2002 SL500 any issues?
Discussion
A couple of useful threads here:
Lots of things to beware with on early R230s: nt MBa finest hour when it comes to build quality and reliability!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
Lots of things to beware with on early R230s: nt MBa finest hour when it comes to build quality and reliability!
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
I've had just about every imaginable thing with mine, I reckon.
Engine and transmission-wise they are utterly bombproof.
There are numerous little black boxes to go wrong - these cost big bucks. Just remember that although you're buying it for 13K it is still an 80K car with associated running costs.
But the mantra for an SL500 owner is ABC...ABC...ABC.
It's s
t and the costs when it goes wrong are utterly horrific. And it WILL go wrong. From struts, to controllers, to valve blocks to pumps. It will go wrong. There are some st design flaws too - there are non-replaceable ball joints (ie. a consumable part!) on the bottom of the front struts - so for a £20 ball joint wearing out you need a new strut - MB only and £1260 each. Plus VAT. Luckily I found a bloke in Bootle who can refurb balljoints, so both mine have been done now. There's a thread on it on here or just google R230 strut balljoint (it comes up, along with many other suspension woes on these cars). At 71K and that age I will bet that the car you are looking at will have worn balljoints. Say hello to a £3K bill for that, unless you can get the struts off and to Liverpool.
My own personal experience is to also keep it with MB - Leeds MB for me have always price matched indies and also do a much reduced labour rate for 4 year and older cars.
I love mine but often wish I'd bought the 350, I just realise that it's a very expensive car to run - to the extent that I now don't use it as my daily drive and have leased a Citroen C1 to run around in.
Engine and transmission-wise they are utterly bombproof.
There are numerous little black boxes to go wrong - these cost big bucks. Just remember that although you're buying it for 13K it is still an 80K car with associated running costs.
But the mantra for an SL500 owner is ABC...ABC...ABC.
It's s
t and the costs when it goes wrong are utterly horrific. And it WILL go wrong. From struts, to controllers, to valve blocks to pumps. It will go wrong. There are some st design flaws too - there are non-replaceable ball joints (ie. a consumable part!) on the bottom of the front struts - so for a £20 ball joint wearing out you need a new strut - MB only and £1260 each. Plus VAT. Luckily I found a bloke in Bootle who can refurb balljoints, so both mine have been done now. There's a thread on it on here or just google R230 strut balljoint (it comes up, along with many other suspension woes on these cars). At 71K and that age I will bet that the car you are looking at will have worn balljoints. Say hello to a £3K bill for that, unless you can get the struts off and to Liverpool.My own personal experience is to also keep it with MB - Leeds MB for me have always price matched indies and also do a much reduced labour rate for 4 year and older cars.
I love mine but often wish I'd bought the 350, I just realise that it's a very expensive car to run - to the extent that I now don't use it as my daily drive and have leased a Citroen C1 to run around in.
Just bought a 43k miler for £13.5, superb car.
people will tell you that these cars are expensive if they go wrong...all cars are....they will tell you they are expensive to run....all cars are.
But consider this, this is my second r 230, the first I bought brand new and it cost me an absolute fortune in depriciation, I.e, £66k to buy, £22 trade in 4 years later with 40,00 miles done.
Take the depriciation out of the equation, by buying dirt cheap used,enjoy top class motoring, for a fraction of the price.
people will tell you that these cars are expensive if they go wrong...all cars are....they will tell you they are expensive to run....all cars are.
But consider this, this is my second r 230, the first I bought brand new and it cost me an absolute fortune in depriciation, I.e, £66k to buy, £22 trade in 4 years later with 40,00 miles done.
Take the depriciation out of the equation, by buying dirt cheap used,enjoy top class motoring, for a fraction of the price.
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