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Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
Posts: 32,368
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R230 Mercedes SL - Any Experiences?
I've gotten pretty interested in these things, and considering one for a daily driver. I think the styling is timeless, the interiors are beautiful and well crafted, and they are great performers in SL55, SL65, and SL600 guise. Yes the maintenance costs can be high, but I DIY and have done a lot of reading on the ABC suspension in particular. Nothing too crazy there, and you can always switch to a full coilover and sway bar conventional suspension. I've now driven an SL65 and SL55, both pieces of crap, but really like the cars overall. The SL65 TT V12 was freaking addictive, great sound with diesel torque and smooth like a rotary. Anybody have any personal experience to share?
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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04-12-2020, 11:02 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Oxford, Ct.
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We work on a few in my shop The 500 is the sweet spot they won't absolutely bankrupt you like
a 600 will. I think a 997 cab is a much better car
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07 GT3 Cup S 4.0, 00 986, 78 911 old school gt car 77 BMW R100S 99 Ducati 996S 04 BMW R1150R DanielJacobsLLC.com |
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04-12-2020, 02:34 PM
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Location: Wichita, KS
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What do you see as worse with the V12 models? I'm aware of expensive coil packs that can be rebuilt in the aftermarket, and the requirement to at least partially pull the motor to replace motor mounts.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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04-12-2020, 02:40 PM
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Registered ConfUser
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Waterlogged
Posts: 23,487
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Another car to keep for a month or two?
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Mike “I wouldn’t want to live under the conditions a person could get used to”. -My paternal grandmother having immigrated to America shortly before WWll. |
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04-12-2020, 02:55 PM
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Quote:
 I'm looking for a new DD around $20k. I love my wife's E63, much as I loved my previous C63 that I owned when I had my dealership. So I started thinking, what did I like so much about those cars? Effortless power, lots of character, comfortable, good handling, very well made, luxurious interior. With all that said I end up pointed back at another AMG, and I would prefer a coupe over another sedan. So here we are....
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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04-12-2020, 05:11 PM
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Join Date: May 2005
Location: Houston
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While no personal experience on the R230, they seem to be well built and the owners are happy with them. You can definitely see the improvements on this chassis versus my '98 R129 SL and I wish I had another 100hp or so, as the chassis can definitely handle it with ease. I would imagine the SL65 would be incredible but finding one for $20k would be challenging unless it was neglected. I have the M113K in my E55 and its a sweet engine..that could be your sweet spot model (SL55).
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Ole Skool - wouldn't have it any other way |
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04-13-2020, 04:54 AM
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Did you get the memo?
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Wichita, KS
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The absolute floor for an SL65 seems to be about $25k, and that’s a needy car at that point. A needy Mercedes with a V12 is a scary proposition. $20k gets you a very nice SL55 or SL600. The SL600 supposedly drives very similarly to the SL65, and with a tune will actually make more power than a stock SL65. The SL65 is just so much overkill, fun but it can’t even put the power down.
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‘07 Mazda RX8-8 Past: 911T, 911SC, Carrera, 951s, 955, 996s, 987s, 986s, 997s, BMW 5x, C36, C63, XJR, S8, Maserati Coupe, GT500, etc |
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04-13-2020, 05:40 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Charlottesville Va
Posts: 5,765
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The 600 is a nice, very nice car. The ABC controller and associated parts are an expensive fail, but many have been fixed already and there are now aftermarket alternatives. 600s of any r gen eat motor and trans mounts and they're not easy or cheap but doable. They have the soft touch button issues, the integrated audio is dated and clunky, but the basic car is solid.
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Greg Lepore 85 Targa 05 Ducati 749s (wrecked, stupidly) 2000 K1200rs (gone, due to above) 05 ST3s (unfinished business) |
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04-13-2020, 04:19 PM
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