Which Mercedes R230 SL model to buy, and how to avoid a fire with CATASTROPHIC damage.....
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- Опубликовано: 26 июл 2024
- This video starts by highlighting the main differences between the 2002-2006 R230 models SL350, SL500 and the iconic SL55.
The video explains in detail why there have been instances of the Mercedes R230 catching fire, and what you can do to avoid this potential issue in your Mercedes R230 SL. The problem is invariably linked to the battery control module overheating (part number A2305400945 and A2305401045) and we attempt to explain what leads to certain components within the BMS failing over time. Here is a link to an interesting video showing how a BCM which looks fine can have hidden problems:
• BCM Mercedes R230 SL50...
Here is a quick summary of how to avoid a fire in your R230 Mercedes SL:
- NEVER attempt to jump start the R230 using the rear consumer battery.
- NEVER use your R230 to jump start another vehicle without first disconnecting consumer battery.
- NEVER connect a battery charger to either battery without first disconnecting BOTH batteries.
- NEVER disconnect the starter battery before the consumer battery.
- NEVER reconnect the consumer battery before reconnecting starter battery.
- NEVER replace the starter battery with an AGM battery.
- NEVER replace the consumer battery with a standard lead acid battery.
- NEVER leave key in ignition when changing batteries.
- NEVER rely on your alternator to constantly charge a faulty consumer battery.
TOP TIP - always check that your blade key works before disconnecting your consumer battery and closing the boot/trunk.
0:00 Intro
0:45 What to look out for when buying an R230?
1:12 Visual differences between 350SL, 500SL and SL55
3:38 Engine differences between 350SL, 500SL and SL55
5:12 Kerb weight differences between 350SL, 500SL and SL55
5:50 Running costs + 2nd hand cost
6:30 Potential engine problem with 350SL
6:50 SBC brake system
8:00 Why do R230's catch fire?
9:00 What does the battery control module do?
10:05 Jump starting incorrectly can cause problems
11:33 Procedure for disconnecting and reconnecting R230 batteries
12:45 Red battery warning message
14:05 Using the correct type of AGM consumer battery
15:45 Never charge the batteries with batteries still connected
16.19 Using a cheap trickle charger....
18:20 Consumer electrics offline message
20:50 What causes BCM to catch fire
23.00 Should you buy a an R230? 
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Have an 04 late production 500sl with the AMG badging, wheels, & trim 600 engine. Was my dream car & of course i couldn't afford new. Got from estate sale 8 yrs ago. Just turned 63k miles. Beautiful awesome performing car. Unfortunately havine to sell due to spinal deterioration. Hard as hell to get out of now. Has been a great car, replaced ABC 4 yrs ago ($$$$). Will truly miss the joy driving it.
yes - I just drove my SL55 to London and back and what an exhilarating drive it was! One of the functions of the ABC was to make it easier getting in and out of the car.... another was to be able to raise the car manually to enable snow chains to be used. If I ever sell mine, I'm sure I will miss it too!. Mike
Thank you for posting this very important information. Based on the "what not to do" tips it is a small wonder that I've not burned my car to the ground during my ten years of ownership. I'll be inspecting my BCM post haste.
Yes...have a look at the BCM just in case. If it still works, but has signs of over heating, it will cost you around £500 for a professional to rebuild. If it looks perfect, you potentially dodged a bullet and can enjoy another 10 years...hopefully after correcting the error of your ways. Mike
Thank you very much for this really informative video!
You are welcome - thanks for watching. Mike
Great video!!! Thanks!!
Thanks - do you have a R230? Mike
yes , I have a 350 with the m272 and 7gtronic. And also a Cteck, but allways charge accesory battery outside the car 😊
Hallo Mike! Great to see you showing this - will hopefully save many R230. You should post a video showing how to add a fuse to the BCM.
Yes...your original video actually inspired me to research this topic more thoroughly. Thank you. One day when I have the time, I will hook up a thermal imaging camera and actually monitor what is happening at a component level in the BCM. Call me a crazy but...I'm not going to add an additional fuse on my BCM because I don't think my car is very original and thus in my opinion (famous last words?) is not a candidate for a fire. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Adding a fuse is easy and there no "structural" or permanent changes. I strongly recommend you do it, as in fact your car is an ideal candidate due to the lack of use.
There is a company in Germany that specializes in rebuilding these units, last I heard they have a lot of work - so that should tell you something.
Brilliant video Mike, sooooo complex. I'll stick with my 560 :)
Thanks for your comment ……yep the R230 sure is complicated vs the R107. Mike
Have a SL600 and SL55. Nice info bro 👍🏼👌
Thanks. Nice cars you have. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercarsreplaced my rear battery on my SL600. Much better now 👍🏼…. My SL55 has a weak start up. That one next. 👍🏼
@@BobBenz55 It will be interesting to find out why your SL55 has a weak start...hopefully just a dud starter battery. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercarsI ain’t that lucky with these cars mate 😂… my favourite cars are the W124’s love working on those 😇
A very informative video. However having studied the the area of the control box, in my opinion the course of the failure/fire is water ingress. a lot of rusting of bolts etc. I do not think the rusting is from the fire extinguisher use, it would only be superficial rust and the area would have been covered by trim so may not have been exposed to the extinguisher. the rust looks well established to me. I look forward to your comments as you have seen it up close and personal!!!
Thanks for your comment - that car in CoPart is one of many I have seen. Some of the the BCM casings have been in pristine condition with no signs of water ingress. Whilst water ingress is definitely a problem in these cars, it mainly affects the PSI pump on the other side of the trunk and the SAM units. Mike
Very informative one extra point do not close the boot with the aux battery disconnected! I always leave a towel over the lock as a reminder
With the battery disconnected the central locking wont work so I guess the boot wouldn't automatically lock unless you used the blade key in the fob? I must confess, I have never tried closing the boot with the battery disconnected. Mike
I'd change this advice to test the emergency blade key before disconnecting the battery - it will close but not soft close
@@m60kaf Yes - good advice. I somehow locked the keys in my car once only to discover that the blade key didn't actually fit the lock! Mike
Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay too long. I fail to see why mercedes servicing prevents them going on fire. Seems to be established thinking that the caps dry out.... but what is VERY interesting in this case is that isn't an AGM battery, infact it isn't even a good quality ordinary battery (So I get your point that if it had Mercedes serviceing it would have an AGM and may not have gone on fire, but any decent garage should put the right part in)... Also intelligent trickle chagrders are not an issue and you are right about what you say about jump starting from front and if you trickle charge do it from the boot
"Caps drying out/degrading" may indeed be a contributory factor in these fires BUT the question to ask, is why do caps in some R230's degrade faster than in others? The main reasons for capacitors degrading and reduced lifetime is:
"excessive application of operating voltage, reverse voltage, or ripple current"...
When the BCM's were originally designed, it would have been difficult to test what happens to the 20-40yr life span of a capacitor under abnormal conditions like - incorrect battery, constant flat battery, jump starting voltage spikes etc.
I guess if I bought an R230 with unknown history, I would be tempted to take out the BCM and have the capacitors replaced as a precaution. Other hacks like adding an inline fuse don't really address the root cause. Mike
Simple answer, buy an r172 slk 350 with all the options for the same price, faster, more reliable , does not leak cheaper to fix, I absolutely love mine , it is perfect for to long haul, the twistys being bothe
Thanks for your comment which has got me thinking....I reckon it would be an interesting video to do a comparison between a modern R172 350SLK vs and a 2004 SL55 AMG. The SLK is a lovely car but from a power/performance/speed point of view, I think the SL55 is ahead:
Acceleration: 0 - 100km/h 4.7 vs 5.3sec
Power: 476Hp vs 306Hp
Torque: 700nM vs 370nM
Fifth gear did a comparison on the SLK AMG and the SL55 AMG a while back with is worth watching:
ruclips.net/video/JSZYw3Q0bG4/видео.html
Mike
Would be handy to fit an access panel for the bcm in the boot. I would like to do that but not sure of the exact dimensions to cut an access.
Yes - I have thought of an access panel and I know some people have done this….and even wired in an additional fuse. Personally, I like to keep things OEM and avoid cutting holes. Maybe I’ll get hold of a spare piece of boot trim from the R230 graveyard and work out the dimensions. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Today I cut a neat U shaped access using a sharp stanley knife. It was fairly easy and the carpet fits back in perfectly. Looks fine.
@@simonjones4776 ....maybe you have missed your vocation in life and could have been a carpet fitter? Thanks for the update. Mike
Mercedes should have created a modular trunk access panel to allow easy access to the various devices for easy access and repair.
@@CL500MBZ Yes - agreed. Having to take half the car to pieces to access important modules like the BCM...and things like the hydraulic cylinders is a right old pain! Mike
Got me worried now. I leave my sl55 rear battery on a ctek charger all the time in my garage as it is only driven maybe once a month. Maybe I should fit battery isolators instead.
Same here
I have both the battery’s on cteck’s . Might alternate them after watching this
@@mattmay2173 Hi - unless your starter battery is knackered and no longer holds its charge, it should easily last a few months. A new consumer battery with no parasitic draw will generally last 2-3 weeks before you get the consumer error message. Part of the problem is that many people have let their consumer battery become sulphated over time and it no longer holds full charge- this means that every time they use the car, the BCM is engaging relay K57. In that scenario, it is probably better to fit an isolater and put up with the hassle of losing some memory settings. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars Wonder if I could just isolate the bcm while parked up
Yer i think i will fit some isolator switches. Seems easy enough.
What was the first you did when you purchase your SL55, and don't tell me you inherited it from your grand-father.
My first car ever was the silver R107 SL which is currently up on my ramp. I paid £6000 thinking I had bough a bargain....but ended up quickly spending another £6000 to sort out the rust issues. The silver AMG was purchased new by a friend of mine. He had just been made a partner in a consultancy firm and decided to celebrate with a new Mercedes which cost just under £100,000....I always liked the look and styling of that car and told him I would be interested in buying it if he ever decided to sell it. Mike
@@MikesMercsandothercars What a way to celebrate, it's 2024 now and the SL55 is around $20K, what should i know about this car, i really need to be sure.
Are you planning to buy a SL55? If so, the most important thing to remember is that is is a complicated car and things will need fixing...or at very least maintaining. Mike