Top 5 buying tips Mercedes SL R230 2002-2011 buyers guide

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Күн бұрын

Avoid an expensive mistake when you are looking to buy a Mercedes SL R230 generation by taking into account these 5 tips. Here are the top 5 things I looked for when viewing these cars before buying. Same things apply for the SL350, SL500, SL55, SL65 AMG.
Obviously the usual car buying things apply like service history, oil leaks, tyres brakes etc but these are 5 things more particular to this car. I only cover the main things I looked for and knew I was looking for a SL350 V6 but these things pretty much apply to all versions regardless of engines.
Please consider subscribing as we will be videoing more repairs and mods for the Mercedes SL R230 and other cars.
Dave
TIMESTAMPS
02:23 DEALER SALES VIDEO
03:33 NUMBER 5 ABC SUSPENSION
05:50 NUMBER 4 FOLDING HARDTOP
06:40 NUMBER 3 WATER LEAKS
08:25 NUMBER 2 INTERIOR TRIM
09:35 NUMBER 1 PAINTWORK
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Please watch: "2005-2014 S197 Ford Mustang rear sway bar bushes drop link replacement"
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Пікірлер: 52

@edwarddavidson6785 Жыл бұрын

Another great video. Very informative. Will help massively for me to find the right car. What was the mileage on yours when you bought it?

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Thank you and thanks for watching. Mine was at 74,000 and change when I got it. The others I looked at were closer to 100,000.

@PitSmok Жыл бұрын

Top video again, been looking for that one👍

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Thanks again! Glad you liked it!

@reinmansmith Жыл бұрын

Very useful and sensible advice. As an SL500 (03 plate) the only thing I’d add is a full service history by either MB main agents or MB specialist with invoices so you can see that it has been properly maintained. I think these cars are absolute bargains and fantastic cars to drive but you need to accept there’re not cheap cars to run. So what I did was put aside £2k as a repair fund and simply put £100 into that each month (which is a lot less than a monthly payment on most cars) so if something goes wrong you have the money available for repairs. The other thing I did on buying the car (although it had just had a service) was have both the gearbox fluid and the ABC fluid changed something which MB regard as non service items. Like many things a little extra maintenance goes a long way to preventing problems. Hope you’re still enjoying your SL 😊

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Thanks very much. Couldn’t agree more about these being bargains. I’ve got lots more vids to come on it.👍

@neilstevenson3670 Жыл бұрын

Your experience with a dealer is similar to mine in that the dealer was willing to send videos of everything working as it should but stalled at sending me copies of the service history. As I am in Northern Ireland I was going to purchase blind with only the dealer information so I passed on it. Low and behold a car came up for sale not far from my home and it ticked all my boxes so I jumped at it. Love it!

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Thanks Neil, yes sometimes it pays to know when to walk away. I’ve been stung in the past a couple of times so now I’m really particular…sellers really like me 😁

@richardlangstaff7283 Жыл бұрын

Love the videos and have been so helpful in my quest for an SL. I was initially looking at the 55amg but the ABC has put me right off and have found a beautiful 350 I'm viewing on Saturday so fingers crossed 🤞

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Glad to have helped. Might be putting mine up for sale soon as I move onto the next..

@richardlangstaff7283 Жыл бұрын

@@autogaragelife bet you regret it !

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Maybe but really could do with 4 seats

@ontheplanenow Жыл бұрын

I have SL350 (no ABC) bought in 2016, 2003 registered. Has the "keyless go" which i really like. The issue with these cars you might have omitted is the electric brake pressure system. Unlike most cars, the braking is not assisted by vacuum but by an electrical pump. Mine failed shortly after I got it and it was £2k to sort. Love the car and no regrets but buyers should be aware of the quirky braking arrangement. E-Class of the same vintage also had this but there was enough room to fit a conventional assist which is no the encase in the SL.

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Yes the SBC system is almost worth a video in itself. I’ll prob do one when it comes time to change my brakes 👍

@markcarter9476 2 ай бұрын

We have an SL350 with the optional ABC suspension system and it is a lovely riding car. Maintenance is pretty simply with a fluid, filter, flush and change recommended every 50k miles or so. Do that the ABC system is reliable. Regarding the water ingress into the boot, simply put these cars do not like being parked outside, and secondly keep the water drainage holes in the boot gutter clean and clear.

@autogaragelife 2 ай бұрын

Yes agree. Ride is superb. Problem is a lot of owners don’t do what you suggest and there are a lot of poor examples out there with struts that need replaced. Glad yours isn’t one of them 👍

@Brian-uq2tl Жыл бұрын

A very nice car and very similar to mine.

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Thank you! They are really great cars! Worth the time to maintain 👍

@robertvincent2084 Жыл бұрын

I have the AMG 63 2010, it's brilliant, My hinge flap cover has come off too.

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Happy for you to bring that to me 😉😉🤣 to sort!! In exchange for a drive 😁😁😁

@robertvincent2084 Жыл бұрын

Brilliant. It would cost £500 there and back from Birmingham, i know you could do it too.

@johnw359 4 ай бұрын

Looking at buying an sl 350 similar to yours. Excellent video. Question. Im reading aweful stories about mercedes misadventure in complicated breaking system with programmed in end of life. Is this system in all 350sl models from this era? Id really like to avoid it.

@autogaragelife 4 ай бұрын

Yes that’ll be the SBC braking system. They do have a limited number of uses. A garage with the correct software (Xentry) can tell how long it has left. They discontinued it on later models, I believe sometime during 2006 and replaced it with a newer system. Might want to do your own research depending on what MY you are looking at.

@FiftyTechSolutions 7 күн бұрын

Great choice avoiding the ABC with an SL350. Do you know the colour code for the wooden trim pieces? I'm trying to get a steering wheel with a wooden trim piece.

@autogaragelife 7 күн бұрын

Thanks👍 I don’t know the code but from memory the colour was black ash.

@jamesrichardson8417 3 ай бұрын

I used to own a very nice 230SLK Auto and the main thing that used to bug me was the odd creak and groan from the roof when it was up over uneven roads. Does the SL suffer the same. ? I'm seriously considering an 350SL or a Jaguar XK.

@autogaragelife 3 ай бұрын

I think most convertibles do to some degree however my SL was as tight as a button. I tightened the roof stops at the back and lubed all the joints every year. Very little noise at all. Only on severe bumps that would rattle any car. Pretty solid feel.

@jamesrichardson8417 3 ай бұрын

@@autogaragelife Yeah you're right, although I've since come to realise the SLK probably suffers more than the SL judging by the amount of posts regarding this on some of the forums.

@autogaragelife 3 ай бұрын

The SL has it’s own issues of course. The roof flaps not working properly is common leaving you stuck with the roof not working. Easy fix though and on one of my vids.

@kageyme8109 Жыл бұрын

One thing that hardly ever works is the Cd Changer behind the passenger seat , a very common fault , but its most of the panels out in the rear to sort !!

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

To be honest I’ve never tried it. Stick to my btooth adapter

@thedoo777 6 ай бұрын

Coil overs are the answer To any ABC issues of course depending on the price! Just Realize that you're going to have to Replace everything Eventually! There's no difference in sport mode but you will find a difference In old man's mode! hiro Coil overs. It cost me 642 bucks and $1000 keep in mind I just left the all that stuff in there! There is no need for You're going to do track racing s wray bars! I drive aggressively But not insanely. With the coil overs on it seems faster In More grounded to the pavement

@josephp5058 11 ай бұрын

On mine a 350 I really wanted a 500 but not the ABC suspension problems so I just bought a 500 boot decal off eBay = you right these cars are an electrical nightmare and they are the only model that if she doesn't start will not come out of park - which isn't good - I actually saw a beautiful 2005 350 r230 low mileage FSH like brand new it only made 3500 in classic car auction - the only Merc sports that nobody wants

@autogaragelife 11 ай бұрын

I’ve just sold mine for a price I was happy with. Sold in pretty quick time and had a lot of interest and offers. Sad to see it go but looking forward to the next car.

@autodiyfix7462 Жыл бұрын

Did you have diagnostic experience on MB cars?

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

I do indeed yes. Thanks for watching 👍

@autodiyfix7462 Жыл бұрын

@@autogaragelife If you work on couple of MB cars, we want to invite you to test our Benz scanner, Not sure how to contact you.

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Be happy to. My instagram link is at the bottom of the description in this video if you would like to message me directly. Or email autogaragelife@gmail.com Thank you.

@autodiyfix7462 Жыл бұрын

@@autogaragelife OK, Check ins message. We have scanner for all cars.

@robertgil1000 Ай бұрын

They all don't come with wood ,,,,,,some 350s come with AmG metal trim

@bilal_5569 10 ай бұрын

Number one tip Do not buy older SL cars Owned one What a regret it was!endless maintenance $$$

@autogaragelife 10 ай бұрын

Unless you enjoy working on them😉 depends who has owned it before you though.

@philreynolds6018 Жыл бұрын

Mercedes North America gives us what they want , no 300sl w107 no no sl350 w230

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

I didn’t realise the 350 I have wasn’t available in the states. Guess they stuck to the V8’s and above.

@nigelmcdonnell1442 Жыл бұрын

I watched num 10 video and you said you fixed the battery drain but all you did was buy a new battery,give it 6 months and presto FLAT 😂

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Point is there wasn’t an electrical drain and I ruled that out by going through that process. It was a faulty battery which was losing power. Easier but expensive fix. There are many electrical things that can drain a battery, not just lack of use as you stated. New batteries can drain overnight if “something” is draining power, regardless of how often you drive it. I ruled all that out for this car which left the battery (specifically the brand) as the culprit😣Not all batteries are equal quality despite having the same spec, which I’ve shown. At over £250 for a rear battery don’t you think it’s worth checking other things first that may only be a few pounds to fix! Oh and it’s been 6 months and presto the car started first time this morning with no electrical error messages. Cheers 🤙

@HHIVR4 Жыл бұрын

Avoid any older MB with ABC suspension.Your wallet will thank you.

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

I know! Although very good it can be expensive

@giant6739 Жыл бұрын

That spoiler makes the car look like a boy racer it takes away the elegance also makes the car look narrow from the back compared to the fact that it’s actually a wide car, and why black ?

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

If it was a boy racer spoiler it would have a foot of scaffolding holding it up and would overhang the car on all sides. It’s the same spoiler as the OEM one that was an option when new. It’s carbon fibre not black.

@malcolmgay2206 Жыл бұрын

On an r129 apparently the rear lifts at about 200kph, hence the flip over video you might have seen, with the roll bar flipping up. MB recognise this problem and that's is part of the speed limiter they fit. The R230 has a slight moulded uplift shape in the boot, so a bit of an improvement. If you are likely to accelerate rapidly to overtake other cars I imagine this rear carbon fibre lip would help keep the back a little firmer on the road. It's a matter of choice, thinking colour coding might suit some people. No way this car looks like a boy racer.

@autogaragelife Жыл бұрын

Yes indeed. I like carbon accents, just my taste but could easily be painted or removed if I decide to sell it on. Wonder if the original commentor likes the SL black editions? Or perhaps too boy racery for him!!😂