R230 Demise

[Malcolm Johnson]

On Monday at 9.30 am. I started to move out to pass a parked house removal van, clear skies and low sun lining perfectly with a straight road.
I was instantly blinded, pushed the visor down to block the sun. Unfortunately the sun was so low it went under the visor still into my eyes and blinded.
In a matter 1 second to 2 seconds all this occurred.
After 12 & half years of ownership its sad that its demise was in the back of a Pickford's removal van.

I liked it a lot, took me 3 months to find the right combination first time around.
So SL500 M273, Quad lights . late 56,07,57 plate. Not Silver. Cd Changer 17 inch Wheels,

I will just look till i see and buy. I like that era.

 

[peterws1957]

What a shame. I avoid a couple of roads near me simply because a low sun will blind drivers on these roads- particularly dangerous. On a brighter note now is probably a good time to buy a replacement, prices being depressed on SL's at this time of year.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Sorry to hear about that, hope you are OK. How did the Pickfords Van fare ?

 

[Mark Q]

Oh, what a shame, I feel for you.
Probably better than it dying a long lingering slow death of requiring multiple expensive parts one after the other which tend to occur on our ride of choice.
Hope you find a suitable replacement

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

Hello to give you perspective of what happened, was intending to pass Pickford's van. At the time off the accident the sun was below the height of the Pickford's van, As i moved out to pass the van i was blinded. This was half a Mile from home. This was the first sight of the sun due to route.

As we stand, I'm looking for a quad light R230- M273 engine with usb/cd changer with telephone capability to read my iphone as before. Dark colour as my S class is in palladium silver.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Must happen to them a lot, removal lorries always park in the worst places.

 

[Mark Q]

Owch !!! hopefully you didn't have a passenger in with you..

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

Going to pick up another R230 on Saturday. 3 months younger. 20 k less in miles with full Mercedes service.
Wooden steering wheel, paddle flaps for gear changes if wanted. (why)
Grey leather / carpet. Rather than black. Other spec same as dead SL.
Looked at it 7 days after the accident. Super flukey to find the spec.
Put 1k deposit Last Tuesday, feel very fortunate.
Will be happier when its settled in the garage Saturday.
Obsidian Black rather than Opal black.

 

[Malcolm Johnson]

The Replacement R230 is with my indie presently for look over and transmission fluid change, will apply the rear window sealant as it has new seals. Will apply various protective actions as i did on my previous R230 (as prescribed by television GRHS)
One question re floor mats, they look knackered. Not originally from this car i guess. Does any members suggest a good R230 carpet floor mat supplier for
the uk. Driver & Passenger?.