New addition to the stable - Merc R230

[seacow]

This is the reason I have been hamstrung with a couple on a couple of purchases recently as I have been asked to look after my mother in laws merc - it was bought by my late father in law 10 years ago and has been cosseted with only 43k on the clock and lots of money spent to keep it tip top. It doesn't have the air suspension which is one less headache

I've read up on these over the years but need to re-educate myself. Needs some valeting love and the roof seals are due their regular lubrication treatment but have some pics for shits and giggles - its a very refined long distance cruiser and well specced for a 21 year old car

 

 

 

[Supernaut]

I assume you meant to title the thread as SL350?

I got excited at R230 thinking it was a base spec R class!

Ooooh, or is R230 the model code? In the same way my SLK is an R170.

[Peter C]

Wow.

Brave man.

[seacow]

4 minutes ago, Supernaut said:

I assume you meant to title the thread as SL350?

I got excited at R230 thinking it was a base spec R class!

Ooooh, or is R230 the model code? In the same way my SLK is an R170.

Yep its the model code

[seacow]

4 minutes ago, Peter C said:

Wow.

Brave man.

What could possibly go wrong - no air suspension - it will all be fine.....

 

Its been hoofing it down here all day so I'm going to see how much water is inside it later!

[Peter C]

5 minutes ago, seacow said:

 it will all be fine.....

 

I hope so.

Look out for that roof, they can cause problems.

[Schaefft]

5 hours ago, seacow said:

What could possibly go wrong - no air suspension - it will all be fine.....

 

Its been hoofing it down here all day so I'm going to see how much water is inside it later!

Never had air suspension, it's the hydraulic ABC suspension that these Mercs have a reputation for. Fortunately the SL350 is indeed the only variant on regular coil springs. Still keep an eye on the roof seals though, disaster number 2 with these are wet control modules in the back. And the 7g-tronic acting up on the earlier years.

[seacow]

9 hours ago, Schaefft said:

Never had air suspension, it's the hydraulic ABC suspension that these Mercs have a reputation for. Fortunately the SL350 is indeed the only variant on regular coil springs. Still keep an eye on the roof seals though, disaster number 2 with these are wet control modules in the back. And the 7g-tronic acting up on the earlier years.

See I knew it wasn’t air but that it was fancy. And more importantly that this one didn’t have it. Senior typing moment. Drove this morning and nice and dry inside. No rain this week so will get a good clean and those roof seals looked at

[cbowditch]

I have one of these with the ABC suspension. They are very expensive to maintain as there are so many dodgy electrics waiting to fail. SBC, roof hydraulics, vacuum controlled central locking. As you say at least this one doesn't have the ABC suspension. On mine the ICE packed up and it cost me £1000 for a second hand unit. The conductor plate also failed and cost me another £1k. I also had to replace an ABC line but luckily not the struts yet!

[seacow]

54 minutes ago, cbowditch said:

I have one of these with the ABC suspension. They are very expensive to maintain as there are so many dodgy electrics waiting to fail. SBC, roof hydraulics, vacuum controlled central locking. As you say at least this one doesn't have the ABC suspension. On mine the ICE packed up and it cost me £1000 for a second hand unit. The conductor plate also failed and cost me another £1k. I also had to replace an ABC line but luckily not the struts yet!

I might be coming to you for tips and advice!  There are some large bills in the files but good that work has been done - including some suspension refresh. Full history too merc and independent. I need to check the tyres as think they are unknown brands and probably too old. That won’t be cheap though!

[shampooefficient]

My stepdad either has or had an SL500, I think in the same colour. I can't remember if he still has it, however he's a Mercedes expert so if you need any advice I'll pass you his details. If he doesn't know something he knows someone who will!

[stuboy]

looks like a grand mota !

[seacow]

2 hours ago, shampooefficient said:

My stepdad either has or had an SL500, I think in the same colour. I can't remember if he still has it, however he's a Mercedes expert so if you need any advice I'll pass you his details. If he doesn't know something he knows someone who will!

That would be super thanks

[seacow]

Just driven top down over the queensferry crossing in the dark. Great feeling!

[Ohdearme]

On 02/09/2024 at 17:42, Supernaut said:

I assume you meant to title the thread as SL350?

I got excited at R230 thinking it was a base spec R class!

Ooooh, or is R230 the model code? In the same way my SLK is an R170.

I too entered expecting to find my fetish for elongated hearse like estate/van/what-even-am-i? Mercs fulfilled 🤣