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SL. R 230. Anyone running one, comments please.

I only asked for comments from owners, but I didn’t expect a public hanging on the forum. My choosing to have 4 cars on SORN has no bearing to my original question.
I’m retired and have already had my fun with fast cars and noisy V8 exhausts’. Nowadays I prefer to enjoy my driving in a more sedate fashion.
All my cars are maintained to a very high standard and are certainly not scrappers, also I am a great believer in preventative maintenance and if any of the cars require anything they get it, but I do object to the exorbitant and unfair VED charges which the government have applied, so enough said on that topic.

As I said in my OP I am only exploring the possibility of purchasing an SL which would be run alongside our CLS Shooting Brake and envisage this use would involve weekends away and with an estimated annual mileage of between 5 & 10k, but not being a golfer I don’t have to face the storage problem. There’s enough space for two nice matching cases to be strapped in behind the seats which will suffice.

So with the big V8’s put into touch my choice would remain with the V6 models and as for budget I don’t think I would want to go over 15k. I could purchase a newer model but I prefer to keep something as a nest egg for that “rainy day”.

Well as you will have seen no public hanging from this very happy 350 owner, albeit it's my only car so you could say I'm biased, but I haven't regretted for one minute buying the 'baby' version, I love it. :) :)
 
The R231 is undoubtedly a lovely car but I guess I'm just a little backwards as I preferred the more swept back look of R230, there's just something about the grille being ahead of the headlights on the R231. From the front to the back the R230 in my eyes has a smoother look to it flowing from the slanted grille to the rear haunches whereas the 231 has the look of a sledgehammer at the front.
But I know damn all about cars, I disliked the R107 for the similar reasons and look where the prices of good ones of those are, I'll get my coat. )
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder as they say, the R231 V8 though is little too quiet and refined even compared to a V6 R230, a test drive of both may settle the matter?

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From the front to the back the R230 in my eyes has a smoother look to it flowing from the slanted grille to the rear haunches whereas the 231 has the look of a sledgehammer at the front.

Facelift, pre-facelift R231 or both? I'm biased so prefer mine to both (R231 pre face lift and R230) - the R230 looks are getting quite dated (IMHO).

On the V8 vs V6 debate, I like most others, love the sound of a v8 but after a lot of research opted for the V6. I'm open to correction but I believe my V6 has more HP that a R230 V8 and almost the same torque however, the main point for me was how much more nimble the lighter V6 felt compared to the V8 (comments by motoring journalists that drove both) all the extra weight is on the front wheels and so the car is less balanced than a V6.

Can you really use all the V8 power no, but the same applies to the V6s.

Re a V6 being the poverty car - mine has over £10k in added options and cost more than a stock V8 so, it depends on what you are looking for in the car. If I could do it over, I'd still get the V6 but, I am toying with the idea of a SLK55 (need to find storage) to fix my V8 lust.

Have previously owned a 4.5L Landcruiser V8 and a Dodge Durango Hemi 5.7L, V8 what a beast.
 
Just to clarify..... When I said.....

"350's are bought by people who care about the cost of buying and maintaining, and who drive about a bit. SL500's are bought by people who don't worry about cost, don't scrimp on maintenance, and often barely drive them anywhere. (From new, R230's are usually a second, third or fourth car in a household)"

I was making a point about the initial owners. When new, the V6 was around £65k, the V8 around £85 (fully specced). The V8 was a higher spec car, and is more likely to have even more extras (proper leather etc). Twelve years on, any SL on less than 50k is 80 - 85% off at £13k.

Some, like myself, will take the luxury version with all the extras, which have often lived in garaged, cocooned, luxury with minimal use, while others may go for the SL350 because the VED is smaller.
 
Ive had my sl350 for nearly 6 years (wife's). and apart from general servicing its had; Interior temp roof sensor (whole unit has to be replaced) SBC pump replaced, battery replaced, and that's about it. its now done about 75k. As said above they are very sensitive to voltage and are prone to show warning lights for no apparent reason if it gets low after being left for a bit so make sure the main battery is fresh. Yes water leaks are famous and can lead to expensive hard top issues if not spotted/fixed. Only other thing I would say is keep it on standard 17 inch wheels/ tyres. I changed mine to 18 inch AMGs for looks but it ruined the ride.
 
Just to clarify.....


I was making a point about the initial owners. When new, the V6 was around £65k, the V8 around £85 (fully specced). The V8 was a higher spec car, and is more likely to have even more extras (proper leather etc).
.

Delta between a new R231 V6 & V8 was ~10k when I bought mine so I'm guessing the V8 was a basic spec.
 
V8 or V6 debate is a bit mute really. Both engines have their appeal to different owners, I bought my V8 because I wanted the exhaust note and for no other reason, the AMG bodykit was a rare bonus as were the 19" wheels. If the OP goes for a V6 watch out for the optional ABC, rare on a V6 but they do exist.
 
Can you really use all the V8 power no, but the same applies to the V6s.

Can't say I've found that to be the case...:D

...I am toying with the idea of a SLK55...

Do it. Same real-world performance (up to licence-losing territory) as an SL55; you know you want one. You may find it noisy, though; mine's stock except for a secondary cat delete, so there will be little if any extra performance over a bog-standard one, but it's quite loud. It lunges forward, bellowing, under power as a proper V8 AMG should; it's a raucous, louche little beastie, but I quite like it, despite my usual preference for a rather more discreet exhaust sound. I suppose the 5.5 biturbo has made me more tolerant of (relatively) noisy exhausts.
 
Delta between a new R231 V6 & V8 was ~10k when I bought mine so I'm guessing the V8 was a basic spec.

Yes, the delta on an R230 was around £10k as well. My point was that SL350 owners specified fewer options. I say these because I wasted a few months trying to find an SL350 with extras like “real” leather.

This isn’t specific to the SL, of course, the same applies to S350’s and S500’s, SLK 200’s and SLK350’s etc etc


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Delta between a new R231 V6 & V8 was ~10k when I bought mine so I'm guessing the V8 was a basic spec.
My V8 came out at £105k new with the extra spec, used price difference between V6 and V8 less than 6k so I'm my opinion V8 better value used.

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Just took a good friend to London this week in the R231 V8, on the way back he kept asking questions about the car so I gave him the keys and swapped places, he had a grin ear to ear all the way home and when he got out said "I want one".

The guy is a biking enthusiast and apart from his family car owns a 1000cc (can't remember the model) so from a biker I took that as a big compliment!

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V8 or V6 debate is a bit mute really. Both engines have their appeal to different owners, I bought my V8 because I wanted the exhaust note and for no other reason, the AMG bodykit was a rare bonus as were the 19" wheels. If the OP goes for a V6 watch out for the optional ABC, rare on a V6 but they do exist.

Agreed the debate is 'moot' - V8 more grunt (better sound) , V6 better handling - I like the better handling because there is more opportunity (IMO) to enjoy that (legally).

In the new R231 V6, I'm getting the same grunt as a R230 V8 and all the benefits of the newer tech. It opens up a range of choices to the OP depending on budget.
 
Agreed the debate is 'moot' - V8 more grunt (better sound) , V6 better handling - I like the better handling because there is more opportunity (IMO) to enjoy that (legally).

In the new R231 V6, I'm getting the same grunt as a R230 V8 and all the benefits of the newer tech. It opens up a range of choices to the OP depending on budget.
Everywhere I have read states the ABC handling on a V8 easily tops the V6 on conventional springs. I've not driven a v6 SL though. I see you have an R231, the V8 doesn't have ABC.
 
My V8 came out at £105k new with the extra spec, used price difference between V6 and V8 less than 6k so I'm my opinion V8 better value used.

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The V8 has devalued more so not good if you bought it new. Looking at the price delta, a good buy used - however my assumption would be that it (V8) will continue to devalue at a greater rate than the V6 so in the longer run......

I bought mine planning to keep it 5 or 6 years....never really thought about the value will be, when I'm ready to sell it, it will be what it is. My son keeps his cars about 3 years & just ordered an E53 AMG Coupe, mine will be going on 5 years old when he gets his next car.......serendipitous timing????
 
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Everywhere I have read states the ABC handling on a V8 easily tops the V6 on conventional springs. I've not driven a v6 SL though. I see you have an R231, the V8 doesn't have ABC.

Yes but V8 on ABC and V6 on ABC (apples with apples) the V6 is going to win with better balance and nicer turn-in. ABC is never going to move the extra weight further back.

I have ABC & very happy with it. I spent a day at Millbrook Proving Grounds driving my car on all the circuits they have there, race, alpine, circular banked etc - very challenging day but I learned how capable these cars are for such a big lump.
 
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For those of us who have bought them the R230 has an appeal whether in V6 or V8 guise and trying to argue one is better than the other is irrelevant as far as I am concerned.

My only reason for buying the V6 was to avoid costly issues with ABC. That doesn't mean I can't afford a V8 or don't want to spend money maintaining it, but the V6 for me suited my needs and in it's own right is a lovely engine/car.

The "reputation" of these cars alone is enough to put most people off and buying even the humble, lowly specified V6 is a step of faith and should be applauded by all Mercedes loving petrolheads.

It hopefully means that another one of these fine cars will be looked after like a child and still be around in good fettle for year to come, and in the current climate of hate being directed towards anything with an ICE that cannot be a bad thing.

Here endeth............................. :p
 
Many thanks for all your comments and by all means keep them coming. As I’ve already said I don’t really want a “street racer” for want of a better description, more a sporty cruiser where on the few days of sunshine I can put the top down rather than the foot down.
I’ve been looking at several examples for sale, some nice and some not so nice but I’m a long way away from deciding, which is why I asked for experiences from owners as who best to ask.
Perhaps over the coming months I may get the chance to look at one at close quarters. Before deciding on our CLS Shooting Brake we went to see one first as it being the “bosses’ car I wanted to make sure she liked it before considering a purchase. Only problem here might be that she will like the SL better than the CLS and I’ll be left with that.
 
Wise man.

Yes, there's a real risk that "the boss" will collar it.

In either case, do absolutely make sure she's happy driving an SL before parting with the cash. My (short) boss loved the car and the seating position, but I know "other bosses" who found the long bonnet an issue compared to something like an SLK, especially for town parking.
 
I would suspect that the fund 'for a rainy day' would be eaten up by repairing an ageing 230. For me it's all about the interior and the 231 wipes the floor with the 230 in that respect. Engines are really horses for courses. I've had mine 6 months now and not spent a penny other than fuel obviously, which after 2.5k miles in Germany including numerous blasts on the autobahn produced an average of nearly 33mpg. I can live with that.

At the end of the day nobody cares what car you drive......except you.
 
The V8 has devalued more so not good if you bought it new. Looking at the price delta, a good buy used - however my assumption would be that it (V8) will continue to devalue at a greater rate than the V6 so in the longer run......

I bought mine planning to keep it 5 or 6 years....never really thought about the value will be, when I'm ready to sell it, it will be what it is. My son keeps his cars about 3 years & just ordered an E53 AMG Coupe, mine will be going on 5 years old when he gets his next car.......serendipitous timing????
Like you I intend to keep mine for a while, I did not buy new so got a bargain especially buying from specialist indie rather then main dealer. I have watched the prices, after initial 3 year drop off the V8 seems to be holding better than the V6 but think that is due to rarity, about 12x V6 advertised to each V8.

Both cars capable of going round bends faster than I would care to try but the straight line grunt and sound of the V8 something else. I gave a 911 a good run for its money on a dual carriage way, doubt I would have done that in the V6.

Too old now to play boy racer (otherwise would be in the R8 I passed on) so rarity, spec and sound a little more important to me.

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