Specifically a SL350 R230 - 2006 vs 2009 ish

[sausage]

Hi all,
looks like I might be coming back to the brand with a new-to-me car. As the title says, R230 SL350, please do not mention other SL models as I am focusing on the 350 only.
So, done a lot searching and I have read a lot of comparisons and they all seem to revert to the 500 eventually, or talk about the earlier facelift in the R230 run and not the 2009 onwards cars.

In short, I am looking at either the square headlight version, or the late round headlight version. Preferably a non-ABC model. From what I have read gear timing issues and balance shaft issues affect the later 3.5L onwards but not later cars, and that the 2009 should not be affected. I am aware of boot and roof seals and to check for leaks. I also have read a little about the SBC and the need to replace at a certain point in time.

The earlier cars sub 50k miles are insanely cheap and that makes for an interesting option because it basically feels like the car would be almost "free". The 2009 ones are about £16k which is fine too.

I honestly cannot tell if I like one or the other better. I cannot tell if I will feel differently in the older model. I cannot tell if the older one is a riskier purchase due to age/mechanical repair costs. On one hand I save myself £7k and have less depreciation for the older car, and on the other hand the 2009 looks more modern from the front.

So those who know, or who like these cars, what are your thoughts please?

I'm used to the kind of bills this car can throw at me, so that is not a concern.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Just out of interest, if you’re used to these sorts of bills why are you restricting yourself in choice so tightly?

 

[Taffy7hfa]

Hi, for me there are only 3 things that matter when I'm looking at a used car, condition, condition and condition.
Although if its free i might make an exception

 

[sausage]

Hi, for me there are only 3 things that matter when I'm looking at a used car, condition, condition and condition.
Although if its free i might make an exception

Fair points.

 

[sausage]

Just out of interest, if you’re used to these sorts of bills why are you restricting yourself in choice so tightly?

Craig, personal choice. Now I am an old man I have no interest in needing to buy the newest, best or most expensive, so I don't need to have the top of the range, the fastest car for bragging rights or for my own need, experience tells me those cars come with the biggest bills. I had my last sports car for 10 years and towards the end of that time I found driving it on the UK roads was more of a frustration than anything, lots of abuse every time I overtook someone, lots of traffic calming and roads where I could not stretch the legs, and after doing many European tours with friends the UK driving experience was disappointing. I would get the car out of the garage with the expectation of enjoying the drive, and afterwards would realise I had not enjoyed it so much. The Range Rover is a different experience and whilst it is no slouch it does encourage a more relaxed driving style that is better suited to my age and to the UK roads, and I believe that for the next few years an old SL350 will be just the thing for roof down and enjoying a nice drive to the golf club.
As for fastest, top of the range, expensive I've done that, and had huge amounts of depreciation over a few years, I have no interest in that now, and I am quite happy to pootle around in an old SL350. I have to be honest, your question did not read well, and it did not read like "out of interest", it read like a challenge about my financial situation especially using superlatives like "so tightly", it's not "so tightly" at all, it's a personal choice, but thanks for your contribution regardless, nice to meet you.

 

[Craiglxviii]

The reason I ask is that you’re likely to find a better choice amongst the 500s rather than the 350s

 

[sausage]

Thanks. I don't want the ABC, or the service costs associated with the 500.

 

[Craiglxviii]

Thanks. I don't want the ABC, or the service costs associated with the 500.

What service costs are associated with the M113 5.0 engine greater than the 350 V6? I say this as the owner of an ABC-equipped CL500. I spend about £80 a year in new oil, oil/air/pollen filters and £150 every 2 years in new ABC fluid & filter.

Also, RFL for the 5.0 engine is £300 per year…

I had horrendous problems with ABC when I bought the car. All caused by poor/zero maintenance by previous owners. Once I solved those (and in doing so, brought the cost of parts down dramatically; I can now get an ABC strut for the same price as a normal strut & spring) I’ve had no other problems at all.

What I’m getting at for you is that to get a high spec SL, it’s more likely that you’ll find a 500 (and more quickly) than anything else; but your perception of the increased running costs is, I’m afraid, flawed. Most problems on a 230 relate to leaking seals and dead PSE pumps which will happen regardless of the engine selection.

 

[00slk]

If it's any consultation sausage when I eventually look at replacing either my SL55 or the wifes SLK350 we will be looking at a SL350 Not for maintenance costs, speed or reliability issues, but because old age and comfort is starting to take over ones person and besides we have a play toy car which is quick enough if I ever get around to finishing off the old classic car

 

[sausage]

What service costs are associated with the M113 5.0 engine greater than the 350 V6? I say this as the owner of an ABC-equipped CL500. I spend about £80 a year in new oil, oil/air/pollen filters and £150 every 2 years in new ABC fluid & filter.

Also, RFL for the 5.0 engine is £300 per year…

I had horrendous problems with ABC when I bought the car. All caused by poor/zero maintenance by previous owners. Once I solved those (and in doing so, brought the cost of parts down dramatically; I can now get an ABC strut for the same price as a normal strut & spring) I’ve had no other problems at all.

What I’m getting at for you is that to get a high spec SL, it’s more likely that you’ll find a 500 (and more quickly) than anything else; but your perception of the increased running costs is, I’m afraid, flawed. Most problems on a 230 relate to leaking seals and dead PSE pumps which will happen regardless of the engine selection.

In my experience a 5L V8 engine has more spark plugs, more oil than a V6. If you are servicing yourself this may be less of a consideration, but in my experience those jobs take longer because there is more to do, so all in that is more expensive and I will be going to MB or a MB specialist. It is highly unlikely that more oil and more spark plugs and more time to perform a service is cheaper than less spark plugs, less oil and less time.
The 500 is less fuel efficient.
RFL according to Autotrader is also higher.
My maths are not flawed as far as I can tell.

There are also less 500s for sale with my criteria than there are 350s. Thanks for your input, but really, I want a 350. Cheers. This might not be the decision you made, but it is the decision I made and one I am happy with.

 

[sausage]

If it's any consultation sausage when I eventually look at replacing either my SL55 or the wifes SLK350 we will be looking at a SL350 Not for maintenance costs, speed or reliability issues, but because old age and comfort is starting to take over ones person and besides we have a play toy car which is quick enough if I ever get around to finishing off the old classic car

Horses for courses. SL350 all the way for me I think....

 

[sausage]

Still not really getting any commentary on my original question. Any one ?

 

[Wighty]

Still not really getting any commentary on my original question. Any one ?

I think the shape question is down to the individual, but the older cheaper cars will maybe/possibly cost more to repair and upkeep than the newer more expensive one‘s assuming the same level of care by previous owners ?
There’s an SL500 on AT about 2002/3 for about £9k ? In the blurb it says that when the previous owner bought the car in 2012 , they spent £25k in repairs . I would go the newest you can with your 350 .
( Have you ruled out a 2008/9 CLK350 ?)

 

[flowrider]

If it were me I would be going for the earlier car as I am not a fan of the facelift square headlights and the change made to the bonnet. You will rarely see an SL350 with ABC as it was an expensive option but lookout for the tell tell switch on the centre console next to the gear lever.

 

[sausage]

Thanks Wighty, I have always liked the CLK and considered one a few times. This time I think I am fixated on the SL though.

I wonder if that £25k on the SL500 was in a short space of time, or over the 9 years of ownership. My last sports car ran a bill just a tad under £50k but that was over 10 years as well, and then the new owner went to the nth level of maintenance, and then wrote it off.

Yes, as new and nice as possible. I'm think Im going to try and skip over 3.5s that are 2008 and earlier I think, or if not then will check the VIN for balance shaft potential. I did wonder about going even earlier and get a 3.7 but the performance is putting me off the earlier 3.7s at the moment. I've been in a Range Rover for the last few years so I'd like a 0-60 less than 7 seconds if possible.

 

[sausage]

If it were me I would be going for the earlier car as I am not a fan of the facelift square headlights and the change made to the bonnet. You will rarely see an SL350 with ABC as it was an expensive option but lookout for the tell tell switch on the centre console next to the gear lever.

I'm so undecided, and can see both sides of the argument - round vs square.

Thanks for the tip on the ABC switch - I just googled and now know what to look for. Before your comment I wondered if the CSM switch was ABC, but now I can see there is clearly an ABC switch ;-) Thanks.

 

[NJS5]

I went through this same process in the Spring last year.

I had owned a n R107 350SL, which I bought when 2 years old and owner for many years up to the turn of the century, and wanted another SL.

After much research I came to the same conclusion as you and started looking for a late SL350 R230. I searched for a couple of months before buying my 2011 SL almost exactly 12 months ago to the day. I have no regrets.

I would find an excellent indy - to look after you new pride and joy; I'm lucky enough to have PCS close at hand, and they have been of great help.

NJSS.

 

[Monday]

I had a 2007 SL350 for 6 years from 2011 to 2017. Mileage was low, very much a weekend car. No major issues in that time but like all R230's (at least up to the 2009 facelift you have referred to) electrically fragile. It had to be kept on a trickle charger, otherwise the "consumers offline" sign would be lighting up after 2 weeks or so in the garage. The fuse to the pump operating the boot and central locking liked to blow at the most inconvenient times and the cubby behind the driver's seat where the fuse box is is locked on the same system. Mechanically fine though.
I eventually swapped it for a 2015 R231 which is the car the R230 should have been. Electrically much more robust, all aluminium (except for the roll bar incorporated into the windscreen surround) so kilos lighter and nearly as fast as an R230 SL500. And no leaks!

 

[sausage]

I have paid a deposit on a tenorite grey 09 SL350, 49k miles, 10 services, panoramic roof, digital sources, 19" alloys, black interior. Should be ready in 5 days.
Will certainly be looking for a local indy to look after it and if not then main dealer. I like my cars to be survivors and those that do I like to have a faultless history record because as the cars age more the better the history the better it sets them apart. Shame my old 911 got written off by the new owner, I was the 3rd and had nearly £50k of receipts for it.

Thanks everyone for the input.

 

[NJS5]

Congratulations; please post photographs.

looking for a local indy to look after it and if not then main dealer.

I would find a decent indy, even if some way away, and avoid main dealers like the plague.

NJSS