Buying a used SL - 230 versus 231?

[Pauli0]

Hi, I'm new here but will hopefully be around for a while!

As per the title I'm looking at a used SL and would appreciate any advice regarding the differences between the 230 and 231. I haven't yet decided on whether it'll be 63 or a 500, so any info in that area would be helpful too!

 

[ajlsl600]

230 better looking decent used with history prob well sorted by now. Prob more work arounds avail . It's personal choice, I prefer smooth rounded lines to angular ones.

 

[s5tuart]

230 better looking decent used with history prob well sorted by now. Prob more work arounds avail . It's personal choice, I prefer smooth rounded lines to angular ones.

That’s why I bought mine!
lots more choice too IMHO.
I got a 350 because I didn’t want to fix the ABC when it went wrong but if you can find one with that already done on all four corners then go for it.

 

[NJS5]

Welcome Pauli0

I considered both and bought an R230; I considered larger engines but after having driven a few opted for an SL350 with which I am very pleased - it has IMHO very adequate performance, and reasonable running & maintenance costs.

 

[rorywquin]

That’s why I bought mine!
lots more choice too IMHO.
I got a 350 because I didn’t want to fix the ABC when it went wrong but if you can find one with that already done on all four corners then go for it.

View attachment 83808

R230 ABC was problematic.

ABC on the R231 is not a problem at all.

MB has it well sorted on the R231. The biggest problem is that a R231, with ABC, is hard to find because it was an expensive option (but very nice to have and is not only ride comfort....but has 'Curve tilt' and several other features).

 

[Pauli0]

ABC on the R231 is not a problem at all. I followed several forums when I had my SL (R231) (6 years) and do not recall seeing a issue with ABC on a R231.

IMO, it is a must have and rare because few people opt to pay the extra cost.

So there are 63s and 500s without ABC? If so I had no idea, and just assumed from the reviews that they all had it.

 

[rorywquin]

If op is going for an R231.... most owners that either drove or owned both a V8 & a V6 preferred the better handling of the V6. Other than the engines, the V6 & V8 are identical but all the extra weight of the V8 is on the front wheels. I tried both and opted for the V6 (367hp & 500Nm) was much nicer to drive and not a slouch with a very long flat torque curve. Max torque coming in at about 2000rpm and only dropping off at almost max revs 4200rpm.

The facelift (2016) V6 has ~10% more horsepower than the launch model (IIRC pretty much the same engine as an AMG 43).

Having owned a SLK (R172 350) with the 7G gearbox and the SL with the 9G box, the 9G is light years better than the 7G. I hated the slow shifting of the 7G.

 

[rorywquin]

So there are 63s and 500s without ABC? If so I had no idea, and just assumed from the reviews that they all had it.

AFAIK, ABC was only an option on the R231 (400 & 500). However, it may have been standard on the R231 AMG - I don’t know.

 

[ajlsl600]

Abc a great ride. Great handling. If front drops on wheel arches that's a body' shop job and does happen, always park straight ahead. Older abc far from home can be a transporter job. Not 4 me and primarily why I moved mine on. Still miss it on nice sunny days (on mud island?)
Prob solved by pottering about in ngtf and no modern shxte to wreck my weekend.

 

[Monday]

Hi, I'm new here but will hopefully be around for a while!

As per the title I'm looking at a used SL and would appreciate any advice regarding the differences between the 230 and 231. I haven't yet decided on whether it'll be 63 or a 500, so any info in that area would be helpful too!

Each to his own but I regard the R231 as a fully sorted, all aluminium R 230 with better engines. This means no electrical gremlins/mysterious current drains/"consumer functions off-line" messages and no rear wing corrosion. I know some contributors here prefer the pure looks of the R230 but for me the R231 is a no brainer.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Yes I have owned both, and R231 is improved in pretty much every way. Looks amazing in the flesh, long low wide and powerful.

 

[ajlsl600]

Curved lines not angular is my choice. I get u on the maybe sorted bit

 

[horatio]

Occasionally you spot an otherwise nice SL500 for sale due to the owner having reached wits’ end with the ABC. I keep thinking what a cool project it would make to buy one of these and convert it to coils.

OE SL350 ARB’s, springs etc and a set of Bilstein B6 shocks wouldn’t cost the earth. You might well find these parts would be shagged out on a stock SL350 anyway. I’ve replaced all of that on my CLK.