R230 model changes 2002/2006

[urraco]

Hi

I'm aware of course of the major changes to the R230 SL range that came into effect in 2006, but can anybody please enlighten me as to the chronology of the minor refinements that took place prior to 2006. I'm referring to improvements such as the upgrade of the Satnav, the switch to a 7 speed box etc etc
I'm finally about to replace my beloved 2003 SL 500 written off last year and I would appreciate any info I can gather about the interior and other spec changes that took place between launch and the 2006 facelift

Thanks

[urraco]

Hi

I found out that for the 54 plate there was a facelift that involved an upgrade to a widescreen Satnav
I have a couple of questions plz

1- is this widescreen Satnav a DVD setup that can be updated with current road info or will I have to pay hundreds of pounds for an update?
2- what other changes were incorporated in this facelift?

Thx

[Southcoaster]

I have a 2005 SL55 and the principle difference appears to be the key less go which incorporated in the key ,not a separate card,a wider screen sat nav which can be easily updated with disc available on ebay at a modest cost.
There are also noticeable improvements in build quality and equally importantly 517 BHP.

[IanRubie]

I am looking at getting an SL55. Do you know when the extra power and wide screen sat nav were introduced?

[JohnRS4]

IanRubie said:

I am looking at getting an SL55. Do you know when the extra power and wide screen sat nav were introduced?

Introduced with the MY2005 model so should be 54 reg onwards.

[IanRubie]

Thanks.

[tigerkoi]

Southcoaster said:

I have a 2005 SL55 and the principle difference appears to be the key less go which incorporated in the key ,not a separate card,a wider screen sat nav which can be easily updated with disc available on ebay at a modest cost.
There are also noticeable improvements in build quality and equally importantly 517 BHP.

Hi there,

I do agree on the wide-screen Sat Nav being an upgrade, however I have seen earlier R230s with Keyless Go incorporated into the key, not separate card. This was most likely due to the ease of the actual upgrade: the (software) change wasn't within the car, but in the new generation of keys that began to pervade the wider M-B range.

The 10-17hp hike to 517 was down to the higher-speed s/c compressor and new engine management unit. Torque rose by 15lb-ft. The whole 'do-they-don't-they have' 476/493/500/507? bhp has been scrubbed so often. I think someone once published the official letter they received from customer services that stated that they all had 500bhp when launched. The TÜV Rheinland tests had publicly highlighted that either M-B had been sandbagging, or just plainly incorrect in their initial assessment.

2006 also brought the 2nd generation ABC. As I remember there was also chrome ringed fog lights, and TPS was standard, not an option. Interior-wise there were new shift paddles and a "Racetimer" visual that recorded lap times etc...

[IanRubie]

Is the 2nd generation ABC thought to be more reliable than the first? I would consider a 2006MY SL500 if I thought it would be more reliable than an earlier SL55.

[SFO]

Facelift did not have "second generation" ABC; I think its settings were tweaked and software improved. Basic hardware/kit unchanged.

[tigerkoi]

SFO said:

Facelift did not have "second generation" ABC; I think its settings were tweaked and software improved. Basic hardware/kit unchanged.

Everywhere I've read about ABC, from Ken Rockwell to Car & Driver to Road & Track - plus Mercedes' very own literature - reference a 'second generation' of the technology.

http://500sec.com/abc-active-body-control-mbc-magi...

1st Gen was tech that was rolled out across the S/SL/CL from 1999. When the W221 came out in late-2005, the ABC refinements - the 2nd generation - were rolled out on that model first before hitting the revised SL and the new CL through 2006.

http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-657994-1-82...