SL/R230: Who has the most miles on their R230?
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 45
Likes: 0
From: FL
2016 S63 Coupe & 2014 E550 4MATIC Sedan
Awesome! That give me hope! I am at 184,000 now!
Awesome! That give me hope! I am at 184,000 now!
I expected it to be higher, but I travel a lot with the military, but I leave it in good hands while I am not home to drive it!
I expected it to be higher, but I travel a lot with the military, but I leave it in good hands while I am not home to drive it!
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 44
Likes: 4
05 Mercedes SL500
My 2005 SL500 is now at 115K. Love my Ruby but she is definitely a high maintenance mistress. I keep her perfectly serviced detailed and she still looks the part. My major gripe is the lousy tread milage I get out of my tires- typically Pilot Sport A/S 3 or Pilot Super Sport. Staggered wheel sizes cant be rotated.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 390
Likes: 114
From: Seattle, WA
SL500 & GL450
232,000 MILES!!!
Non functioning Air Conditioner Compressor and one of the 2 LCD's on the dash has the infamous 'Ink Blot'. Those are literally the only 2 problems with the vehicle. Still runs/looks like new. I can't stress enough, fluids, fluids, fluids. Change all the hydraulic fluids every 40,000 miles, and you'll be rewarded IF you drive the vehicle. All 4 shocks are still original. As is the SBC unit (replaced the brushes in the pump ($8) as preventative maintenance. I keep waiting for either the ABC, SBC, or roof to fail, but they all still show no signs of doing so. Replace Trunk Struts ($20) every 75,000 miles.
Average about 40,000 miles on the front tires, and about 55,000 on the rears. Front and rear suspension bushings ($200) all replaced at 150,000 miles (were still in good shape). Motor ($90) & Tranny($15) mounts replaced at 150,000 miles, and flex joints ($90 each) + driveshaft bearing ($20) at 200,000 miles (still looked good, but could see cracks on the faces after removed)
I've been waiting seemingly forever for the boys in Stuttgart to come out with the R232(3) since I've never really been a fan of the R231, and would like to upgrade - but after the sneak photo's were leaked a few months ago, and the seeming fact that they're planning to turn the SL into a soft top 2+2, I'm disappointed that it's looking like I won't get to upgrade to a new SL anytime in the foreseeable future as I prefer both a roadster and hard convertible top.
Non functioning Air Conditioner Compressor and one of the 2 LCD's on the dash has the infamous 'Ink Blot'. Those are literally the only 2 problems with the vehicle. Still runs/looks like new. I can't stress enough, fluids, fluids, fluids. Change all the hydraulic fluids every 40,000 miles, and you'll be rewarded IF you drive the vehicle. All 4 shocks are still original. As is the SBC unit (replaced the brushes in the pump ($8) as preventative maintenance. I keep waiting for either the ABC, SBC, or roof to fail, but they all still show no signs of doing so. Replace Trunk Struts ($20) every 75,000 miles.
Average about 40,000 miles on the front tires, and about 55,000 on the rears. Front and rear suspension bushings ($200) all replaced at 150,000 miles (were still in good shape). Motor ($90) & Tranny($15) mounts replaced at 150,000 miles, and flex joints ($90 each) + driveshaft bearing ($20) at 200,000 miles (still looked good, but could see cracks on the faces after removed)
I've been waiting seemingly forever for the boys in Stuttgart to come out with the R232(3) since I've never really been a fan of the R231, and would like to upgrade - but after the sneak photo's were leaked a few months ago, and the seeming fact that they're planning to turn the SL into a soft top 2+2, I'm disappointed that it's looking like I won't get to upgrade to a new SL anytime in the foreseeable future as I prefer both a roadster and hard convertible top.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 390
Likes: 114
From: Seattle, WA
SL500 & GL450
Just returned from another trip own to the Bay area. Surpassed the 249,000 mile mark on the way back. That's 17 & a half thousand additional miles since May without nary a hiccup. Less than 1000 miles away from the quarter century mark. Woo Hoo!!!
Turns out the AC Compressor was just fine, and the system simply needed a recharge. Now the only single problem with the vehicle is the Ink blot on the Speedo Display and I'm starting to feel a slightly perceptible occasional wobble that leads me to to believe one of the front wheel bearings needs a slight adjustment, so I'm going to remove and repack them when I swap out brake pads next week.
Turns out the AC Compressor was just fine, and the system simply needed a recharge. Now the only single problem with the vehicle is the Ink blot on the Speedo Display and I'm starting to feel a slightly perceptible occasional wobble that leads me to to believe one of the front wheel bearings needs a slight adjustment, so I'm going to remove and repack them when I swap out brake pads next week.
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 361
Likes: 28
Past 03 SL500,03 C240, 07 E350, 07 ML350, 10 ML350,11&14 E350 X2 2017 E300, 2017 C350e & 2000 S500
Just returned from another trip own to the Bay area. Surpassed the 249,000 mile mark on the way back. That's 17 & a half thousand additional miles since May without nary a hiccup. Less than 1000 miles away from the quarter century mark. Woo Hoo!!!
Turns out the AC Compressor was just fine, and the system simply needed a recharge. Now the only single problem with the vehicle is the Ink blot on the Speedo Display and I'm starting to feel a slightly perceptible occasional wobble that leads me to to believe one of the front wheel bearings needs a slight adjustment, so I'm going to remove and repack them when I swap out brake pads next week.
Turns out the AC Compressor was just fine, and the system simply needed a recharge. Now the only single problem with the vehicle is the Ink blot on the Speedo Display and I'm starting to feel a slightly perceptible occasional wobble that leads me to to believe one of the front wheel bearings needs a slight adjustment, so I'm going to remove and repack them when I swap out brake pads next week.
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Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 390
Likes: 114
From: Seattle, WA
SL500 & GL450
Will Do. Here is a pic from last month. And the Odo before the trip last week. I'll Post an odometer pic celebrating the Qtr Century mark when she officially passes it.
Last edited by Aussiesuede; Nov 9, 2017 at 12:12 AM.
Junior Member
Joined: May 2017
Posts: 26
Likes: 4
From: Central Virginia
2006 Mercedes-Benz SL500
Senior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 390
Likes: 114
From: Seattle, WA
SL500 & GL450
My ABC system lasted until 285,000 miles before I replaced it with coil overs Only one of the 4 shocks failed, but it needed pulsation dampner replaced at time of shock failure but as soon as the shock failed I decided to replace the system prior to dampner installation. Prior to that, I had the same hose burst twice over the years. I replaced the upper & lower control arms when I switched to coilovers as they were overdue. Entire Command system & Teleaid, were removed in favor of a complete android system a number of years ago. SBC was replaced under the 25 year warranty a year ago. The top front lock cylinders are leaking and need serviced. Other than that, everything is stock. The only non working systems on the car are the "massage" feature in the seats, the infamous "pink shrimp" on the lcd beneath the speedo, and the ambient air temp sensor in the front bumper (hence the 185 degree outside temp showing). The motor developed a sticking valve at about 290,000 and has an intermittent misfire as a result. Overall, it's been the most reliable daily driver I've owned. My biggest complaint over the term of ownership has been short tire life, but with the overall satisfaction I've had with the vehicle, I can put up with that nuisance.
Last edited by Aussiesuede; Feb 16, 2023 at 08:05 PM.
