New member & seeking R230 SL 350 !

[television]

I have had keyless go on my last few Mercedes, for me it is a must have.

One should not take in the things published in motoring media, the Mercedes version cannot be cloned and the car stolen.

 

[bigfella70]

This is why the forum is proving so invaluable - puts all the key points into perspective from the experience and knowledge out there. Advice is much appreciated !

I am sorely tempted to await a higher mileage SL at "bargain basement" price level then treat it as a rolling project. The downside being of course that it could very easily lead to financial disaster though. Where are those brave pills !!!!

 

[television]

This is why the forum is proving so invaluable - puts all the key points into perspective from the experience and knowledge out there. Advice is much appreciated !

I am sorely tempted to await a higher mileage SL at "bargain basement" price level then treat it as a rolling project. The downside being of course that it could very easily lead to financial disaster though. Where are those brave pills !!!!

Do remember that running parts are expensive, so are interior parts, an example the alli center console trim and 2 door trims cost £2500

 

[peterws1957]

Big Fella - not an expert by any means but I would steer clear of bargain basement SL350's , they are that for a reason and you could end up spending way more than buying a really good one in the first place. I was surprised how many really nice cars are actually out there and if you are patient the right one will crop up. As mentioned above put a wanted advert on the forum - much better to buy from an MB enthusiast than some random dealer. Good luck.

 

[John Laidlaw]

Big Fella - not an expert by any means but I would steer clear of bargain basement SL350's , they are that for a reason and you could end up spending way more than buying a really good one in the first place. I was surprised how many really nice cars are actually out there and if you are patient the right one will crop up. As mentioned above put a wanted advert on the forum - much better to buy from an MB enthusiast than some random dealer. Good luck.

I would second that, a bad one could bankrupt you and put you off for life!!

 

[ajlsl600]

buying the sl

last few posts ,good advice , unless you like torture,walking , and unknown expence DONT buy a high miles dog find one on here or somewhere where good service history is available. and look at, at least three or four before committing , theres a meet on 1st weekend in may ,duxford ,i think, why not go along and see a few in one place and speak to guys there. might save you time and money later ..

 

[Gkinghorn]

You lot neec to stop putting R230 threads up here .. i look and ge t tempted again .... and for the OP i woukd go for the 500 rathrr than the 350 . Having had the 500 i can confirm the 350 feels very tame and normal... it akso drives so much better with ABC ... but the v8 noise is just lovely




Sent from my SM-P605 using Tapatalk

 

[television]

You lot neec to stop putting R230 threads up here .. i look and ge t tempted again .... and for the OP i woukd go for the 500 rathrr than the 350 . Having had the 500 i can confirm the 350 feels very tame and normal... it akso drives so much better with ABC ... but the v8 noise is just lovely




Sent from my SM-P605 using Tapatalk

They are nice Gordon

 

[Painter16]

Ain't drove 500 but love me. 350 don't care about engine size ,how fast you want to go,350 faster than most on road anyway,I just love the style of these cars,me mate just got a r8 v10 .paid £105.000 for it ,na not interested love my £15000 sl more

 

[ajlsl600]

sl

love my 600, most of the time , 500 very nice too, but if i could do it again and the 600 was avail from the (factory ) without ABC i would have had that , there are LOTS of very nice cars that drive great without it, in fact,most of them . and the default for if/when it drops ( car transporter ) is frankly almost unbelievable. one might ask , there is a limp home mode for engine/tranny issues, what happened regards the ****** suspension !!! hence my possitive views on the 350 ect. tho to be honest i have not driven it .

 

[SL63 Mark]

While we're on the subject, why not go for the '55

 

[ajlsl600]

55

forgot that one , no reason at all not to consider that version

 

[Painter16]

love my 600, most of the time , 500 very nice too, but if i could do it again and the 600 was avail from the (factory ) without ABC i would have had that , there are LOTS of very nice cars that drive great without it, in fact,most of them . and the default for if/when it drops ( car transporter ) is frankly almost unbelievable. one might ask , there is a limp home mode for engine/tranny issues, what happened regards the ****** suspension !!! hence my possitive views on the 350 ect. tho to be honest i have not driven it .

350 is the only sl I have driven,and more than happy with it as I've said before ,as for abc sounds like a lot of hassle for what it is,so you can pull away a bit quicker in a 500-600.and they sound more sporty,but how many seconds we talking,and think the 350 sounds pretty good,not knocking anybody with bigger engine as I nearly brought a 550 but was sold before I could look at it,my 350 was the second car I looked at and fell in love with it,to be fair love all the sl what ever size engine,best looking car ever made IMO

 

[television]

350 is the only sl I have driven,and more than happy with it as I've said before ,as for abc sounds like a lot of hassle for what it is,so you can pull away a bit quicker in a 500-600.and they sound more sporty,but how many seconds we talking,and think the 350 sounds pretty good,not knocking anybody with bigger engine as I nearly brought a 550 but was sold before I could look at it,my 350 was the second car I looked at and fell in love with it,to be fair love all the sl what ever size engine,best looking car ever made IMO

You have the 672 engine and that is nearly as quick as the 113 in the pre 06-06 500's

 

[bigfella70]

Well actions speak louder than words and today I took the plunge and got myself an SL 350. 2004 54 but with previous owners private plate left with the car. Terrillium silver, grey leather, non pano roof on 18" wheels.

Mint arches, straight flanks and nice paint finish. A few stone chips to deal with but well worth the effort.

Photos to follow of course.

Mileage is 56700 and she's been well looked after. Sourced privately at a price that makes sense taking into account a planned B service and one or two cosmetics (along with any unexpected gremlins).

Really happy with my decision to go for an R230 and very happy with this particular example.

Looking forward to updating and enjoying this great car

 

[television]

Well done it sounds nice, just ask away with anything.

 

[bigfella70]

Thanks Malcolm. After a nice meal and drive home I'm just sat scanning through all the handbooks etc.

One question I do have is around iphone connectivity. My car has a phone cradle in the armrest which I think is standard ? And the facelift head unit from 2004. Is there any way nowadays to tap into the cars phone system and link my phone in without fitting something like a parrot kit ?

 

[television]

There are cradles for some phone, but if you want to go blue tooth, the the Parrot is the only way, that plugs into where the cradle sits, you will see a little button on the cradle, just press it and the cradle slides out, if one is fitted, most around then where for the Nokia 6310i

 

[bigfella70]

That sounds good. So effectively Parrot or similar retail a device that just plugs into where the phone cradle goes and this gives connectivity and control of an iphone etc. This seems easier than I thought !

Is there a recommended unit that anyone has experience with before I order?

Cheers !

 

[television]

You might find cheap on Ebay