Convince me a R230 SL500 can be a good car!
Discussion
With the weather feeling a tad warmer and the thoughts of summer fast approaching I have an awful itch to scratch in the way of a SL500. Have always wanted one but the last 6 weeks particularly i have been looking, reading, going to view cars and just generally thinking about them 24/7!! only thing stopping me is the internet forums hype of them being financial disasters. I know all about the leaks and ABC issues and other common faults but has anyone had any GOOD experience with owning one for a period of time?? I ran a cl500 for 8 months of 53 plate vintage and didnt cost me a penny so this is what has me thinking the SL may just have a exceptionally bad rep that isn't totally justified. All encouragement to buy one appreciated 
Bought the R230 SL500 ( 2003 Model) new in July 2003. Still have it.
Has not had a hard life as there are other cars, but currently had about 24,000 miles on it.
None of the problems you hear about whatsoever except for a failed bi-xenon high beam which was frighteningly expensive to replace as the whole unit had to go. No other problems whatsoever. Runs perfectly and is like new.
Has not had a hard life as there are other cars, but currently had about 24,000 miles on it.
None of the problems you hear about whatsoever except for a failed bi-xenon high beam which was frighteningly expensive to replace as the whole unit had to go. No other problems whatsoever. Runs perfectly and is like new.
Great to hear a success story! I am also looking around the 2003 year. When i do buy one it will be more of a weekend toy so i shouldnt be doing to much mileage. ideally i want to just buy a good one, run it for a couple of months as a second car then sell it once iv had my fun. wonder how much it can ruin my life in say 6 months :/
chris333 said:
How about a late R129 SL500? Same engine, massively better build quality, much less to go wrong (if you avoid one with ADS). Downside is a less modern appearance and driving experience.
Agreed, or you could even go for a slightly earlier one and get the 32v engine. Either way, great cars.chris333 said:
How about a late R129 SL500? Same engine, massively better build quality, much less to go wrong (if you avoid one with ADS). Downside is a less modern appearance and driving experience.
Bound to be cheaper too. To be honest, I don't think there would much difference between the two in experience terms, the R230 is newer, but as an experience, they are pretty similar proposals.Had my 500 SL for over 18 months 02 plate no issues and have full service history that shows no repairs to ABC it is on 71000 miles. Been SORN since December and fired up today and covered 30 miles no issues..I have only paid for MOT and 2nd key. So I would say no issues. SL 129 seem to be getter better prices than 230s.
The R129 is a great car in its own right but as I'm in my mid 20's it's always seemed old to me even when I was a teenager. The early R230's still look fresh and great today I think, as long as there kept well. I'm afraid it's gotta be R230 if I do. I'm delighted to hear of two current owners so far having trouble free motoring with them. I can afford to buy and run one but nobody likes paying for big unexpected bills and as we know they most likely come at the worst time!! just today iv been scanning the classifieds for some to view next week so I'll keep posted on my thought and close I am to taken the plunge!! V8convert can I just ask how much you paid for a second key as one I may be looking at next week only had one key ands it's the black plastic looking spare one :/
The R129 is a great car in its own right but as I'm in my mid 20's it's always seemed old to me even when I was a teenager. The early R230's still look fresh and great today I think, as long as there kept well. I'm afraid it's gotta be R230 if I do. I'm delighted to hear of two current owners so far having trouble free motoring with them. I can afford to buy and run one but nobody likes paying for big unexpected bills and as we know they most likely come at the worst time!! just today iv been scanning the classifieds for some to view next week so I'll keep posted on my thought and close I am to taken the plunge!! V8convert can I just ask how much you paid for a second key as one I may be looking at next week only had one key ands it's the black plastic looking spare one :/
87dazzler said:
The R129 is a great car in its own right but as I'm in my mid 20's it's always seemed old to me even when I was a teenager. The early R230's still look fresh and great today I think, as long as there kept well. I'm afraid it's gotta be R230 if I do. I'm delighted to hear of two current owners so far having trouble free motoring with them. I can afford to buy and run one but nobody likes paying for big unexpected bills and as we know they most likely come at the worst time!! just today iv been scanning the classifieds for some to view next week so I'll keep posted on my thought and close I am to taken the plunge!! V8convert can I just ask how much you paid for a second key as one I may be looking at next week only had one key ands it's the black plastic looking spare one :/
You are so right about the early R230's. Much more modern looking than the R129 and just plain nicer than the facelift and R231. Best to approach ownership with a couple of grand as a rainy-day fund, and find the best looked after,most original one you can. Only having the spare key left, wouldn't fill me with confidence on the history of a car for example!I think the rainy day fund needed is mostly caused by the ABC suspension, I know a SL350 would be a much more pocket friendly car and I'd actually rather a spring set up. The 350 is 90% there but I just got to have the V8 if I do go for this SL, why oh why didn't they just make ABC a option on all the variants 
I bought my SL500 in Nov 2014 upon my retirement. I was going to get an AMG but all the ones I saw said they had spent thousands lately so that put me off. I bought a 2002 with only 49k on the clock. Worst things so far. Some fool used a power tool on the locking wheel nuts so I cannot use the locking wheel nut. Mercedes broke their locking wheel nut twice. It's going to cost me £100 to get them cut off. Have renewedone battery so keep an eye on that. There is also a slight leak in the boot which if not put right can cost as it gets into all the electrics in the boot. However go onto you tube and it's an easy fix. Failing that I do not regret my purchase. I thought long and hard SL .v. CL. But I made the right decision. It's a better shape than the new one (too angular). Everyone looks at you (or is it my blonde wife). My ones safe as it can only go up in value with that mileage and if I did not trust it then why are we going to tour Italy for 1 month in June. Good luck
paulcooper said:
I bought my SL500 in Nov 2014 upon my retirement. I was going to get an AMG but all the ones I saw said they had spent thousands lately so that put me off. I bought a 2002 with only 49k on the clock. Worst things so far. Some fool used a power tool on the locking wheel nuts so I cannot use the locking wheel nut. Mercedes broke their locking wheel nut twice. It's going to cost me £100 to get them cut off. Have renewedone battery so keep an eye on that. There is also a slight leak in the boot which if not put right can cost as it gets into all the electrics in the boot. However go onto you tube and it's an easy fix. Failing that I do not regret my purchase. I thought long and hard SL .v. CL. But I made the right decision. It's a better shape than the new one (too angular). Everyone looks at you (or is it my blonde wife). My ones safe as it can only go up in value with that mileage and if I did not trust it then why are we going to tour Italy for 1 month in June. Good luck
I'm loving all these positive reviews, let's not be to positive now we don't want to drive prices up!! Lol. iv had a 53 plate CL and it was as reliable as any car iv ever had, really enjoyed it. I know about the boot leak fix from YouTube Aswell seems pretty straight forward. A lot of the leaks are down to blocked drainage holes aswell I suspect so once there kept free that should be half the battle. The one option that is on my must have list is the AMG styling pack! Love how aggressive it makes the front look, when it comes to colour chances are I'll end up with a silver car. 99% Seem to be silver! The ABC is a pain but not as bad as everyone makes out on it's own it's a £1200 job if you want the lower ball joints on the legs refurbished at the same then it works out around £2000 yes it's still a lot of money but a new damper for most cars that have adaptive suspension BMW Audi Vauxhall etc is around £1500 so it's all relative
I'm on my second SL 55 ,the first was a 2002 and suffered from a leaking boot with associated problems,otherwise no further issues and I sold it at 40k miles.
My currant one which I have owned for five years is a 2005 facelift model ,which although used sparingly for mainly long trips has proved almost faultless,I put this down to the fact that it is garaged and serviced annually by a main dealer.
We have all read about the abc suspension issues on this forum but I would concur with the previous posters comment that if something goes wrong with the active suspension on any car it's going to be expensive to sort,but is a 2k bill on a car that goes like a rocket and cost the best part of 100k new really that unacceptable ?
My currant one which I have owned for five years is a 2005 facelift model ,which although used sparingly for mainly long trips has proved almost faultless,I put this down to the fact that it is garaged and serviced annually by a main dealer.
We have all read about the abc suspension issues on this forum but I would concur with the previous posters comment that if something goes wrong with the active suspension on any car it's going to be expensive to sort,but is a 2k bill on a car that goes like a rocket and cost the best part of 100k new really that unacceptable ?
ZX10R NIN said:
The ABC is a pain but not as bad as everyone makes out on it's own it's a £1200 job if you want the lower ball joints on the legs refurbished at the same then it works out around £2000 yes it's still a lot of money but a new damper for most cars that have adaptive suspension BMW Audi Vauxhall etc is around £1500 so it's all relative
yes that puts it in perspective actually! Im really excited to get my hands on one now. watching the classifieds daily on all the various sites just waiting on the perfect spec to crop up. under £11k, AMG kit, less than 80k on the clock, full MB service history and either silver or that gorgeous navy blue colour. 
Update just had my SL 500 MOTed at Mercedes dealer ship and passed no issues. Based o n my past TVR Chimaera 4500 over 7 years costs between £700 & £1700 pa on service and MOT costs its budget motoring £50 Feed back from mechanic after MOT no issues and ABC no leaks or issues mileage just over 70,000.
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