Thinking of buying a 2004 sl but after reading everything about the abc issues I am reconsidering,it just seems like everyone of these cars have problems
how does Mercedes still sell these cars,they should stand behind them
does everyone have issues I know you need to change the fluid every 40000 miles or so but it seems like they still leak and are so expensive,I have owned the 129 series and the only issue was the top cylinders,I hate to buy another one I have owned 4 of the 129 series and wanted to try something different

 

I just bought a 2004 SL. It has ABC problems too. Seriously. I owned a 94 SL500 and loved that car. I had to sell it in 2010 but it was well built and ran like a charm.

I picked up the 2004 for a song and now I know why. While the engine, steering and body design are great, the interior and hydraulic system sucks. The hard top has at least 10 hydraulic lifts of its own and a dedicated pump. The ABC system seems to have its own pump and valves too. And, the interior is made almost exclusively of ABS plastic that loses its plasticity over about 15 years and becomes so brittle it crushes in your hand. I pulled the emergency brake handle with light switch completely out of the dash. A mechanic shattered the mirror housing while trying to replace the reading lights. The instrument cluster cover doesn't click into place because the plastic tooth broke off.

So, if you're into fixing cars, this could eventually be a classic. But be prepared to spend 3X on repairs what you spent on the car - unless you own your own metal fab shop.