SL/R230: MY08 R230 SL Reliability Question
08-04-2018, 05:57 PM
#1
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2007 E200K Elegance
MY08 R230 SL Reliability Question
Hi All,
This is my first post, so please be gentle
. I owned an E200 before and loved it. Drove a SL500 this week and loved it even more and am now looking at buying a 2008 MY08 SL500 (5.5 V8 in Australia). I’ve been reading many of the posts for repairs etc. and a bit worried that the car may be under repair more often than being driven. I plan to do most of the work myself although availability of spares in Australia from other sources than dealers are limited.
My question is if many of the issues of premature failure on ABC, electronics etc. have been addressed towards the end of the line for the R230 and how reliable or unreliable are theses cars? It won’t be my primary transport although I’d obviously like to be able to drive it as often as possible.
The one I’m looking at at the moment has done 45,000 miles but missed two services. Service intervals in Australia is every year. The car’s done less than 10,000 miles between the services it did have.
Lastly, if anyone can point me to a checklist of things to check during the pre-purchase, that will be great.
This is my first post, so please be gentle
. I owned an E200 before and loved it. Drove a SL500 this week and loved it even more and am now looking at buying a 2008 MY08 SL500 (5.5 V8 in Australia). I’ve been reading many of the posts for repairs etc. and a bit worried that the car may be under repair more often than being driven. I plan to do most of the work myself although availability of spares in Australia from other sources than dealers are limited.My question is if many of the issues of premature failure on ABC, electronics etc. have been addressed towards the end of the line for the R230 and how reliable or unreliable are theses cars? It won’t be my primary transport although I’d obviously like to be able to drive it as often as possible.
The one I’m looking at at the moment has done 45,000 miles but missed two services. Service intervals in Australia is every year. The car’s done less than 10,000 miles between the services it did have.
Lastly, if anyone can point me to a checklist of things to check during the pre-purchase, that will be great.
08-04-2018, 09:28 PM
#2
MBWorld Fanatic!
watch out for central gateway module and tele aid module, once they go bad, they turn into an electrical power sucking vampires that will constantly leave you aux battery dead if your car sits for longer than 8hrs; which will cause you to always have the aux battery connected to a trickle charger. once the dealership was able to drag this issue, it cost over $4500
08-06-2018, 01:26 PM
#3
MBworld Guru
A MY2008 will have the revised ABC system which might be more reliable. Really, the only thing I see in the forums that regularly fails on that version is the main pressure hose. I really don't recall hearing about any pump or valve block issues. Of course the dampeners and accumulators will wear out over time so that's just going to be "maintenance".
The car has SBC, which may mean some maintenance to replace the pup motor for that. Also, you must disable SBC to work on the brakes. The pneumatic system used for door, trunk and compartment locks as well as seat support controls can be problematic sometimes. The trunk lid lock will likely need some work. The top hydraulics will also need maintenance for failed hydraulic cylinders.
Honestly, all of this is really just "maintenance" as there doesn't seem to be any chronic problems. Each car (and owner) is different, of course.
The car has SBC, which may mean some maintenance to replace the pup motor for that. Also, you must disable SBC to work on the brakes. The pneumatic system used for door, trunk and compartment locks as well as seat support controls can be problematic sometimes. The trunk lid lock will likely need some work. The top hydraulics will also need maintenance for failed hydraulic cylinders.
Honestly, all of this is really just "maintenance" as there doesn't seem to be any chronic problems. Each car (and owner) is different, of course.
