Advice on R230 model SL350

[Colin H]

I am looking at buying an 2004 SL350 (R230). I would appreciate any insights that I should be aware of as I look at these vehicles. I have seen comments about water leakage in the boot and roof but not sure if this is a wide spread issue. One vehicle I am considering has a full glass panoramic roof fitted as an option, does this in itself present potential problems?

Any comments would be apprecaited
Thank You

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

They can all leak, check under the boot floor and around the foam of the PSE pump. The rear wheel arches rust, the ABC system is great when it’s working - check when (if it was ever) serviced and fluid replaced. SBC braking means the pump may have been reset rather than serviced/replaced.
Very nice cars when working - make sure you keep the rear battery fully charged

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome
Good choice of car if I don't say so myself

 

[dry run]

Welcome and good luck

 

[NJS5]

Welcome. Hopefully you will find a decent R230, you haven't mentioned mileage & service history.

NJSS

 

[Paulbarber]

I am looking at buying an 2004 SL350 (R230). I would appreciate any insights that I should be aware of as I look at these vehicles. I have seen comments about water leakage in the boot and roof but not sure if this is a wide spread issue. One vehicle I am considering has a full glass panoramic roof fitted as an option, does this in itself present potential problems?

Any comments would be apprecaited
Thank You

Yes it is Mercedes use a double sided tape after twenty years it looses it tack plenty of videos on YouTube easy DIY

 

[Colin H]

Thank you very much for these insights Blobcat. This will assist me greatly. Cheers

 

[Colin H]

Thanks NJS5 - I have looked at a 2004 model with 75400 kms (I am in Aust, not the UK) and looks in good nick. Have also seen the services books but not looked deeply into them to pick up the points outlines by Blobcat. I will now do this and have an independent review done on the vehicle with a focus on these points. The vehicle is being sold by a dealer in Melb that specialise in these types of cars although the price is a bit on the high side at the moment.
Thanks Paulbarber, I will follow up on Youtube,=.
I really appreciate the comments from everybody, it has been brilliant

 

[SL63 Mark]

You probably won't have the ABC hydraulic suspension, because the 350s did not have that as standard, and it was an expensive option. This is good news, because it is one less thing to worry about.

I would check the roof works properly. Check for all the usual things, accident damage, brakes, steering, suspension, ride, handling, engine noise, transmission works, smoke on startup (unlikely, but you never know).

The 350 of this era is a good trouble free car. There are lots of electrical gadgets on these, so check everything works. Also check there are no warning lights. With 74,500 kms (46,294 miles), that is very low mileage for an eighteen year old car. Electric seats can stick, lots of little things like that. SRS system has a mind of it's own, and can be expensive to fix.

Sounds like a potentially good buy. The low mileage is likely the reason that the price is on the high side. Check the service history backs this up.

 

[Colin H]

Thank you very much Mark for this input. I am getting significantly more comfort from all of this information and very much appreciate the input and experience coming through this forum. I very much appreciate the time that you have all offered.

 

[Colin H]

A word of thanks for the advice I received from members in relation to R230 SL350. I am pleased to say that on 23 Dec I picked up a July 2004 model in excellent condition with 96000 kms on the clock. Very pleased with the purchase. Thanks to everybody who assisted with advice. Cheers

 

[mioba]

Without pics it didnt happen!

 

[Colin H]

Hope this gives the legitimacy you need. Cheers

 

[malcolm E53 AMG]

A word of thanks for the advice I received from members in relation to R230 SL350. I am pleased to say that on 23 Dec I picked up a July 2004 model in excellent condition with 96000 kms on the clock. Very pleased with the purchase. Thanks to everybody who assisted with advice. Cheers

Happy Xmas - can’t think of a better present!

 

[ajlsl600]

Prob don't have abc. Which is good.. Design drops wheel arches on front tyres when broke unless wheels set straight ahead., stupid design. No get home mode.. Otherwise great cars, dubious future classic as too many electronics.

 

[LostKiwi]

Hope this gives the legitimacy you need. Cheers View attachment 81308 View attachment 81308

Looks almost identical to ours (500).

 

[Bay Leaf]

Your just greedy