Living with an R230

[SL63 Mark]

I changed the cabin filters on the r230 at the weekend. the old filters had a rigid black plastic exterior, and were filthy! However the new Mann Filters that I got from Eurocarparts had a styrofoam exterior... have I messed up?

Not necessarily, as long as they fit securely they should do the job, I never replaced the cabin filters on mine, although hopefully MB would have done it as part of the service.

 

[gramey]

So it's been a while since I parted company with my previous 03 R230 SL350 but I'm looking at going back to one, I know there are bigger engined versions out there but the 350 does everything I want it to avoiding the complictions of the ABC suspension on the V8 models. I've seen this car advertised but a few things bother me, even though on the face of it the car looks quite nice, it has the panoramic roof, heated and vented seats and the optional 18 inch 5 spoke wheels that I like.
However it states only a part service history, it's sporting mismatched incorrect sized tyres, the front discs appear to be heavily scored and it doesn't appear to have the wind deflector with it, I may have missed some things that others will spot?
So the thoughts of those my knowledgable than I would be appreciated, does anyone know this car?

Used Mercedes-Benz SL | Tonbridge | Horsepower Motor Centre​

Used Mercedes-Benz SL available from Horsepower Motor Centre in Kent. Explore the vehicle here and book a test drive online.

www.horsepower-motor-centre.co.uk

 

[SL63 Mark]

So it's been a while since I parted company with my previous 03 R230 SL350 but I'm looking at going back to one, I know there are bigger engined versions out there but the 350 does everything I want it to avoiding the complictions of the ABC suspension on the V8 models. I've seen this car advertised but a few things bother me, even though on the face of it the car looks quite nice, it has the panoramic roof, heated and vented seats and the optional 18 inch 5 spoke wheels that I like.
However it states only a part service history, it's sporting mismatched incorrect sized tyres, the front discs appear to be heavily scored and it doesn't appear to have the wind deflector with it, I may have missed some things that others will spot?

There is wear on the drivers seat bolster and steering wheel likely consistent with the advertised 106,000 miles. The MOT history shows it was “lightly used” for the first 10 years of its life, and then clocked up in the region of 10,000 miles per annum. Only one advisory re: steering balljoint, which I would have looked at asap.

The missing wind deflector is a pain. So many dealers/owners sell these on as a nice little earner. They used to sell on eBay for£200-£300, you need to budget for this as the car is undrivable as a convertible without one, except at very low speeds.

Certainly an eclectic mix of tyres including “landsails” “acceleras” and Yokohamas. The Yokos are a good make, the others are likely knockoff remould ditch finders.

Worn discs are an issue but look to have some life left.

Check everything works, there is nothing so annoying as getting a car home and finding the seat doesn’t move, or the steering wheel is locked in position. We bought a Range Rover where the seat moved forward, but not back. It was an interesting ride home.

Like all old cars, pay close attention to any engine and transmission noise, or smoke on startup.

It’s had a Pioneer Comand/head unit replacement which I don’t recognise, certainly does not look original, although others may know more, this is something to check out. What does it do, does it work, why was it replaced etc. Some people do this because updates for the original satnav are no longer available from MB.

Is the heater box full of water ? If so there will likely be water in the car. The boot looks dry from what I can see, but worth having a feel about.

Panel gaps look mostly OK, but if I'm being super critical, the gap at the bottom of the passenger door looks too big. Worth a bit of investigation. Hard to tell on paint match because a) it is silver, b) the light isn't great.

It sounds like you have experience of the R230, having owned one previously, so I may be pointing out the obvious.

 

[JBell]

So it's been a while since I parted company with my previous 03 R230 SL350 but I'm looking at going back to one, I know there are bigger engined versions out there but the 350 does everything I want it to avoiding the complictions of the ABC suspension on the V8 models. I've seen this car advertised but a few things bother me, even though on the face of it the car looks quite nice, it has the panoramic roof, heated and vented seats and the optional 18 inch 5 spoke wheels that I like.
However it states only a part service history, it's sporting mismatched incorrect sized tyres, the front discs appear to be heavily scored and it doesn't appear to have the wind deflector with it, I may have missed some things that others will spot?
So the thoughts of those my knowledgable than I would be appreciated, does anyone know this car?

Used Mercedes-Benz SL | Tonbridge | Horsepower Motor Centre​

Used Mercedes-Benz SL available from Horsepower Motor Centre in Kent. Explore the vehicle here and book a test drive online.

www.horsepower-motor-centre.co.uk

@s5tuart has one for sale and it is stunning

 

[gramey]

I enquired about this one, - Mercedes SL350 | Allon White Sports Cars - I love the colour combination and the mileage is low, unfortunately the number of keepers isn't, with 10 previous keepers, and the service history provided via a spreadsheet didn't fill me with confidence and the MOT history is chequered. The last owner appears to have spent some money on it but ome of the previous owners appear to have limped from one MOT to the next.
I'm not in any rush, my current A4 3.0 quttro cabriolet is probably one of the best you'll find on condition, service history and low keepers, I'm the third, even if the mileage at 126k would be considered a little high by some.

 

[gramey]

@s5tuart has one for sale and it is stunning

@s5tuart is the car at Allon White yours? if so message me please, the initial response I got from Phil at Allon White regarding the number of keepers, as you'll see from my comment, put me off somewhat. But if it's your car and your able to message me your number so we can have a chat and you can give some background to the car it would definitely help as I love the colour combination.

 

[JBell]

@s5tuart is the car at Allon White yours? if so message me please, the initial response I got from Phil at Allon White regarding the number of keepers, as you'll see from my comment, put me off somewhat. But if it's your car and your able to message me your number so we can have a chat and you can give some background to the car it would definitely help as I love the colour combination.

That is his car

 

[gramey]

That is his car

Ah okay thanks, hopefully he'll come back to me, if I haven't offended him too much , I was a little shocked at the number of previous keepers, I think I was the 5th or 6th keeper of my previous SL350 and I've never owned a vehicle with double digit keepers before.

 

[Blobcat]

Ah okay thanks, hopefully he'll come back to me, if I haven't offended him too much , I was a little shcked at the number of previous keepers, I think I was the 5th or 6th keeper of my previous SL350 and I've never owned a vehicle with double digit keepers before.

It’s a thing with “fun cars” people get bored and move them on. It’s usually not an issue if they’ve been well looked after

 

[JBell]

Ah okay thanks, hopefully he'll come back to me, if I haven't offended him too much , I was a little shocked at the number of previous keepers, I think I was the 5th or 6th keeper of my previous SL350 and I've never owned a vehicle with double digit keepers before.

It is 21 years old

 

[gramey]

It is 21 years old

I understand that, I was just slightly shocked as I'm only the third owner of my 20 year old Audi

 

[JBell]

I understand that, I was just slightly shocked as I'm only the third owner of my 20 year old Audi

I have never fixated on owners, more condition, I know a bit of the history of the car as Stuart bought it off another forum member

 

[SL63 Mark]

It is 21 years old

I wish I was

 

[00slk]

Blimey, I've had a car that's had 21 owners, it's been in better condition than my 2 owner Volvo 262c. Number of owners and service history are a load of.......to me. High miles, many owners and no S/H, there the money earners

 

[Hotspur]

Forgive me friends if this has been discussed but I wanted to check in and see if someone learned could advise.

I have a 2004 R230 SL350 - one previous owner, low miles that I picked up in Spring last year.

I had heard or read that there is a limit on braking or something, i mean a total number of pressing the brakes or something - what is this, and what is the solution, replace something? and are the parts likely to be still available for the foreseeable?

 

[Blobcat]

Forgive me friends if this has been discussed but I wanted to check in and see if someone learned could advise.

I have a 2004 R230 SL350 - one previous owner, low miles that I picked up in Spring last year.

I had heard or read that there is a limit on braking or something, i mean a total number of pressing the brakes or something - what is this, and what is the solution, replace something? and are the parts likely to be still available for the foreseeable?

It's the SBC (sensonic braking control) pump - many threads on here about it - pump is rebuildable

 

[valv1866]

I got my 2007 SL350 out of storage at the weekend (snow wasn't forecasted then!) I did get it for a good price and it had only really been driven on weekends and dry weather and garaged. Since I acquired it, it has had a new condenser, which wasn't too costly and three aircon pipes which are Mercedes only and were over £600 alone. Being a 3.5 there was a faulty sensor on one of the camshafts so I got all four replaced as they were not too bad from Mercedes, it also needed the throttle position sensor (was OK with gentle driving but not full throttle joining a motorway) this comes as an assembly including the accelerator pedal but was only £38 + vat from Mercedes. I've also replaced the tumble flap actuators with a refurb kit as the plastic connectors go brittle with age/thermal degradation and break. There has been a new gearbox mount and a Xenon headlight levelling sensor. Finally a new thermostat, other than that it's been fine!!

Luckily I found an excellent specialist

 

[Mark Q]

Who is the excellent specialist ?? always good to know if and when I may need one.

 

[valv1866]

Who is the excellent specialist ?? always good to know if and when I may need one.

MD Motorcare in Ellesmere Port, 0151 357 3111

 

[Mark Q]

Ah yes, I've passed that on my way into Innospec. Thanks.