2006 R230 SL500 - worth a roll of the dice?

[Venisonpie]

These seem to represent great value and I've seen one that looks lovely, under 50,000 miles with a great spec. However, what pain awaits? Electrics and suspension - anything else? Very tempted but nervous.

[carcrazypop]

I'd check the roof & window seals are all doing their job, especially check for any signs of damp/wet in the boot area. I had a 2006 SL350 a few years back and several of the cars I looked at had damp boots, so I walked away.

Good luck, and as you say, they're great cars for the money.

[keith333]

I have a 2003 SL500 and absolutely love it. It is the one of the best handling and driving cars ever made and beautiful to boot.

However, the ABC Visit workshop warning light is on and I'm booked in for this Wednesday. I do not regret buying it three years ago and hope to have it for many years to come.

[peteA]

I have a 2005 SL500 - 38k, FSH and it’s great to just cruise about in with the roof down. Great looking car the R230? The V8 makes a nice noise too.

Not had it long so can’t comment on long term reliability or repair costs - I guess buy the best you can afford and hopefully you’ll have less issues? I’m hoping that’s the car with mine

[Candellara]

Had my SL55 for quite a few years now.

Don't believe all the scare stories you read on the web. Great cars

Go buy it and enjoy it.

[Dog Star]

I had a 2002 and it was dreadful - worst car I've ever owned - bought in 2008 with FMBSH and 50K.
18K in repairs in 3 years.

However, I'd still take a punt on a 2006 SL350 (not the 500 as I consider the suspension a total liability).

[Venisonpie]

There's a few more popping up now, can anyone advise what year the engine output increased to 388bhp? Some of the ads aren't clear.

[swisstoni]

I don’t know but buy the latest one you can.

[Venisonpie]

swisstoni said:

I don’t know but buy the latest one you can.

Yeah, I like the original look but with the upgraded engine which seems to be 2006/07. I wasn't sure if some of the 2005 cars fell into this category. I don't like the facelift with the more abrupt nose.

[swisstoni]

The reason I say latest (I think up to 2007) is because a lot of the early issues were fixed by the end of the run.

[carcrazypop]

Hi, it might not matter to you, but if you go for one with a reg. date after 23/3/06(I think that's right ?), you get hit with the bigger road tax on a R230 SL. When I bought mine, I got a low mileage Jan, 2006(55-reg) SL350 and it was fault free & plenty powerful enough for me for normal road use and the lower road tax.

I've got a R231 SL400 now and I'd definitely recommend one of these, mega cars !

Good luck.

Edited by carcrazypop on Friday 3rd July 10:54

[Venisonpie]

carcrazypop said:

Hi, it might not matter to you, but if you go for one with a reg. date after 23/3/06(I think that's right ?), you get hit with the bigger road tax on a R230 SL. When I bought mine, I got a low mileage Jan, 2006(55-reg) SL350 and it was fault free & plenty powerful enough for me for normal road use and the lower road tax.

I've got a R231 SL400 now and I'd definitely recommend one of these, mega cars !

Good luck.

Edited by carcrazypop on Friday 3rd July 10:54

I do keep getting distracted by R231's, lets see what happens price wise to them. Fancy a 500 with over 400bhp!

[carcrazypop]

Venisonpie said:

carcrazypop said:

Hi, it might not matter to you, but if you go for one with a reg. date after 23/3/06(I think that's right ?), you get hit with the bigger road tax on a R230 SL. When I bought mine, I got a low mileage Jan, 2006(55-reg) SL350 and it was fault free & plenty powerful enough for me for normal road use and the lower road tax.

I've got a R231 SL400 now and I'd definitely recommend one of these, mega cars !

Good luck.

Edited by carcrazypop on Friday 3rd July 10:54

I do keep getting distracted by R231's, lets see what happens price wise to them. Fancy a 500 with over 400bhp!

If you can stretch to a R231, I'd definitely recommend one as they're a much better car than the R230's. They are a bigger car but much improved with better performance & economy; the R231 SL350 is a quick car compared with the previous model, and gives good economy, +30mpg easily.

[Venisonpie]

carcrazypop said:

If you can stretch to a R231, I'd definitely recommend one as they're a much better car than the R230's. They are a bigger car but much improved with better performance & economy; the R231 SL350 is a quick car compared with the previous model, and gives good economy, +30mpg easily.

Just had a closer look, they're incredible value. Is your car on steel or air suspension?

[carcrazypop]

Venisonpie said:

carcrazypop said:

If you can stretch to a R231, I'd definitely recommend one as they're a much better car than the R230's. They are a bigger car but much improved with better performance & economy; the R231 SL350 is a quick car compared with the previous model, and gives good economy, +30mpg easily.

Just had a closer look, they're incredible value. Is your car on steel or air suspension?

Not an expert but I do know it's not air and it's not the ABC suspension which I believe is hydraulic controlled. It does have the AMG sport suspension which results in the car running a bit lower. The ride is good and pretty forgiving on poor road surfaces.

[Venisonpie]

carcrazypop said:

Not an expert but I do know it's not air and it's not the ABC suspension which I believe is hydraulic controlled. It does have the AMG sport suspension which results in the car running a bit lower. The ride is good and pretty forgiving on poor road surfaces.

I've just read the autocar review from when the model was released and air suspension was an option on the 350 and 500. They drove both and preferred the steel sprung car - I think I'd prefer that.

[carcrazypop]

Venisonpie said:

carcrazypop said:

Not an expert but I do know it's not air and it's not the ABC suspension which I believe is hydraulic controlled. It does have the AMG sport suspension which results in the car running a bit lower. The ride is good and pretty forgiving on poor road surfaces.

I've just read the autocar review from when the model was released and air suspension was an option on the 350 and 500. They drove both and preferred the steel sprung car - I think I'd prefer that.

I think the steel suspension is perfectly adequate and is going to be less problematic & less expensive than air or ABC suspension. I've now got a R231 SL400 but had a R231 SL350 previously, they're both brilliant cars; the SL400 is a small improvement over the SL350 but both are a big improvement over the R230's.
Good luck.

[W201_190e]

Detailed MB or MB specialist history is absolutely essential, and I don't mean just a stamp in the book every year. Can't stress that enough, you don't want a neglected one, they need to be looked after by those who know what they are doing.

Watch out for rust, especially around the rear wings, doesn't matter if it's post 2004, check anyway. Check for damp in the boot area, if it's damp in there, don't bother. Check the suspension system has no faults, and that the car sits well.


In every conceivable way, the R231 is a much better built car. Early ones are getting cheaper, if I had the money, and I wish I did, that's where I'd be looking.

Edited by W201_190e on Saturday 4th July 18:18

[Venisonpie]

W201_190e said:

Detailed MB or MB specialist history is absolutely essential, and I don't mean just a stamp in the book every year. Can't stress that enough, you don't want a neglected one, they need to be looked after by those who know what they are doing.

Watch out for rust, especially around the rear wings, doesn't matter if it's post 2004, check anyway. Check for damp in the boot area, if it's damp in there, don't bother. Check the suspension system has no faults, and that the car sits well.


In every conceivable way, the R231 is a much better built car. Early ones are getting cheaper, if I had the money, and I wish I did, that's where I'd be looking.

Edited by W201_190e on Saturday 4th July 18:18

Thanks. I've spent most of my hungover afternoon scouring 231's in the classifieds following Car crazy 's suggestion. They seem an awful lot of car for the money.

[W201_190e]

Venisonpie said:

W201_190e said:

Detailed MB or MB specialist history is absolutely essential, and I don't mean just a stamp in the book every year. Can't stress that enough, you don't want a neglected one, they need to be looked after by those who know what they are doing.

Watch out for rust, especially around the rear wings, doesn't matter if it's post 2004, check anyway. Check for damp in the boot area, if it's damp in there, don't bother. Check the suspension system has no faults, and that the car sits well.


In every conceivable way, the R231 is a much better built car. Early ones are getting cheaper, if I had the money, and I wish I did, that's where I'd be looking.

Edited by W201_190e on Saturday 4th July 18:18

Thanks. I've spent most of my hungover afternoon scouring 231's in the classifieds following Car crazy 's suggestion. They seem an awful lot of car for the money.

They are, only issue I've come across is LEDs for the headlights/taillights and brake lights. Usually involves replacing the whole unit although I'm sure other places can fix them.

Otherwise normal wear and tear stuff, they certainly don't leak or rust!