Mercedes SL R231
Discussion
Considering purchasing a Mercedes SL R231, looking for opinions/advice from anyone who has owned or driven one.
2012-2014 models of the SL350 seem to start from around 20k, however a 2016 SL400 model costs over 50% more. I understand that the SL400 is turbocharged with more power, but these are still pre-facelift cars, is there any reason why they are so much more expensive?
I think the best option for me would be one of the SL350 models - they look good value at under 25k for a high spec SL350 with 40k miles or so.
I test drove an SLK in the past and the interior felt a bit cramped. Expect the SL to be much more spacious but would be keen to hear from anyone who has experienced both.
Air scarf seems a necessity and to avoid the ABC suspension - any other options to look out for?
2012-2014 models of the SL350 seem to start from around 20k, however a 2016 SL400 model costs over 50% more. I understand that the SL400 is turbocharged with more power, but these are still pre-facelift cars, is there any reason why they are so much more expensive?
I think the best option for me would be one of the SL350 models - they look good value at under 25k for a high spec SL350 with 40k miles or so.
I test drove an SLK in the past and the interior felt a bit cramped. Expect the SL to be much more spacious but would be keen to hear from anyone who has experienced both.
Air scarf seems a necessity and to avoid the ABC suspension - any other options to look out for?
Read this
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/r231-sl350-24-...
I bought an SL400 new at the end of 2015 (last of the pre facelift with a huge discount). I still have it as it approaches 7 years old.
Other cars have come and gone but this stays as it's simply so good.
Initially I wish I'd bought an SL500 - but once mine was out of warranty I had it remapped and it transformed the car.
There's very little like it.
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/r231-sl350-24-...
I bought an SL400 new at the end of 2015 (last of the pre facelift with a huge discount). I still have it as it approaches 7 years old.
Other cars have come and gone but this stays as it's simply so good.
Initially I wish I'd bought an SL500 - but once mine was out of warranty I had it remapped and it transformed the car.
There's very little like it.
21ATS said:
Read this
https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/r231-sl350-24-...
I bought an SL400 new at the end of 2015 (last of the pre facelift with a huge discount). I still have it as it approaches 7 years old.
Other cars have come and gone but this stays as it's simply so good.
Initially I wish I'd bought an SL500 - but once mine was out of warranty I had it remapped and it transformed the car.
There's very little like it.
Thanks very much, good write up there. Interesting to read how different the SL400 is to the SL350, perhaps it's worth test driving both myself to compare them. https://forums.mbclub.co.uk/threads/r231-sl350-24-...
I bought an SL400 new at the end of 2015 (last of the pre facelift with a huge discount). I still have it as it approaches 7 years old.
Other cars have come and gone but this stays as it's simply so good.
Initially I wish I'd bought an SL500 - but once mine was out of warranty I had it remapped and it transformed the car.
There's very little like it.
What has your experience been with regard to reliability?
Crojac said:
Thanks very much, good write up there. Interesting to read how different the SL400 is to the SL350, perhaps it's worth test driving both myself to compare them.
What has your experience been with regard to reliability?
I had both headlights replaced under warranty due to condensation. Other than that, nothing. What has your experience been with regard to reliability?
I did replace both batteries last year as a preventative measure.
Crojac said:
Thanks for the replies. Is the 400 worth 8-10k over a 350 though?
Considering going for a 350 for ~23k, and potentially upgrade in future to a 500 or even an SL63 once prices have softened.
Having never driven a 350 I cannot comment.Considering going for a 350 for ~23k, and potentially upgrade in future to a 500 or even an SL63 once prices have softened.
When I initially went to test drive one of these I was intending to buy the 500, they didn't have one to test so I drove a 400 which was faster than I could use so it seemed daft buying the one with the larger engine for another £9K at the time.
The 400 effectively made the 500 redundant. The only real issue I found was comfort mode was a bit sluggish with gearchanges and sport mode was savage when driving slowly. It was like comfort and race settings with nothing in between, (the facelift 400 got the new 9sp gearbox and three modes which solved this) in my car a stage 1 map to 425hp and 655nm transformed the comfort mode to what it always should have been, the extra torque matched the gearbox far better so you never felt as if you were in the wrong gear. Sport mode is now very fast and I had to change tyres to stop it breaking traction when leaving junctions even on dry days. So it's running Pilot Super Sports which were a huge deal better than the P Zero's.
I was never really drawn to the 63, the price difference was huge and the uplift in performance wasn't in proportion to the price. I also always felt if you wanted an AMG model then the AMG GT was probably a better choice, which when new was less expensive than the SL63.
The fact I've had my car over 6 years and I still don't want to part with it tells me it's good.
It was the first "expensive" car I'd bought new and exactly to my spec when my business started doing well, so there is an emotional attachment too from that perspective. It's 6 years old it still turns heads and isn't really a common sight.
Edited by 21ATS on Tuesday 17th May 22:22
Edited by 21ATS on Tuesday 17th May 22:23
21ATS said:
Having never driven a 350 I cannot comment.
When I initially went to test drive one of these I was intending to buy the 500, they didn't have one to test so I drove a 400 which was faster than I could use so it seemed daft buying the one with the larger engine for another 9K at the time.
The 400 effectively made the 500 redundant. The only real issue I found was comfort mode was a bit sluggish with gearchanges and sport mode was savage when driving slowly. It was like comfort and race settings with nothing in between, (the facelift 400 got the new 9sp gearbox and three modes which solved this) in my car a stage 1 map to 425hp and 655nm transformed the comfort mode to what it always should have been, the extra torque matched the gearbox far better so you never felt as if you were in the wrong gear. Sport mode is now very fast and I had to change tyres to stop it breaking traction when leaving junctions even on dry days. So it's running Pilot Super Sports which were a huge deal better than the P Zero's.
I was never really drawn to the 63, the price difference was huge and the uplift in performance wasn't in proportion to the price. I also always felt if you wanted an AMG model then the AMG GT was probably a better choice, which when new was less expensive than the SL63.
The fact I've had my car over 6 years and I still don't want to part with it tells me it's good.
It was the first "expensive" car I'd bought new and exactly to my spec when my business started doing well, so there is an emotional attachment too from that perspective. It's 6 years old it still turns heads and isn't really a common sight.
Sounds like the 400 is all I would need then, going to get a few test drives in over the next few weeks before making a decision. When I initially went to test drive one of these I was intending to buy the 500, they didn't have one to test so I drove a 400 which was faster than I could use so it seemed daft buying the one with the larger engine for another 9K at the time.
The 400 effectively made the 500 redundant. The only real issue I found was comfort mode was a bit sluggish with gearchanges and sport mode was savage when driving slowly. It was like comfort and race settings with nothing in between, (the facelift 400 got the new 9sp gearbox and three modes which solved this) in my car a stage 1 map to 425hp and 655nm transformed the comfort mode to what it always should have been, the extra torque matched the gearbox far better so you never felt as if you were in the wrong gear. Sport mode is now very fast and I had to change tyres to stop it breaking traction when leaving junctions even on dry days. So it's running Pilot Super Sports which were a huge deal better than the P Zero's.
I was never really drawn to the 63, the price difference was huge and the uplift in performance wasn't in proportion to the price. I also always felt if you wanted an AMG model then the AMG GT was probably a better choice, which when new was less expensive than the SL63.
The fact I've had my car over 6 years and I still don't want to part with it tells me it's good.
It was the first "expensive" car I'd bought new and exactly to my spec when my business started doing well, so there is an emotional attachment too from that perspective. It's 6 years old it still turns heads and isn't really a common sight.
Edited by 21ATS on Tuesday 17th May 22:22
Edited by 21ATS on Tuesday 17th May 22:23
Your car is stunning, if you ever did consider parting with it then I would definitely be interested! From reading the other thread, was it a special order in Mystic Blue? It seems that Cavansite or brilliant blue was the only blue available as a standard colour so your Mystic Blue must be incredibly rare
Crojac said:
Air scarf seems a necessity and to avoid the ABC suspension - any other options to look out for?
Is there any reason you want to avoid the ABC suspension? I was under the impression that all of the issues with it in the R230 had been resolved with the R231 and that it transforms the ride and handling. Having said that, I have yet to find an Sl350 or SL400 with it fitted, it was rarely spec'd.Crojac said:
Sounds like the 400 is all I would need then, going to get a few test drives in over the next few weeks before making a decision.
Your car is stunning, if you ever did consider parting with it then I would definitely be interested! From reading the other thread, was it a special order in Mystic Blue? It seems that Cavansite or brilliant blue was the only blue available as a standard colour so your Mystic Blue must be incredibly rare
Yes it was a special order paint. It's much of the reason I don't want to part with it. In the sun it looks stunning. It has a kind of purple flip/halo to it.Your car is stunning, if you ever did consider parting with it then I would definitely be interested! From reading the other thread, was it a special order in Mystic Blue? It seems that Cavansite or brilliant blue was the only blue available as a standard colour so your Mystic Blue must be incredibly rare
I've never seen another of this model (the R231 that is) in that colour as it's got incrementally more expensive to order these colours over the years. It's some daft amount of money these days.
Cavansite was the only blue available on the pre facelift models and it was so dark it looked almost black. Brilliant blue came in on the facelift version.
carte blanche said:
Is there any reason you want to avoid the ABC suspension? I was under the impression that all of the issues with it in the R230 had been resolved with the R231 and that it transforms the ride and handling. Having said that, I have yet to find an Sl350 or SL400 with it fitted, it was rarely spec'd.
ABC rides a lot better but it is ruinious if it goes wrong. It's mostly on the larger engined models.21ATS said:
carte blanche said:
Is there any reason you want to avoid the ABC suspension? I was under the impression that all of the issues with it in the R230 had been resolved with the R231 and that it transforms the ride and handling. Having said that, I have yet to find an Sl350 or SL400 with it fitted, it was rarely spec'd.
ABC rides a lot better but it is ruinious if it goes wrong. It's mostly on the larger engined models.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff