R230 SL500 Prospective Buyer - Advice Needed!

[martduff5]

Hi guys

I thought I was looking to purchase an R230 SL500, until I read about the ABC suspension problems. Like a lot of others, I am now considering the SL350 to avoid the complications...I am not particularly mechanically minded and I want the SL as a weekend car, if that (I'll be getting it on classic car insurance with mileage restrictions, etc).

I live near the coast and do not have a garage; I am looking at renting a garage, but the nearest available ones I can find at the moment are half an hour drive away, so not ideal. So for now, the car would sit on the street.

I sat in an SL350 '03 plate yesterday and loved the feel of the car, but the temptation of the SL500 is still lingering.

I have read that not driving SL500's for long periods of time can lead to fluid blockage issues which then leads to the ABC fault, is this correct? And even if I find a car that's had the ABC fault repaired (via replacement of the struts, right?) then what's to say it doesn't develop the same fault again, made more likely by me not driving the car much?

I also read that it's a good idea to use a trickle charger to keep the batteries topped up; this might be difficult to do 24/7 given the car will be on the road (if I find a suitable garage I don't know if there'll be power or not). Are there any other charging devices I could use for shorter periods of time to keep the battery topped up?

Also, does anyone know how I can identify through the advert photos whether the car has the upgraded stereo? Garage descriptions are woeful at the best of times... and on that note I notice occasionally some cars have a push start button on the gear selector; is this part of the keyless go and if so, was that an optional extra?

Can anyone point me in the direction where I can see a diagram/image showing what all of the different buttons do in the cabin? I noticed a few with symbols/letters I didn't recognise...I suspect it'd be in the user manual somewhere? In particular, I though that the wheel numbered 0-5 located on the front edge of both driver and passenger seats was some sort of massage function, but when I moved the wheel on the car I saw in yesterday nothing happened! The heated seat buttons are on the door, so it can't be that.

Sorry for the random array of questions and thanks in advance!

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

R230 SL is well represented on the forum (perhaps because it has it's fare share of "features"...) so you should get some good advice.

Being able to keep the boot battery fully charged is of importance - you could try a solar charger - I've had success with one on my Smart, they don't put out a lot or power though

Water leaks can cause a lot of issues with the PSE pump in the boot - lift up the boot liner and check the sponge it's sat in isn't soaking wet

 

[NJS5]

Welcome Martduff5.

I was advised by the specialist who maintains my SL that it really should be garaged. It certainly benefits from being protected from the elements.

Whereabouts on the coast are you?

Good lick

NJSS

 

[LostKiwi]

Never heard that about the ABC getting blocked if not used. Sounds suspect to me.

It is essential the fluid in the ABC is kept clean and replaced regularly along with the filter.

The oil won't spontaneously generate lumps.

The ABC issues are somewhat exaggerated in my opinion.

If you're worried about storing it outdoors get a decent quality cover that can be securely fastened to the vehicle.

 

[martduff5]

Thanks for your help guys. I'd love the SL500, I just don't want to get lumbered with a £3k bill for sorting the ABC on a car I'd only do 3k miles per year in. What intervals (in time or mileage or both) should I be expecting the ABC fluid and filter to be replaced at when I'm checking the service history?

I figured I'd probably need a garage for the car, the comments above reiterate that I guess. I'm based in Portishead, I found some garages available in Weston Super Mare but that would involve a 50 mile round trip each time I wanted to get to the car...might be a short term solution I guess.

Does anyone know how long the boot battery lasts for when the car isn't used? And if I were to keep the car on the street at home (with a heavy duty car cover) I wonder what the quickest way would be to charge that boot battery?

That's an interesting approach with the solar battery charger, I'll give it some thought.

 

[flowrider]

The ABC fluid should be green, if its brown it needs changing and if its black I would walk away. Some people recommend changing the fluid every couple of years but I think you should use a mileage/age schedule so low mileages don't need fluid changes so often. The battery in the boot won't last long, mine lasts 3-4 weeks before it needs a charge.

If you want the premium sound system look on the door speakers for BOSE.

There are lots of threads re SL500's and buying advice.

 

[Wighty]

Your worries about a 3k bill are certainly justified and are a possibility over time , hopefully you might dodge any issues but your are buying an old super car and prices for fixing things are based on its original very high price . To enable you to sleep at night budget for that 3k to be set aside for any issues .
Failing that don’t buy one with ABC .
Whatever you choose , good luck and enjoy

 

[Blobcat]

Alternatively buy an SLK and abuse the hell out of it...

(Nice SLK55 would be a great choice)

 

[martduff5]

The ABC fluid should be green, if its brown it needs changing and if its black I would walk away. Some people recommend changing the fluid every couple of years but I think you should use a mileage/age schedule so low mileages don't need fluid changes so often. The battery in the boot won't last long, mine lasts 3-4 weeks before it needs a charge.

If you want the premium sound system look on the door speakers for BOSE.

There are lots of threads re SL500's and buying advice.

Thanks very much. Does the boot battery charge via the alternator like the main battery?

 

[martduff5]

The ABC fluid should be green, if its brown it needs changing and if its black I would walk away. Some people recommend changing the fluid every couple of years but I think you should use a mileage/age schedule so low mileages don't need fluid changes so often. The battery in the boot won't last long, mine lasts 3-4 weeks before it needs a charge.

If you want the premium sound system look on the door speakers for BOSE.

There are lots of threads re SL500's and buying advice.

Thanks very much. Does the boot battery charge via the alternator like the main battery

Alternatively buy an SLK and abuse the hell out of it...

(Nice SLK55 would be a great choice)

This brings me into Audi TT 3.2 roadster territory....nice machines but questionable image

 

[martduff5]

I must say, I do like the look of this one: http://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-details/202103059792824?atmobcid=soc3

 

[00slk]

We've run R230's for over 7 years, if you've no garage and worried about maintenance bills it might be better looking at an SLK as Blobcat suggested, they are fairly robust and can be left for long periods without issues.
The R230's need regular use.

 

[Viscount]

My only R230 is the one I have which is the early 350 with the 3.7L. I find the performance more than adequate as a "week-end" drive. I initially kept it outside but moved it to my garage where I could trickle charge. However, before the move to the garage, the car would always start but might complain that that some functions were not available (I can't remember the message on the dash) such as the vario roof etc. A few miles of driving would sort that but it did need to actually stop, switch off and back on to accept that these facilities were available. I got a cover with the car from the previous owner but have never used it. The previous owner said that he had to replace all the roof kit in the boot due to leaving it outside so I think cover or garage is sensible.

 

[martduff5]

My only R230 is the one I have which is the early 350 with the 3.7L. I find the performance more than adequate as a "week-end" drive. I initially kept it outside but moved it to my garage where I could trickle charge. However, before the move to the garage, the car would always start but might complain that that some functions were not available (I can't remember the message on the dash) such as the vario roof etc. A few miles of driving would sort that but it did need to actually stop, switch off and back on to accept that these facilities were available. I got a cover with the car from the previous owner but have never used it. The previous owner said that he had to replace all the roof kit in the boot due to leaving it outside so I think cover or garage is sensible.

Thanks Viscount, that's very helpful. The problems you had with various functions not being available; was that before you got a trickle charger? Might the secondary battery have been in a poor state due to infrequent usage, either by the previous owner or by you? I'm encouraged to see that you didn't mention too many other gremlins though, especially as I'd be using the car in a similar way as you.

 

[peterws1957]

These cars do not like being stood around unused for long periods, for the reasons mentioned above. I honestly would avoid the SL500, unless you find one that has been absolutely pampered. More than one experienced owner on here has had to spend thousands on theirs during a couple of years of ownership. If you could do any repairs yourself, perhaps a different matter.
Any R230 will benefit greatly from being kept under cover but even then continuing care, such as consumer battery maintenance, clearing the drains and the rear arches ( a weak rust trap), and maintaining the various roof and boot seals is pretty essential if you want to avoid problems.
Great cars, but you have to choose very carefully, and easy to buy a total dog if you don't know what you're looking at. Sounds negative, but once you get in the swing of owning a nice example, there's not much to beat them for the money.

 

[LostKiwi]

In the 4 years of our 230 we've replaced one front strut (collapsed lower spring platform that was known about at the time we got it and the car came with a spare), had rust removed from rear arches, new PSE pump, SBC pump counter timed out and reset (so will need looking at soon) and have had a Comand issue which is an irritant.

We also have a misting rear strut which has been doing it for over 6 years now but I have a used spare ready to go in.

Our 230 lives outside.

 

[NJS5]

LostKiwi

I note your R230 lives outside. Is it under a car-port or cover?

I bought my R230 in the hope & expectation that I could park it in my sheltered drive, however it appears not to like this and I have been strongly advised by Olly Stoner (PCS) that it should be garaged,.

This forces me to park my MGB GT V8 in the drive, which in turn forces me to consider selling it.

NJSS

 

[LostKiwi]

No. Just sits outside.

I am considering a cover for it but not sure yet if I'll do it or not.

I make a point of using it at least once per fortnight if I can.

 

[NJS5]

L-K Many thanks.

I considered a hight quality breathable cover, but still have concerns about damage to paint.

I use the car at least once per fortnight if weather permits - but not when there's salt on the roads, when it merely gets started & driven up & down my drive.

NJSS

 

[martduff5]

When I say I would use the car infrequently, I envisage using it 1-2 times per week in the summer (weather permitting) and once per 7-14 days in the winter, even if it's just a case of turning the engine over. I am going to see if any neighbours have any garages they can rent out or recommend nearby, but failing that I have two options:

1. Keep the car on the street at home, where I can turn the engine over and go for short runs frequently, but be more susceptible to the elements
2. Rent a garage a 30 minute drive away, which will help with the elements but means the car will be turned over/used less often

It's a tricky conundrum!

I also appreciate I really need to know what I'm looking for when viewing an R230; the comments above have been helpful but are there any detailed buying guides (preferably with photos) so I could start checking them out myself? There are a few SL's for sale within a reasonable radius of where I live; none of them are worth considering purchasing but I could use them as opportunities to get familiar with what I need to look out for.