2004 R230 Mercedes SL500
Discussion
"The most expensive car is a cheap Mercedes."
OK, here we go...
2004 SL500, £4800, just under 83k, FSH, "everything works." Blue over grey, aluminum trim.
It's actually pretty base spec for a 500 AFAICS; I'm not sure if the pano roof and ventilated seats were standard?
Well, I poked and prodded, raised and lowered, turned on and off, started and stopped, and the only thing that doesn't seem to be working straight off is the boot soft close... so I'll have to find out if they all have that and it's broken, or it's just not there. The other pneumatic stuff (I think these are pneumo) seems to work - central locking, lumbar support. The roof seems to take 2 stabs at the button each way - it gets nearly there, then you have to release and re-apply. I don't think that's right, will have to investigate. But it does get there fine once you've done that.
So I paid for it.
Literally on the drive, as I turned it on to leave, I got a white SBC error. Could be many things, but plenty of meat on the pads and plenty of fluid in the reservoir, so I suspect I was very unlucky with the SBC pump. Time to buy a decent code reader (I think it'll get a lot of use...)
A gentle drive 220-plus miles home, with an amber warning of snow on the way.
Stopped after a 100 miles or so for some petrol and as I pulled away from there:
Which turned into this at the first bump:
Still drove ok though?! A bit more wallow-ey I think, not surprising really.
Pulled in to the next services, tried turning the car off and on a few times and it cleared (and still went up and down on the button, nice and level); it came on again 100 miles later just as a white warning. My internet chums suggest this is most likely a wet/dodgy sensor rather than a "real" system problem. Again, code reader time.
To be fair, it did a long drive in horrible weather without any actual major problems, but these things have taken the shine off it a bit tonight.
Things I like:
17", non-staggered wheels. Comfort above aggression is fine for me. Slightly surprised by the price of tyres, but realised it's down to the speed rating.
Auto-wipe works really well.
Wife loves the look/colour/style/everything of it (I didn't tell here what I was getting until I got home with it! (And she says she's not surprised it's got problems at this price)).
Bloody hell it's pretty.
Sound system seems well-rounded for OE kit, although the driver's door speaker is a little suspect.
Powwwweeeeer [/Clarkson] - although the delivery is very different to the last car I had with this sort of BHP - a JDM Subaru Legacy. And the filthy rain/sleet/snow today was not the time to go exploring it.
Not so keen on:
Lots of warnings first time out.
I'm 6'4" and I do fit. But I'm not sure I've found the right position yet; and the transmission tunnel robs some room for my left leg to stretch right out.
I keep catching the indicator rather than the cruise.
Oh, and it has grown an AMG badge on the back since the ad photos were taken. That's going. (as might the SL500)
... but I think that's it at the moment
In the meantime, the to do list:
Order a fancy-ish code reader/reset tool.
Change the boot flap actuators. Both flaps are hanging a couple of inches low, the mechanisms are the OE ones, not the upgraded, and I have a suspicion this might be why the roof takes 2 stabs to close.
Fuse the BCM (google "R230 bcm fires") (this may be the first job - I've parked up and disconnected both batteries (in the right order
) for now as it may be sitting for a while waiting for parts and tools.
Track down some workshop manuals on-line.
Check and treat all the rubber seals.
Waterproof boot electrics a much as possible.
Investigate boot (not) soft close.
Decent interior valet, give the leather a treat.
Have a look at the ABC fluid and maybe suck out some old and squeeze in some fresh a few times to improve that.
One side of the pano sunblind has lost it's spring, so won't retract properly. I guess the headlining will have to come off for that, so it's low on the list!
Investigate ways of adding microSD capability - all my music sits on one SDcard in my other car, and that's the way I've liked it for years. I've seen an adaptor called Mr12v that does this, but I might just go the whole hog and fit a new HU (which I believe had it's own challenges in this car with optical feeds).
OK, here we go...
2004 SL500, £4800, just under 83k, FSH, "everything works." Blue over grey, aluminum trim.
It's actually pretty base spec for a 500 AFAICS; I'm not sure if the pano roof and ventilated seats were standard?
Well, I poked and prodded, raised and lowered, turned on and off, started and stopped, and the only thing that doesn't seem to be working straight off is the boot soft close... so I'll have to find out if they all have that and it's broken, or it's just not there. The other pneumatic stuff (I think these are pneumo) seems to work - central locking, lumbar support. The roof seems to take 2 stabs at the button each way - it gets nearly there, then you have to release and re-apply. I don't think that's right, will have to investigate. But it does get there fine once you've done that.
So I paid for it.
Literally on the drive, as I turned it on to leave, I got a white SBC error. Could be many things, but plenty of meat on the pads and plenty of fluid in the reservoir, so I suspect I was very unlucky with the SBC pump. Time to buy a decent code reader (I think it'll get a lot of use...)
A gentle drive 220-plus miles home, with an amber warning of snow on the way.
Stopped after a 100 miles or so for some petrol and as I pulled away from there:
Which turned into this at the first bump:
Still drove ok though?! A bit more wallow-ey I think, not surprising really.
Pulled in to the next services, tried turning the car off and on a few times and it cleared (and still went up and down on the button, nice and level); it came on again 100 miles later just as a white warning. My internet chums suggest this is most likely a wet/dodgy sensor rather than a "real" system problem. Again, code reader time.
To be fair, it did a long drive in horrible weather without any actual major problems, but these things have taken the shine off it a bit tonight.
Things I like:
17", non-staggered wheels. Comfort above aggression is fine for me. Slightly surprised by the price of tyres, but realised it's down to the speed rating.
Auto-wipe works really well.
Wife loves the look/colour/style/everything of it (I didn't tell here what I was getting until I got home with it! (And she says she's not surprised it's got problems at this price)).
Bloody hell it's pretty.
Sound system seems well-rounded for OE kit, although the driver's door speaker is a little suspect.
Powwwweeeeer [/Clarkson] - although the delivery is very different to the last car I had with this sort of BHP - a JDM Subaru Legacy. And the filthy rain/sleet/snow today was not the time to go exploring it.
Not so keen on:
Lots of warnings first time out.
I'm 6'4" and I do fit. But I'm not sure I've found the right position yet; and the transmission tunnel robs some room for my left leg to stretch right out.
I keep catching the indicator rather than the cruise.
Oh, and it has grown an AMG badge on the back since the ad photos were taken. That's going. (as might the SL500)
... but I think that's it at the moment
In the meantime, the to do list:
Order a fancy-ish code reader/reset tool.
Change the boot flap actuators. Both flaps are hanging a couple of inches low, the mechanisms are the OE ones, not the upgraded, and I have a suspicion this might be why the roof takes 2 stabs to close.
Fuse the BCM (google "R230 bcm fires") (this may be the first job - I've parked up and disconnected both batteries (in the right order
) for now as it may be sitting for a while waiting for parts and tools.Track down some workshop manuals on-line.
Check and treat all the rubber seals.
Waterproof boot electrics a much as possible.
Investigate boot (not) soft close.
Decent interior valet, give the leather a treat.
Have a look at the ABC fluid and maybe suck out some old and squeeze in some fresh a few times to improve that.
One side of the pano sunblind has lost it's spring, so won't retract properly. I guess the headlining will have to come off for that, so it's low on the list!
Investigate ways of adding microSD capability - all my music sits on one SDcard in my other car, and that's the way I've liked it for years. I've seen an adaptor called Mr12v that does this, but I might just go the whole hog and fit a new HU (which I believe had it's own challenges in this car with optical feeds).
Edited by defblade on Saturday 4th January 22:38
Edited by defblade on Sunday 5th January 11:25
Is that Jasper Blue? If so, welcome to the club!!!
defblade said:
17", non-staggered wheels. Comfort above aggression is fine for me. Slightly surprised by the price of tyres, but realised it's down to the speed rating.
I suspect the price of tyres will be down to an unpopular size. On more cooking Mercs with staggered set-ups, the fronts tend to be as cheap as chips as they are often popular sizes, whereas the rears aren't and so are expensive.
You said cheap but you didn’t say how much. Come on tell us… 
Really like this era of V8. I can’t think of another manufacturer that offered V8s at the volume these sold at in the UK. Nothing like a V8, particularly given that at the time as a country we were moving from 4 cyl petrols to 4 cyl diesels.
Really like this era of V8. I can’t think of another manufacturer that offered V8s at the volume these sold at in the UK. Nothing like a V8, particularly given that at the time as a country we were moving from 4 cyl petrols to 4 cyl diesels.
I had an early one of these for a while in 2022, it did feel special. The 5.0 V8 is smooth and torquey, a proper wafter - I think the highest MPG I ever cracked was 26 on a long run :P
With regards to the faults, also consider battery health. Mine would give SBC and ABC faults if it wasn't used for a while and the battery was a bit low (normally a few miles into the journey they'd pop up!).
Mine also let water into the boot, as is tradition with an R230.
With regards to the faults, also consider battery health. Mine would give SBC and ABC faults if it wasn't used for a while and the battery was a bit low (normally a few miles into the journey they'd pop up!).
Mine also let water into the boot, as is tradition with an R230.
Tommie38 said:
You said cheap but you didn’t say how much. Come on tell us…
Really like this era of V8. I can’t think of another manufacturer that offered V8s at the volume these sold at in the UK. Nothing like a V8, particularly given that at the time as a country we were moving from 4 cyl petrols to 4 cyl diesels.
Sorry, I think I put in the the smoker barges thread, it was £4800. I will edit the first post Really like this era of V8. I can’t think of another manufacturer that offered V8s at the volume these sold at in the UK. Nothing like a V8, particularly given that at the time as a country we were moving from 4 cyl petrols to 4 cyl diesels.
And this car is here because maybe a year ago I mumbled something like "I've never had a V8. I'd like to have a V8 while you still can..."
trevalvole said:
Is that Jasper Blue? If so, welcome to the club!!!
"Bright Blue" (345U) according to LastVIN
When the time comes (they're all comfortably above legal at the moment) I might research some "nearly" right ones then; I saved £££s that way before
"Bright Blue" (345U) according to LastVIN
defblade said:
17", non-staggered wheels. Comfort above aggression is fine for me. Slightly surprised by the price of tyres, but realised it's down to the speed rating.
I suspect the price of tyres will be down to an unpopular size. On more cooking Mercs with staggered set-ups, the fronts tend to be as cheap as chips as they are often popular sizes, whereas the rears aren't and so are expensive.When the time comes (they're all comfortably above legal at the moment) I might research some "nearly" right ones then; I saved £££s that way before
CornedBeef said:
I had an early one of these for a while in 2022, it did feel special. The 5.0 V8 is smooth and torquey, a proper wafter - I think the highest MPG I ever cracked was 26 on a long run :P
With regards to the faults, also consider battery health. Mine would give SBC and ABC faults if it wasn't used for a while and the battery was a bit low (normally a few miles into the journey they'd pop up!).
Mine also let water into the boot, as is tradition with an R230.
This one reported 26-point-something on the long motorway drive home. As I just posted to the scoobie Legacy thread on the front page, I used to run a JDM Leggy that did 25mpg, and had to have 99ron... so I'm not worried about this With regards to the faults, also consider battery health. Mine would give SBC and ABC faults if it wasn't used for a while and the battery was a bit low (normally a few miles into the journey they'd pop up!).
Mine also let water into the boot, as is tradition with an R230.
Also, my annual mileage has halved since then thanks to a new job much nearer home.I'm keeping the batteries in mind as possible causes; I did take a pic of the boot battery to check it was correct as it seemed much smaller than pics I'd seen online... it is the right spec according to Tayna (smaller size = 20 years of improved battery tech?!) and I guess with the branding on there, it can't be much more than a couple of years old ("Bosch 100 years 1922-2022")
But for now, the car's parked in the garage waiting for a fancy modern code reader to be plugged into it.
(Bright side: my old bog standard OBD2 reader found zero live or stored codes, so the major bits seem ok)
[quote=defblade]
This one reported 26-point-something on the long motorway drive home. As I just posted to the scoobie Legacy thread on the front page, I used to run a JDM Leggy that did 25mpg, and had to have 99ron... so I'm not worried about this Also, my annual mileage has halved since then thanks to a new job much nearer home.
I'm keeping the batteries in mind as possible causes; I did take a pic of the boot battery to check it was correct as it seemed much smaller than pics I'd seen online... it is the right spec according to Tayna (smaller size = 20 years of improved battery tech?!) and I guess with the branding on there, it can't be much more than a couple of years old ("Bosch 100 years 1922-2022")
But for now, the car's parked in the garage waiting for a fancy modern code reader to be plugged into it.
(Bright side: my old bog standard OBD2 reader found zero live or stored codes, so the major bits seem ok) [/quote
Definitely make sure the battery is fully charged it can affect a lot of stuff. You can test its health to be certain. I keep my consumer battery on a Ctek as I only use it once a week at the most at the moment. It’s amazing how much they drain. The front battery is smaller and less of an issue. The ABC I can’t comment on because I don’t have it. Water ingress can undoubtedly be a problem particularly if not garaged and very important in the boot as you say because of the electrics. Worth emptying removing the spare and checking no water has collected. Also worth checking the drain holes to remove blockages. The pumps have sponge covers which are fine but they also collect and hold water, as sponges do! There is loads of information on the MB forums about that and YouTube is your friend. Good luck
This one reported 26-point-something on the long motorway drive home. As I just posted to the scoobie Legacy thread on the front page, I used to run a JDM Leggy that did 25mpg, and had to have 99ron... so I'm not worried about this
Also, my annual mileage has halved since then thanks to a new job much nearer home.I'm keeping the batteries in mind as possible causes; I did take a pic of the boot battery to check it was correct as it seemed much smaller than pics I'd seen online... it is the right spec according to Tayna (smaller size = 20 years of improved battery tech?!) and I guess with the branding on there, it can't be much more than a couple of years old ("Bosch 100 years 1922-2022")
But for now, the car's parked in the garage waiting for a fancy modern code reader to be plugged into it.
(Bright side: my old bog standard OBD2 reader found zero live or stored codes, so the major bits seem ok) [/quote
Definitely make sure the battery is fully charged it can affect a lot of stuff. You can test its health to be certain. I keep my consumer battery on a Ctek as I only use it once a week at the most at the moment. It’s amazing how much they drain. The front battery is smaller and less of an issue. The ABC I can’t comment on because I don’t have it. Water ingress can undoubtedly be a problem particularly if not garaged and very important in the boot as you say because of the electrics. Worth emptying removing the spare and checking no water has collected. Also worth checking the drain holes to remove blockages. The pumps have sponge covers which are fine but they also collect and hold water, as sponges do! There is loads of information on the MB forums about that and YouTube is your friend. Good luck
If the doors soft close then the boot should too,
Check in the boot & lift everything out until you can actually see the boot floor just incase there's any ingress you may just find you've caught it early.
Get the drainage on the roof checked & look at getting the seals lubed around April time.
Check in the boot & lift everything out until you can actually see the boot floor just incase there's any ingress you may just find you've caught it early.
Get the drainage on the roof checked & look at getting the seals lubed around April time.
defblade said:
Sorry, I think I put in the the smoker barges thread, it was £4800. I will edit the first post
And this car is here because maybe a year ago I mumbled something like "I've never had a V8. I'd like to have a V8 while you still can..."
Seems a good deal given the mileage. Appreciate it may have some issues but I suspect they all do. Good work!And this car is here because maybe a year ago I mumbled something like "I've never had a V8. I'd like to have a V8 while you still can..."
Huzzah said:
I'd have one of these like a shot except I need rear seat space for dogs. Probably the 350 though, less complicated.
We do have one dog. He may end up behind the seats if I make a cover, or we do have a small crate that may fit there. A few years back I had an E46 vert and we just never ended up taking the dog in it, so I wasn't too worried either way with this car. We've got 3 more he can go in!PhilkSVR said:
Definitely make sure the battery is fully charged it can affect a lot of stuff. You can test its health to be certain. I keep my consumer battery on a Ctek as I only use it once a week at the most at the moment. It’s amazing how much they drain. The front battery is smaller and less of an issue. The ABC I can’t comment on because I don’t have it. Water ingress can undoubtedly be a problem particularly if not garaged and very important in the boot as you say because of the electrics. Worth emptying removing the spare and checking no water has collected. Also worth checking the drain holes to remove blockages. The pumps have sponge covers which are fine but they also collect and hold water, as sponges do! There is loads of information on the MB forums about that and YouTube is your friend. Good luck
I had a pic from the vendor a day or 2 beforehand with it sitting in his garage, on charge. So while I will check all this, currently I doubt it's the root cause.
The boot seems dry (even after a 4 hour very wet drive, and the foam is missing anyway...
ZX10R NIN said:
If the doors soft close then the boot should too,
Check in the boot & lift everything out until you can actually see the boot floor just incase there's any ingress you may just find you've caught it early.
Get the drainage on the roof checked & look at getting the seals lubed around April time.
The doors don't soft-close, that was not available on these cars AFAIK. But other bits running from the vacuum system do seem ok... fixing the boot lid to do it is a want rather than a need. Check in the boot & lift everything out until you can actually see the boot floor just incase there's any ingress you may just find you've caught it early.
Get the drainage on the roof checked & look at getting the seals lubed around April time.
I already own some Gummi Pfeldge, seals will be done regularly
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