mbanker

I had a "98 and loved it, but the transmission blew up, so I dumped it. Now I am jonesing for a 2003 to 2005 SL500. Any advice on the best year? And any known potential issues. I put $8K in the "98, but is was a great ride. I currently have an E350 which has been maintenance-free, plus a great ride. Basically my wife's car. I need a new toy. Thanks for all advice and answers. I am new to this forum.

MJ50

moved to R230 forum...

TxBenzIn

The mistake I made when buying mine was not digging into the carfax. It showed regular maintenance, no accidents etc. I didn’t notice the last owner only had it 3 months. 🚩

The last service appt, said tires rotated, oil changed.

It didn’t say, customer denied $4700 worth of recommended work. I found that out AFTER I bought it and called the last few places that serviced it and asking about open tickets. Don’t do what I did, call before you buy it, not after 😂

tonylinc

Sometimes $4700 worth of work is an inflated number from a shop that charges ridiculous prices. Expect motor mounts to be worn, they are hydraulic and wear out after 75 to 100K miles, that's not a big deal unless you find a shop or even a MBZ dealer that is not honest. Half the Benz I have bought used, I replaced those first month or so. They are a consumable part... Expect those parts to cost a few hundred and labor maybe $400. But.... I have been told by my local MBZ dealer the car needed a bunch of repairs that the car clearly DID NOT NEED at all. I've even seem MBZ dealers claim a car needed a head gasket job when it did NOT, then later claim to have performed this work when it DID NOT... they are liars and crooks. It is absolutely a must that you have an indy shop that has trustworthy people running it. R230 owners should become well versed in their car's different systems and not be blindly trusting any mechanics. What exactly does that car actually need? I replaced all 16 spark plugs and their wires set, on my 2003 SL55 AMG having shopped around online and got the exact correct parts, and did the job myself, parts cost me $400 USD. Then I called two MBZ dealerships, asking them for a price quote on the job to replace spark plugs and wires, giving them the car's VIN. First one quoted $3,950.00 and the second one was about $500 lower. For new spark plugs and wires set install. Positively stupid. So one man's version of $4700 maybe another man's one days work. So the question is what at did they say the car needed, and does it really have those needs, and how inflated are their prices. Both of those MBZ dealers I just mentioned, have done such awful dishonest things I won't even mention here, that I wouldn't bring them a car unless it was on fire. Best to first have a good indy shop that knows these cars, with good mechanics you know are capable and honest, then take the car to them for a pre-purchase inspection. Read the forums about these cars so you become familiar with the car before you even go out to buy one. test driving it, go slow and go fast, stop smooth and stop hard, try it out in all different types of driving, it may be perfect at 35MPH but vibrate and wobble at 75MPH. Brakes with warped rotors might seem ok at slow speeds but at higher speed you can feel the rotors. Check out some Youtube videos of the car you're looking at where they show you all around the car so when you're there in person, you know the things to try out and look at.

wan2bpro

Bought my first , a 2006 SL500.

double , tripple and check again the operation of the convertible top. There are SO MANY things can go wrong and cost a fortune to fix.

my Bose stereo also went out. Still haven’t got either problem solved.

Good luck , it is a really fun car to drive.

MR.AMG.

Hi would you know what gauge wiring is used for the CAN bus connector please?

elMacko

No matter what service has been done on it, the calendar is your enemy, these cars are over 20 years old and at one point in time something is going to give! I bought mine 3 years ago and no big issues for 3 years and all of a sudden, I got a red battery light and still tracking what cases it.....! Of course when I bought it I replaced the ABC eliminating 50% of the future problems! And, if you cannot do the Maintenace and repairs yourself, you will be spending more $$$$$ than a note for a new car!

JettaRed

iTrader: (1)

Why an R230? Of course, they have classic good looks and the M113 engine is bulletproof, but as mentioned, you are looking at a 20-year-old car (historic plates eligible?). But soon, you will be spending several thousands on repairs and maintenance, especially if you keep the ABC suspension. Having owned both, I strongly recommend the R231 -- lighter, less complex, more power. But, if you are set on getting an R230, I would try to get as new as possible since many problems will have been addressed by the final year.

If you go with the R231 consider the M276 3.0 bi-turbo V6. More power than the SL500 and it can be tuned easily for even more power. The V6 seems to have less problems than the V8s.

imtheking

Get a pre-purchase inspection! If the owner won't allow you to get an inspection, walk away. Here in MD, our state safety inspection covers about 100 items. They check the basics like suspension (struts, ball joints etc), rack and pinion, drive belts, operation of all electrical components like mirrors, door locks etc....the list is comprehensive and it costs about $100.

On top of having the basics inspected, you need to do some advanced diagnostics. Have a shop that specializes in european cars do the inspection. They should know exactly what to look for in this particular model. You need a scanner to check for current and stored codes. The ABC system needs to be diagnosed. The pump, struts, valve blocks, hoses.

Pull a carfax. If the car was serviced at the dealer, see if you can get a VMI from the dealer to check service history. Carfax is not very detailed. If you need Carfax reports, I know a site that pulls them for $3. PM me.....

"The calendar is your enemy"- I couldn't have said it better. This car is a ticking time bomb- specifically the ABC suspension. You WILL have issues....but we are here to help. If you can DIY some of it, you will save a lot of money. (Like changing the accumalators yourself)

I would go with something newer. The R231. I forgot which particular years they made the car without ABC- I want to say the SL400? 2013-2015/16? I forgot.

You will see a R230 and fall in love with it and think it's in "flawless condition". Do not pull the trigger until you have had someone look at it.

Get it inspected. Get it inspected. Get it inspected....oh yea, get it inspected