I know we SL350 owners have to make do with less hp, less torque and less sizzling performance. No ABC either! But we know you V8’s and V12’s are constantly hurting your hands and elbows, craving for room to move. Lots of room here, folks!

 

it still looks kinda tight, and wont consider that a plus from 200hp difference, but i do gotta change my belt and wondering what will be the easiest way on it

 

not enough space to hide Carlos Ghosn

you would have even more room on a bicycle !

very useful post

 

Fred,

You may as well have bought an SLK (commonly referred to as a “girls car” by my neighbor who owns multiple 300SL’s and judges at Pebble Beach), 200HP is the difference in the driving experience, ABC is also part of the driving experience. I changed my belt in 15 minutes and changed the oil at the same time with a mighty vac. It’s not rocket science to work on these cars. Engineers have never been thoughtful for mechanics.

 

Guys, friends, I just felt like throwing in a light hearted post. No need to take too much notice.
My car is a delightful silent cruiser, a quantum leap from my other (1966) SL, and I am totally satisfied with what I have.

 

get that engine cleaned !! its filthy!

 

I guess it's all relative. Someone with a 55/600/65 could say the same thing about the 550. To me, an SL with ABC but without 600 hp is not worth the pain or aggravation. I get the SL350. You have the beautiful body of the 230 SL in a package that is super cheap to maintain. It would have sold really well in the US and probably keep its value better than the ABC equipped SL's.

 

Haha, have never done that on any of my cars. It would be more efficient to ‘upgrade’ the dirt road we live on, than to try to keep that li’l machine room clean.

 

Heh, never heard that one before, there’s still the roof, the non-warranted SBC and pricey parts. It’s all relative of course.
And MB over here charges € 170 an hour for labour, had to have them replace my EIS..

 

Im just yanking your chain Fred, I really like reading your input on the forum.

 

ive never had any luck with super or tubi charged cars. I prefer naturally aspirated with proper, drive able, modifications. RenTech allows this, among others. I tend to hang on to cars long past when I should let go but it allows me to afford more toys if I don’t have payments. I just donated a Jeep suv to the Boy Scouts that had over 480K miles on the original engine and trans.

 

NA is typically more reliable than forced induction but the bi-turbo V12's are very solid and reliable engines.

 

good to know. Makes me feel better about eyeing my next toy, a GTS

 

BlownV8
Your points are well said.
I love the look of the R230 SL Series, no matter what power plant is powering them, they all look great.
But as BlownV8 mentions, the ABC and all the additional giddy-up that comes with the super charged V8 or the Twin Turbo V12 does add significantly to the ride. Just take a test drive in a 500 or 560 vs the 55 or 600 and you feel it instantly.
And personally I opted for the Twin Turbo because of the relative uniqueness of having a V12... silly as that sounds, it meant quite a bit to me.
And now that the V12 is out of production, it makes these engines even more unique.
But if dollars are tight and you want the look, the lesser HP SL's will take a smaller bite from your wallet and still get you into one sexxxy ride!!! Very hard to knock that...

p.s.
agree with @A1EK - clean that engine!!!

 

The R230 seems to pick up more dust under the bonnet (a.o. from dirt road) than our other three cars. Come to think of it, it’s not driven in/after rain when I can avoid it, perhaps that’s why. But if anyone must loose sleep over the dust in there, it’d rather be you guys than me .

 

I dont have any issues keeping it clean, I drive 4000 miles every month on 6 hour journeys. Just jet wash when you are at the car wash for 30 secs the spray with autoglym vinyl- rubber care, done.