Looking for an MB SL - R230

[300SL]

I'm looking for an SL as I have always wanted one. I would love a new one, but they're too much money. What would you recommend engine wise and what sort of options should I be looking for (must-haves) and are there options to avoid.

Before it is mentioned, I do not want the SL 350, the engine is too small for me.

Thanks.

 

[television]

Hello and welcome, first what year are you looking at to buy, the first big change was in 06-06 with the new engine

 

[JeremyTucker]

Get a 2005MY onwards model with the revised comand system and 7G-tronic on an SL500. Preferably with a replaced ABC pump and front shocks.

 

[300SL]

I thought about the changes as well, I forgot to include that on my first post. I think I will go before the update in 06. The range of years would proberly be from 2003 (53) until 2005 (55).

 

[JeremyTucker]

They changed the electronics (comand system completely revised, 3d, widescreen, dvd with bluetooth and most bus) along with a much better 7 speed gearbox in 2005. Therefore if you are looking at pre 06/07 models then you have only 2005 to look at really.

If you go older than 2005 then simply buy a decent condition 2002 model with ideally a fresh ABC pump and shocks.

 

[television]

OK then as Jeremy above^ try and get one with a newish SBC pump as we have to pay for these now.

Look underneath at all 4 struts to see that none are leaking.

Check the inside edges of the rear wheel arches for rust.

Nice to have.

Comfort seats
Distronic plus
Keyless go

The AMG body kit is if you like the look the best, they all come with comand APS dvd. Panoramic roof is nice if the colour of the car will support it.

 

[Mic]

Hello and welcome

Take note of all of the foregoing.......condition and provenance are everything.

I would try to find the best 55 plate (pre the RFL hike) SL500 that you can afford. The basic car is very well equipped and like Malcolm I think the all singing all dancing seats are a well worth extra.......unlike Malcolm I would not want keyless go nor would I want a panoramic roof but these details are a matter of personal choice.
Mileage is largely irrelevant......at that age you will get the 7g box for better or for worse......in the real world the 306bhp engine is adequate but one always wants more horses if at all possible although in my view not at the expense of natural aspiration.

Mic

 

[JeremyTucker]

Out of interest, why would you not want keyless go or pan roof? Both are very nice options neither of which have a downside as such?

Keyless especially is probably one of my favourite features of mine

 

[Gkinghorn]

what is your budget? That may determine what you can get...

 

[Mic]

Out of interest, why would you not want keyless go or pan roof? Both are very nice options neither of which have a downside as such?

Keyless especially is probably one of my favourite features of mine

If you like them seek them out.......for me keyless go is an unnecessary complication that offers no benefit......I think the pano roof spoils the appearance of the car.

Mic

PS. Not part of my reasoning for not wanting keyless go but in the Sunday Times last week it was being claimed that cars with keyless entry systems and a start button are a security risk that currently has no solution......Ingear pages 4-5

 

[JeremyTucker]

If you like them seek them out.......for me keyless go is an unnecessary complication that offers no benefit......I think the pano roof spoils the appearance of the car.

Mic

PS. Not part of my reasoning for not wanting keyless go but in the Sunday Times last week it was being claimed that cars with keyless entry systems and a start button are a security risk that currently has no solution......Ingear pages 4-5

Have you had keyless go on any of your vehicles before? It really is quite a nice feature, way more than a gimmick its a feature which i think is really worth having.

Pano roof i do not feel strongly about at all, its "nice to have" on a black car where you cant see it, but on another colour i can see how you might not like the way it looks.

Worrying about the security, not that i think anyone would even want to go into my garage to steal what is now a 7 year old car

 

[Gkinghorn]

I too am a keyless go fan .. took me a while to stop reaching to put the key ion the ignition tho.... but I always take the main key with me anyway ..just in case....

 

[JeremyTucker]

I too am a keyless go fan .. took me a while to stop reaching to put the key ion the ignition tho.... but I always take the main key with me anyway ..just in case....

Sadly they canned the keycards on the '05 models like mine I wonder if i can get an older keyless card type key to work on mine?

 

[dml]

Main key? Keycard?

I have 3 keys that looks like this and only one of them is keyless.

Are there other options?


For what it's worth I have (and LOVE!!!) keyless go and pano roof. I don't have Distronic or comfort seats. I haven't tried the comfort seats but I reckon I could have done with them 2 weekends ago on a 3 hour journey in the scorching sun

I quite like how the pano roof looks on mine

 

[Gkinghorn]

I have a credit card type 'key' x 2 and 2 normal keys ...backup ...

 

[dml]

I have a credit card type 'key' x 2 and 2 normal keys ...backup ...

I didn't even know about the credit card type key!!!

 

[JeremyTucker]

Main key? Keycard?

I have 3 keys that looks like this and only one of them is keyless.

Are there other options?

Yeah the early ones had like a credit card type key, it was canned on the later models so therefore i dont have one.

I want one though, i wonder how i can get one...

 

[dml]

Yeah the early ones had like a credit card type key, it was canned on the later models so therefore i dont have one.

I want one though, i wonder how i can get one...

I've just been reading about them - they don't have the little emergency hardware key so I'd always be a bit worried about not being able to get in the car

 

[Mic]

Clearly I am in a minority.

Jeremy, no I have not had keyless go but I have equally never had a problem with a key.....just an old fashioned boy I guess.
I agree that professional thieves are likely to be targeting more valuable cars than a 7yrs. old SL but it is a very disturbing failing in the war on car security.

Mic

 

[dml]

Clearly I am in a minority.

Jeremy, no I have not had keyless go but I have equally never had a problem with a key.....just an old fashioned boy I guess.
I agree that professional thieves are likely to be targeting more valuable cars than a 7yrs. old SL but it is a very disturbing failing in the war on car security.

Mic

If you haven't got keyless go you'll still have a "smart key" so blanks can still be programmed to a car as per that recent BMW incident.