R230 sl350

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ftb

Active Member
Joined
Nov 16, 2016
Messages
356
Location
Nr Northampton
Car
2010 C220CDI Estate, 2005 CLS55AMG Coupe
What's the consensus on the 350 R230? Looking at something like this for the dear wife:


Mercedes-Benz SL Class 3.7 SL350 2dr


Ideally, want a few years of trouble free motoring. Possible? Please share your experience.

Thanks.
 
An SL is never going to give you a few years trouble free motoring, I'm afraid. They are expensive and complex cars and therefore come with the associated costs of ownership and maintenance. I love the R230 but you have to have your eyes wide open when considering one. Best to go for a 2006 and above facelift model and then have it checked thoroughly by an experienced indy or expert. Even then the running costs won't be cheap.

Mark
 
The SL Shop are the experts

The SL Shop are generally acknowledged as the SL experts in the UK.

vehicle-car-mercedes-benz-300sl-256632_907387df748f8f60_240X180.jpg


Mercedes-Benz 300 SL | Previously owned by us | Grey Interior Ref No: 300NW
 
Thank you for the honest responses people. 06+ cars are sadly out of reach.
 
R230 roof can leak, but there is a fix.

best to get a car with the DVD COMAND

the other 'problem area' is Active Body Control, which was an option on SL350. Standard on SL55, SL63 and SL500 (I think).
 
I have a 52k mile 2004 350 on standard suspension bought last January and so far it has had a starter battery and it probably didn't need that. I now keep it on a trickle charger and all is ok.

Don't be put off by all the doom and gloom, yes they are a complex car but find a good one with low owners and a proper history, that has been well cared for, preferably garaged and you won't regret it.

Go for the standard suspension , check the boot seals, budget to replace the SBC pump and enjoy.
 
Go for a 3.7 and not a 3.5. The 3.7 is a little down on power but is a bomb proof engine and the 3.5 has well documented issues. I understand that the 7G gearbox can be iffy.

Marvellous cars. I've had mine since the end of January and 3k miles and it hasn't put a foot wrong. Not a long time but, with some of the stuff you read, you'd think they go wrong weekly.
 
I've had mine 3 years (53 reg) and all I've bought is a rear spring.

Yes parts are more expensive than an mx5 but ignore the doomsayers! They are a usable everyday car.
Buy a sh*t one and it'll cost you to repair, but buy a sh*t micra and it'll cost you also.

I hardly use mine but I keep it on trickle charge, I get it serviced right, when I want it I drive it and get about 27mpg. I don't worry about it breaking down or leaky seals, I look after it as recommended by every Mercedes website.

No its not cheap, but it's also not expensive either. There are plenty out there in daily use, not many in scrap yards and they aren't an expensive car to buy.... So to me that means they are useable for Mr Joe average.
 
I bought a "mint" 04 a couple of months back ....(considering most of these cars were upwards of 55k new) you get a lot of car for the money on a good used one ....I went for the "non" ABC suspension model (less to go wrong) ....all cars have their niggles...the R230 plus many other mercs have a stupid £25 plastic part that brakes on the gearbox which locks it in park (I am experiencing this now) but I've bought a modified metal bracket which I will fit at the weekend .....one thing you need to consider with the R230 is the consumer battery ......if you don't drive it regular then you will need to keep it on a trickle charger ...... not something everyone can do unless you have a PowerPoint next to your car
 
I do like the looks of the R230 and the convenience of the folding hardtop but I bought an R129 as my budget wouldn't stretch to a later car, 350 or 500. The independent Mercedes specialist I took my car to said to me, and I hadn't even met him until I bought my car, better a late 129 than an early 230.

That said you generally only tend to hear of those with problems but how many early R230's are there running around perfectly happily? :)
 

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