New to Mercs

[Dunkan]

Hi my names Dunk and i'm contemplating getting my first Mercedes so thought it a good idea to join up and get the pros and cons on what i'm looking at.

I'm looking at the SL's as i really want a 2 seat convertible, it hasn't got to be a silly quick SL55 AMG or even the SL500.

I think i'd be more than happy with the SL350 to be honest.

I'm interested to find out the good and bad side of this model, is the facelift version worth me spending the extra cash ?

 

[Dunkan]

I've done a bit of searching but can't find a buyers guide so i guess there isn't one, if anyone can post some links up of useful threads they know about on the SL350 i'd appreciate it

I'm possibly looking at a facelift 08/09

Thanks

 

[WOODYTHEWISE]

Hello and welcome to you. Sorry I am unable to assist.

 

[Dunkan]

Hello and welcome to you. Sorry I am unable to assist.

Thanks for the welcome mate

 

[Dunkan]

86 views and 1 reply !

I guess i'll look elsewhere for help

 

[The _Don]

This may help -

http://www.pistonheads.com/Gassing/topic.asp?h=0&t=1288067&mid=0&nmt=R230+Buyers+guide

 

[Dunkan]

This may help -

R230 Buyers guide - PistonHeads

Thanks for that

 

[BTB 500]

Yup R230 is what you want to search for - that's the M-B model. There are a few threads on here which you might be able to find, from memory one of the main things to check for is damp in the bottom of the boot as water can get in past the roof seals and cause problems with the electronics down there.

 

[Dunkan]

Thanks Bill

I've been searching for the R230 but most go on about the SL500 or the SL55 AMG and not the SL350, i can't find anything on the facelift model.

Buying cars these days seems very hit or miss going by reviews i'm reading and known faults

One list of reviews i've found had 5 very happy owners of the SL and one that wouldn't buy another if his life depended on it and spent nearly £8k putting faults right.

 

[fudge1984]

welcome dunkan

the sl350 is a nice care, they where facelifted i think approx 05, the widescreen screen sat nav is usually a giveaway along with bumpers

they tend to hold value better,so u get get back what u pay extra, but ideally u want a facelifted (05/06) onwards with a factory amg kit(rather rare though, esp on a 350) but they look a lot better as well as will sell first out of the dozens that stay on sale for months on end.

believe it or not I have had the 500 and 350 and there is not so much difference in economy and the 500 is a lot quicker BUT most 350 did not have air suspension and the 500 did, so i opt for a 350 as i didn't want air suspension due to horror stories

prone to rust on arches, merc quality declined in the 2000s but its a lot of car for the money

the final worry is the roof, watch the mechanism carefully, storm seals should of been replaced. when looking at a car ask for a hose pipe from the owner and soak it and look for leaks, let water sit around the boot dips, it should not seep into the boot.

also check inside boot for rust, this means leaks too and walk away

close doors, ensure the coupe pressure window shuts fully, can have issues with this motor

not sure how much of this is of use, but hope something here helps, just experience from my ownerships.

 

[jotter22]

Welcome to the club Dunkan good luck with the search....and if someone wanted to put a hosepipe over my car i would tell them to jog on!

Tony.

 

[Dunkan]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The facelift as i call it was when it went to the single headlight and was in 08 as far as i'm aware, isn't the ABC suspension hydraulic ? still one of the expensive items that goes wrong so one to avoid for me.

 

[gbjeppm]

Thanks for the replies guys.

The facelift as i call it was when it went to the single headlight and was in 08 as far as i'm aware, isn't the ABC suspension hydraulic ? still one of the expensive items that goes wrong so one to avoid for me.

You are correct there was a major facelift in 2008, there was a more minor update in 2004/2005.

Easiest way to tell is the widescreen sat nav, rather than the square on on previous models, as mentioned above.

 

[Dunkan]

You are correct there was a major facelift in 2008, there was a more minor update in 2004/2005.

Easiest way to tell is the widescreen sat nav, rather than the square on on previous models, as mentioned above.

Thanks for that, i didn't know about the sat/nav.

I'm looking at the 2008 model onwards with the single headlight, this 59 plate is what i'm looking for

 

[BTB 500]

As an aside, an SL350 will have the M272 V6 engine which has some known issues. You can check based on the engine serial number which ones apply ... have a skim through this thread:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/137229-complete-m272-engine-thread.html

 

[Dunkan]

As an aside, an SL350 will have the M272 V6 engine which has some known issues. You can check based on the engine serial number which ones apply ... have a skim through this thread:

http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/engine/137229-complete-m272-engine-thread.html

Thanks Bill

That's very helpful and potentially saved me a small fortune if i bought one with the balance shaft problem, i'll make a note of the engine numbers in that thread
and check any cars i look at.

 

[racall]

Engine

Was there ever a M112 engine fitted to the SL350 or are they all M272 engines (balance shaft issues)

 

[V12]

2003-2005 cars are all M112. 2006 was the changeover year to M272.

 

[Dunkan]

I thought i'd found an SL350 yesterday but it was sold when i enquired about it, it seemed cheap to me considering it was with a franchised dealer

1 owner 57 plate, 56,000 miles, Black, had all the extras for £15k, not a facelift that i was after but if the price and car is right i'll have the twin headlight model

I was in my local pub last night and mentioned the car and a mate
said do a search on the dealer, it looks like i could have dodged a
bullet going by lots of reviews etc

 

[Dunkan]

Had to put buying a new car on hold for a while but now looking again and keep coming back to wanting an SL