SL-Class (R231) 2013 on: Discussion on the SL550

SL/R231: Is your R231 SL a high mileage car? If so, HOW high?

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Old Aug 9, 2024 | 08:17 PM
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Is your R231 SL a high mileage car? If so, HOW high?

Another member posted about servicing his R231 saying it has 96,000 miles. So, I thought it might be fun to hear from others out there. Can anyone top 96K in a R231? Just curious.
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Old Aug 9, 2024 | 10:12 PM
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11 on autotrader right now over 96k. 135k being highest. I’ve seen a couple at 200k in the past.
https://www.autotrader.com/cars-for-...2013&zip=94559

Heres some at 145k and dawgs at 122k

https://mbworld.org/forums/sl-class-...uive-seen.html



Last edited by crconsulting; Aug 9, 2024 at 10:19 PM.
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Old Aug 10, 2024 | 08:48 AM
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Just under 50,000 miles on my SL400 and about 140,000 on my C350. I'm now retired and no longer commute ~140 miles round trip daily, so it's gonna be a while before I hit high mileage on my SL. But based on what I've read about newer models, I'm happy to stay with my R231.
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Old Aug 12, 2024 | 06:51 AM
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Smiles and miles!

Originally Posted by crconsulting
and @ThatsMyDawg is at 122k. Well, I use to be! lol
Originally Posted by Streamliner
Another member posted about servicing his R231 saying it has 96,000 miles. So, I thought it might be fun to hear from others out there. Can anyone top 96K in a R231? Just curious.




Last edited by ThatsMyDawg; Aug 12, 2024 at 06:54 AM.
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Old Aug 12, 2024 | 06:51 PM
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Originally Posted by ThatsMyDawg
Smiles and miles!





Finally broken in!
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Old Aug 12, 2024 | 06:57 PM
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Originally Posted by ThatsMyDawg
Smiles and miles!





WOW! I think you win!
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Old Aug 12, 2024 | 07:10 PM
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Right when I start to think I’m the winner just watch someone else roll up with 250k lol.

Originally Posted by Streamliner
WOW! I think you win!
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Old Aug 13, 2024 | 07:42 AM
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Originally Posted by ThatsMyDawg
Right when I start to think I’m the winner just watch someone else roll up with 250k lol.
Ha!


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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 09:19 AM
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I just purchased a 2013 sl550 with 99K on it... fingers crossed but seeing 166k makes me smile and sleep a little better at night
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 09:31 AM
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Well the 175k now should make you even more snugly bugly. Lol.

Originally Posted by Turbosnake
I just purchased a 2013 sl550 with 99K on it... fingers crossed but seeing 166k makes me smile and sleep a little better at night
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by ThatsMyDawg
Well the 175k now should make you even more snugly bugly. Lol.
my pillow just got a little bit softer
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Old Aug 14, 2025 | 04:40 PM
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Originally Posted by JettaRed
Just under 50,000 miles on my SL400 and about 140,000 on my C350. I'm now retired and no longer commute ~140 miles round trip daily, so it's gonna be a while before I hit high mileage on my SL. But based on what I've read about newer models, I'm happy to stay with my R231.
Same here. No more commute to DC. My 2015 has only 36k miles.
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Old Aug 19, 2025 | 12:04 AM
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sl63 amg
wow I only have 94000
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Old Aug 20, 2025 | 07:41 AM
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Originally Posted by andy-gts
wow I only have 94000
Nice,
I think you might be mileage leader for SL63’s on this forum though.
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Old Aug 20, 2025 | 04:33 PM
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I really love driving this car !!
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Old Aug 20, 2025 | 08:59 PM
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Originally Posted by andy-gts
I really love driving this car !!
What do You Love About Your MB ?

Would you mind if I posted your reply in that thread?

Or you can post with the link;


https://mbworld.org/forums/general-m...t-your-mb.html




Last edited by MB2timer; Aug 20, 2025 at 09:01 PM. Reason: + link
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Old Aug 20, 2025 | 10:35 PM
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sure, smooth power and pulls like a freight train, love the abc suspension,
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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 11:39 AM
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Yeah, my commute to and from AA county each day finally ended, so my driving has dramatically been reduced.

Since I am on the bike a lot during nice weather I will be lucky to get 75 miles per week in the drop top. That number is nothing considering it use to be 75 miles per day when I was commuting.


Originally Posted by rmorin49
Same here. No more commute to DC. My 2015 has only 36k miles.
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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 12:09 PM
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Originally Posted by ThatsMyDawg
Yeah, my commute to and from AA county each day finally ended, so my driving has dramatically been reduced.

Since I am on the bike a lot during nice weather I will be lucky to get 75 miles per week in the drop top. That number is nothing considering it use to be 75 miles per day when I was commuting.
AA County?
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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 12:32 PM
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Ann Arundel


Originally Posted by MB2timer
AA County?
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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 12:59 PM
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Originally Posted by ThatsMyDawg
Ann Arundel
Ah, okay. Got it now, thanks.
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Old Aug 21, 2025 | 01:10 PM
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YW. My mistake in assuming everyone knows every abbreviation.


Originally Posted by MB2timer
Ah, okay. Got it now, thanks.
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Old Aug 24, 2025 | 10:23 AM
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Curious if you with high mile cars have done the oil solenoid disconnect... Debating doing it to my car.
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Old Aug 24, 2025 | 10:52 AM
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Would like an explanation of this issue. I'm ignorant of its cause and effect.
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Old Aug 24, 2025 | 11:18 AM
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Originally Posted by rmorin49
Would like an explanation of this issue. I'm ignorant of its cause and effect.
Let me surmise the 4,000 posts in that mess of a thread.
You’ll get a nice sugar high, car will gain low end drivability improvement because you are bypassing part of the VVT circuit at the risk of increasing propensity for pre-ignition/detonation.​​​​​​.
Part of the VVT’s role is to retard timing which will mitigate the risk of pre-ignition/detonation and possibly LSPI in the idle, off idle and low end circuit. There’s a lot more to it, but in the interest of keeping it basic, we’ll cut to the chase.
I measured the VVT solenoid and showed just why and how it is prematurely advancing cam timing.

Confirmed by MB engineers. Factory position is NOT to bypass this critical part of the oiling system integrated into the engines operational design.

You’ll also be increasing load on tensioners. Looks like about 3x rate from what has actually been shown. No one in that thread has actually torn their engine or top end apart except for the shop (a2d) who found massive tensioner wear. There are no measurable reliability gains. Lots of VooDoo research from outdated MB documents written in the copy department not by engineers, monetized youtube videos, OT postings and misguided mechanical theories. No borescope pictures before MOD or After. Not a SINGLE one.

This is an MBworld/social media phenomenon, as no other brands forums advocate bypass this solenoid (in street cars)

Like I said above, the ONLY person that has actually torn their engine after the “MOD” showed huge chain tensioner wear after only 12k miles….

The general consensus in that thread is, hey, it’s my car, I can do what I want. Which is very true, it’s your car.
You can do whatever you want to it👍

btw a2d Performance actually has a shop that specializes in MB, and also produces aftermarket tuning products for MB. They are actually “hands on”.
Not google search jockeys.

https://modalwork.com/products/m157-...k6Td32e-42yR0i

It’s also worth noting that several engine builders in Germany are reporting intermediate timing sprocket failures (wear) with this “MOD” from increased tension on the chain/tensioners

I urge folks to contact them if you have questions (or doubt their results)

Good Luck!


Last edited by crconsulting; Aug 24, 2025 at 08:13 PM.
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