A YouTuber’s attempt to prove that luxury performance cars can be bought for surprisingly little money quickly unraveled after a bargain-priced Mercedes-Benz SL600 suffered a major suspension failure just minutes after arriving home.
The creator, named Samcrac, who purchased the twin-turbo V12 grand tourer for $4,100 (around £3,000), described the car as “easily the most amount of car you can get for the least amount of money”.
Despite its age, the SL600 still featured high-end equipment, including heated and ventilated seats, a folding hardtop roof, and a powerful 12-cylinder engine.
Although the auction listing provided little information about the car’s condition, the Mercedes initially exceeded expectations by starting immediately and driving away without issue, giving hope that it might become an affordable daily driver.
Suspension Failure Exposes Common Mercedes Weakness
The optimism was short-lived.
After refueling the vehicle, Samcrac experienced a brief electrical issue that caused the engine to stall before it restarted without further problems. However, moments after arriving home, a hydraulic suspension line burst while the engine was still running, covering the ground in hydraulic fluid and causing the car’s sophisticated Active Body Control (ABC) suspension to collapse.
According to the YouTuber, the failure is one of the most common and expensive issues affecting older V12 Mercedes models fitted with the hydraulic suspension system. Once the pressure is lost, the vehicle drops so low that even a low-profile jack struggles to fit under it, making repairs more complicated.
Inspection underneath the SL600 revealed a ruptured hydraulic line near the suspension accumulator, while additional oil leaks suggested the car could require even more extensive mechanical work.
Why Cheap V12 Mercedes Models Can Become Expensive
While the Mercedes’ twin-turbo V12 engine is considered relatively durable by enthusiasts, the creator argued that the surrounding systems often become the real financial burden.
He explained that the ABC suspension operates at pressures of around 2,000 psi, with accumulators designed to absorb hydraulic pressure throughout the system. As these components age, deteriorating internal rubber can contaminate the hydraulic lines, increasing pressure and eventually causing hoses to fail.
Although replacing a single damaged hose may appear straightforward, he said, underlying contamination can lead to repeated failures unless the entire system is properly repaired.
Because of this, many owners choose to replace the hydraulic suspension altogether with conventional coilovers, sacrificing ride quality in favor of long-term reliability.
Second Bargain AMG Proves No Better
The video also followed the purchase of a Mercedes-AMG C63 bought for around $9,000, but the second gamble proved equally disappointing.
Despite the performance saloon’s renowned naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V8 engine, the car arrived with numerous faults, including damaged bodywork, electrical problems, broken lighting, warning lights, and evidence of poor-quality accident repairs.
He also discovered rubbish discarded inside the cabin and described the vehicle as in worse condition than many repossessed cars he had previously bought.
After assessing the repairs required, the AMG was quickly returned to auction, resulting in a financial loss after fees.
Reflecting on both purchases, the creator concluded that while older high-performance Mercedes models continue to offer an exceptional driving experience when they work properly, their low purchase prices can mask substantial repair costs.
As the saying goes, he said: “There’s nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes.”