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

SL/R230: All the Quality….!

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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 08:05 AM
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All the Quality….!

Good morning, all. Recent SL600 owner….65F morning….soaked up all of the quality…the sound…the tactile sensations….the exhaust, the glorious leather appointments….the solidity….my goodness, owning an R230 SL so rewarding….life is good
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 09:33 AM
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2009 SL63 AMG


They are indeed great cars. Enjoy!

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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 10:14 AM
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This place is a joke.
Wait until you soak up the ABC fluid leaked all over the ground. The 230 SL is far from "quality." In fact, it's unreliability alienated so many long term MB owners that sales of the 231 SL were dismal as many owners said "never again." And sadly, the 231 was actually a well built and reliable car.
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 11:01 AM
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Originally Posted by E55Greasemonkey
Wait until you soak up the ABC fluid leaked all over the ground. The 230 SL is far from "quality." In fact, it's unreliability alienated so many long term MB owners that sales of the 231 SL were dismal as many owners said "never again." And sadly, the 231 was actually a well built and reliable car.
Someone **** in your coffee this morning?

OP is just enjoying his car and happy about how it drives. Read that as quality of the driving experience, not a claim of reliability. Every old MB is in the high maintenance category.

ABC issues on the platform were significantly reduced in the first facelift with ABC 2. For an ABC 1 car, just replace the high-pressure hose as a preventive measure or remove the original one and have a hydraulic shop rebuild it to a stronger spec.

Key for any ABC system is the maintenance of it.

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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 12:33 PM
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Sl600
My car is in an Indy Mercedes’ specialist shop today for pro active ABC flush and filter change. Tech reports no leaks anywhere. I’m determined to enjoy and maintain this glorious car
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 04:28 PM
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R230 (500SL)
Congrats for your new 600SL!
I”m almost in the same situation and feeling, completely in love with my “new” R230 500SL that I purchased 2 weeks ago.. my goodness, what a big quality of materials, finishes in a car that has more than 15 years old… I work in big german automotive car maker, and the current quality level of cars is lower in my opinion… a lot of digitalization and electrification but the feelings in the driving experience are not better… perhaps I”m getting older!

regards / here is mine btw:


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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 04:53 PM
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Really beautiful, congrats!
I appreciate the shared sentiment
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Old Jun 2, 2022 | 07:04 PM
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Yes, so sweet when running well. Keeping up with the maintenance is the key.



Shallow Inlet, Victoria, Australia on a 40+ degree day last summer. Pure magic.
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