Late 2009 R230 SL350 pick up this Saturday

[roadster198]

Hello All,

I'll hopefully be the proud owner of a late 2009 R230 SL350 this Saturday. As I'm buying from afar the garage has said if when I come and see it and don't want to progress with purchase I can have a full deposit refund.

2009 59 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 3.5 SL350 2D 315 BHP | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 2009 59 MERCEDES-BENZ SL 3.5 SL350 2D 315 BHP at the best online prices at eBay! Free delivery for many products!

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I've used this website no end in the last few days and found it great help.

The car is out with the issue on the M272 engines having checked the engine number. Thankfully.

Obviously I'm still a little concerned with the water issues as the car will sit outside. I assume even cars as late as this still can have issues? I've watched a number of video links from this site and others and I intend to oil the seals once I get it home and check drainage channels.

Has anyone on this forum never has water leaks? Is it a case of only hearing about issues rather then someone posting "I've never had any leaks on my car in 10 years!"

The garage has looked after this car for a while and have given me good confidence it's been looked after. There's history outwith the normal service schedule receipts and the garage owner has been very honest. So I guess we'll find out this Saturday how good it is.


Does anyone use a trickle charger with the car parked outside? I see optimate do solar ones. This will be a second car so I really will need to keep the battery going.

Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

[W1ghty]

Lovely car buddy , it’s a common fault the rear seal below the back window on the SL . The water can then blow up the roof motor that sits low down in the boot below the floor (which is expensive ) .

 

[ianw19]

During lockdown I trickle charged my cars outside. Fortunately the weather was mostly fine.

 

[W1ghty]

Also check the gearbox atf and filter were done at 37500 miles

 

[Merc220cls]

First of all, welcome to the forum.

I hope you enjoy your new wheels if you decide on the purchase.

My SL has never shown any leaks but it’s still like new with now 11,000 miles, it had 7800 when I purchased it last year so not bad for a 2004 model.

I would advise cleaning all the seals and especially the drain tubes. To get access to some of the drain tubes you have to block the roof in the half way position.

As for charging when outside, if the car is going to sit for several days at a time it may be best to connect a Cetek to it. I have the Cetek traffic light indicators on both batteries so I can keep an eye on their condition.

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Great car - IMVHO the late R230, compete with its performance upgrades, is a great motor.

Regarding damp in the boot, I've had two R230's, an early SL500 and a later SL350, both around 30-50k on the clock and neither of them had the faintest hint of any leak.

The batteries did flatten if left unused for more than a month, but it did take that long. (A lot of SL's start their lives as third or fourth cars - it's one of several reasons why they're great bargain - and WAY more reliable than 911's or 630i's

 

[roadster198]

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm trying to find the spray used to put on the seals but I can't find the thread anymore where it discusses it

Does anyone know the name of this stuff? It's got a funny name.

I had to up my budget a little for the car. I went to see one locally and the broken wing mirror adjuster and ashtray that wouldn't close started the alarm bells ringing immediately. Then I tried to lower the roof .

The garage have been good so far. He actually insisted I come and see the car and if I didn't fancy it I can have my travel cost and deposit back. I of course will be checking the docs with the car and look out for the trans filter change. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[roadster198]

First of all, welcome to the forum.

I hope you enjoy your new wheels if you decide on the purchase.

My SL has never shown any leaks but it’s still like new with now 11,000 miles, it had 7800 when I purchased it last year so not bad for a 2004 model.

I would advise cleaning all the seals and especially the drain tubes. To get access to some of the drain tubes you have to block the roof in the half way position.

As for charging when outside, if the car is going to sit for several days at a time it may be best to connect a Cetek to it. I have the Cetek traffic light indicators on both batteries so I can keep an eye on their condition.

Hi, Thanks for replying to my post.

Which battery did you connect to?

thanks

 

[BandyAndy]

Thank you all for your replies.

I'm trying to find the spray used to put on the seals but I can't find the thread anymore where it discusses it

Does anyone know the name of this stuff? It's got a funny name.

Me thinks you mean Gummi Pflege !!
It's what I use on my seals

 

[roadster198]

Me thinks you mean Gummi Pflege !!
It's what I use on my seals

I have only just realised it means rubber care or words to that effect... Oh dear

 

[W1ghty]

I have only just realised it means rubber care or words to that effect... Oh dear

Krytox is the more expensive option to gummi . Silicone grease is £2

 

[roadster198]

Krytox is the more expensive option to gummi . Silicone grease is £2

Krytox better?

 

[W1ghty]

Krytox better?

The best , but expensive ...£20 ?? It goes a long way though

 

[Eddy77]

Lovely looking car. Sounds like you’ve done your homework before jumping in which is good to hear! Now sit back and enjoy!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Can't think why anyone would think that £20 is expensive if it keeps damp out of the boot of an R230.

 

[W1ghty]

Can't think why anyone would think that £20 is expensive if it keeps damp out of the boot of an R230.

I should have said it’s expensive compared to Gummi or silicone grease , that’s what I was trying to get across

 

[roadster198]

So it seems if I go with the MB krytox stuff it'll be £45 a bottle. Krytox appears to be a company rather than a brand name (happy to be corrected)

I suppose £45 vs £000's or £0000's even for water damage.

 

[W1ghty]

So it seems if I go with the MB krytox stuff it'll be £45 a bottle. Krytox appears to be a company rather than a brand name (happy to be corrected)

I suppose £45 vs £000's or £0000's even for water damage.

If you search eBay for Krytox there are cheaper options buddy

Krytox GPL-105 PFPE Lubricant Oil Rubber Auto Squeak Rattle GPL 105 10GR | eBay

KRYTOX ™ GPL-105 Oil. Krytox ™ GPL-105 can be applied by precise dropper point bottle. No more squeak, itch or judder. Lubricant 100% pure and Original - 0.36 OZ / 10 GR. For eliminating squeaks and rattles and removing unwanted noises.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[W1ghty]

So it seems if I go with the MB krytox stuff it'll be £45 a bottle. Krytox appears to be a company rather than a brand name (happy to be corrected)

I suppose £45 vs £000's or £0000's even for water damage.

The Leak on the rear seal is caused by water running under the seal where it grips the base of the rear screen , not on the bit you are going to “lube” . There is plenty on how to fix on the tinternet , it involves removing the seal and re-gluing the seal to form a waterproof fix . Your car at 2009 probably won’t need this yet though

 

[NJSS]

If buying from eBay etc.. check the price per gram, as it is often repackaged in small quantities than the standard MB or VW bottle.

NJSS