Jump to content

SLR Running Costs


dnm7
 Share

Recommended Posts

So I've decided to trade in a ghost I bought 6 months ago because as awesome as it is, its just a bit too tame for me. I would like to buy an SLR as I've always loved mercedes. Ive had many S class cars, an SL55 a few years back and the SLR has always intrigued me as an investment with significant upside. I found one in my city silver/red for $259k with 6500 miles. I absolutely fell in love with it, but Ive been searching around trying to do my homework on the car and I cant really find anything reliable on servicing costs. Im not pinching pennies or anything but one forum post I found said $35k for brakes? I cant imagine it would need those replaced often if it all being carbon ceramic. I also found $4500 and $8000 service A and B costs? For what exactly, I had an SL55 isnt that basically the same engine? That cost next to nothing in running costs. Im just curious what Im getting into. I had a Ferrari 360 years ago and that had some pricey running costs but Im interested in what an SLR would cost me with normal usage, which for me is probably 2000 miles a year. Another issue of note I found in my googling was spark plugs being ridiculously priced. I understand its a supercar and obviously I dont expect anything to be cheap but Im just curious about the costs really from anyone whose experienced them. I guess owning the SL55 really was headache free and inexpensive....minus depreciation.

 

Also the one Im looking at is a 2005, I found somewhere online that said a service costing $20,000 was due every 4 years? On what? There's no clutch, timing belts. I just dont understand what gets so pricey on these machines and what I should be looking for.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They are horrendous to maintain...

 

I wouldn't touch one and the only one worth having for an "investment" would be the 722.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

They are horrendous to maintain...

 

I wouldn't touch one and the only one worth having for an "investment" would be the 722.

 

I honestly love my ghost, and it was fun for 6 months but it doesnt stir the soul. I really have lost more than I can count the last 7-8 years buying new cars. Ive had so many and they've been alot of fun but depreciation just breaks my soul. I just bought this ghost a 2013 and I dont think I lost much in the past 6 months if I wanted to trade it in. I posted pics in another thread I started, white seems to be a popular color. Anyways this time I want something I can have fun with and see some appreciation. I really contemplated an SLR bc there's only locally I looked at this weekend or a manual 550 maranello a red one 15k miles they want $195k and im not really sure its worth that, maybe it is being manual. Obviously not the performance of the SLR but I feel manual ferrari V12 in red will hold its value very well while I enjoy it for a few years and could appreciate substantially in a decade if I kept it. I lost $100k on my last S class, I lost over $120k on my SL55, it just gets old blowing money on new cars, Im past that stage its completely possible to enjoy a great car without losing an arm and a leg on it.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The dealership requires a special hoist to work on SLRs. Prior to purchase ensure your AD can work on them otherwise scheduled maintenance may require having to transport the car. I was in this situation and it added complexity that didn't need to exist.

 

Maintenance isn't cheap, every touch is expensive. All the services are costly, so are all the parts... windshield, brakes, everything.

 

It's a great car, tons of fun, goes like hell.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The trick is to find someone besides the MB dealer to do the service, i did and saved huge $$$ . The hoist issue is not that difficult to get around. Having said that, service isn't cheap by any standard, especially the B service when the plugs have to come out and MB recommends it gets done every 32000km. It seems the plugs in AMG motors can seize in the block if not changed regularly.

B service is around 15k to 20k at a MB dealership, most of it is labor as engine has to be dropped to access some of the plugs, i got it done for 6k, A service is basically oil change and some filters, cost me 2k last time, 6k at MB dealer.

Besides that,the chocks had to be replaced at 40000km, total disgrace as they were 4k a shock, MB covered 2 of them as i screamed murder.

I have CC brakes on the 722, they are supposed to last 300000km. I tracked the car initially and needed new brakes at 13000km, another disgrace . At the time, MB was charging 16k a rotor and 1.5k a pad, so total brake job would have cost around 75 to 80k, labor and taxes included . MB covered it under warranty and needless to say, i dont track the car anymore.

The same rotors are available through chevy dealership as the ZR1 used the same brakes and they cost less than 2k a rotor. Also, technology has come a long way in the last 10 years and should the rotors need replacement, i would get aftermarket rotors, MOVITT maybe, but they seem fine right now and have a lot of life left in them.

 

It is not very comfortable and has no cup holders, but i do use it as DD in the summer as i love the car, no other MB has the same time of road presence and it goes like stink.

 

Good luck.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The trick is to find someone besides the MB dealer to do the service, i did and saved huge $$$ . The hoist issue is not that difficult to get around. Having said that, service isn't cheap by any standard, especially the B service when the plugs have to come out and MB recommends it gets done every 32000km. It seems the plugs in AMG motors can seize in the block if not changed regularly.

B service is around 15k to 20k at a MB dealership, most of it is labor as engine has to be dropped to access some of the plugs, i got it done for 6k, A service is basically oil change and some filters, cost me 2k last time, 6k at MB dealer.

Besides that,the chocks had to be replaced at 40000km, total disgrace as they were 4k a shock, MB covered 2 of them as i screamed murder.

I have CC brakes on the 722, they are supposed to last 300000km. I tracked the car initially and needed new brakes at 13000km, another disgrace . At the time, MB was charging 16k a rotor and 1.5k a pad, so total brake job would have cost around 75 to 80k, labor and taxes included . MB covered it under warranty and needless to say, i dont track the car anymore.

The same rotors are available through chevy dealership as the ZR1 used the same brakes and they cost less than 2k a rotor. Also, technology has come a long way in the last 10 years and should the rotors need replacement, i would get aftermarket rotors, MOVITT maybe, but they seem fine right now and have a lot of life left in them.

 

It is not very comfortable and has no cup holders, but i do use it as DD in the summer as i love the car, no other MB has the same time of road presence and it goes like stink.

 

Good luck.

 

 

So, all in all, worth the expense?

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

So, all in all, worth the expense?

 

The shocks going bad, the brakes needing replacement were very irritating. The fact that MB rapes their customers on service is also very irritating, they have a higher shop service rate for AMG cars if you believe it, the AMG badge commands another $125 /hr above the regular service rate .

Overall, i would say yes as the car is spectacular in every other way. Fit and finish is above anything made in Italy and after 9 years of ownership, it is still rock solid and very tight, not a single squeak or rattle from anywhere.

I doubt i will sell anytime soon

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The shocks going bad, the brakes needing replacement were very irritating. The fact that MB rapes their customers on service is also very irritating, they have a higher shop service rate for AMG cars if you believe it, the AMG badge commands another $125 /hr above the regular service rate .

Overall, i would say yes as the car is spectacular in every other way. Fit and finish is above anything made in Italy and after 9 years of ownership, it is still rock solid and very tight, not a single squeak or rattle from anywhere.

I doubt i will sell anytime soon

 

Thats just a scam! Glad you found an independent who got you taken care of. If anyone on the east coast needs work done PM me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

The trick is to find someone besides the MB dealer to do the service, i did and saved huge $$$ . The hoist issue is not that difficult to get around. Having said that, service isn't cheap by any standard, especially the B service when the plugs have to come out and MB recommends it gets done every 32000km. It seems the plugs in AMG motors can seize in the block if not changed regularly.

B service is around 15k to 20k at a MB dealership, most of it is labor as engine has to be dropped to access some of the plugs, i got it done for 6k, A service is basically oil change and some filters, cost me 2k last time, 6k at MB dealer.

Besides that,the chocks had to be replaced at 40000km, total disgrace as they were 4k a shock, MB covered 2 of them as i screamed murder.

I have CC brakes on the 722, they are supposed to last 300000km. I tracked the car initially and needed new brakes at 13000km, another disgrace . At the time, MB was charging 16k a rotor and 1.5k a pad, so total brake job would have cost around 75 to 80k, labor and taxes included . MB covered it under warranty and needless to say, i dont track the car anymore.

The same rotors are available through chevy dealership as the ZR1 used the same brakes and they cost less than 2k a rotor. Also, technology has come a long way in the last 10 years and should the rotors need replacement, i would get aftermarket rotors, MOVITT maybe, but they seem fine right now and have a lot of life left in them.

 

It is not very comfortable and has no cup holders, but i do use it as DD in the summer as i love the car, no other MB has the same time of road presence and it goes like stink.

 

Good luck.

 

Are those numbers US or Canadian $.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Loved my SLR. Excellent craftsmanship. Didn't own it long enough though to have maintenance cost put a big dent in my wallet.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Damn, LPDaddy, a 722 is very impressive!

 

I bought a 07 SLR from Montreal last year and got a very good deal on it. Its a car I always wanted but after driving it around for a few weeks it wasn't the right fit for me. Its just sitting collecting dust now... But a 722 is easily one of my favourite Mercedes ever, along with my SL65 Black Series.

 

They are definitely not cheap to maintain.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

I had the pleasure of riding in LPDADDY's 722 SLR. That beast pulls like a freight train! Fit and finish is of top Mercedes quality.

The MB dealership does milk the SLR owners though. I guess if they could, they definitely would...

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Damn, LPDaddy, a 722 is very impressive!

 

I bought a 07 SLR from Montreal last year and got a very good deal on it. Its a car I always wanted but after driving it around for a few weeks it wasn't the right fit for me. Its just sitting collecting dust now... But a 722 is easily one of my favourite Mercedes ever, along with my SL65 Black Series.

 

They are definitely not cheap to maintain.

 

Thank you, it definitely is not comfortable, the seat cushion is very thin thus one gets sore very fast , especially on long trips. And the car is so stiff, you feel every bump

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Thank you, it definitely is not comfortable, the seat cushion is very thin thus one gets sore very fast , especially on long trips. And the car is so stiff, you feel every bump

 

Ya the negative for me was the interior. Im a bigger guy so it was very tight with hard seats and a huge steering wheel that makes for an even tighter fit. The power feel is amazing though and I like the brakes but for getting in and out and driving daily/weekly its too hard for me.

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...