2002c230coupe

k, sorry for the dramatic title lmao

Seriously, I am looking at buying a 2004 sl500. I see 1 with 99k miles, everything working supposedly.

I love the look of the car and the power, and the fact that this particular one is in decent shape (body wise, no obvious scratches\bangs) clean title etc....

I may offer the owner somewhere between 12-14k cash because thats what they are asking for.

My question to you is, are there any problems to look out for onthis yr/model. I know with my cheap c230 coupe, I had sunroof problems and a minor headgasket leak... (glad I wasn't scared away from it though, its still running strong at 155k, will keep it until I get into the 200k club)


Please let me know if I should keep my money and but something else that is more reliable. I need a reliable benz that turns over on a dime. and runs without major problems.

thanks!!!!

kbob999

Search this forum for "buying advice". You will find quite a few problem areas with the R230, but once they are improved, maintained, and driven frequently will become quite reliable.
Most expensive repairs are suspension, top, and a few other electrical and mechanical gremlins. Drivetrain is rock solid.
The price you are offering sounds about right depending on condition and options.
Make sure you have a prepurchase inspection if you don't know this car. Have it scanned on a Star Diagnostics Sysytem (SDS). This will find some of the gremlins for you. The rest take a trained eye.
Good luck!

2002c230coupe

I appreviate your response.

After searching thru, i am against the idea. Ppl say not to own it without a warranty... Its that bad.

But then again, anything that will go wrong must have already within those first 100k miles. Idk, unless there are design flaws that would make problems recurr after repairs have been done, it may be ok.

Ill probably not do it then. I dont want to deal with bs like that.

2002c230coupe

After doing even more research i found a thread on abc leaks.

This is a 10k job ans is doomed to fail again in another 65k miles.

Also the metal folding mechanism will need cheap replacement flaps at some point. Also, the hydraulics could fail (although not as common as the abc problem).


Thats a huge deal breaker. I also read that some people did a coilover conversion to avoid spending 10k.on a new abc system.

Avoid this car like the plague. I think it may be ok if it had a warranty to cover the abc. That would be more reasonable, but i do not see any company willing to take on a car more than 10 years old here in california.

BlownV8

I had a hydraulic roof cylinder fail on my SL a few weeks ago.

kbob999

If you are inclined to do your own wrenching, these are DIY jobs. I've replaced 2 shocks, the ABC accumulators, a roof cylinder, and many other items that amounted to about $3k in parts. So it is not a $10K job, unless you can't do the work yourself.

The replacement shocks have a lifetime warranty, and the replacement roof cylinders use updated parts, so they are practically lifetime too. So once it is fixed, the parts are free for life.

This is an awesome supercar if you can work on it yourself, otherwise you will not be happy with the expense of ownership. I do my own work and I'm happy with the car. Enough said.

2002c230coupe

What did u do to fix it? I know a place near me that does work on sl roofs. They sound competent and im sure reasonabky priced. But it may be still too expensive for my taste.

2002c230coupe

Yeah dont get me wrong, i cant think of a nicer car to own than an sl500 in terms of performance, looks, and badassness.

If i could get someone to overhaul the shocks to coilovers and premptivelh replace the roof hydraulic pump, all for 4k or less, parts included. Id be all ears.


The engine and trans are bullet proof and i see an immaculate sl500 2004 with less than 100k miles begging to be bought by me. I just dont have the patience for break downs.

BlownV8

Dealership fixed it.

2002c230coupe

How much? Is ur 2004 sl still covered under warranty?

2002c230coupe

I found a site that sells the coilover for 2k but gibes u 1200 back if u send them ur abc shocks.

So 800 for parts is reasonable. not sure what labor would be