R231 SL350 been parked up for 6 years. Any advice please?

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Memory seats, intelligent lights and active park assist are standard.

nice spec though. Magic sky control is a giggle.

what is the mileage?
Active park assist isn't standard but it sounds like a great buy . Make sure you run the air con then if it fails you will be able to have it fixed under the warranty Good luck with it. :thumb:
 
I bought it this morning. Dealer has spent in excess of £5k getting it ready for sale (including all new fluids). The latest SatNav updates are being done on Monday and it will then be delivered to me (no charge) shortly after.

I was offered StarGard treatment (£479) - but declined, as I have time on my hands to "pamper" it myself.

A Service Contract was also offered (£47 per month) which I'm considering, but I'll probably use a specialist (local to Sittingbourne, Kent). Any recommendations?

I'll post a couple of pics when I get it.

Thanks to all for your invaluable input!
 
Starguard is not up to much. Leaves white residue if not properly finished. Only applied by dealership valet person. Got caught out once on a new S class, never again. Gtechniq ceramic for me.
Looking forward to pics, sounds like you one a prize with that one.
 
I bought it this morning. Dealer has spent in excess of £5k getting it ready for sale (including all new fluids). The latest SatNav updates are being done on Monday and it will then be delivered to me (no charge) shortly after.

I was offered StarGard treatment (£479) - but declined, as I have time on my hands to "pamper" it myself.

A Service Contract was also offered (£47 per month) which I'm considering, but I'll probably use a specialist (local to Sittingbourne, Kent). Any recommendations?

I'll post a couple of pics when I get it.

Thanks to all for your invaluable input!
Great news. Don’t let the Indy do any work to it while it’s under used car warranty. Let the dealer see it first.
 
Just my opinion..................
I would take up the service contract for a couple of years as it will give you Mobilo and show some commitment to the dealer
Then get it to a professional detailer for a proper detail followed by ceramic coating
Then SMILE and ENJOY
kc

PS. Get us all some pictures to admire
 
Sounds like a good buy, now just enjoy driving it.

I purchased my 2004 350 SL (R230) inn May 2019. When I picked the car up it had just 7800 miles on the clock. It had been dealer serviced every year. Nothing other than batteries have been replaced as far as I can see.
The car has now done 12,000 miles and last year I got my local indie to carry out an auto box service during which the seal at the electrics connector was replaced due to a leak.
During last winter I serviced the car myself and the engine oil was still like new but I wanted reassurance that it was running on Mobil 1.
I’ve made up a special block to support the roof in a semi open position which allows me to clean out the seals etc.
 
I would advise to drive it as much as possible in the 14 day return period, as I said before, they don't like being stood.
I would think if an issues were to show up they would show up quite quickly.
 
My 2004 SL350 has been off road since March last year and will be going back on road this March.

I can therefore expect it to fall to bits when I move it out of the garage,..................... or maybe not.

I have started it a few times and moved it out of the garage all of 5 metres and driven it back in again.

Why does rubber deteriorate more quickly on a car that is not moving than one that is in regular use ??
 
An hours Italian tune up on a test drive will highlight any issues :)
After a full fluid change.

I'd also be wary that a careful start up procedure hasn't been used. I'm about to start one of my non-Merc cars in Spring after 4 years, and I'll be taking the aux belt off, turning over the crank pulley, having put a tiny squirt of oil down the spark plug holes (plugs out). After turning it over a lot by hand, I'll be cranking on the starter a few time to check oil pressure light goes out, before refitting fuel pump fuse and actually trying to start it. I'm going to use a very light 0w20 oil for a couple of minutes driving, and then do another oil change to the correct 0w40. I don't want to cause engine damage by 'dry starting' it after so long sat unused.

Maybe this doesn't apply to Mercs?
 
My 2004 SL350 has been off road since March last year and will be going back on road this March.

I can therefore expect it to fall to bits when I move it out of the garage,..................... or maybe not.

I have started it a few times and moved it out of the garage all of 5 metres and driven it back in again.

Why does rubber deteriorate more quickly on a car that is not moving than one that is in regular use ??

If you've started it regularly and moved it it should be ok.
Mine was parked up for around 5-6 months and not driven or started, as it had mattress,beds and tables piled upon it!

A few pipes blew, a seal went and a rear spring had snapped while it was parked up.

No fluid running through the pipes keeping them soft and moist, otherwise they dry out and crack.
 
If you've started it regularly and moved it it should be ok.
Mine was parked up for around 5-6 months and not driven or started, as it had mattress,beds and tables piled upon it!

A few pipes blew, a seal went and a rear spring had snapped while it was parked up.

No fluid running through the pipes keeping them soft and moist, otherwise they dry out and crack.
After a full fluid change.

I'd also be wary that a careful start up procedure hasn't been used. I'm about to start one of my non-Merc cars in Spring after 4 years, and I'll be taking the aux belt off, turning over the crank pulley, having put a tiny squirt of oil down the spark plug holes (plugs out). After turning it over a lot by hand, I'll be cranking on the starter a few time to check oil pressure light goes out, before refitting fuel pump fuse and actually trying to start it. I'm going to use a very light 0w20 oil for a couple of minutes driving, and then do another oil change to the correct 0w40. I don't want to cause engine damage by 'dry starting' it after so long sat unused.

Maybe this doesn't apply to Mercs?
I have 14 days or 500 miles (whichever first) "test drive" and can return it for a full no quibble refund within this period. Also have 12 months full unlimited mileage Main Dealer warranty, so I'm feeling confident :)
 
If you've started it regularly and moved it it should be ok.
Mine was parked up for around 5-6 months and not driven or started, as it had mattress,beds and tables piled upon it!

A few pipes blew, a seal went and a rear spring had snapped while it was parked up.

No fluid running through the pipes keeping them soft and moist, otherwise they dry out and crack.
Have started it a few times and moved it all of 5 meters out of the garage and back in again a couple of times.

It has done 54k miles in nearly 17 years so has never had regular use, and only 4k in the last 5 years but doesn't seemed to have caused it any issues.

🤞 for March
 
After a full fluid change.

I'd also be wary that a careful start up procedure hasn't been used. I'm about to start one of my non-Merc cars in Spring after 4 years, and I'll be taking the aux belt off, turning over the crank pulley, having put a tiny squirt of oil down the spark plug holes (plugs out). After turning it over a lot by hand, I'll be cranking on the starter a few time to check oil pressure light goes out, before refitting fuel pump fuse and actually trying to start it. I'm going to use a very light 0w20 oil for a couple of minutes driving, and then do another oil change to the correct 0w40. I don't want to cause engine damage by 'dry starting' it after so long sat unused.

Maybe this doesn't apply to Mercs?
Can’t see any dealer taking any precautions on start up regardless of how long it’s been sat . They are doing a full service prior to sale anyway so the oil will be new , so will brake fluid , coolant at 17 years is 2 years overdue so that will be done as well .
That only leaves diff oil and gearbox for the op to crack in with .
All set for the Italian tune up ;)
 
Can’t see any dealer taking any precautions on start up regardless of how long it’s been sat . They are doing a full service prior to sale anyway so the oil will be new , so will brake fluid , coolant at 17 years is 2 years overdue so that will be done as well .
That only leaves diff oil and gearbox for the op to crack in with .
All set for the Italian tune up ;)
Most likely been started a few times already.


I bought it this morning. Dealer has spent in excess of £5k getting it ready for sale (including all new fluids). The latest SatNav updates are being done on Monday and it will then be delivered to me (no charge) shortly after.

£5k on pre sale ? , Wow what was that on ?
 

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