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

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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[edwarddavidson]

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?

[neilstevenson]

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!

[reinmansmith]

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 😊

[markcarter]

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.

[ontheplanenow]

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.

[richardlangstaff]

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 🤞

[robertvincent]

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

[PitSmok]

Top video again, been looking for that one👍

[kageyme]

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 !!

[johnw]

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.

[FiftyTechSolutions]

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.

[jamesrichardson]

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.

[thedoo]

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

[josephp]

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

[autodiyfix]

Did you have diagnostic experience on MB cars?

[robertgil]

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

[bilal_]

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

[giant]

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 ?

[philreynolds]

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

[nigelmcdonnell]

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 😂