R231

[Petelatham]

Hi There, recently joined.

Looking to purchase 2014, or newer, 350/400 SL to do the trip of a lifetime around Europe. British born but now based in Australia. Will either leave car with family after the trip or re sell. So, with that in mind, I’m looking for something with a pretty high spec, great colour combo and FSH. I don’t mind a few miles on the clock with the right history, budget $15 - $17k. Must be genuine car and genuine people! Thanks

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome

 

[harrye500]

Hi there, welcome. I think you may need to increase your budget marginally! 17k AUD is just short of 10k sterling and that probably won't get you the sort of 231 you want.

 

[Petelatham]

Thanks for the pick up, my budget is £15k - £17k GBP, $ is a force of habit!! Don’t seem to be able to edit original post.

 

[Petelatham]

Hello and welcome

Thank you

 

[Petelatham]

Hello and welcome

Thank you

 

[mioba]

Welcome

 

[SL63 Mark]

Welcome, the R231 is an amazing car, I have owned mine for 10 months and absolutely love it. It took me years of research to find mine, it is not a quick process. The used car market in the UK can be a bit of a minefield. Good luck in your search, I used Autotrader, most cars will be advertised on there. Simply do a search for the model and price you are looking for. You need time to inspect and drive cars. How familiar are you with the 231 ? Have you owned one previously ?

 

[rorywquin]

Get one with ABC. Much better ride - especially for touring.
Don’t need a V8 - V6 has more than enough grunt for touring and is a lighter more drivable car (I’m sure you’ve scratched the V8 itch on Oz).
Been in mine for almost 6 years (after purchasing new) and it never gets old. I’ve done several road trips in it (UK, Europe and Ireland) - fantastic.
It takes a lot less luggage than you think so plan for that. If you are prepared to spend that for a road trip (£17k) - buy the luggage bag (long and narrow) that fits behind the seats.
It is bigger than you think so parking is not always easy here & Europe.

 

[SL63 Mark]

Get one with ABC. Much better ride - especially for touring.
Don’t need a V8 - V6 has more than enough grunt for touring and is a lighter more drivable car (I’m sure you’ve scratched the V8 itch on Oz).
Been in mine for almost 6 years (after purchasing new) and it never gets old. I’ve done several road trips in it (UK, Europe and Ireland) - fantastic.
It takes a lot less luggage than you think so plan for that. If you are prepared to spend that for a road trip (£17k) - buy the luggage bag (long and narrow) that fits behind the seats.
It is bigger than you think so parking is not always easy here & Europe.

Yes it is wide and long and low, but it does have a rear camera and all round parking sensors, so parking is not too difficult. Most of the length is engine bay, cabin is relatively short but fine for two people. We have had two touring holidays with no issues. ABC was useful because you can increase ride height when negotiating flooded roads and off-roading. It looks like an SUV on maximum height, There is useful room behind the seats, seats are supremely comfortable.

Must investigate luggage bag, mine does not have one.

 

[Petelatham]

Welcome, the R231 is an amazing car, I have owned mine for 10 months and absolutely love it. It took me years of research to find mine, it is not a quick process. The used car market in the UK can be a bit of a minefield. Good luck in your search, I used Autotrader, most cars will be advertised on there. Simply do a search for the model and price you are looking for. You need time to inspect and drive cars. How familiar are you with the 231 ? Have you owned one previously ?

Thanks Mark,
I am fairly familiar with the used car market in the UK although not for the past 20 yrs! Haven’t had an SL but bought my first new MB in 98 ( C230 Kompressor) and the a CLK cab in 2003. I’ve got my alerts set on Autotrader! I have family that can inspect on my behalf once I’ve established the history etc. no rush, don’t get to the UK until September but can pull the trigger when the right car presents itself.

 

[Petelatham]

Get one with ABC. Much better ride - especially for touring.
Don’t need a V8 - V6 has more than enough grunt for touring and is a lighter more drivable car (I’m sure you’ve scratched the V8 itch on Oz).
Been in mine for almost 6 years (after purchasing new) and it never gets old. I’ve done several road trips in it (UK, Europe and Ireland) - fantastic.
It takes a lot less luggage than you think so plan for that. If you are prepared to spend that for a road trip (£17k) - buy the luggage bag (long and narrow) that fits behind the seats.
It is bigger than you think so parking is not always easy here & Europe.

Thanks for the input! Yes, understand the luggage limitations and have looked at those bags, will probably get one! Yes, the V6 will do the job nicely I reckon. Daily drive is a big V8 Landcruiser, I think it’s the Amazon in the UK, so no stanger to tight parking in the city, have the V8 twin turbo X5M as the play thing here, an absolute monster… but not really comfortable after an hour of so drive. Had a couple of MB a few years back so reasonably familiar with the 3 pointed star!

 

[rorywquin]

Yes it is wide and long and low, but it does have a rear camera and all round parking sensors, so parking is not too difficult. Most of the length is engine bay, cabin is relatively short but fine for two people. We have had two touring holidays with no issues. ABC was useful because you can increase ride height when negotiating flooded roads and off-roading. It looks like an SUV on maximum height, There is useful room behind the seats, seats are supremely comfortable.

Must investigate luggage bag, mine does not have one.

ABC gives a far better ride as well.

 

[rorywquin]

Thanks for the input! Yes, understand the luggage limitations and have looked at those bags, will probably get one! Yes, the V6 will do the job nicely I reckon. Daily drive is a big V8 Landcruiser, I think it’s the Amazon in the UK, so no stanger to tight parking in the city, have the V8 twin turbo X5M as the play thing here, an absolute monster… but not really comfortable after an hour of so drive. Had a couple of MB a few years back so reasonably familiar with the 3 pointed star!

I has a 200 Series when they first came out in OZ (2008). Went from the showroom to the ARB team who did bull bar, spots, radio, nitro shocks, lift, Mikey Thompson tyres, rear drawers, built in compressor, aux battery etc etc. Had a Kimberley Kamper and then a Kimberley Karavan. We did about 40,000 miles of outback travel. Sold the LC because there were very limited garages where I could park it in the city (Brisbane) - it was too tall. Then got a 2012 SLK 350 and did several long trips in it as well.

 

[Petelatham]

I has a 200 Series when they first came out in OZ (2008). Went from the showroom to the ARB team who did bull bar, spots, radio, nitro shocks, lift, Mikey Thompson tyres, rear drawers, built in compressor, aux battery etc etc. Had a Kimberley Kamper and then a Kimberley Karavan. We did about 40,000 miles of outback travel. Sold the LC because there were very limited garages where I could park it in the city (Brisbane) - it was too tall. Then got a 2012 SLK 350 and did several long trips in it as well.

Awesome, my 200 is one of the last V8’s, 2020 Sahara, apart from spotties, colour matched Toyota bull bar, suspension airbags and a load of electrical mods to tow the 3200kg caravan, it’s straight out of the box. I do about 70,000km a year, so it’s really the only vehicle out here that makes sense, residual values are crazy, I’m in Brisbane too, there are certainly a few car parks not to go to! My business partner uses the GLE 63s as daily drive, it’s very nice and recently picked up a 2021 G63 as the toy!! I’ve borrowed it several times and is so much more comfortable than my X5M, I don’t think it’s quiet as brutally quick as the beemer but the note when you turn the mufflers of is epic. He has jus put a tow bar on it and bought a caravan…. That will be interesting haha.

 

[rorywquin]

Awesome, my 200 is one of the last V8’s, 2020 Sahara, apart from spotties, colour matched Toyota bull bar, suspension airbags and a load of electrical mods to tow the 3200kg caravan, it’s straight out of the box. I do about 70,000km a year, so it’s really the only vehicle out here that makes sense, residual values are crazy, I’m in Brisbane too, there are certainly a few car parks not to go to! My business partner uses the GLE 63s as daily drive, it’s very nice and recently picked up a 2021 G63 as the toy!! I’ve borrowed it several times and is so much more comfortable than my X5M, I don’t think it’s quiet as brutally quick as the beemer but the note when you turn the mufflers of is epic. He has jus put a tow bar on it and bought a caravan…. That will be interesting haha.Y

I had the V8 diesel. I was living in SA (Adelaide) when I purchased it. Very little petrol in the outback and a problem in NT. I only ever had one “breakdown” partly my fault when I got the alternator clogged with mud in the Simpson It was the first one (200 series) that the guy in Birdsville had ever worked on. Other than that is was flawless. Awesome machines.

 

[Bay Leaf]

Hi. I don't think you'll find one for the budget you have, unless it has very high milage. I bought mine in Aug 2020 and I paid 20k for it It was advertised at 22k with 32k on the clock. Also second hand cars have gone up quite a bit since then. I forgot to add it was a 2013 350 petrol model

 

[Petelatham]

I had the V8 diesel. I was living in SA (Adelaide) when I purchased it. Very little petrol in the outback and a problem in NT. I only ever had one “breakdown” partly my fault when I got the alternator clogged with mud in the Simpson It was the first one (200 series) that the guy in Birdsville had ever worked on. Other than that is was flawless. Awesome machines.

View attachment 81496 View attachment 81497 Great photos

They certainly are, this is my second 200 and will probably look at ordering a new 300 later in the year, it’s over 12 month wait for one down here. Shame they did away with the V8 but I hear the new engine is pretty good.

 

[Petelatham]

Hi. I don't think you'll find one for the budget you have, unless it has very high milage. I bought mine in Aug 2020 and I paid 20k for it It was advertised at 22k with 32k on the clock. Also second hand cars have gone up quite a bit since then. I forgot to add it was a 2013 350 petrol model

Hey there, thanks for the feedback. I don’t mind a few miles on the clock, looking at a couple of 2014 350 at the moment with about 70k on the clock with full MB history, both in the £18k bracket before negotiations. So hopefully I shouldn’t be too far out, a 400 maybe a stretch but I’m in no rush as our trip isn’t until September. Fingers crossed!