Memorial Day greetings,from Grand Lake, CO USA.,

[Allan Grote]

We just arrived at our summer home in Colorado Mountains At Grand Lake. Our primary home is Tucson, AZ, I am native Coloradan.
I retired 10 years ago, moved to AZ getting away from moving snow. Our arrival back was Wednesday evening, to usual weather, last night rain turned to snow for a proper greeting home!
My wife and I have owned and restored various cars and trucks over the past 50 years. Last year I purchased a 2003 R230 500SL, that is a very low mileage 27,500miles with a very clean history of zero accidents, relatively low maintenance history beyond standard maintenance checks. Immaculate body, interior and ext.Pretty Car! Hopefully, this will continue to be a ordinary maintenance vehicle w/o surprises.
As a young man, I interned as a mechanic at a Denver Chevrolet dealer prior to graduating HS. I was a certified GM tech, but decided to move into auto body repair, where I once again interned, completed training.
At that time, 1965, young men had two choices, College, or Military. My choice was College.
My interests continued after college years, I began restoring a wide variety of cars, which at best recollection was just over 100 vehicles, including 1951 VW Bug, 356 Porsche’s, 912 Porsche, 944 Porsche’s, 1956, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1967 Corvette’s all SBC, 1930 1926,1931Fords just a few coming to mind.
We’ve always wanted a SL Mercedes, when we found the one I purchased I inspected it in depth as these can be pricey and very time consuming. To date, no surprises, but a heavy learning curve!
I’ll appreciate any and all input from others as time moves on.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

 

[SmartAmg]

Hi, Allen and welcome.
Interesting first post.

 

[Srdl]

Hi Allan and welcome to the forum. Thanks for such a great intro post. We ought to see some pictures of the car (and the Colorado Mountains!)

 

[Dean Fletcher]

Hello and welcome

 

[McDonald]

Hello Allan, Great choice of car, the R230 is a thing of beauty. Your back catalogue reads really well, you've had some lovely toys. It sounds as though you've bought the mercedes to enjoy, rather than to restore. An immaculate body doesn't need much help and these engines are very robust. 27,000 miles is very low mileage indeed. I bought mine with 39,000. Changing the transmission fluid is probably the best advice routinely passed on. If it hasn't already been done, it's probably due. The only rust issue on these cars is around the rear wheel arches.

I hope you enjoy your car as much as I'm enjoying mine. Post pictures when you can.

 

[DREAMER NO2]

Welcome Allan sound a very nice place , the way you put it . Do enjoy your new classic Mercedes.

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi and welcome.
The SL is a beautiful car with surprising agility when pushed and simply sublime on a warm summer's day with the roof down

As for maintenance avoid dealers. The car is of an age where most techs knowledgeable about these cars have moved on. Find a reputable MB specialist for those occasions you need one.

I would strongly recommend carrying a portable MB specific code reader so that if out and about you can read and reset a code if necessary. At least you'll know from the code if you need help or can continue. These are complex cars and can on occasion throw codes for fun it seems. Mine for example started throwing random codes for a height sensor then stopped a few weeks later.
Most maintenance can be performed at home but suspension can require Star to set up properly, particularly if you change components. If you have access to Star then again most things can be done by a competent home mechanic with a decent set of tools.

Enjoy your car - and send us some nice mountain shots of it to make us all jealous.

 

[A.J.]

Hi Allan, welcome to the forum

 

[Wighty]

Welcome American buddy , with a serious car history (I’m extremely envious )

 

[davidsl500]

Welcome

 

[davemercedes]

Hello and welcome Allen.

 

[ZZZZ]

Hi and welcome!

 

[John Laidlaw]

Welcome , get a specialist on the job to avoid a world of pain

 

[Allan Grote]

Thanks John! These blogs are new to me, as Is MB!
The more I get into exploring the ABC, it’s not an easy straight forward system, to say least...
My problem is we live inside Rocky Mt Natl Park, closest service is 25mi, but if tech is complex Denver is 2.5 hrs each way.
I was told it’s a 11 hr flat rate job to just replace boots, fluid, filters.
This independent MB specialist said just drive until they stop, don’t worry about the boots, which I just recd aftermarket parts...
Thought about replacing w aftermarket coil-overs, but want the ride and handling delivered from ABC system. Authorized dealer ??

 

[LostKiwi]

ABC is daunting at first glance but is actually reasonably simple when you take time to understand it.
To me 11 hours sounds excessive.
If you mean the rubber bellows surrounding the strut then an hour each tops (less for fronts).
Fluid and filter should be no more than 2 hours.

 

[Allan Grote]

ABC is daunting at first glance but is actually reasonably simple when you take time to understand it.
To me 11 hours sounds excessive.
If you mean the rubber bellows surrounding the strut then an hour each tops (less for fronts).
Fluid and filter should be no more than 2 hours.

 

[Allan Grote]

Wow! that’s a very big difference! As I look at the boots, I’m really surprised someone hasn’t manufactured a boot with nearly original factory appearance, but like the axle boots on vw’s axle boots that wouldn’t necessities removing the entire strut/shock assembly, just pull around insert the bolts holding ends together, and clamps bottom and top...
I had also thought about using a UV cured adhesive cutting them , wrapping, cementing edges, use up light to set?
Sounds like these can be installed w/ o fully removing all plumbing etc?
What part of the world are you in?

 

[LostKiwi]

Wow! that’s a very big difference! As I look at the boots, I’m really surprised someone hasn’t manufactured a boot with nearly original factory appearance, but like the axle boots on vw’s axle boots that wouldn’t necessities removing the entire strut/shock assembly, just pull around insert the bolts holding ends together, and clamps bottom and top...
I had also thought about using a UV cured adhesive cutting them , wrapping, cementing edges, use up light to set?
Sounds like these can be installed w/ o fully removing all plumbing etc?
What part of the world are you in?

Yes they can be removed in situ. Just disconnect the lower end of the strut. Two metal clips hold them in position. Cut them off and replace with new (or use long cable ties). No need to disconnect hydraulics.

I'm in the UK.

 

[Kev555]

Welcome Allen, you've been around a lot of nice cars