SL350 R231 - my new (to me) pride and joy!

[Steeve]

As lockdown conditions continued and looking at staycationing for the foreseeable I decided a droptop was what I wanted. Been running a CLS 350 CDI for 5 years and thoroughly enjoyed it, but was time for a change.

Spent a lot of time researching deciding between either going for the more modern R231 or going classic with a late 90s R129. After keeping an eye on both markets in the end I plumped for the R231. Budget meant I was focused on the naturally aspirated V6 of the 350 (rather than the turbo 400).

Picked up this 2013 SL350 beauty from a private seller, very pleased with the purchase! Love the sound/grunt and punch of the petrol V6, coming from the diesel V6 on my CLS. Has the airscarf so I've had the hood down a few times when the sun is out, roll on Springtime!

 

[Steeve]

A few bits I've already done:

- passenger airscarf wasn't working, turns out was just a loose connection under the passenger seat, so that's up and running.

- minor point, but there was no central divider in the bottle holder, which is annoying when using as a daily driver! Ordered the part via Merc Newcastle on eBay (highly recommended). They didn't have the part listed but put it up after a DM conversation.

Things to do:

- it needs a decent deep clean inside and out might get a detailer to give it a once over

- I might refurb the alloys, only minor scuffing so not top priority, I'm thinking of doing them in this Diamond Cut on Titanium OEM look

- someone has sat on and broken the rear/middle compartment. It's about £200 for a new one I think, not top priority but I'll get that fixed

- Gummi Pflege ordered, per others recommendations on here, will give the rubbers a once over

- top priority is servicing, previous owner didn't keep up STAR records of servicing, so will get a ground up major service booked in with an Indie (George Fraser, Uxbridge or Wayne Gates, Harrow). Previous owner was just doing basic servicing, so have the following all planned to bring things up to date. Used the brilliant Merc Service Sheet site to get an understanding of what should have been done on this 2013 model by now:

- Brake Fluid
- Air Filter
- Spark Plugs
- Transmission Oil
- Rear Axle Oil (though not sure if this model needs this)

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

That seat colour perks up the exterior.

 

[Steeve]

That seat colour perks up the exterior.

Thanks! Looks very RED in that pic, it's a more classy burgundy in the flesh.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Great choice and lovely car. Enjoy!

 

[MikeInWimbledon]

Thanks! Looks very RED in that pic, it's a more classy burgundy in the flesh.

I know. Interior colours can be misleading in photos - I think it's something about the contrast of colours.
I have a saddle brown interior on my runabout, which looks sheet coloured in photos but is subdued and a good contrast to grey in real life.

 

[Deleted member 65149]

Lovely car. That’s presumably the M276 engine you have there, the same as my C350. It sounds great in my saloon when asked, so must be a joy when you have the top down. More than enough power for our roads and surprisingly economical too, even when driven enthusiastically.

Get those services done ASAP. I don’t thing the rear axle needs to be touched.

 

[C240Sport97]

R231 SLs are looking fine these days ..

pics of the wood trim in interior please

enjoy the SL, it's a wonderful car. I have had mine over 4 years and 33k miles and still love it each time I use it

 

[Slartibartfast]

R231 SLs are looking fine these days ..

pics of the wood trim in interior please

enjoy the SL, it's a wonderful car. I have had mine over 4 years and 33k miles and still love it each time I use it

Aluminium Trim

 

[Steeve]

Lovely car. That’s presumably the M276 engine you have there, the same as my C350. It sounds great in my saloon when asked, so must be a joy when you have the top down. More than enough power for our roads and surprisingly economical too, even when driven enthusiastically.

Get those services done ASAP. I don’t thing the rear axle needs to be touched.

R231 SLs are looking fine these days ..

pics of the wood trim in interior please

enjoy the SL, it's a wonderful car. I have had mine over 4 years and 33k miles and still love it each time I use it

Aluminium Trim

It is indeed the M276 engine, I find it responsive, particularly when switching out of Economy into Sport

Interior is Ash Tree Wood Black according to VIN Decoder (another great resource I found out about on this forum!)

 

[ToeKnee]

Aluminium Trim

I had the brushed silver aluminium trim but changed it to black brushed aluminium trim.

 

[Slartibartfast]

Aluminium Trim

OOPs - I posted on the wrong thread. My SL350 has Aluminium trim. My bad.

 

[Slartibartfast]

I had the brushed silver aluminium trim but changed it to black brushed aluminium trim.

How did you manage that?

 

[Steeve]

Minor annoyance (which when looking at other equivalents of the same age seems a theme with these cars) : the "P" button by the gear selector is peeling. Seen lots for sale with the same issue. Nothing major but annoys me everytime I see it! Doesn't seem like an easy fix (i.e. probably need to replace the whole module)

There's also a scratch on the climate control screen, again an annoyance that likely isn't an easy fix.

 

[C240Sport97]

the "P" button by the gear selector is peeling. Seen lots for sale with the same issue. Nothing major but annoys me everytime I see it! Doesn't seem like an easy fix (i.e. probably need to replace the whole module)

is the metal look coating coming off? Just a button, may be replaceable?

post a pic?

 

[Steeve]

is the metal look coating coming off? Just a button, may be replaceable?

post a pic?

Yes that's it, the metal look coating. Will post a pic when next in the car

 

[Steeve]

is the metal look coating coming off? Just a button, may be replaceable?

post a pic?

Yes that's it, the metal look coating. Will post a pic when next in the car

It's the same issue as shown in this post.

 

[ToeKnee]

How did you manage that?

Interior wrapping | Interior

The one part of my SL that I've never been 100% happy with is the silver brushed aluminium trim on the dash and door cards. So I bought some vinyl wrap in black brushed aluminium and set to it this afternoon. I'm quite pleased although it took all afternoon and I still have the door cards to do...

forums.mbclub.co.uk

 

[MrGreedy]

Consider just going for a plain powder coat in the alloys. I had mine done 1000 miles and 5 months ago, and they have been ceramic coated (KKD revolve) and babied and cleaned, and they are already showing under-lacquer corrosion. Car is outside permanently, now winter wheels are on and the refurbed (diamond cut) summers are cleaned and tucked up. It appears most diamond cuts come with 3 or maybe 6 months warranty. For a reason.

I thought I could take extra special care and it wouldn't be a problem because I would be more careful than the majority of drivers. Whilst I'm sure I have been more careful, it hasn't helped.

 

[benGTR]

My Dad has just sold one - loved it