SL500 (R230) Borkage Factor

[Puddenchucker]

I've decided that for my mid(ish) life crisis what I need is a convertible V8.

There are several Mercedes SL500 (R230) up for sale in the area, which would fit the bill, but I'm concerned about potential issues.

I'm aware of the problems that can afflict the ABC suspension, but is this something that's been blown out of proportion by 'the internet' or is it a question of when it will fail rather than if?
If it's the former, is the failure usually mileage or age related or is it totally random?

Are there any other significant problems that could decimate my back account?
(Note: I am under no illusion that this will be anything other than an expensive car to run)

Thanks
Pud

[ayton 1]

Great cars, I have a 07 SL55, owned it for 4 years & it had the ABC/tandam pump replaced under warranty at 27,000 miles around 3 months after I bought it. No more problems since but it has only done 10,000 miles in the last 3 years.
Also had to replace the pump on my previous CL500 at a cost of £1600.00 from memory it was around 5 years old & 60,000 miles when done.
Conclusion, Yes they do go its just a matter of when !!

[r129sl]

The suspension pumps do seem to be regarded as a service or consumable item. The struts also are expensive when they go, about £1,000 each. My impression is that a pump and set of struts will be required once in every 100,000miles.

The other problem area with these cars is water ingress around the upper boot seals. I don't know whether there was a revised part or whether you just have to keep the seals clean and well-treated with rubber conditioner to avoid leaks. Anyway, there is some expensive gubbins in there which does not like water, the SAM or something like that?

Otherwise they seem to be robust and reliable cars.

[ZX10R NIN]

r129sl said:

The suspension pumps do seem to be regarded as a service or consumable item. The struts also are expensive when they go, about £1,000 each. My impression is that a pump and set of struts will be required once in every 100,000miles.

The other problem area with these cars is water ingress around the upper boot seals. I don't know whether there was a revised part or whether you just have to keep the seals clean and well-treated with rubber conditioner to avoid leaks. Anyway, there is some expensive gubbins in there which does not like water, the SAM or something like that?

Otherwise they seem to be robust and reliable cars.

As stated water ingress is the biggest problem they all seem to leek check the boot floor & I do mean floor lift out the spare wheel etc as you can have a pond hiding under there & take it to a jet wash spend 10 minutes soaking it.

The front legs are £1286+vat each(this is the reason more R230's are having coilovers fitted) it's not the legs that go it's the ball joint/bush at the bottom of the leg that go & you can't just replace this part Mercedes decided you need to buy a new leg.

[74merc]

Isn't there a baffle inside the fuel tank that borks requiring a new tank at £1K+?

[W8aMinute]

On the subject of the ball joints, I believe some people have had luck getting them refinished:

http://forums.mercedesclub.org.uk/showthread.php?p...

Harry

[Lost soul]

74merc said:

Isn't there a baffle inside the fuel tank that borks requiring a new tank at £1K+?

I remember hearing that on another thread on here , thought it was more than that though