My R230 irritations, help !

wrightkarl

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Hi Gents


Wisdom and opinion appreciated, some my recall I'd had some problems already. I bought an 07 SL500 (5.4) a few weeks ago and the problems started there !

I've so far spent £2300 in rebuilt gearbox valve body & conductor plate for the usual problems, it also included a new SAM unit for the suspension as I complained it was a very hard and crashy ride. This apparently was going to fix the problem. It sort of has but mostly hasn't, so currently I have these problems...


  1. The ride is still not right. The rear of the car feels washy and bouncy, almost like its got something loose ! It has been inspected and everything is supposed to be in place and good order. Even to the point that when you give it the beans the back end squirms a bit, often breaking traction, really doesn't feel right or give confidence. The STAR says no faults. The last MOT said the rear nearside tyre was wearing unevenly which I thought was simple geometry but again I'm told its all fixed now with the new SAM unit, how they are connected baffles me (I don't believe it is!)
  2. A new engine leak from top back right. I was told it was one of the two plastic cam plugs. I've got a mirror and cleaned the area, used the car more and no evidence of it being either of them. I know it leaks as it leaves marks on the drive and when idling it either smells of burning oil or even on one occasion I saw burning oil smoke from it dripping onto the exhaust, not maybe as extreme as it sounds. Try as I might I still cannot see where this leak comes from, its also not been as much of a problem the more I use the car ?? Odd !
  3. Engine warning light came on the other day. Using my basic ODBII scanner it tells me its a Cam Position Sensor. As far as I can see it has 2 on each back, how the hell do I tell which one or just replace both ? I assume these are the ones at the front of the engine/cam. Looking on U Tube I can only find people referring to ones at the rear of the engine ? So a bit lost. Also whats the difference between the available replacements. £40 to £100 ??
Any help appreciated, I want to do as much myself. I'm pretty good usually at car tech issues.

The work to date has been done by a local (ish) MB Indie and to date I've alwasy found them very good but this time I'm not getting a warm feeling but my wallett is feeling very cold !


Also apologies for being long winded and not particularly eloquent. Its taken me from 7.30 this morning till 12.55 this afternoon to finally get it written.... work gets in the way !!


Karl
 

LostKiwi

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Try taking it to Steve at Avantgarde near Bristol. Probably one of the best Indy's around.
 

John Laidlaw

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^ as above, SL500 needs specific and specialist TLC- not for tinkering with.....ask me how I know
 
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wrightkarl

wrightkarl

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Try taking it to Steve at Avantgarde near Bristol. Probably one of the best Indy's around.
Thanks, I'll look him up but probably a bit far
 
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wrightkarl

wrightkarl

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I'm not scared of spending the money, just I don't like it when there is too much reliance on STAR..... "Computer says no"
 

Blobcat

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I'm not scared of spending the money, just I don't like it when there is too much reliance on STAR..... "Computer says no"
It’s not a reliance, star reduces the cost of throwing parts at it because it’s pretty good at identifying what’s actually wrong. Especially when it’s wielded by an indie who knows his stuff.
 
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wrightkarl

wrightkarl

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Hi mate,did you buy the car cheap knowing about these probs ,was it private sale ,
Seems a lot probs with it and you've only just had the car,

It wasn't "cheap" but not the most expensive around either. It only had two owners and a totally full service history, its been maintained. However I'm also aware this all means little till something fails ! I bought it from a non forcourt dealer, he had 3 R230's and knew enough about them. It drove great and of course until you really own and drive a car you never really get to know it.
So yes maybe the previous owner was aware the future was looking expensive, I'll never know.
If someone can throw me a few pointers, then I can make some enquires and get it fixed. I'm keeping it long term and want some hands on of my own, for the easier stuff like sensors and leaks (head gaskets excluded !)
 

LostKiwi

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IMO it's worth the day trip to get your car fixed.
Ditto.
These cars have a complex suspension system that cannot be diagnosed without the aid of good diagnostic equipment (of which Star is the best option).
Steve has a lot of experience of Mercedes and the R230.
It's better to take one trip to get the problem sorted than several where parts are thrown at it in the hope they find the right one.
 

Painter16

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It wasn't "cheap" but not the most expensive around either. It only had two owners and a totally full service history, its been maintained. However I'm also aware this all means little till something fails ! I bought it from a non forcourt dealer, he had 3 R230's and knew enough about them. It drove great and of course until you really own and drive a car you never really get to know it.
So yes maybe the previous owner was aware the future was looking expensive, I'll never know.
If someone can throw me a few pointers, then I can make some enquires and get it fixed. I'm keeping it long term and want some hands on of my own, for the easier stuff like sensors and leaks (head gaskets excluded !)
by the way wasn't having go at you ,just don't like peps being ripped off that's all,
 

Philedge

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First thing I'd do is have a word with the dealer you bought it from and enlighten him to the problems. Unless you bought it as a trade sale or for parts only, the dealer has responsibilities to not sell sh**e. If youve paid to fix problems then thats water under the bridge, but anything else faulty and the dealer should be taking a degree of responsibilty for. If he argues differently then speak to citizens advice to clarify his obligations

If the car is wearing tyres on one side thats a mechanical issue- misalignment, wrong tyre pressure, driving in circles etc. Is the MOT record recent or a legacy issue from the previous owner ie do you know its still wearing tyres unevenly? The ABC can stiffen or soften the suspension but it cant misalign the wheel or change the air pressure. I cant see how a replacement SAM would fix a mechanical issue, especially if theres no suspension fault codes to be seen.

What size wheels are you running? 19 or 20 inch rims will make the ride harsh. Anything wrong with the ABC that you can feel and youll soon be getting fault codes thrown up.

Are the youtube videos you're watching for the cam postion sensor or the crank position sensor. The crank one is at the NS rear of the engine and a known weakness so maybe thats what the videos are looking at?? No idea where the cam position sensors are but shouldnt be too hard to find??
 

flowrider

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First thing I'd do is have a word with the dealer you bought it from and enlighten him to the problems. Unless you bought it as a trade sale or for parts only, the dealer has responsibilities to not sell sh**e. If youve paid to fix problems then thats water under the bridge, but anything else faulty and the dealer should be taking a degree of responsibilty for. If he argues differently then speak to citizens advice to clarify his obligations

If the car is wearing tyres on one side thats a mechanical issue- misalignment, wrong tyre pressure, driving in circles etc. Is the MOT record recent or a legacy issue from the previous owner ie do you know its still wearing tyres unevenly? The ABC can stiffen or soften the suspension but it cant misalign the wheel or change the air pressure. I cant see how a replacement SAM would fix a mechanical issue, especially if theres no suspension fault codes to be seen.

What size wheels are you running? 19 or 20 inch rims will make the ride harsh. Anything wrong with the ABC that you can feel and youll soon be getting fault codes thrown up.

Are the youtube videos you're watching for the cam postion sensor or the crank position sensor. The crank one is at the NS rear of the engine and a known weakness so maybe thats what the videos are looking at?? No idea where the cam position sensors are but shouldnt be too hard to find??
You can't sell a car to a private individual as a trade sale. Trading Standards would all over him.
 

Philedge

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Absolutely, but it depends on how the OP has presented himself to the trader. If hes bought it as joe public, then all the more reason to do what Ive suggested and go back to the dealer.

Fly in the ointment is 2.3 grand has already been spent on the car which complicates things if the dealer offers to take the car back and refund the purchase price.
 

malcolm E53 AMG

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Mechanical issues aside which I’d probably do as suggested and use Avantgarde, have you had a computerised 4 wheel alignment check done as a good starting point to check the geometry it does sound like the back end is out somewhere.
 

peterws1957

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It wasn't "cheap" but not the most expensive around either. It only had two owners and a totally full service history, its been maintained. However I'm also aware this all means little till something fails ! I bought it from a non forcourt dealer, he had 3 R230's and knew enough about them. It drove great and of course until you really own and drive a car you never really get to know it.
So yes maybe the previous owner was aware the future was looking expensive, I'll never know.
If someone can throw me a few pointers, then I can make some enquires and get it fixed. I'm keeping it long term and want some hands on of my own, for the easier stuff like sensors and leaks (head gaskets excluded !)
The oil leak may be a leaking valve cover gasket. If it's only a small leak it will burn off on the manifold and the smoke will disappear. As others have said Star and someone who knows 230's is the only way to sort ABC and electrical issues.
 

LostKiwi

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Mechanical issues aside which I’d probably do as suggested and use Avantgarde, have you had a computerised 4 wheel alignment check done as a good starting point to check the geometry it does sound like the back end is out somewhere.
Steve can do that too. One of the few places I'd take mine (the other being Wheels in Motion).
 
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