It would be rude not introduce myself S212 & R230

[conor1n]

Hello everybody!

In January last year I got the MB bug with my S212 E350 CGI estate and bought an R230 SL500 back in September..

I have been able to justify the SL using the argument that as a DIY'er it will be a lot more affordable to maintain and I will only do a couple of thousand miles a year, max!

The E class was bought with 190k miles on the clock :wow and I have since put about 5k in 12 months (London!).. The price was significantly less than the other 2 or 3 350 CGIs that were available at the time so I was happy to punt. Love the car! It has been decent up to now. When I bought it I replaced the two rear air suspension bags with Aerosus units myself. Later in the year it was running lean due to a vacuum leak in some rubber hosing. Then when doing a lot of motorway miles back to Ireland for Christmas, it was burning an insane amount of oil. Turns out the 0W-30 was wayyy too light. So I switched it to 5W-40 and not burned a drop since.

Oh I nearly forgot....how could I!? The alternator gave up the other day, so that is currently on my sitting room floor waiting for a new voltage regulator, slip ring and brushes.

Overall i've been very happy and not spend much on it parts wise really. This summer I will do transmission fluid and rear axle.

How does that sound in terms of maintenance? Good/bad luck!?

The SL is decent.. I love the colour combination and just had to have it.. for what it is, with 78k miles I think I got a good deal. 10k miles ago it had a new ABC tandem pump fitted at a cost of about £1700.. which I think is good.

It has a bit of rust in the arches, and also a spot or two of paint chips which need a touch up. Leather vinyl in roof fold area has a little tear which needs repair. I will also do spark plugs, brake discs/pads all around. Have already serviced, with air + pollen + oil filter and oil change. I will also be doing a full flush/renew of the ABC fluid this summer too.

Cheers
Conor

 

[saff]

Hi and welcome

 

[DSM10000]

Welcome to the Forum

Does not sound like to expensive an experience so far. I would check out the procedure for transmission fluid change (and make sure you get the correct fluid) if determined to do it yourself. I would strongly recommend a good MB specialist though, I doubt you will save a great deal by DIY and it really needs access to a lift . Ideally you also want to drain the lines to the oil cooler and Torque converter at the same time.

I strongly recommend these people for a gearbox service and any specialist work you may need :https://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/

My gearbox service was £200 inclusive of parts. labour and VAT around a year ago.

 

[Srdl]

Hi Conor and welcome. I hope this is only a temporary defection from “the other side” or else the powers that be will have to be informed!

 

[Smart320]

Welcome, plenty to keep you busy!

 

[Bobby Dazzler]

Welcome to MBClub

 

[conor1n]

Hi Conor and welcome. I hope this is only a temporary defection from “the other side” or else the powers that be will have to be informed!

Haha.. caught in the act!

Well.. I decided I would post up the alternator issue to see if there was any other insight or hints/tips to be had. I thought I would then introduce myself as there was a fairly decent response on there

"The other side" will always have a special place in my heart

I was wondering if I was going to have to declare my interest over there :thinking

 

[conor1n]

Welcome to the Forum

Does not sound like to expensive an experience so far. I would check out the procedure for transmission fluid change (and make sure you get the correct fluid) if determined to do it yourself. I would strongly recommend a good MB specialist though, I doubt you will save a great deal by DIY and it really needs access to a lift . Ideally you also want to drain the lines to the oil cooler and Torque converter at the same time.

I strongly recommend these people for a gearbox service and any specialist work you may need :https://www.prestigecarservice.co.uk/

My gearbox service was £200 inclusive of parts. labour and VAT around a year ago.

Thank you. I have been researching the fluid change already. I have already purchased the fluid + filter + gasket from MB Newcastle. Correct fluid + enough to fill the torque converter. I also have a plug + washer for torque converter.

I just need to get an adapter and figure out the most effective way to drain the torque converter next.

Yes, I believe it isn't an expensive job to outsource.. but I am mad to do things myself and learn along the way. While I enjoy to prospect of saving money.. I equally enjoy the challenge of doing these "difficult bits"...Sure isn't my E class alternator cutting wide open on my sitting room floor awaiting parts

I believe you need a level surface for this so I will probably do it in This Is Your Garage in Oxford.. amazing place there!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Welcome to the Club ! Those are both great cars.

And doubly welcome for the introduction to "This is your garage." Hadn't heard of it before. Will certainly be recommending that to some future users. (I've gave up dealing with the oily bits when I got into company cars and didn't go back, but I know plenty who would love access to proper bay facilities.

Self Service Garage Oxford - Vehicle Owners Club

 

[Srdl]

Haha.. caught in the act!

Well.. I decided I would post up the alternator issue to see if there was any other insight or hints/tips to be had. I thought I would then introduce myself as there was a fairly decent response on there

"The other side" will always have a special place in my heart

I was wondering if I was going to have to declare my interest over there :thinking

I shouldn’t worry about it - there are a number of names I recognise on here!

 

[Merc220cls]

Love that colour combo in the SL. Quite unique I would say.

 

[conor1n]

Love that colour combo in the SL. Quite unique I would say.

Yes... I was very much only 50% into an SL market until this came up, I put my max bid into eBay and ended winning

 

[Senator]

Love that colour combo in the SL. Quite unique I would say.

Agreed, tht SL looks lovely

 

[steve333]

Nice cars-welcome to the forum.

 

[Londonscottish]

Great pair of cars there. Since I bought one I've become a convert to blue Mercs myself.

I especially like the colour combo on your SL. I'm a sucker for a pale grey interior.

 

[merc85]

Great fleet you have going there Conor

Welcome to the Forum buddy

 

[conor1n]

Great pair of cars there. Since I bought one I've become a convert to blue Mercs myself.

I especially like the colour combo on your SL. I'm a sucker for a pale grey interior.

It's actually a beige interior, better seen from this angle

 

[conor1n]

Great pair of cars there. Since I bought one I've become a convert to blue Mercs myself.

I especially like the colour combo on your SL. I'm a sucker for a pale grey interior.

Thanks mate.. the E class is awaiting fitment of a new alternator

 

[Londonscottish]

It's actually a beige interior, better seen from this angle View attachment 92694

Ah OK - it still works for me. I like a number of variations on the pale leather theme, that's one.

 

[conor1n]

Ah OK - it still works for me. I like a number of variations on the pale leather theme, that's one.

Yeh, it's not bad.. I just realised the leather even looks dirty from that angle. These are stock photos from the eBay listing.

When car comes back from winter storage i'll give it a good clean.