Discussion
Afternoon all 
Some of you may remember me from the guards red 996 thread! I moved the 996 on a few months ago after 4 years - it was certainly a happy 4 years, but not without a good dose of heartache at points. Towards the end of the ownership I'd started looking at what I could replace it with, and had my sights on something that'll still be fun but will be a bit more tolerable on long road trips. The 996 was great on windy roads, but long journeys it was a tad harsh! Having never ticked the V8 box combined with fond memories of a mates ropey example years ago, I started lusting after SL500's. I love the idea of a big convertible with a brash engine and a lush cabin (even if it is early noughties board room chic now). And just like the 996 they've got a reputation for being a bit fragile to keep me on my toes, but rather than engine & gearbox issues with the 996 its more hydraulic suspension and electronics on the Mercedes. Should be fun right?
So here's the one, I wanted a low mileage tidy car and found this 2002 SL500 with just 52,000 on the clock! I've put about 1000 miles on it so far which has equated to around £300 of unleaded. Its very nice though, so far I've just changed the oil and enjoyed it - but it does have some niggles I've found...
1. No hot air. Apparently this is a common electric valve that sticks, located under the scuttle panel. New one ordered from Merc for £50, to be fitted.
2. Rear demist doesn't work, probably a fuse. Need to just get off my a*se and check it.
3. Alarm sometimes goes off, but only with the car unlocked and the keys out - disconnected the siren, job done
Other than that, all gravy. The two big points are the ABC suspension and the roof, both work wonderfully. I'm thinking of getting some spacers for the wheels and lowering it, which is achieved by just fitting some shorter 'links' which trick the suspension control. I'm also hoping to go back to the Nurburgring next year which I'm sure will be a very different experience in this...
Some of you may remember me from the guards red 996 thread! I moved the 996 on a few months ago after 4 years - it was certainly a happy 4 years, but not without a good dose of heartache at points. Towards the end of the ownership I'd started looking at what I could replace it with, and had my sights on something that'll still be fun but will be a bit more tolerable on long road trips. The 996 was great on windy roads, but long journeys it was a tad harsh! Having never ticked the V8 box combined with fond memories of a mates ropey example years ago, I started lusting after SL500's. I love the idea of a big convertible with a brash engine and a lush cabin (even if it is early noughties board room chic now). And just like the 996 they've got a reputation for being a bit fragile to keep me on my toes, but rather than engine & gearbox issues with the 996 its more hydraulic suspension and electronics on the Mercedes. Should be fun right?
So here's the one, I wanted a low mileage tidy car and found this 2002 SL500 with just 52,000 on the clock! I've put about 1000 miles on it so far which has equated to around £300 of unleaded. Its very nice though, so far I've just changed the oil and enjoyed it - but it does have some niggles I've found...
1. No hot air. Apparently this is a common electric valve that sticks, located under the scuttle panel. New one ordered from Merc for £50, to be fitted.
2. Rear demist doesn't work, probably a fuse. Need to just get off my a*se and check it.
3. Alarm sometimes goes off, but only with the car unlocked and the keys out - disconnected the siren, job done
Other than that, all gravy. The two big points are the ABC suspension and the roof, both work wonderfully. I'm thinking of getting some spacers for the wheels and lowering it, which is achieved by just fitting some shorter 'links' which trick the suspension control. I'm also hoping to go back to the Nurburgring next year which I'm sure will be a very different experience in this...
I'm sure at some point in this thread, there will be an ABC related bit of drama! I'm trying to get it booked in for a fluid change to help things along there.
The M113 is lovely, properly torquey and smooth. V8 fuel consumption obviously, but to be honest the 996 did about the same. The difference is I'll use this more readily for long trips, so I'm paying more for fuel anyway. The gearbox is definitely antiquated though, its the old 5 speed. Does the job fine and some of the sins are masked by the big engine there.
The M113 is lovely, properly torquey and smooth. V8 fuel consumption obviously, but to be honest the 996 did about the same. The difference is I'll use this more readily for long trips, so I'm paying more for fuel anyway. The gearbox is definitely antiquated though, its the old 5 speed. Does the job fine and some of the sins are masked by the big engine there.
Congratulations on your new to you addition. I've had 2 R230s, currently an SL55 and previously a 2002 SL500. They are a good looking car and the folding hardtop is much better than the soft top and hard top combo of the previous gen R129 which I also own.
It offers a cosy, quiet and safe interior and 15 sec later sky high views but a cosseting drive too.
It's not all fun and games though especially compared to R129 ownership. They are somewhat more fragile and needy. That's much to do with the electronics packed into it and them being placed low down for COG where water ingress can get them.
Between both cars I've had pretty much all the nightmare faults. ABC, SBC, PSE, wet boot, ECU etc. The main advice I'd give is not to panic if it happens and either flog the car cheap or throw money at a dealer to fix things.
There are services out there to repair those items. A recent ABC fault I had, when I googled it had me in mega bucks land. When mechanic put the car on the lift we could see a broken ride height sensor. It was £15 so he did both the rear ones whilst he was at it.
Your car looks great and will probably have had some of the common items fixed. The colour I think is a special order or additional cost and really brings out the design and lifts it compared to default silver or black.
Your alloys too I really like, sporty looking but not too low profile so will be comfortable, slightly lowering it is a neat trick to make it look better for little money. The height adjustable suspension is great and the body control gives reassurance pressing on through sweeping bends.
Enjoy it in the last of the summer days but I often get it out on dry winter days with the roof down and heat on and it's very pleasant.
It offers a cosy, quiet and safe interior and 15 sec later sky high views but a cosseting drive too.
It's not all fun and games though especially compared to R129 ownership. They are somewhat more fragile and needy. That's much to do with the electronics packed into it and them being placed low down for COG where water ingress can get them.
Between both cars I've had pretty much all the nightmare faults. ABC, SBC, PSE, wet boot, ECU etc. The main advice I'd give is not to panic if it happens and either flog the car cheap or throw money at a dealer to fix things.
There are services out there to repair those items. A recent ABC fault I had, when I googled it had me in mega bucks land. When mechanic put the car on the lift we could see a broken ride height sensor. It was £15 so he did both the rear ones whilst he was at it.
Your car looks great and will probably have had some of the common items fixed. The colour I think is a special order or additional cost and really brings out the design and lifts it compared to default silver or black.
Your alloys too I really like, sporty looking but not too low profile so will be comfortable, slightly lowering it is a neat trick to make it look better for little money. The height adjustable suspension is great and the body control gives reassurance pressing on through sweeping bends.
Enjoy it in the last of the summer days but I often get it out on dry winter days with the roof down and heat on and it's very pleasant.
So a couple of months in, I've done one little mod - 20mm spacers all round. I am still planning to lower it, but in the meantime its giving it a bit more a beefy look. I really want the SL55 front bumper, not in a fake AMG way - it just looks great to my eyes.
It also went into my local specialist lately, as I had no cabin heat and a sporadic alarm! Both fixed fairly cheaply actually, the heat was a small valve under the scuttle panel and the alarm was the siren itself (the batteries had leaked over the control board, old age). Both were rectified for about £300 which I'll take!
It also went into my local specialist lately, as I had no cabin heat and a sporadic alarm! Both fixed fairly cheaply actually, the heat was a small valve under the scuttle panel and the alarm was the siren itself (the batteries had leaked over the control board, old age). Both were rectified for about £300 which I'll take!
CornedBeef said:
So a couple of months in, I've done one little mod - 20mm spacers all round. I am still planning to lower it, but in the meantime its giving it a bit more a beefy look. I really want the SL55 front bumper, not in a fake AMG way - it just looks great to my eyes.
It also went into my local specialist lately, as I had no cabin heat and a sporadic alarm! Both fixed fairly cheaply actually, the heat was a small valve under the scuttle panel and the alarm was the siren itself (the batteries had leaked over the control board, old age). Both were rectified for about £300 which I'll take!
Looking good. It helps fill out the muscular arches. If you get it lowered remember to post up before and after pics to show the difference. It also went into my local specialist lately, as I had no cabin heat and a sporadic alarm! Both fixed fairly cheaply actually, the heat was a small valve under the scuttle panel and the alarm was the siren itself (the batteries had leaked over the control board, old age). Both were rectified for about £300 which I'll take!
Are you planning to use it over the winter? I dailied my 500 and had no bother in snow either, raised the ABC and changed down gears manually to slow it rather than braking. Never a bother. I'd get the boot seals water tight though if I was you.
Ref AMG kit, my 55 has it as standard and the long gone 500 as an option. It deffo helps butch it up and look more sporty. If it's possible why not go the extra and get the facelift grill and bumper? Although it might look stupid to those that know. I'd be interested in seeing how resolved it is.
Enjoy!
It'll probably be a bit like the 996, and I'll use it on nicer days in the winter - I'm not afraid of using it in the wet, but I'll try and avoid the salt! I'm tempted to pull the arch liners off and underseal it to keep it nice underneath.
I might do you know, what I want is to find a sport bumpered one thats being broken for parts! I'm on a spending hiatus until the end of the month, but then I think its lowering links time.
I might do you know, what I want is to find a sport bumpered one thats being broken for parts! I'm on a spending hiatus until the end of the month, but then I think its lowering links time.
Your car has ABC so you can do the lowering via the electronics of a lowering module that will lower the ride height from the comfort of the cabin via a small controller that can be mounted wherever you like. This allows you to retain the stock stance when you wish or set the car to pretty much whatever height you like. A better solution than drop links IMO as they can also mess around with the ABC's height sensors etc.
MercedesClassic said:
Any updates mate?
Its been a bit quiet on the SL front, as I moved house a few weeks ago! So it was driven to the new place and parked at the end of the driveway and not moved, the poor thing. I've dug it out today, and it'll be my daily for the next week.A few observations, suspension stays completely level and doesnt droop after 2 weeks which is nice in the world of ABC. However, boot lets in water on the right hand side! I plan to get it undercover but that's a somewhat classic pain with these now realised. I need to do some reading up on what to do to remedy it now!
Still want to lower it and be silly first of course...
CornedBeef said:
Its been a bit quiet on the SL front, as I moved house a few weeks ago! So it was driven to the new place and parked at the end of the driveway and not moved, the poor thing. I've dug it out today, and it'll be my daily for the next week.
A few observations, suspension stays completely level and doesnt droop after 2 weeks which is nice in the world of ABC. However, boot lets in water on the right hand side! I plan to get it undercover but that's a somewhat classic pain with these now realised. I need to do some reading up on what to do to remedy it now!
Still want to lower it and be silly first of course...
There is a very good thread over on MBClubUK re boot seals and making things watertight if you do a search.A few observations, suspension stays completely level and doesnt droop after 2 weeks which is nice in the world of ABC. However, boot lets in water on the right hand side! I plan to get it undercover but that's a somewhat classic pain with these now realised. I need to do some reading up on what to do to remedy it now!
Still want to lower it and be silly first of course...
It involves removing the bar that holds the seals in place to the underside of the rear screen and making it watertight amongst other tips. Worth a read if you have a spare hour one evening.
A bit of progress on the car! I ordered a set of lowering links about a month ago, and with the first dry Sunday in a long while I set to work (mostly a mate doing the work as I'm useless) lowering the car! I'd also been on the hunt for some alloy wheels, and had found a set on Saturday - more on these later.
So, lowering an R230 isn't too invasive due to the ABC suspension. Instead of fitting coilovers, one just purchases adjustable 'links' which replace the ride height sensors on each corner. I adjusted the links to be 8mm longer all round, and voila - lowered
So, before starting:
New lowering link in situ (I do need to clean out the arches):
And lowered, I'm very happy!
So onto the alloys, they are all nice and dishy - but I've not calculated things correctly, or at all really. Even with 20mm spacers, the fronts do not clear the calipers. I'm wondering if I should just stick with my current alloys and just get them refurbed.
So, lowering an R230 isn't too invasive due to the ABC suspension. Instead of fitting coilovers, one just purchases adjustable 'links' which replace the ride height sensors on each corner. I adjusted the links to be 8mm longer all round, and voila - lowered
So, before starting:
New lowering link in situ (I do need to clean out the arches):
And lowered, I'm very happy!
So onto the alloys, they are all nice and dishy - but I've not calculated things correctly, or at all really. Even with 20mm spacers, the fronts do not clear the calipers. I'm wondering if I should just stick with my current alloys and just get them refurbed.
Edited by CornedBeef on Monday 10th January 17:04
Very happy with the lowering, I'd quite like a colour coded little boot lip too to finish things off.
Don't hold back on the alloys fellas
Its been running a treat too, poor thing currently sits for a week at a time while I work and then gets a run on the weekends if conditions are ok. I did get out for a solid run on Sunday morning and optimistically dropped the roof!
Don't hold back on the alloys fellas
Its been running a treat too, poor thing currently sits for a week at a time while I work and then gets a run on the weekends if conditions are ok. I did get out for a solid run on Sunday morning and optimistically dropped the roof!
Not a very useful update, but no dramas with the ABC after the lowering. I've heard sometimes if you don't get it exactly even it'll moan, but I did a long journey over the weekend to collect some kittens and it was fine! Usefully, needed to mount a curb and just hit a button in the cabin to raise the car up.
Then I cleaned the engine bay because I'm sad. Also the wheels have been sold on, I think I'll just refurbish these ones! If anyone knows of an SL55 anywhere thats been rear ended, I'd like to buy the front bumper please
Then I cleaned the engine bay because I'm sad. Also the wheels have been sold on, I think I'll just refurbish these ones! If anyone knows of an SL55 anywhere thats been rear ended, I'd like to buy the front bumper please
Gassing Station | Readers' Cars | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff