SL350 (W230) - Money Pit?

[Alex_225]

Hi all,

Related to my other posts about my Mrs looking to replace her somewhat mundane Ford Focus, we've been looking at other options around the £10k mark which would be a bit more interesting than you average hatch back.

I have an '03 E320 and an 07 CLS63 so she's taken a bit of a shine to the Merc range probably due to my fondness of the marque.

Now looking at what's around the SL350 seems like a great car, it's still stunning to look at and although the 'baby' of the range being the 350 compared to what she's used to. 0-60 in under 7 seconds will definitely put a smile on her face and it looks superb roof up or down. In terms of practicality there's plenty of room for us both (no kids yet) and the boot is useable so that's not a problem.

What I worry about is running costs. She can afford to run it, that's not a problem but whether she wants to be splashing money on it is a different thing.

Anyone own an SL from this era? Got any advice, tales of joy or woes?

Thanks all

[Bieldside]

I've had a 2006 SL500 for almost 2 years now
48000 miles and full MB history
No major problems to date
But just spent £2500 on new tyres, cracked alloy , new spark plugs and fixing a few little things that were recommended
That spend was discretionary because I love the car
Get a good one and your wife will love it too
Try for the panoramic roof !!

[r129sl]

Am I right that some SL350s have a standard steel suspension (i.e. not ABC) which, while less sophisticated, is much, much cheaper to maintain?

[anonymous-user]

Yes the 350 has standard suspension as, erm, standard, although I have seen a couple with ABC.

Not meaning this to sound sexist, but would she not be better off with an SLK? I mean that only from a cost/less to go wrong sort of way. Plus you'll get a much newer, lower mile example for less money.

[r129sl]

I don't follow the market closely enough but my impression is that r230s are an absolute steal. They are also a much more elegant car than the SLK, especially the r171. I'd have thought a SL350 on standard steel suspension would be a pretty safe bet. My brother runs a SL500 and has been very happy with it.

[ZX10R NIN]

The SL350 without the ABC will cost no more to run than the SLK350 apart from being a little bit more juicey due to the SL's extra weight, but the SL counters with being a more luxurious place to be.

SL350 Options
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

SLK 350 Options although you get a newer car you also hit £490.00 Road Tax or £290.00 for a 2008 onwards Model
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

55 Plate so £290.00 tax
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2016...

[Alex_225]

Thanks for all the replies chaps.

The SLK would have been a more 'sensible' choice but she wasn't keen. The SL was the only car which really soaked her interest in terms of looks.

We ended up test driving a silver SL350 from 2006 and she got out of the car with a big smile, which considering she's not a car geek was unusual. We ended up buying the model we drove. It has a full MB service history, 70k on the clock and standard suspension. I actually have Airmatic suspension on my CLS and E320 which I rather like but it would have been pointless on her car and an unnecessary complication. Also the ride was excellent on the normal set up so that got a thumbs up.

We haven't collected it yet as it was being MOT'd and serviced this week but fingers crossed it'll be good to go for the weekend. I'm itching to get my hands on it and give it a proper polish and get my hands on the interior. It's a tidy car overall but it's 10 years old so looking forward to getting it as mint as possible.



They are extremely handsome looking cars so only when it's side by side with my CLS will I know which I think is better looking haha

[TonyF55]

Very nice, looks like the revised model too with 268bhp rather than the earlier 242bhp.

[Alex_225]

That's the one mate. It's a late 2006 model so it's the face lifted one with the 3.5 rather than the less power 3.7.

There are a lot of cheaper ones out there with similar mileage but older, I have heard they can be more costly to maintain so looked for an 06 or newer.

It was MOT'd on Monday and failed......because of a number plate bulb being out!! Re-MOT'd and no advisories so picking up as soon as the garage gives us a call. Probably this weekend.

[stuttgartmetal]

How did you get on with it ?