sl r231

[nokia8800]

hi new here first post

looking to purchase a used SL r231/2014 and have seen several including test drives at MB dealerships and have seen some concerning issues and need peace of mind if these are common/normal for this car and any other advise would be extremely appreciated

Problems

1- condensation inside car running along the front of roof where it meets the windscreen along a pillar to a pillar was told by dealer as it is NOT a sealed unit this can happen in rain,, winter?

I spoke to someone in service at another MB dealership and told me if the seals are not maintained it can happen and suggested to use a car cover.

I also spoke to a driver of an SLC whilst having my tyres changed and told me he has never had this problem

2- boot lid would not lift up no matter how hard we tried to lift it open as others opened easier ( I am sure this was a fault )

3- 2 of the 3 cars I tested the passenger side door mirror did not adjust left to right but worked up down

 

[AMGeed]

Welcome to the forum

1 Treating the rubber seals with Gummi Pledge is carried out by a lot of R230/231 owners to help the rubber seals stay watertight.
2 Probably a fault.
3 Almost certainly a broken wire inside the mirror assembly due to continued folding when locking/unlocking. Its a DIY job if you are inclined.

An R231 owner can help far more than my suggestions though.

 

[nokia8800]

thank you for most appreciated

the only problem is one will only no if the rubbers have been maintained when it rains or winter and hopefully a cheap fix if it has not by previous owners as this did scare me and put me off the sl believing it would be a very expensive repair but do still want one

 

[nokia8800]

I am trying to post this on the sl page but does not seem to give an option on posting a new topic

 

[ToeKnee]

I can only add what the above posters have said which is pretty much the same advice you received on the mbworld forum.

 

[flowrider]

I have an R230 but do not suffer from any of the 3 issues, I think the salesman is trying to pull the wool over your eyes.

 

[nokia8800]

thank you again most appreciated best for me to then view cars in winter or when raining heavy with a follow up when weather is better.

it does make you wonder these cars I viewed were all pre checked and repaired before going on sale goes to show MB own checks and repairs are not so great and questionable

yes I felt that from salesman just trying his luck especially pre booking a visit I asked him if we can do a test drive on motorway to experience any wind noise no problem he said.
got to showroom in Beaconsfield for him to tell me we can not go on motorway due to the trade plates so I knew from there he was a hopeless liar.

also remembered I saw a r231 private plate in a petrol station whilst filling up asked the driver about the roof he said no then tells me his is a 2016 model when it clearly was not again why do people lie so much

 

[Merc220cls]

As with all hard top convertibles seals must be maintained properly otherwise they will leak.

My 2004 R230 has only done 9500 miles, 7800 when I purchased it on 1st May this year.
I’ve already made up a spacer to hold the roof in the partially open position to gain better access to the seals for cleaning.

 

[C240Sport97]

1 - sounds like cobblers to me. I have never had any condensation there. The windscreen is glued to the frame and is thus “sealed” - otherwise you would have horrendous wind noise

2 and 3 - not on my 2015 car

 

[Benzmanc]

None of those issues on my R231, that salesman is trying it on. I just use baby wipes to clean my seals every couple of months or so.
The mirror should dip in reverse but move all ways with the switch and the boot is an electric release with soft close. I’d find another dealer and car as there may be other faults he’s not mentioning

 

[nokia8800]

You mention about the boot (from standing at the back of car to open boot not to let roof down) I noticed when going to see the first sl in Basingstoke, Beaconsfield and Bristol expecting the boot to flip open on releasing the catch as you do on any saloon style boot ie c or e class etc but did not and have to lift it up yourself manually like in a hatchback.
I learnt from there that you can not open the boot from inside the car or from key fob unless one added the self opening boot in the options list but believes it was standard in some countries in Europe and America which is what was told to me by the same service guy I spoke to about the condensation.

The reason I am looking for a 2014 350 is the naturally aspirated sound over the turbo 2015 400 which replaced it are there any other negatives or positives on why I should consider the 400 turbo when my heart is with the 350 for its sound?

 

[C240Sport97]

The self opening boot is part of the keyless go option

400 can sound pretty good if you remove the rear/center silencers

 

[C240Sport97]

 

[ToeKnee]

No self opening boot on mine, but I can still undo the boot with the key fob (bottom right button) and from within the car (switch on drivers door, low down near the front). The boot doesn't open on its own though, I have to lift it once it's undone

 

[nokia8800]

Too much hassle with exhaust silencer think I will stick to looking for the 350, thank you anyway for the advise.

Regards to the boot all the MB sales people told me there was no way of opening/undoing boot as you mentioned from within the car and key fob I will check this next time I go to see one and ask them about this.
You would think in one of MB top of range cars costing over £70k would be a standard thing for the boot to open as you would expect

 

[ToeKnee]

Every single R231 I've looked at, and I've seen plenty when I was looking for mine, has the switch on the drivers door to open the boot and the third button on the key fob. I think you've been misinformed by whoever you've spoken to.

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Mine doesn't !

 

[ToeKnee]

Mine doesn't !

Sorry Rory, are you saying your 231 doesn't have the button on the drivers door to open the boot or the button on the key fob?

 

[Deleted member 126251]

Sorry Rory, are you saying your 231 doesn't have the button on the drivers door to open the boot or the button on the key fob?

Both ....2 buttons on the FOB and nothing on the door. I did not tick the soft close option (I assume this is why I don't have the boot thing).

I couldn't see the point in pulling the door 99% of the way closed and then letting it go to close itself the last 1%......

 

[Benzmanc]

Mine doesn't have the soft close option either but the boot has it as standard. I presume your lack of buttons is due to keyless go, do you have that??