's 4.44am here and I am having sleeping disorders)

Green1995SVX · #6 09-24-2009, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

Man you should really put your Ebay goggles when tracking PARTS for this car.

(Don't ask me why I am still awake, it's 4.44am here and I am having sleeping disorders)

It's used and from a car with more miles than mine. I found that one, too.

I don't think I need the whole distributor anyway.

TomsSVX · #7 09-24-2009, 07:48 PM

you bought an sl500 and used epoxy on the radiator? Really? You did that?

Tom

benebob · #8 09-25-2009, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

I have fallen in love with it though.

Mike

Really, you're the last guy I expected to get married and give all his money to his wife

.

SilverSpear · #9 09-25-2009, 09:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Green1995SVX

Cannot help but notice, is the SL your favorite now? This is why you are leaving that Pearlie that everybody keeps drooling on, on the side of the road and the SL in the pavement?

Do not get me wrong, I love the SL and one day I dream of owning even a Pagoda... but come on man... don't leave it there...

Green1995SVX · #10 09-25-2009, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SilverSpear

Cannot help but notice, is the SL your favorite now? This is why you are leaving that Pearlie that everybody keeps drooling on, on the side of the road and the SL in the pavement?

Do not get me wrong, I love the SL and one day I dream of owning even a Pagoda... but come on man... don't leave it there...

The SVX always takes priority. I was just rearranging cars at the time and parked the svx on the street for a few minutes.

Mike

subbieatnz · #11 09-25-2009, 03:44 PM

The expoxi may hold for the life of the car lol.

A guy in my dads car club arealdited his inlet manifold on his car about 20 years ago, and has not had to touch it since. Hasnt leaked.
Dad did same thing on his car. Lasted about 7-8years till he found a suitable replacement inlet manifold.

Landshark · #12 09-25-2009, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subbieatnz

The expoxi may hold for the life of the car lol.

A guy in my dads car club arealdited his inlet manifold on his car about 20 years ago, and has not had to touch it since. Hasnt leaked.
Dad did same thing on his car. Lasted about 7-8years till he found a suitable replacement inlet manifold.

it might. my 928 dumped coolant all over the road. repair bill was $80 for epoxied fix ..... from the PORSCHE DEALER!
only problem i ever had with the car and it ran fine for another 5 years until i sold it.

SilverSpear · #13 09-25-2009, 05:05 PM

Once the plastic of a radiator cracks from a certain place, this means that either you need to change the tabs or change the Rad. You can epoxy-it, no problem, but how long you think it will hold? I am not talking about the epoxy for sure, I am talking about the "dried" plastic. And I would prefer to pay $500 bux on a new rad or $200 bux on new tabs than gamble with overheating and burned gaskets.