SL-Class (R230) 2003 -- 2012: Discussion on the SL500, SL550, SL600

SL/R230: Operating Temp Range, this normal?

Old Feb 23, 2021 | 02:41 PM
  #1  
6_Myles's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 66
1998 E300TD
Operating Temp Range, this normal?

Hi all, just getting to know my SL55.

-Cruising around town it stays just a needle width above 80F/26C
-At 90mph on the interstate it's maybe 2 needle widths above 80F/26C
-Spirited driving in 2nd and 3rd gear up a mountain road here in Western North Carolina saw it get a decent amount more than I've seen before, about halfway between 80F/26C and 100F/38C

This sound normal to y'all?

Reply
Old Feb 23, 2021 | 03:01 PM
  #2  
chad500sl's Avatar
Member
5 Year Member
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jan 2018
Posts: 129
Likes: 41
From: Florida
2017 SL550 (R231), 2021 E350 (W213)
That's where my 2005 SL500 sits. Sounds normal
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2021 | 04:02 PM
  #3  
kbob999's Avatar
Super Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 992
Likes: 245
From: Tucson, AZ
'20 X5 M50i; '17 Ram 3500; Golf Cart; Bikes; Scooters
It's normal. I believe the fan is set for 100C to turn on.

Some people will set the fan to come on at 95 or 90 to allow cooler water to the compressor intercooler. Can be done with keystroke in SDS.
Better to have a split system if you go with this cooler charge air route, but much more difficult to implement.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2021 | 06:08 PM
  #4  
poppyboy's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2019
Posts: 280
Likes: 37
From: Lincolnshire, IL
2005 SL55 AMG
It’s perfect at 90.
Reply
Old Feb 23, 2021 | 10:55 PM
  #5  
Nosmo SL55's Avatar
Member
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 103
Likes: 7
From: South Australia
2004 (MY05) SL55
Normal. Note it's 90c not 90F.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2021 | 07:27 AM
  #6  
A1EK's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,232
Likes: 168
From: Glasgow, Scotland, UK
SL 350 R230 (3.7L with AMG Speedshift autobox)
yep I would say all my mercs have been 90C, its how quickly it gets to 90C is a main factor too it should be between 5 and 10 mins i would say, any longer and you may have a thermostat issue.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2021 | 10:26 PM
  #7  
6_Myles's Avatar
Thread Starter
Senior Member
10 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 339
Likes: 66
1998 E300TD
Thanks all! I have driven diesel exclusively for the better part of 18 years, and I'm not use to seeing the coolant needles move that much with engine loading.
Reply
Old Feb 24, 2021 | 10:54 PM
  #8  
ItalianJoe1's Avatar
MBWorld Fanatic!
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,037
Likes: 1,011
From: Miami, FL
2003 CL 600
Totally normal. I've never been a fan of that but on the older cars, the T-stat starts to close at 80c, but the fan doesn't go on strong until like 95c, so there's a range where the car can move around and get warmer and cooler depending on airflow. Unusual compared to most cars but perfectly normal for older Benz products.
Reply
MB World Stories

The Best of Mercedes & AMG

story-0

6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

 Verdad Gallardo

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 

Thread Tools
Search this Thread
Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:
You have already rated this thread Rating: Thread Rating: 0 votes,  average.


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:45 PM.

story-0
6 Mercedes Models That Did NOT Age Well (But Are Somehow Still Cool)

Slideshow: Not every Mercedes design becomes timeless, some feel stuck in the era they came from.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:09:07


VIEW MORE
story-1
Manual Mercedes? 6 Times Sindelfingen Let Drivers Have All The Fun

Slideshow: Yes, Mercedes built manual cars, and some of them are far more interesting than you'd expect.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-02 12:36:58


VIEW MORE
story-2
Mercedes SLR McLaren 722 S Is Extremely Rare Example Modified by McLaren

Slideshow: A one-of-one U.S.-spec Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren Roadster became even rarer after a factory-backed transformation at McLaren's headquarters.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 11:19:28


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Classic Boxy Mercedes Designs That Have Aged Like Fine Wine

Slideshow: Before curves took over, Mercedes mastered the art of the straight line, and some of those shapes still look right today.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-25 12:05:49


VIEW MORE
story-4
Flawlessly Restored Mercedes 190E Evo II Heads to Auction

Slideshow: The 190E Evolution II shows how a homologation necessity became a six-figure collector icon.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-22 17:53:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
Electric Mercedes C-Class Unveiled: 11 Things You Need to Know

Slideshow: Mercedes is turning one of its core nameplates electric, and the details show just how serious this shift is.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:58:06


VIEW MORE
story-6
Mercedes EQS Gets A Major Update: Everything You Need to Know

Slideshow: Faster charging, longer range, and a controversial steer-by-wire system define the latest evolution of Mercedes-Benz EQS.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-15 10:35:34


VIEW MORE
story-7
5 Underrated Mercedes-Benz Models That Don't Get the Love They Deserve

Slideshow: These overlooked Mercedes-Benz models never got the spotlight, but they quietly delivered more than most remember.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-13 19:35:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
Mercedes 300D Has Pushed Well Past 1 Million Miles and It Ain't Stopping

Slideshow: A well-used 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D with more than one million miles is now looking for a new owner, and it still appears ready for more.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-10 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Most Reliable Mercedes-Benz Models You Can Buy Used

Slideshow: From bulletproof sedans to surprisingly tough SUVs, these Mercedes models proved that the three-pointed star can go the distance.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-08 09:55:49


VIEW MORE