These videos are really helpful as I’m looking at a r230 SL500. Taking my time finding a nice example as I’d rather not find a cheap one and pay twice as much fixing it!
You’re doing the correct thing - taking your time. The R230’s are great cars, but very expensive regards running costs and a little fragile with their reliability. But ultimately, fine a good one, budget accordingly and you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic modern classic GT 👍🏻
I can thoroughly recommend the NC500. North West Scotland is a motoring Nirvana, just keep an eye on the weather forecast and pick a good week and you’ll not be disappointed 👍
I’ve done the stretch between Applecross and Ulapool many years ago. I agree it was driving Nirvana. I’m really hoping I can make it work this year and get up there for a few days in the SL 👌
Thanks for the update. I have a feeling R230's will escalate even more once the next SL comes out turning back to an archaic fabric roof. The glass roof convertible experience is unmatched in the R230 and worth the preventative maintenance.
For sure the values of R230’s are rock bottom and I have to say that I’m seeing them less and less often now, which would suggest that numbers are reducing (with potential repair bills into thousands, more will become economically not viable to repair). Once numbers start to reduce supply/demand changes and values start to firm up.
Good video thanks. I have a black 500, awesome car and totally agree it will never be cheaper to buy one. MB Automotive in Loughborough, Leicestershire look after mine and have developed the tooling to repair the suspension arm issue without a full replacement or pumping the joints with filler. Significantly reduces the cost. He tells me SL specialists around the UK send him the arms to be rebuilt and then he posts them back. Mine hasn't needed yet but the other work they have done is spot on, very professional.
Hi Rich. Great vid thanks. I bought mine for £4800 in aug 19, with 107k miles which was the price level then. I think the price has risen a bit maybe since. Certainly the 90's version has risen since then. The 70's/80's R107 is valued very high considering how many there still are after 18 years in production. The R230 is not a car we see many of on the road here in Scotland. I think many are scrapped due to the maintenance of them namely ABC replacement cost and all the other issues. That will only add to the value rising of the ones left. Look after ours and I think we will do quite well in a few years. I would rather have it to drive though than the money. btw my abc constantly collapses on one side after about 3 days in my garage and also rises every time I start it. The 4 struts have all been replaced recently. Regards, Neil
Hi Neil, thanks for the info. Money in any bank is de-valuing unless you can find any accounts that offer more than the rate of inflation (unlikely) so like you said, I’d prefer mine wrapped up in something that I can enjoy.
Mine is weird! because I don't know it has an Low-voltage problem in the Right strut I don't know if I would place my strut whether that will fix it or O-rings? it's really weird I can go three months during the winter without it creeping down! and then a day or two in the summer it loses right height! Putting in battery tender on the car does seem to help during the winter! this is been going on for three years!I have never seen ABC fluid on the floor! It has had the struts replaced but that was like 10 years ago! front strutsNice of you to do your Updates
Hi there , I’ve just bought a 2003 SL500, I love it immensely, there is however a tiny bubbling of rust in one wheel arch (which I already knew about), can you give any advice as to when I have work done on this , as in should I just leave it for now as its s tiny , sorry for sounding daft but I have only ever had new cars, this is 18yrs old with only 30k miles and is otherwise looking and driving like new, Great video by the way
Very much an individual choice - the longer you leave it, the worse it will get. My only recommendation is that when you get it done, I’d make sure you get it done with a good, reputable specialist as it’s the bits that you can’t see that will need doing the most.
I also own a sl500 r230 2003 just think all your statements are spot on keep making these for real people videos.
These videos are really helpful as I’m looking at a r230 SL500. Taking my time finding a nice example as I’d rather not find a cheap one and pay twice as much fixing it!
You’re doing the correct thing - taking your time. The R230’s are great cars, but very expensive regards running costs and a little fragile with their reliability. But ultimately, fine a good one, budget accordingly and you’ll be rewarded with a fantastic modern classic GT 👍🏻
I can thoroughly recommend the NC500. North West Scotland is a motoring Nirvana, just keep an eye on the weather forecast and pick a good week and you’ll not be disappointed 👍
I’ve done the stretch between Applecross and Ulapool many years ago. I agree it was driving Nirvana. I’m really hoping I can make it work this year and get up there for a few days in the SL 👌
Thanks for the update. I have a feeling R230's will escalate even more once the next SL comes out turning back to an archaic fabric roof. The glass roof convertible experience is unmatched in the R230 and worth the preventative maintenance.
For sure the values of R230’s are rock bottom and I have to say that I’m seeing them less and less often now, which would suggest that numbers are reducing (with potential repair bills into thousands, more will become economically not viable to repair). Once numbers start to reduce supply/demand changes and values start to firm up.
Good video thanks. I have a black 500, awesome car and totally agree it will never be cheaper to buy one. MB Automotive in Loughborough, Leicestershire look after mine and have developed the tooling to repair the suspension arm issue without a full replacement or pumping the joints with filler. Significantly reduces the cost. He tells me SL specialists around the UK send him the arms to be rebuilt and then he posts them back. Mine hasn't needed yet but the other work they have done is spot on, very professional.
That’s great information - thanks 👍🏻
Loving the videos Rich
Hi Rich. Great vid thanks. I bought mine for £4800 in aug 19, with 107k miles which was the price level then. I think the price has risen a bit maybe since. Certainly the 90's version has risen since then. The 70's/80's R107 is valued very high considering how many there still are after 18 years in production. The R230 is not a car we see many of on the road here in Scotland. I think many are scrapped due to the maintenance of them namely ABC replacement cost and all the other issues. That will only add to the value rising of the ones left. Look after ours and I think we will do quite well in a few years. I would rather have it to drive though than the money. btw my abc constantly collapses on one side after about 3 days in my garage and also rises every time I start it. The 4 struts have all been replaced recently. Regards, Neil
Hi Neil, thanks for the info. Money in any bank is de-valuing unless you can find any accounts that offer more than the rate of inflation (unlikely) so like you said, I’d prefer mine wrapped up in something that I can enjoy.
Great video. ❤
Thanks for making me laugh about the SL , i own a R230 and I would like to also keep it just such a cool car for a price of a Ford Focus 😂
Mine is weird! because I don't know it has an Low-voltage problem in the Right strut I don't know if I would place my strut whether that will fix it or O-rings? it's really weird I can go three months during the winter without it creeping down! and then a day or two in the summer it loses right height! Putting in battery tender on the car does seem to help during the winter! this is been going on for three years!I have never seen ABC fluid on the floor! It has had the struts replaced but that was like 10 years ago! front strutsNice of you to do your Updates
Hi there , I’ve just bought a 2003 SL500, I love it immensely, there is however a tiny bubbling of rust in one wheel arch (which I already knew about), can you give any advice as to when I have work done on this , as in should I just leave it for now as its s tiny ,
sorry for sounding daft but I have only ever had new cars, this is 18yrs old with only 30k miles and is otherwise looking and driving like new,
Great video by the way
Very much an individual choice - the longer you leave it, the worse it will get. My only recommendation is that when you get it done, I’d make sure you get it done with a good, reputable specialist as it’s the bits that you can’t see that will need doing the most.
I’m 6’4”…… will there be sufficient headroom?
I’d expect you’d be fine. It’s a large, comfortable Grand Tourer 👍🏻