R230 SL500 Prospective Buyer - Advice Needed!

[SL63 Mark]

Bear in mind - people who write in forums have problems. There are a great many more who don't. I have had R230s so far for ten years now. They have always been parked in a driveway. They are daily use - I have never had to give way to weather. Probably 7 days off road in 10 years due to one thing or another - nothing. If you go into the deal with your eyes open - nothing to catch you (me) by surprise.

Well mine leaked, and most on here do too, so I would not want to risk it. British winters and vintage convertibles do not mix, IMHO.

 

[00slk]

Well mine leaked, and most on here do too, so I would not want to risk it. British winters and vintage convertibles do not mix, IMHO.

Leak!!!! How do you mean????

 

[flowrider]

My SL leaked at the usual spot but since I did Malcolm's repair 4.5 years ago I have had no leaks.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Leak!!!! How do you mean????

Water on the outside…. becoming water on the inside!

 

[00slk]

Water on the outside…. becoming water on the inside!

Hmmmm, a bit like a pump station

 

[peterws1957]

The trouble with a 350 is that it’s missing two cylinders.

An R230 has one major, major problem irrespective of the engine choice- they all have the ability to leak horrendously. Whatever car you buy needs to have the rear glass weather seal gently peeled back to inspect for edge corrosion, and if not done then Malcolm’s weather seal modification carried out.

Same with the wheelarch liner mod- last thing you want are the wheel arches rusting through from the inside.

Then you need to check out the roof mechanism opening & closing functions are smooth. Check all rubbers are flexible and smooth. Buy Gummi Pfledge for this.

Check that the car properly goes to sleep within 20 minutes of engine off and doors locked, battery drain should reduce to <50mA in this time. Check both batteries are holding over 12.2V with engine off.

After all of that, you have the question of ABC or non ABC? The ABC equipped cars are a much nicer ride, it really is one of the best systems ever. Comes at a price so to give you an idea of parts costs:

Tandem ABC/ steering pump £500
ABC strut new £350-400
ABC Valve block refurb £150 per axle
Pulsation dampers £250/ea
ABC strut ball joint replacement £100/ea

Throw in labour costs to suit. I bought an ABC-equipped car that had NOT been looked after, and it cost me big time as the whole system pretty much needed replacement. However, that’s an exception; if you budget £150/mth in maintenance you won’t be far wrong.

The good thing is that thanks in no small part to this forum, we have significantly reduced the cost of ABC maintenance over the last 5-6 years by sourcing parts & suppliers that just weren’t about beforehand.

Surely it's missing 6 cylinders.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Surely it's missing 6 cylinders.

Only if one wants wallet trouble come coil pack time..!

 

[peterws1957]

Only if one wants wallet trouble come coil pack time..!

But a coil pack is only £1600 from MB. I don't know how I know

 

[LostKiwi]

Only if one wants wallet trouble come coil pack time..!

Don't forget the way they can eat gearboxes too!

 

[Craiglxviii]

But a coil pack is only £1600 from MB. I don't know how I know

There was a chap on pistonheads who did repair his coil pack, but then he was an electronics engineer!

 

[BRABUS R230]

Never heard that about the ABC getting blocked if not used. Sounds suspect to me.

It is essential the fluid in the ABC is kept clean and replaced regularly along with the filter.

The oil won't spontaneously generate lumps.

The ABC issues are somewhat exaggerated in my opinion.

If you're worried about storing it outdoors get a decent quality cover that can be securely fastened to the vehicle.

Being an owner of an SL55 since 2008, I fully agree with all that you have said. I would like to add that if the SL55 is looked after and maintained well, with the fluids changed when they should, then you are less likely to have any major issues.

 

[BRABUS R230]

Your worries about a 3k bill are certainly justified and are a possibility over time , hopefully you might dodge any issues but your are buying an old super car and prices for fixing things are based on its original very high price . To enable you to sleep at night budget for that 3k to be set aside for any issues .
Failing that don’t buy one with ABC .
Whatever you choose , good luck and enjoy

My 2003 SL55 has the same ABC struts as when left the factory - perhaps I am living on borrowed time. However, I have the ABC fluid, gearbox oil, differential oil, engine oil and brake fluid changed regularly - every 10'000 miles. The ride from the ABC is truly superb.

 

[BRABUS R230]

Don't forget the way they can eat gearboxes to

Bear in mind - people who write in forums have problems. There are a great many more who don't.

I have had R230s so far for ten years now. They have always been parked in a driveway. They are daily use - I have never had to give way to weather.

Probably 7 days off road in 10 years due to one thing or another - nothing.

If you go into the deal with your eyes open - nothing to catch you (me) by surprise.

Mine is the same and I totally agree with you. Albeit, I did go through a period of 2 months of the car randomly going into limp mode. It turned out to be the connector pins which connects to the throttle body - £70 fix. I love the R230, especially the SL55 AMG

 

[Craiglxviii]

Speaking as someone with maybe more experience of ABC issues than most… they’re all mostly preventable by (preventative) regular maintenance. Fluid flush and change, filter flush every 2yr/ 20k is essential. Using proper Pentosin fluid is essential (arguable, but my opinion). Get the valve blocks stripped down, cleaned and seals replaced and you’ll be good for another 15-20 years.

 

[peterws1957]

There was a chap on pistonheads who did repair his coil pack, but then he was an electronics engineer!

Yep, I'm reluctant to take the failed coilpack apart just in case it was down to a failed wire. Ignorance is sometimes better.

 

[martduff5]

Hi all, thanks very much for your input and advice, it was very informative. Having tried an SL350 and the SL500, I couldn't get rid of the V8 itch. However, I have ended up pushing the boat out and buying a car I adored as a teenager; the TVR Chimaera 450. I look forward to seeing some of you come past me as I look out to you, backwards from inside a hedge!

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hi all, thanks very much for your input and advice, it was very informative. Having tried an SL350 and the SL500, I couldn't get rid of the V8 itch. However, I have ended up pushing the boat out and buying a car I adored as a teenager; the TVR Chimaera 450. I look forward to seeing some of you come past me as I look out to you, backwards from inside a hedge!

Will you be soaking wet as well from the vaunted TVR window glass seal quality?

 

[martduff5]

Of course not, I won't be so silly as to go out in a TVR if there are any rain clouds in the vicinity!!!

 

[Craiglxviii]

Of course not, I won't be so silly as to go out in a TVR if there are any rain clouds in the vicinity!!!

 

[SL63 Mark]

Enjoy your Chimaera, I always fancied a TVR but never took the plunge. I guess its too late now.