What are the pitfalls of buying a £5k R230?
Discussion
Have started looking for a cheap convertible that still looks good on the road and keep finding myself coming back to the SL350/500
From the barge thread i understand that the 500's can suffer from air suspension problems - but i do prefer the idea of the bigger engine - so what else should i be looking for when paddling in the lower end of the pool for such a car?
For example - this looks like it could be ok
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Mercedes-Benz-SL-5...
i'm obviously looking at around or just over the 100k mark - is there a chunky service or known problem areas that come up at that sort of mileage or would most major things have been sorted now on a 16yr+ car?
From the barge thread i understand that the 500's can suffer from air suspension problems - but i do prefer the idea of the bigger engine - so what else should i be looking for when paddling in the lower end of the pool for such a car?
For example - this looks like it could be ok
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2002-Mercedes-Benz-SL-5...
i'm obviously looking at around or just over the 100k mark - is there a chunky service or known problem areas that come up at that sort of mileage or would most major things have been sorted now on a 16yr+ car?
Dog Star said:
Your 5K R230 could cost you that on the first bill. 2002 models were shockers - my 2002 SL500 cost me £18k in repairs over 3 years. That's repairs.
If you are adamant (and have thousands in the bank for repairs) then I'd get the 350 - doesn't have the suspension woes.
However I still wouldn't. They're absolute dogs
t.
What I *would* do is look at an SLK350. You should be able to pick up a belter for 5K, newer and pretty cheap to run.
Really seriously: 2002 R230. Don't do it. It's on it's last owner before the scrap man.
So i think what you are saying is don't buy one??If you are adamant (and have thousands in the bank for repairs) then I'd get the 350 - doesn't have the suspension woes.
However I still wouldn't. They're absolute dogs
t.What I *would* do is look at an SLK350. You should be able to pick up a belter for 5K, newer and pretty cheap to run.
Really seriously: 2002 R230. Don't do it. It's on it's last owner before the scrap man.
Loving all the info.
Don’t be fooled by the budget, it doesn’t mean there is nothing left to run it. Having just sold my gen 2 Boxster S and finishing off a house renovation, I just don’t fancy sinking a load of money into a car for the next couple of years.
5k is a nominal budget that I can think I can get a relatively decent car for. The Porsche chucked lots of bills at me on a regular basis and it just gets a bit boring after a while.
Really appreciate the knowledge on the early 500’s - I will look away from those. A R129 is an option as well, just that SWMBO prefers the R230 shape so that makes it easier on my ears long term.
Don’t be fooled by the budget, it doesn’t mean there is nothing left to run it. Having just sold my gen 2 Boxster S and finishing off a house renovation, I just don’t fancy sinking a load of money into a car for the next couple of years.
5k is a nominal budget that I can think I can get a relatively decent car for. The Porsche chucked lots of bills at me on a regular basis and it just gets a bit boring after a while.
Really appreciate the knowledge on the early 500’s - I will look away from those. A R129 is an option as well, just that SWMBO prefers the R230 shape so that makes it easier on my ears long term.
Dog Star said:
A 2004 SL350 is a whole different ballgame to a 2002 SL500 - 2002 really was the pits.
I cannot stress to the OP what he is potentially letting himself in for.
So was there a significant update for 2004 that basically means avoid any R230 before that? Good to know if that’s the caseI cannot stress to the OP what he is potentially letting himself in for.
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