SL.

grayb

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May 16, 2003
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Location
Kent
Your Mercedes
E350CDI (S212) 2010
I don't usually like matt wrapped cars, and yet... o_O
 

flowrider

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Jul 21, 2014
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Your Mercedes
SL500 (R230)
If you're wanting a V8 then, IMO, for £15k you are best looking for a good 500. The AMG's at that money are likely to be pre 2005 for a 55 and you have no chance getting a 63. As said already, there is a wealth of knowledge on the forum regarding SL's so just ask as many questions as you can think of before you buy.
 
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vtaylor78

vtaylor78

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Jan 5, 2012
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Location
Northamptonshire.
Your Mercedes
E350 CDI Coupe C207 2010 \ SLK 250 R172 2011.
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If you're wanting a V8 then, IMO, for £15k you are best looking for a good 500. The AMG's at that money are likely to be pre 2005 for a 55 and you have no chance getting a 63. As said already, there is a wealth of knowledge on the forum regarding SL's so just ask as many questions as you can think of before you buy.

Many thanks FR99.
 

Wighty

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Aug 4, 2016
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Location
Sunny Essex
Your Mercedes
W211/E320cdi/2009 and CLK200k 2009
When I had a third car for a while , my main irritation was that I couldn't use my no claims on the third car , worth checking if this "costly" rule still applies with your insurance company .
 
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vtaylor78

vtaylor78

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Jan 5, 2012
Messages
2,310
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Location
Northamptonshire.
Your Mercedes
E350 CDI Coupe C207 2010 \ SLK 250 R172 2011.
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Well I’m Absolutely Amazed !
Had a quick search around the usual places, and the choice is vast.
Most have nice low miles (expected) and FMBSH.
But I think my search may have to wait a little longer.
Seeing as SWMBO changed her Practical DS3, for the 172, we have to consider the car seat for our grandchild.
My C207 has changed into the Family vehicle, car seat, suitcases , shopping etc etc.
So really another 2 seat convertible is not going to happen just yet.
I will no doubt keep looking and learning, so when the time is right I will have all the essential knowledge and Hopefully find the best one out there. :)
 

ajlsl600

Senior Member
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Nov 18, 2013
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Location
france
Your Mercedes
clk3202001,sl6002003 with everything regrettably sold ,A class 170cdi auto. NG/TF1800 ML250
the R230 is in my view without parallel . AS above ABC is a bit of a lottery .simply put you can get lucky,or not . costs have come down ,but if you dont fancy the complication go for a 350 . but for sure drive both before making up yr mind. i never went anywhere in the car without my star diagnostics, its like yr own version of the AA. and will pay for itself fairly quickly , i miss my vdoz but then i had 6 yr without ABC or much other drama so i figured it was time to quit whilst ahead and having mostly enjoyed the experience, as i am sure you will,if you take TIME to find the right one. good luck
 

peterws1957

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Apr 3, 2016
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Location
Lancashire
Your Mercedes
sl350 /2004/3.7 and CL65/2009/6.0
I love mine, they're wonderful cars. The ABC gets mentioned all the time in nightmare scenarios, what nobody's telling you is that it gives you a fantastic ride. These cars feel eerily stable.
But our SL sans ABC feels eerily stable too! Although I speak from the perspective of driving 60 year old weekend cars and the CL which weighs as much as the Golden Gate Bridge:rolleyes:
 

ajlsl600

Senior Member
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Location
france
Your Mercedes
clk3202001,sl6002003 with everything regrettably sold ,A class 170cdi auto. NG/TF1800 ML250
to fully understand the stability and quality of the r230 ABC ride, buy an ML!! i am starting to like the ML but the sl was on rails, THE ML is NOT and the230 easily provided an unrivaled driving experience, no roll or dive for which as all else there would be a cost. you must either allocate enough funds for an experienced man to maintain the vehicle,or become one yrself. which in itself can be an interesting journey. the car is unlikely to provide much in the way of boredom ,either in the driving experience or in keeping it in top fettle. also there is a sort of masochistic satisfaction in constantly researching/implementing solutions that enable the owners to "wriggle " away from the dealers wallet emptying clutches .
 

noonboots

Senior Member
Joined
Mar 17, 2018
Messages
311
Reaction score
366
Your Mercedes
R230 SL 500 2003 M113 5.0l
I suggested to my son that I might get a 350 to avoid the ABC but he put me down very quickly. He knows me well, he said every time someone asked if it was a 500 or 350 my heart would sink as I said 350 and I would regret it every time. The SL 350 is a fabulous car but he was right in my case, it wasn't what I set my heart on when I first saw an R230 in 2003.
 

sl500amgsport

Senior Member
Joined
Oct 25, 2017
Messages
2,059
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2,141
Location
Essex
Your Mercedes
SL500 2014
I suggested to my son that I might get a 350 to avoid the ABC but he put me down very quickly. He knows me well, he said every time someone asked if it was a 500 or 350 my heart would sink as I said 350 and I would regret it every time. The SL 350 is a fabulous car but he was right in my case, it wasn't what I set my heart on when I first saw an R230 in 2003.
My daughter said the same when I decided on the R231 500 over the 63 to avoid ABC, but she is not paying the bills, for the same reason I walked away from an Aston Martin Rapide, lovely car but out of my running pocket with retirement looming!

Mercedes SL500 R231
 

LesTaylor

Senior Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2019
Messages
215
Reaction score
201
Age
68
Location
Ilkeston Derby
Your Mercedes
2004 SL55 AMG F1
In my opinion, if you can make a wish list of the things you want from your Sl, do some research or ask us, then try to get to drive the ones that appeal to you before you buy. Make it an informed decision. I bought a reconditioned ABC pump with a two year guarantee for £250 and I’ve had no problems. When it arrived it looked brand new. Don’t be afraid of the ABC system...
 

John Laidlaw

Senior Member
Joined
Nov 15, 2013
Messages
26,373
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9,163
Location
Wirral
Your Mercedes
Land Rover Discovery 4
When I had a third car for a while , my main irritation was that I couldn't use my no claims on the third car , worth checking if this "costly" rule still applies with your insurance company .
I can’t even apply my no claims to a second car apparently!
 


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