New - looking for a late r230 500sl

[Gochaz]

Hi all,

Thought I'd say hello. I will hopefully be a Mercedes owner again soon! Looking for a late 2-headlight 500SL from 2006 - 2008. I considered an SL55 but I think the 500 is the more sensible choice at 12 - 15k.

Please let me know if anyone is selling!

I had a 190e 2.5 16v Cosworth 10 years ago - definitely more interested in a cruiser these days.

Charlie

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Smart move: great cars with lots of improvements over the earlier R230 - not just the obvious power thing.
Lots of enhancements to address earlier bugs and just generally improve (eg. flappy paddle 7 speed etc.)

I spent a year looking for one in the right spec. Foolishly I rejected an excellent one last Autumn - that was a mistake.

I think I've seen one or two come up every quarter. They're that rare. But IMHO they're worth the search.

Usual caveat applies: some are excellent, well serviced and garaged. Others are grubby and/or just dreadful.

Good luck and post a photo when you track it down.

 

[Gochaz]

Thanks Mike. I had read about the bugs being taken care of in the later cars.

I went to see one in Manchester yesterday. It was low mileage but the service history was really patchy - only four services in 14 years.

There were two recent services at a specialist which was at least a bit reassuring and last night i was thinking about just sodding the risk and going for it but in the sober light of day I've decided to wait for a better one. It's a big, heavy, fast and complicated car so service history must be crucial!

This is the car I saw:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/car-de...cars&year-from=2006&postcode=cv327ul&model=SL CLASS&sort=mileage&page=1&make=MERCEDES-BENZ&year-to=2008&include-delivery-option=on&onesearchad=Used&onesearchad=Nearly New&onesearchad=New#db-tab-2

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

It's a nice car - I saw that ad when it was first listed back in July. I agree with you 100%: it's tempting but it's worth waiting for a car with a more regular history.

To add a bit of context, this very similar car took six months to sell last Winter, but did have a perfect one wealthy owner, always garaged, full MB service history provenance. But the price was a bit steep, which is why it didn't go quickly:

Mercedes-Benz SL Class 5.5 SL500 7G-Tronic 2dr31600 miles one owner For Sale Motors | Cars | Mercedes-Benz | SL-Class | Loot

Not everyone loves an SL but they do have this track record of being bought new by people who keep them in garages and service them regardless. Which is nice.

 

[Eddy77]

The service history point is sticky on these kind of cars. The small number of services could be due to lack of use / sorn which is common on these kinds of cars. Or it could be shoestring running which is a worry. Hard to ascertain which but the mot history could help. If it has been doing any serious mileage each year and skipping services, I’d be worried and avoid. My own CLK missed a few services in its first few years but it turns out it had only done 11k miles in the first three years as the chap who bought it brand new ran it for a year before getting ill and mothballing it in the garage. I was fine with that and bought the car as it was pristine and still only had 30k miles by the time it was 6 years old. Proved to be a good buy as it is still perfect and never given any issues. Sat on 57k miles now and has been serviced every year since I bought it. Not every car with a Missing service or two is duff. That said, 4 services in 14 years is a bit odd..........

 

[Gochaz]

Thank you both for your replies.

The Manchester car seemed to drive well. It was the first time I had driven an SL, other than an R107, and it was hugely impressive. The ride quality seemed excellent even on 19" wheels. Maybe I am being overcautious Eddy! There were no obvious problems with the car. I think I would rather spend a bit more though for peace of mind.

Thanks for that Mike - I hadn't seen that car advertised before. Yes most seem well taken care of. It's just a shame there are so few 5.5s around!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Definitely, never, ever, buy the first example of a car that you drive. I don't want to condone tyre-kicking, but look at a few examples before committing yourself to your wheels for the next few years of motoring.

There are also rubbish 2007 SL's out there. I went up to Wakefield to see another 5.5 SL in Spring. One private owner, 60k miles, company director yada, yada... Rubbish. Looked as if it had lived all its life outside, hadn't been serviced properly, rattled and creaked like a 25 year old car, dreadful suspension, and a lifeless drive. Truly dreadful. And, in between the good and the bad, there are those with a hint of cloven hoof.

On the other hand, I've spent a year looking for a 5.5 SL before giving up and buying a CL So what do I know? I failed to buy (my third) SL.

(But it was an CL in an impossible to find colour)

 

[Gochaz]

Your CL looks excellent though, especially in that colour.

That Haslemere car might be the one for me. Ideally I'd like to find a non-black or silver one but beggars can't be choosers!

I will definitely post photos when I find one.

 

[Steeve]

Reading the forums seems I'm in the minority that prefers the facelift version of the R230! Will follow your progress OP as am at the early stages of researching my next car and the R230 is on the potential list

 

[flowrider]

Reading the forums seems I'm in the minority that prefers the facelift version of the R230! Will follow your progress OP as am at the early stages of researching my next car and the R230 is on the potential list

Not just this forum either

 

[Gochaz]

Jol I saw a corker of a face-lift 5.5. I think it was autotrader. It was red! I'll have another look and link it if I find it

 

[flowrider]

Which would you prefer.......



Or

 

[Steeve]

Which would you prefer.......

View attachment 102420

Or

View attachment 102421

Facelift!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Which would you prefer.......

View attachment 102420

Or

View attachment 102421

No question: the facelift R230.

Not just because of the substantial cost and depreciation saving. It's more elegant.

 

[Gochaz]

Always the twin headlights for me

 

[flowrider]

The C class looks of the

Always the twin headlights for me

Someone with taste