SL500 Newbie

[Paulathome]

Good afternoon all,
First time on here since joining the club.
I recently accquired an SL500 of 2003 vintage with 57K on the clock in silver.
My name is Paul and I'm an electronics engineer from Stockport south Manchester with in interest in anything with wheels and a large engine.
I have owned all sorts from BMW 540, TVR Chimaera, Jaguar XK8 and Mercedes E63 AMG so nothing under 4 litres for 20 years.
I recently sold my E63 after we buy any car dot com made me an offer I coudn't refuse and then found the SL500 by chance at a price I couldn't refuse
but with known issues with the ABC system. It has been confirmed that the pump is on it's way out which is on order and a few minor gremlins which I am
working my way through.
The car drives like new for the milage and it may yet be a keeper, we shall see. One thing I have noticed is the price of parts, I thought the Jag was expensive
but the Merc is on another level.
I am sure I will be posting many silly questions over the next few months as I plough through all the faults and get it back to it's former glory. (be gentle with me)
Kind regards,
Paul.

 

[Blobcat]

Hello and welcome,

Popular choice is the R230 on the forum and many have expeience on getting alternatives especially for the ABC components at much better prices.

 

[dry run]

Welcome

 

[NJS5]

Welcome Paul from another R230 owner.

NJSS

 

[PaulG]

Welcome to the forum

 

[SmartAmg]

Welcome, Paul.

 

[LostKiwi]

Hi and welcome from another R230 owner.
It's not Mercedes parts that are expensive (many parts are quite cheap). It's SL parts that are expensive. Often eye wateringly so.
Still, once sorted they're a joy to live with.

One thing I would get is a code reader that is able to read all the modules - especially ABC.

There are several by iCarsoft that are well liked by forum members and for something cheaper Autel do the AP200 phone based reader which is very compact to keep in the car (and with an SL I'd recommend doing that).

 

[Wighty]

Welcome buddy , at least it sounds like you know what you are doing .

 

[A.J.]

HI Paul, welcome to the forum

 

[00slk]

Hello and welcome from yet another R230 owner, blimey you are going to think your have bought a common car

 

[SL63 Mark]

Hello and welcome, nice to meet a fellow SL owner joining the fold.

 

[Gew]

Welcome onboard, and really a beauty you have there, love the photo you attached. I think you'll enjoy it here, pepper are great. I wish I had the $ for a SL. Perhaps one day, before I retire!

 

[sausage]

SL500 - great choice welcome. Looks like it has the updated front grill (after market). Very smart.

 

[flowrider]

Excellent choice of car and, IMO, the best colour.

 

[Mark Q]

Reassuringly expensive !!

 

[ajlsl600]

R230 in my view the best looking motor out there. As an electronics man u hav half chance. I never had a car hold the road like it. End of. But be prepared to get involved. I once spent 6 weeks sorting electrical/electronic prob. But it was not my main, rain, winter car so time mattered little. Enjoy. Sold mine after 5 Yr not sure if I dodged one or not.

 

[rorywquin]

Reassuringly expensive !!

The old "wife beater" ad.

 

[sausage]

not sure if I dodged one or not.

I know that feeling.

 

[LostKiwi]

R230 in my view the best looking motor out there. As an electronics man u hav half chance. I never had a car hold the road like it. End of. But be prepared to get involved. I once spent 6 weeks sorting electrical/electronic prob. But it was not my main, rain, winter car so time mattered little. Enjoy. Sold mine after 5 Yr not sure if I dodged one or not.

Yours was effing awesome too. I was gutted when you sold it.

 

[ajlsl600]

Not near as much as I.... If cud have kept that warm dry for 20 Yr??