2002 Brabus Mercedes-Benz SL (R230)
Discussion
maura said:
So the car originally started out as a SL 500?
That’s correct, the car left the factory as a highly specified SL500 but has subsequently had the engine, ecu, exhaust, suspension, brakes and wheels upgraded by Brabus, as well as the styling improvements made to the exterior and interior. Not dissimilar to how an Alpina B5 starts life as a BMW 550ijemt said:
The v5 still states that the engine size is 5l and not 5.4.
Is the engine number stated the original and not the current.
Are dvla aware of the new engine and does this affect the ulez status?
The SLK Black Series engine is ULEZ complaint. It’s the same basic block as the car’s original (M113) however with an increased displacement and reworked top end. This version of the engine is from 2006 so actually newer than the original. Brabus are an official manufacturer so by German law are permitted to stamp engine numbers, so they actually stamped the car’s original engine number to the new block, so the engine number is still correct.Is the engine number stated the original and not the current.
Are dvla aware of the new engine and does this affect the ulez status?
It hasn’t been updated with the DVLA, likely because it’s a collector’s car that gets infrequently used and that admin hasn’t been thought about. My primary concern was letting my insurance know it was modified, which they had no issue with. I am certain the new owner would have no issue to update this information with the DVLA but naturally it’s too close to the end of the auction for me to be trying to request a new V5. I hope that answers your questions
@seller, what a lovely car. Couple of questions
1) have you taken in into the ULEZ zone and been not charged accordingly? I live in the zone hence asking
2) This is about 450 bhp right? So about 100 hp down on the super charged engine - had one of those in ny SL55 F1 car - monster engine, monster thirst - remember 5-7mpg with a heavy foot. Wonderful brute of an engine.
3) Any leaks from the roof, squeeky rubbers?
1) have you taken in into the ULEZ zone and been not charged accordingly? I live in the zone hence asking
2) This is about 450 bhp right? So about 100 hp down on the super charged engine - had one of those in ny SL55 F1 car - monster engine, monster thirst - remember 5-7mpg with a heavy foot. Wonderful brute of an engine.
3) Any leaks from the roof, squeeky rubbers?
Cars76 said:
@seller, what a lovely car. Couple of questions
1) have you taken in into the ULEZ zone and been not charged accordingly? I live in the zone hence asking
2) This is about 450 bhp right? So about 100 hp down on the super charged engine - had one of those in ny SL55 F1 car - monster engine, monster thirst - remember 5-7mpg with a heavy foot. Wonderful brute of an engine.
3) Any leaks from the roof, squeeky rubbers?
1. It is 100% ULEZ complaint. I’ve take it into central London on several occasions. Checking the reg on the TFL website confirms this. 1) have you taken in into the ULEZ zone and been not charged accordingly? I live in the zone hence asking
2) This is about 450 bhp right? So about 100 hp down on the super charged engine - had one of those in ny SL55 F1 car - monster engine, monster thirst - remember 5-7mpg with a heavy foot. Wonderful brute of an engine.
3) Any leaks from the roof, squeeky rubbers?
2. Yes it does have less outright power than the supercharged engine, but AMG ‘cheaped out’ on the supercharger supplier for those models which made them notorious for heat soak, supercharger clutch issues and overall inefficiency (the supercharger produces as much in heat as it adds in output so you’re essentially ‘paying’ for 200 more bhp in fuel to get an extra 100bhp to the wheels). This is just a different proposition with a free breathing naturally aspirated engine that purrs. It’s not slow at all, but neither this nor the 55 are race cars. It will do 25-30mpg on a run, of course much lower if you put the foot down.
3. No leaks or squeaky rubbers. It’s always lived indoors, but definitely doesn’t let moisture in when washed
jemt said:
Is the car on the ABC suspension. any issues or expenditure on the suspension to maintain it?
Hello, there are no ABC issues, it functions correctly as shown in the walk around video. In 2024 one strut was replaced by Mercedes as a small leak was identified (see the invoice in photo 294). This car has always had whatever it’s needed done JJ77 said:
Hi. So if the car needs pads or disks it has to go back to a Brabus Approved Dealer, as imagine usual Mercedes Dealer wouldn t stock those unique parts?
Hello, I’ll confirm how readily available these parts are tomorrow for you, but I can tell you now that both discs and pads have visibly a lot of life left in them as the car is such low mileage. Cars76 said:
Hi Thomas,
So may I ask where you service the car in the UK? Brabus or MB HQ?
Best,
Faizul
Hello, thanks for the question. Official MB service centre Rygor Mercedes Benz in Heathrow have looked after it for me. I trust them with several of my vehicles including my CLK Black Series. They are very switched on and know how to look after specialist vehicles. I would also trust locations like MB Brooklands and Beaconsfield with a car like this. Alternatively, if you wanted to take the car to a specialist then any that is used to AMGs of this era would also be able to take care of it without issue, such as Autoclass in Milton Keynes. It’s special, so I don’t trust just anyone with it, but it’s also not difficult to keep maintained by any means. Hope that answers your question So may I ask where you service the car in the UK? Brabus or MB HQ?
Best,
Faizul
Jules Sunley said:
Hi, and lovely special car. I see you have a You Tube channel, but having looked at this I can't see any videos with the car in it - am I missing something as it would be great to see some content of it being driven? Thanks
Thanks! Here are some pieces of content I’ve done on it. In an ideal world I would have done more but there’s never enough time! https://www.instagram.com/reel/DAEDPtYIClW/?igsh=M...
https://www.instagram.com/p/DAtnfKhIjlh/?img_index...
It also makes a cameo at the start of this video by Mercedes Benz:
https://youtu.be/lhKwZAh_GuQ?si=thNIuNA_GbjqTP7z
I’ve got videos of it driving on my phone but you can only upload photos on here. I’ll work out a way and reply back
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