R230 SL - whats the gen?
Discussion
Hi, first post for me in this room.
I've been considering what car should join me later this year and seem to be accumulating a rather randomly-composed and ever-growing list of 'possibles'. Recently joining it has been the R320 SL (2001-2009ish?), a car I've always had a soft spot for, if only in respect of its looks. Their prices are now quite firmly in my budget ranges, but I have been wondering as to the potential borkage of them, and also how they stack up as a driving machine. I know they don't have the same poor reputation that their big brother CLs have, and they seem to have avoided the scourge of slightly earlier Mercedes-Benz quality problems. What are the things that go wrong, and how pricey is servicing etc.?
Also, how are they to drive. In the past I've vaguely dismissed them as slightly boulevard cruiser-type cars but they seem to be quite well appreciated by reviewers - any owners out there who have any comparative experience?
For info, I'm not fussed especially between the SL350 or the 500, but probably more persuaded by the 500 simply because it's bigger and badder (apparently).
Any general advices much appreciated, thanks!
I've been considering what car should join me later this year and seem to be accumulating a rather randomly-composed and ever-growing list of 'possibles'. Recently joining it has been the R320 SL (2001-2009ish?), a car I've always had a soft spot for, if only in respect of its looks. Their prices are now quite firmly in my budget ranges, but I have been wondering as to the potential borkage of them, and also how they stack up as a driving machine. I know they don't have the same poor reputation that their big brother CLs have, and they seem to have avoided the scourge of slightly earlier Mercedes-Benz quality problems. What are the things that go wrong, and how pricey is servicing etc.?
Also, how are they to drive. In the past I've vaguely dismissed them as slightly boulevard cruiser-type cars but they seem to be quite well appreciated by reviewers - any owners out there who have any comparative experience?
For info, I'm not fussed especially between the SL350 or the 500, but probably more persuaded by the 500 simply because it's bigger and badder (apparently).
Any general advices much appreciated, thanks!
Borkage potential is MASSIVE! What cars most unreliable car in their recent survey by a long long way.
Don't know where you got the "not as bad reputation as a CL" from - rubbish!
Sure there are people who will say they've had no problems - my experience: £18k in servicing and repairs in 50k miles.
Lovely car, i loved mine but badly made, overambitious electronics and hydraulics, rust, water leaks. Endless huge bills.
If you insist on the folly of an old R230 I'd suggest the 350 every time. No ABC which is half the problem.
Don't know where you got the "not as bad reputation as a CL" from - rubbish!
Sure there are people who will say they've had no problems - my experience: £18k in servicing and repairs in 50k miles.
Lovely car, i loved mine but badly made, overambitious electronics and hydraulics, rust, water leaks. Endless huge bills.
If you insist on the folly of an old R230 I'd suggest the 350 every time. No ABC which is half the problem.
Ive had my 500 for just over a year now, few little niggles, easily fixed, the ABC suspension, is superb, but costly if it breaks, I've had the centre cats removed, car sounds lovely now, I rate the car highly, expensive to run, but expensive cars are just that...expensive, I use mine for work, a daily driver, a lot of car for the money.
I bought my SL55 new in Sept. 2003. Drove it out of the showroom in Affalterbach. It's got a lot of extra stuff, carbon interior, alcantara steering wheel, illuminated door sills, big brakes, 19" split rims, flappy paddles like a CLK DTM. Had it de-restricted at Affalterbach some years ago, Pointless waist of money.
It goes abroad probably 4-5 times a year as we have a house in the Eifel and has been as far north as Sweden and as far south as Italy. I have the special piece of luggage that fits behind the seats. After 10 years I still absolutly love the car. As we are 'pensioners' now I can't think of what I'd replace it with without spending a lot of money. It's looked after independantly and it cost me £250 a year insurance on a limited mileage of 7000. I don't have to use it everyday as we also have an A class so it's only done 62,000 miles. So therefor I say buy one. Make it an SL55, anything else and your living a lie, as new as you can afford and have it checked over by an independant guy.
It goes abroad probably 4-5 times a year as we have a house in the Eifel and has been as far north as Sweden and as far south as Italy. I have the special piece of luggage that fits behind the seats. After 10 years I still absolutly love the car. As we are 'pensioners' now I can't think of what I'd replace it with without spending a lot of money. It's looked after independantly and it cost me £250 a year insurance on a limited mileage of 7000. I don't have to use it everyday as we also have an A class so it's only done 62,000 miles. So therefor I say buy one. Make it an SL55, anything else and your living a lie, as new as you can afford and have it checked over by an independant guy.
I have had my SL55 around a year now and have not had any problems. The previous owner had replaced the suspension with Arnott parts from the US so I am not as worried about suspension woes.
Cost have been 2 x rear tyres at £700 for the pair, a new fog light at £50 and a second hand headlight ballast / controller at £75.
I have not had to have a service yet but will do in the next 1000 miles or so, prior to this I will change the supercharger belts and aux drive belts and do all the recommended checks, I have my own Star Diagnostics system so can fairly easily do my own fault finding on the car.
My car was fairly rare among the ones I viewed in that the boot was not soaking wet, so be careful when looking around.....
Ben
Cost have been 2 x rear tyres at £700 for the pair, a new fog light at £50 and a second hand headlight ballast / controller at £75.
I have not had to have a service yet but will do in the next 1000 miles or so, prior to this I will change the supercharger belts and aux drive belts and do all the recommended checks, I have my own Star Diagnostics system so can fairly easily do my own fault finding on the car.
My car was fairly rare among the ones I viewed in that the boot was not soaking wet, so be careful when looking around.....
Ben
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