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Certified Servicing – Should I take my classic SL to a Mercedes-Benz main dealer?

In the world of classic Mercedes-Benz, much credence is still given to the term ‘full Mercedes-Benz service history’, but what relevance does a main dealer stamp have today…? When a car is three decades old, who is best equipped to ensure proper servicing and maintenance in a way that enhances the value?

If ‘main dealer’ servicing is so desirable in newer cars, at what point does the main dealer become more of a hindrance than a help to your classic?

The Mercedes-Benz R107 SL was launched in 1971, available in showrooms until 1989. At the point the R129 SL replaced the R107, Mercedes-Benz Dealer Workshops would have still been seeing a large number of 107 SLs in the service and sales departments.

As time moved on, the technology and equipment fitted to the newest cars in the showroom developed. New tools were needed in the workshops, digital diagnostics and the revelation of in car electronics got fully underway.

By the time the very newest R107 SL was 10 years old, the automotive landscape had changed. Where the R107 represented a significant improvement over the W113, the R129 would be a seismic shift, bringing with it not just a new era for Mercedes-Benz, but for cars in general. The 1990s signalled a new age of car technology, and this rapid increase in on board electronics brought with it a new type of garage equipment. As the pace of the digital revolution increased, the demand for knowledge on tappets, points, distributor caps, rotor arms and good old fashioned mechanics began to wane.

In the modern world, where main dealers are more familiar with diagnosing electrical faults with instant, plug in code readers, who are the best people to service your classic SL?

At SLSHOP, we have always followed the traditional approach that these classic Mercedes-Benz cars require. We know which components require the delicate touch of a surgeon or the mighty swing of a hammer. Our technicians are trained to care for these cars in a more complex and advanced way that a Mercedes-Benz dealer ever would have, combining the original workshop knowledge with the experience gained from a decade of SLs and more than 3,000 different vehicles.

In our showroom, we still cherish and value the one-owner car with a full dealer service history… but piece of mind and confidence comes with the most recent stamp inked into the book reads SLSHOP. 

Bring your classic Mercedes-Benz SL to the world’s leading SL destination – it will feel more at home alongside the ‘dinosaurs’ in our workshops than with it’s modern distant ancestors of the digital world.

In the world of classic Mercedes-Benz, much credence is still given to the term ‘full Mercedes-Benz service history’, but what relevance does a main dealer stamp have today…? When a car is three decades old, who is best equipped to ensure proper servicing and maintenance in a way that enhances the value?

If ‘main dealer’ servicing is so desirable in newer cars, at what point does the main dealer become more of a hindrance than a help to your classic?

The Mercedes-Benz R107 SL was launched in 1971, available in showrooms until 1989. At the point the R129 SL replaced the R107, Mercedes-Benz Dealer Workshops would have still been seeing a large number of 107 SLs in the service and sales departments.

As time moved on, the technology and equipment fitted to the newest cars in the showroom developed. New tools were needed in the workshops, digital diagnostics and the revelation of in car electronics got fully underway.

By the time the very newest R107 SL was 10 years old, the automotive landscape had changed. Where the R107 represented a significant improvement over the W113, the R129 would be a seismic shift, bringing with it not just a new era for Mercedes-Benz, but for cars in general. The 1990s signalled a new age of car technology, and this rapid increase in on board electronics brought with it a new type of garage equipment. As the pace of the digital revolution increased, the demand for knowledge on tappets, points, distributor caps, rotor arms and good old fashioned mechanics began to wane.

In the modern world, where main dealers are more familiar with diagnosing electrical faults with instant, plug in code readers, who are the best people to service your classic SL?

At SLSHOP, we have always followed the traditional approach that these classic Mercedes-Benz cars require. We know which components require the delicate touch of a surgeon or the mighty swing of a hammer. Our technicians are trained to care for these cars in a more complex and advanced way that a Mercedes-Benz dealer ever would have, combining the original workshop knowledge with the experience gained from a decade of SLs and more than 3,000 different vehicles.

In our showroom, we still cherish and value the one-owner car with a full dealer service history… but piece of mind and confidence comes with the most recent stamp inked into the book reads SLSHOP. 

Bring your classic Mercedes-Benz SL to the world’s leading SL destination – it will feel more at home alongside the ‘dinosaurs’ in our workshops than with it’s modern distant ancestors of the digital world.

More from ClubHouse

  • What is CARE, how does it work, and how can I best utilise my account?

    What is CARE, how does it work, and how can I best utilise my account?

    February 22nd, 2021
  • SLSHOP Care – Roof Check and Adjust (usually £106)

    SLSHOP Care – Roof Check and Adjust (usually £106)

    February 22nd, 2021
  • SLSHOP Care – 8% off Service Parts from SLSHOP

    SLSHOP Care – 8% off Service Parts from SLSHOP

    February 22nd, 2021
  • SLSHOP Care – Members Health Check (usually £213)

    SLSHOP Care – Members Health Check (usually £213)

    February 22nd, 2021
  • SLSHOP Care – Exclusive access to SLSHOP trips and tours

    SLSHOP Care – Exclusive access to SLSHOP trips and tours

    February 22nd, 2021
  • SLSHOP Care – Valuation Certificate & Owners Consultation (usually £178)

    SLSHOP Care – Valuation Certificate & Owners Consultation (usually £178)

    February 22nd, 2021
  • The history of SLSHOP

    The history of SLSHOP

    February 22nd, 2021
  • SLSHOP Care – 15% off SLSHOP insurance services

    SLSHOP Care – 15% off SLSHOP insurance services

    February 22nd, 2021
  • SLSHOP Care – Access to the exclusive Community Hub

    SLSHOP Care – Access to the exclusive Community Hub

    February 22nd, 2021
  • Meet Bruce, SLSHOP Director, SL connoisseur and the font of all SL knowledge

    Meet Bruce, SLSHOP Director, SL connoisseur and the font of all SL knowledge

    February 22nd, 2021
  • Certified Servicing – The importance of using the right people

    Certified Servicing – The importance of using the right people

    February 22nd, 2021
  • A look back at SLSHOP past events

    A look back at SLSHOP past events

    February 22nd, 2021
  • Care – Case Studies and Examples

    Care – Case Studies and Examples

    February 22nd, 2021

CARE membership plans

 Join Our Family

Improve your SL

Increase the value it brings you

For every SL owner we have met, the key aspect in ownership and running these amazing motorcars is ensuring that this prized possession remains a joy to use whenever, wherever and however; protecting and increasing its value over time.

As the World’s largest specialist in classic SL’s we have drawn upon our experience with our customers, with hundreds of cars and thousands of hours behind the wheel and under the ramp to develop CARE; a way of engaging a community of owners and protecting the value of their investments as well as enhancing their cars condition, reliability and desirability.

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CLASSIC

Would you like to be a little more involved with your car and the marketplace? It’s easy to be a member and join our community. CLASSIC gives you access to an extensive range of benefits without the commitment of a service plan.

COMPLETE

The importance of a correctly maintained classic cannot be understated when it comes to the eventual sale of your asset. COMPLETE membership adds a Service & Maintenance programme specifically designed around your usage.

CONCIERGE

Time poor? You’ll like the idea of CONCIERGE. We will collect and deliver your SL, or provide a premium experience at point of service that includes an overnight stay on us as well as access to our market expertise.

Be the First to Know

We don’t mind whether you are in the market for one of our awesome cars or just interested in seeing whats new and whats going on in the market. Pop your details in here to receive updates on all thats “hot” in the showroom.

Contact

What are you waiting for? Drop us a line and let us know which car you would like to hire and when you would like it. We’ll guide you through everything from there on in.

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      SLSHOP

      Unit 1a, 2, 3, & 4b Drayton Manor Drive
      Stratford Upon Avon, Warwickshire
      CV37 9RQ

      Hours:
      Mon-Fri 9:00am – 5:00pm
      Saturday by appointment only
      Closed Sunday

       

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