New to Mercedes

[Richard Chadwick]

Hello, I am introducing myself as a new member and new to Mercedes ownership having bought a 2002 R230 SL500. My friend keeps telling me I should have bought an R129 but I wanted the hard top convertible and have planned a trip to Spain in it this September. So finger crossed she behaves herself. So far I have driven about 600 miles in her and she seems a lovely car to drive, I intend to get her checked over before I leave for Spain just in case.

 

[A.J.]

Hi Richard, welcome to the forum. The R230 is still a good choice and are quite a few members on here with them so you won't be short of help and advice

 

[Srdl]

Hi Richard and welcome to the forum

 

[Dean Fletcher]

Hello Richard welcome

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

In at the very deep end

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome Richard ^ what he said ....

 

[Richard Chadwick]

Cheers chaps, what could possibly go wrong eh?

 

[Craiglxviii]

Hello and welcome! If you’re going that far from home, get the ABC fluid and filter changed and have the ABC system fully tested by a known Indy well in advance of your departure. Also, check the boot for water leaks...

 

[Craiglxviii]

Cheers chaps, what could possibly go wrong eh?

You could walk out to your car to find it collapsed on its wheels with a big green puddle of suspension fluid on the floor...?

 

[Conor]

Welcome Richard,

I wish you the very best of luck with the motor and many years of happy driving. I am jealous, I would love an SL like yours!

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi and welcome from someone with an r129 and an r230. Your friend is right...
If you're going a long way make sure you have good breakdown cover.
The two major weaknesses of an r230 on a long trip are ABC failure (hydraulic suspension) and SBC failure (brakes). Both of those will stop you carrying on.
ABC can be quite expensive to repair in this country. When you're abroad and can be held to ransom it could be wallet busting. Always park with the steering straight ahead. If the system loses pressure the car will sit on the wheel arches if you don't. (See picture).
I've done long trips in both my SLs. The 129 regularly goes to and from our house in the Charente in France and the 230 did a trip to the far NW of Scotland from the Midlands. There is no question the 230 is the better car in terms of comfort (especially if like ours you have the massage seats) handling and refinement but the 129 has a degree of class and character missing from the 230. And is much simpler if anything goes wrong.

The other big thing to be aware of is a propensity for the 230 to leak water into the boot. This can collect on the PSE pump in the boot floor and kill it. You can then no longer unlock the car without the metal emergency key. Make sure you check the metal key unlocks doors and boot before this happens and keep both locks well lubricated. If you have water in the boot get it fixed immediately! There's a good guide on this forum.

The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the trip!

 

[Richard Chadwick]

Welcome Richard,

I wish you the very best of luck with the motor and many years of happy driving. I am jealous, I would love an SL like yours!

Thanks Conor, I am still learning to trust it but hopefully it will work out OK.

Hi and welcome from someone with an r129 and an r230. Your friend is right...
If you're going a long way make sure you have good breakdown cover.
The two major weaknesses of an r230 on a long trip are ABC failure (hydraulic suspension) and SBC failure (brakes). Both of those will stop you carrying on.
ABC can be quite expensive to repair in this country. When you're abroad and can be held to ransom it could be wallet busting. Always park with the steering straight ahead. If the system loses pressure the car will sit on the wheel arches if you don't. (See picture). View attachment 51506
I've done long trips in both my SLs. The 129 regularly goes to and from our house in the Charente in France and the 230 did a trip to the far NW of Scotland from the Midlands. There is no question the 230 is the better car in terms of comfort (especially if like ours you have the massage seats) handling and refinement but the 129 has a degree of class and character missing from the 230. And is much simpler if anything goes wrong.

The other big thing to be aware of is a propensity for the 230 to leak water into the boot. This can collect on the PSE pump in the boot floor and kill it. You can then no longer unlock the car without the metal emergency key. Make sure you check the metal key unlocks doors and boot before this happens and keep both locks well lubricated. If you have water in the boot get it fixed immediately! There's a good guide on this forum.

The most important thing to remember is to enjoy the trip!

 

[Richard Chadwick]

Thanks for your advice, I doubt I will keep the SL long as I am nervous about it already and only done 600 miles in it, once I have done the trip to Spain I will consider selling it. My other car is a BMW 535i E39 which has been a joy to own for the last 14 years, its a keeper!

 

[LostKiwi]

Don't be too scared of it, just be prepared for the possibility.
Prepare for the worst, rejoice in the best!
Incidentally that picture isn't a result of a major leak. It's sat unused for a month and has depressurised.