BlackUltra

From what I have read about AMG - it appears that the major difference between it and non-AMG's is its engines in the 500 to 600 HP range. They have been referred to as "The absolute epitome of a German V8 hot rod engine". So I would say that if you love hot rod engines AMG is the way to go. As for me the regular 382hp engine in my SL550 is plenty for me. I got almost 24mpg on a 200 mile trip yesterday averaging 75mph whereas the AMG engines must slurp gas at much greater rate.

Oh yeah, the "check engine" light has remained off even after a gas fill up. The loose gas cap triggering a reduction of pressure in the gas tank which generates the check engine light also happens to my neighbors Maxima so it must be a universal problem. While having the SL serviced I got the impression that due to all the sensors in the SL a "check engine" light is not unusual and some owners simply ignore them for months.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

I don't think there is any less sensors in my LS430 and SC430 then a MB SL, my check engine light never comes on in my cars

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

I must admit MB is very attractive to me due to their very low residual value, 05'~06' SL65 is on the market today for mid $50k.....who doesn't want to drive a $190k MSRP 600+ hp V12 Twin Turbos roadster? And that SLS is so tasty!!

But I absolutely hate hassles, I hate going to the dealer, I hate dealing with A-hole service guys at the dealer, so no V12 for me I have to settle for my lowly V8 Lexus that is hassle free

BlackUltra

Impressions from first 200 mile trip on differences between LS430 and SL550.

First I miss the roominess of the LS430UL's driver leg room and the much softer seat. Also the Air Suspension of the LS was so much better smoothing out the imperfections in the roadway. So my initial reaction is that for long freeway trips the LS is the way to go. However, once off the freeway the instant responsiveness and pure handling capability like on a winding country road is rather invigorating to say the least. When I advised my wife that she will have to do most of the highway driving from now on she said she could only do up to 2 hours. If we start taking long freeway trips she said we may have to sell the SL, Ha, Ha. Needless to say we may be taking our next trip on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Sigh.....why can't this world produce a car that is fabulous like a AMG, Bentley and Aston Martin and be reliable like a Lexus?

I am sick of driving a boring Lexus but can't get myself to switch to a problematic car

Sorry for my Sunday morning rant.

sojah

iTrader: (1)

I second that want for the perfect blend of reliability and performance. I guess in a new version a performance car with a warranty is fine but u would still be subject to the hassle of taking it in and possible breakdown or whatever, or the boring but reliable alternative.

Any one got a good recomendation for a car that is the best of both worlds??

BlackUltra

The Acura NSX was THAT car but the price tag was pretty high and it went through tires like every 10,000 miles. But as a sophisticated performance sports car that you just changed the oil in it was super. Stopped making them a while ago but rumored it may be coming back.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Yeah the NSX was nice, I was REALLY into it for a few years, I got a few friends that owns one so I hung out with a bunch of those owners. I "almost" bought one myself but it is just never fast enough when I was into speed. It is reliable and long lasting though, I talked to a guy that had 240k miles on his, original engine and tranny, it is durable like an Accord.

But at the end, it is still a Japanese car, it doesn't have the imagine and flair of a highend European car.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Yeah even if there is a warranty, I hate to see things malfunction at the moment that I want to use it, then I have to take it in and argue with the service guy that there indeed is a problem, then when they admit there is a problem, have to argue with them that it should be under warranty and it is not wear and tear, it shouldn't be that way. Or the worse yet, stranded on the side of the road in the middle of no where. Just nothing but headaches and hassle. So as boring as a Japanese car is, it is still my preference.

Not really, it would have to be a Japanese car with a European body and badge, a few example are the Lotus Elise and Evora, which is Lotus chassis/body with Toyota drivetrain. Or the Aston Martin Cygnet, which is a Toyota IQ with an Aston Martin body and interior.

The perfect car would be if Bentley or Rolls Royces redo the interior and exterior of a Lexus LS and rebadge it. Just like the Cygnet. I wish!

KILLERGS4

SL550 is GREAT MACHINE! Gotta love that 380HP! My MB has been rock solid, so don't be fooled think MB is crap. Good luck w/ your new ride!

BlackUltra

Well appreciate the vote of confidence on the SL550 but after taking ownership on a CPO'd automobile last Monday I have now had a "check engine" light and this morning an almost dead battery. Drove the car 200 miles on Saturday and on the way home went through a violent rainstorm, using the wipers for the first time. Did not drive it at all Sunday and this morning got a warning in RED that said Alternator/Battery failure Stop Car. Unfortunately I had to take someone to the Dentist and was unable to stop car. After about 5 mins of driving the RED error msg was replaced by another in WHITE that said some features would not be working temporarily. Later even that went off.

Called my Benz sales guy and he apologized all over the place. Made an appointment with Service Department tomorrow morning and asked in the meantime if I should put a trickle charger on the battery overnight. He said that would be a great idea. When they CPO'd the car they replaced the engine battery and did not replace the Accessory battery. Hope I do not have an electrical problem.

Being a novice MB owner I can only assume that the battery, while not completely dead, was unable to power the safety devices in the car like air bags and roll bar so I got the "stop car" msg.

DDLexus

My in-laws Buick Century check engine light comes on due to the supposed "gas cap" every couple months.

You'd think they'd replace the sensor or something once it happens... instead, they keep replacing the gas cap at the dealer. Said the seals go bad.

BNR34

iTrader: (1)

Because the gas cap is way cheaper!

That's why I feel the warranty don't mean much sometime, all they do is give you BS run around until either they don't have to do anything or your warranty expired.

Jabberwock

I just went and checked reliability charts on SLs on consumer reports - not good - yikes. You sure it said "Stop Car"? --maybe it was trying to tell you to "Sell Car"?.

BlackUltra

The way things are going with this SL550 I may be trading right before before the 1.5 years of warranty is up. I hope that the battery issue is something that is turned on and shouldn't be on like an interior light that I can't see. Otherwise this is getting ridiculous.