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My Mercedes 2003 SL500 developed banging noise in my gas tank, in January 2010, having less than 20, 000, prompting me to call the dealer. I was told that the baffle broke off and that cannot be fixed, advising to replace the tank for $2, 500. I argued that it was an obviously manufacturing default considering the low mails and requested a free thank replacement, but I was refused on the grounds of expired warranty.
I couldn’t believe what I heard, did some research and discovered that early models in 2003 and 2004, had similar thank problems and were replaced with better design later but I was not informed about it. Further more I found out that many other owners from that time had the same problem as I did. I waited for a while to see if Mercedes corporation will recall the early models, kept the gas tank full to avoid the annoying noise (the broken baffle cannot float and bang when the tank is full) and when convinced that Mercedes will not do anything for the victims I decided to file this complaint.
It is a shame that a manufacturer wouldn’t want to correct own mistakes, considering a $100, 000 price tag. What happened to that German quality and ethics? They certainly lost this customer for good.
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I couldn't agree more. My 2004 SL 500 has the same issue. One day I'm driving along and hear this noise like a golf ball bouncing around in the trunk. Come to find out it is the broken baffle. I strongly believe this is a manufacturer's issue and should be fixed at no charge to the owners. I have 3 Mercedes, an ML320, an S500 and my SL. ALL ARE LEMONS! There is no quality in this brand anymore. I'm not sure what happened but I certainly hope their brand equity takes as steep of a noise dive as their quality has taken. I can't wait to fix the issues I have to fix (the SL has a repair estimate of $13, 000 right now and that DOES NOT include the gas tank), and sell these horrid pieces of garbage. I will NEVER own a Mercedes again. If someone gave one to me I would not accept it as the maintenance cost would kill me.
I agree...Mercedes high quality is false advertising. I own a 2003 SL 500 great looking car and fun to drive but little things seem to break a lot. The noise coming from the broken baffle in the gas tank is unbearable and Mercedes will do nothing about it not even help with the repair cost ($3000.00). Mercedes is no more a quality automobile. You can buy a much better car for a lot less and you will never hear a banging noise from the gas tank.
There's a guy in London on eBay UK that can sort this out for a fraction of MB prices. He done mine in couple of hours and gives a good warranty. Check him out.
I have owned 3 SL 500's I now have a 2003 SL 500 with 59, 000 miles on it, The baffel in the gas tank has broken loose and the car is not a pleasure to drive, Mercedes will not cover it and it cost more than I want to put that much in the car, I can not sell the car like it is. I will fix the tank and NEVER own another Mercedes again. I would advise any one thinking of buying a Mercedes they are not the quality you think you are getting, the repair bills wil eat you alive.
I have had big problems with every one of the 3 SL's I have owned. I'm FINISHED WITH MERCEDES..
H.G.
I agree. I have the same problem with my 2003 SL 500 with 38, 000 miles. I owned four Mercedes cats since the late 90's and found them to be unreliable cars with unreasonable ownership costs.
Yep! Same here! My 2004 SL500 fuel tank makes the same baffle noise & I tell everyone around me... A lot of them own Mercedes, however, several have already changed to a Lincoln... I'm
doing the same thing next year... Mercedes will eventually, suffer if, we continue to spread the word about all their ML's, SL's etc. All, the same poor quality!