Introduction

[rgjones44]

Recently became the excited owner of a 2006 Mercedes Benz SL350 R230 with 3.7 litre. Runs well and seems to have the expected problems i.e. suspension needs some work e.g. ball joints, wishbones, bushings etc; not yet sure about springs and shocks.There is also a creaking roof, I have ordered some much recommended rubber reviver and I have some aerosol white grease with which to use on the roof moving parts and locking devices. However there is also the infamous boot leak. Mine appears to allow the ingress of water at the rear screen end of the boot lid, the rainwater then seems to travel between the fabric cover and the steel lid to reappear at the bottom edge of the bootlid which then exits into the rear of the boot floor.
Hopefully the advice I have gleaned from this forum regarding cleaning the water canals in the rubber seals and using the rubber reviver might help.

I would appreciate any advice but, the last time I did anything mechanical with cars was with my Mark II Triumph Vitesse.

[Monkeylegend]

Welcome, I have a 2004 SL350, we are a select but very brave or could be foolish group

Have you checked the drain holes in the boot lid drain channels. They are covered by the seals but if you have poke around you will find them at the base of the rear screen on either side. These get blocked very easily with bits of leaves etc so need to be cleared out every so often. Having said that leaking seals are known to be an issue but can be replaced at a not inexpensive cost.

My solution is to keep the car garaged and try not to use it when it rains too hard

I would also recommend keeping the convenience battery in the boot on a trickle charger if you are not using the car on a regular basis. They drain the batteries very quickly, temporarily disabling quite a few functions, and come up with all sorts of scary messages, all of which normally disappear when the battery is charged again.

[rgjones44]

Both brave and foolish but, my age allows me.
As yet I have not looked to do anything but, I have seen a video related to a new SLC in which the drain holes have been pointed out. The presenter also suggested the use of some heavy duty "weed whacker" (I interpret this as strimmer line) to feed into the drain holes to remove blockages. Seemed like a good idea?
As for keeping it out of the rain and in the garage, unfortunately my MGB roadster has already claimed that spot.
Thanks for the really helpful suggestions, I will return to the forum with progress and queries.

[Monkeylegend]

Anything a bit flexible that you can poke down them should work.

Have you had a look over on the MBClub UK forum, worth doing if you haven't. There is a lot of useful stuff over there and some very knowledgeable people.