Am I mad?

[Teem50]

This is mid-life, or more accurately old-life, crisis territory.

I'm in the process of emptying out my garage (which still contains my race car but it's going) and have sold my gorgeous G29 BMW Z4. I've had two Merc SLs in the past: an '07 R230 SL350 and a '16 R231 SL400 and I'm thinking about getting a rather older R230 for something to play with and fettle with the garage full of tools that'll be left. I still have a soft spot for the R230 SL (the R231 was just too much) and I've been thinking about getting an older one, say '02 to '05. Am I right in thinking that the ABC system on an old SL500 would be guaranteed to cause me too much huge aggro or is it worth the risk? I should say I'd be planning on doing as much myself as I can. (The aforesaid race car is pretty much home designed and built, including the carbon fibre bodywork, so I'm well able to wield a spanner.)

Any thoughts welcome.

 

[st13phil]

The issue won't be your ability to do the work, but the potential for eye-wateringly expensive parts needing to be replaced. If you're happy with that, go for it. And don't forget to take lots of photos and post in the Projects sub-forum.

 

[Teem50]

The issue won't be your ability to do the work, but the potential for eye-wateringly expensive parts needing to be replaced. If you're happy with that, go for it. And don't forget to take lots of photos and post in the Projects sub-forum.

Yes, I was aware of that. Although, as far as I can see the only REALLY expensive parts are the struts themselves which seem to be around £1000 a corner. Believe it or not compared to my no longer required motor racing budget that doesn't actually sound too bad although all four at once would be somewhat annoying. (Motor racing is famously a way of turning money into noise...)

Thanks.

 

[st13phil]

Although, as far as I can see the only REALLY expensive parts are the struts themselves which seem to be around £1000 a corner.

Indeed they're probably amongst the more expensive individual components, but don't underestimate the potential for leaks having wreaked havoc with the roof actuator or the electrics in general.

 

[W1ghty]

Yes, I was aware of that. Although, as far as I can see the only REALLY expensive parts are the struts themselves which seem to be around £1000 a corner. Believe it or not compared to my no longer required motor racing budget that doesn't actually sound too bad although all four at once would be somewhat annoying. (Motor racing is famously a way of turning money into noise...)

Thanks.

Also bear in mind that there are parts availability issues creeping in even with much newer cars .
As you say keep spare £ of 1k a corner +1k for the pump .

 

[Teego]

Autodoc.co.uk could be your friend. I have no connection.

 

[pioneercollector]

Hmmm speaking as someone who took the leap with a nice 2003 SL 500 on New Years day 2022, I can attest to the joy of owning one of these cars, but after having a FULL service carried out last month and asking the MB specialist ( Who is my good friends best mate ) to have a general poke and prod around to see if there is anything likely to cause me grief soon...........Well i need two struts and some other parts for the front.... I knew that the other two had been done within 3 years ago and the pump was also changed together with the rear discs and calipers, Anyway the cost is quite eye watering, but once done should last years, Mine appear to be original to the car - So almost 20 years use.

Lovely car and the model i had hankered after for years and years - Am i upset? No not really, i knew that these cars have a weak spot as do most cars, just glad i caught it before it died in the middle of nowhere!