I would say that newer MB's are still pretty good but your comment is even more applicable to older BMW's as the new ones are pure junk from a visual perspective.
My friend and I enjoyed this car dearly his father loved Mercedes convertibles owning a 1999 SL that ultimately suffered a crash. His 07 SL was red on beige interior the air suspension failed with a ABC malfunction in 2020 and they couldn’t afford to fix it during that time many memories were made in that car. My friends father unfortunately passed away May of last year. Before he passed they got a new Z4 I hope he enjoyed every second of it.
The hydro pneumatic Active Body Control is quite expensive in these cars. It's a matter of when and not if a strut, solenoid block, or the tandem suspension and power steering pump fails. The hydraulic fluid for the power steering and suspension is very pricey, and the manufacturer never provided a recommended service interval. As such many of these are on the original fluid, and issues are almost guaranteed to arise yearly. Combined with age, many of the struts' rubber is reaching the point of no longer hold a seal on the air tight nitrogen balls for each strut. If one wants to own this car long term without denting the pocket book too much, for around 6-8K, there are coil over conversions with custom sway bars (ABC SLs did not come with a sway bar or subframe with clearance for a sway bar). Theoretically it may be possible to retro-fit a Euro spec SL350 subframe with coil overs and sway bars, but aftermarket solutions are a guaranteed fix. Otherwise it'll be on average a yearly 4-6K in maintaining at an *independent* the ABC suspension as each strut and solenoid block is replaced with the occasional tandem pump.
Coil overs and removing all the abc hydraulic lines, accumulators, pumps, and installing a power steering box from the E-class will also save the car almost 300 lbs.
Skill issue. I rebuilt mine every 30k miles with a transparent magnetic ABC filter and never have a problem with years of problem free driving in between.
I have a 40k mile 03 SL500, first year of the R230 body and last year of the 5 speed. Its awesome, preventive maintenance is expensive but I feel has saved me from bigger repair bills. When i picked it up about 3 years ago I had the ABC system serviced with new fluid, filter and a "rodeo" test that stresses the system to the max and should find any failure points. I drive it about 3k miles per year and I'm averaging about one repair per year, none related to ABC so far (fingers crossed). I don't think it would make the best daily but for a fun nice weather car its great!
Great video. As far as I'm concerned this R230 gen is peak SL. The combination of aerodynamic excellence and securely luxurious hard roof refinement make for a virtuoso convertible. So good Mercedes can't even make them like this anymore. Just wait til you get your hands on a low mile rare SL63 or hyper rare SL65, they're even better on modern high performance tires.
This car I think has the same suspension philosophy as my 2006 Cadillac DTS. It's a giant cadillac with surprisingly minimul body roll. I think it has the magnetic ride thing.
I think the main reason why i like OG topher is because hes a little bit more natural/ organic when talking to the camera. OG talks like youre in the car with him, vs SUB feels like hes talking to an audience
Back when Mercedes still made quality cars. Now they’re unreliable, ugly, and poorly built, not to mention incredibly over priced. Everything rattles in their new cars, and they’re filled with screens that will break after 3 years. Stick to BMW and Porsche
@@jamesreckling6697 2005's and up models began to seen engineering redundancy return to Mercedes. Even the ABC active suspension and SBC brakes improved subsequently.
honestly you didnt just decribe mercedes but every car manufacturer. Mercedes is the innovator in the car industry, the one too try new things out. Then other people pick it up, just like how Android companies create a bunch of cool stuff, then a few years later apple comes along takes the idea than rebrands it into there own thing. I agree though, i wouldnt buy a newer mercedes. My W211 is amazing!
Whoever would trade in I'm on Mercedes must be crazy or they couldn't afford the upkeep because I am not only a great big fan of Mercedes I am part of the country that makes the car Germany
17:00 The brakes are the first to be fully electronic with no physical connection coming from F1 technology at the time, the SBC pump that controls them has to be replaced every 300,000 actuations. Makes changing the pads an slightly interesting, can't open/close the door while doing it or the caliper pistons shoot out.
That start button on the shifter looks much cooler than the modern ones near the steering wheel.
We’re never getting this era of Mercedes back… why do modern cars suck?
It’s easy to accidentally turn off the car when shifting.
@@carlscarreviews its an automatic just watch the video lmfao hah
That adds a lot of drama with each start.
i hate my touch shift on my older benz, can never get head while driving.
“We’ll roll into it” proceeds to punch it😂
there's something about old school Mercedes that feels just right, like a certain type of magic to it, it has so much character and personality
I would say that newer MB's are still pretty good but your comment is even more applicable to older BMW's as the new ones are pure junk from a visual perspective.
My friend and I enjoyed this car dearly his father loved Mercedes convertibles owning a 1999 SL that ultimately suffered a crash. His 07 SL was red on beige interior the air suspension failed with a ABC malfunction in 2020 and they couldn’t afford to fix it during that time many memories were made in that car. My friends father unfortunately passed away May of last year. Before he passed they got a new Z4 I hope he enjoyed every second of it.
Finally another classic car in a long time
Back when the numbers after the letter meant something 👍🏻. Very sophisticated looking car inside and out. My favourite gen
Performance cars made in 2000- 2010 are way better than today's vehicles. That's all I gotta say
A 7 speed automatic in 2007 is insanely cool!
Considering a lot were 5 speed auto, it really is special!
Mercedes had their first 7 speed in the 2003 S Class
@@brandonczw04 all rwd benzes had a 7spd
i’ve been waiting for yall to feature more 2000s mercedes on the channel! 211 E-Class soon maybe?
The hydro pneumatic Active Body Control is quite expensive in these cars. It's a matter of when and not if a strut, solenoid block, or the tandem suspension and power steering pump fails. The hydraulic fluid for the power steering and suspension is very pricey, and the manufacturer never provided a recommended service interval. As such many of these are on the original fluid, and issues are almost guaranteed to arise yearly. Combined with age, many of the struts' rubber is reaching the point of no longer hold a seal on the air tight nitrogen balls for each strut.
If one wants to own this car long term without denting the pocket book too much, for around 6-8K, there are coil over conversions with custom sway bars (ABC SLs did not come with a sway bar or subframe with clearance for a sway bar). Theoretically it may be possible to retro-fit a Euro spec SL350 subframe with coil overs and sway bars, but aftermarket solutions are a guaranteed fix.
Otherwise it'll be on average a yearly 4-6K in maintaining at an *independent* the ABC suspension as each strut and solenoid block is replaced with the occasional tandem pump.
Coil overs and removing all the abc hydraulic lines, accumulators, pumps, and installing a power steering box from the E-class will also save the car almost 300 lbs.
Skill issue. I rebuilt mine every 30k miles with a transparent magnetic ABC filter and never have a problem with years of problem free driving in between.
I have a 40k mile 03 SL500, first year of the R230 body and last year of the 5 speed. Its awesome, preventive maintenance is expensive but I feel has saved me from bigger repair bills. When i picked it up about 3 years ago I had the ABC system serviced with new fluid, filter and a "rodeo" test that stresses the system to the max and should find any failure points. I drive it about 3k miles per year and I'm averaging about one repair per year, none related to ABC so far (fingers crossed). I don't think it would make the best daily but for a fun nice weather car its great!
Great video. As far as I'm concerned this R230 gen is peak SL. The combination of aerodynamic excellence and securely luxurious hard roof refinement make for a virtuoso convertible. So good Mercedes can't even make them like this anymore. Just wait til you get your hands on a low mile rare SL63 or hyper rare SL65, they're even better on modern high performance tires.
Had this engine in an '07 E550 4Matic, loved that car!
Interesting is that in 90's till mid 20's. "bubbly, oval, round" plastic shapes were popular. Way much other to today designs.
Same. Grew up on this one. Was a valet when this came out. Felt like driving the bat Mobile.
This car I think has the same suspension philosophy as my 2006 Cadillac DTS. It's a giant cadillac with surprisingly minimul body roll. I think it has the magnetic ride thing.
Beautiful car but a maintenance nightmare (that includes regular maintenance). Run far away.
Great engine
Had it in my 2007 s550
Funny how a 17 year old Mercedes is better than today's top trim Kias and hyundais.
Do old cars more!
I think the main reason why i like OG topher is because hes a little bit more natural/ organic when talking to the camera. OG talks like youre in the car with him, vs SUB feels like hes talking to an audience
I just got it with Red interior nice!!!!
Almost at 1M!!!!
Should have done a comparison video with Momma Amos’s SC430!
Love theses cars it has woodgrain which i love not a fan of carbon fiber
I just got this exact same car
In Europe this car was badged as SL500, sits better then SL550.
I still want one of these lol
They had a 7 speed in this in 2007?!
Had the same thought lol, was fully expecting their old 5 speed auto
Their 7 speed was already old then. They introduced it around 2002
Back when Mercedes still made quality cars. Now they’re unreliable, ugly, and poorly built, not to mention incredibly over priced. Everything rattles in their new cars, and they’re filled with screens that will break after 3 years. Stick to BMW and Porsche
The R129 is the much better built SL. The Chrysler input ruined these cars.
Very very sad indeed seeing such a great brand get ruined. I grew up in the 90s with the W124, and what we have today is junk compared to that car.
@@jamesreckling6697 2005's and up models began to seen engineering redundancy return to Mercedes. Even the ABC active suspension and SBC brakes improved subsequently.
honestly you didnt just decribe mercedes but every car manufacturer. Mercedes is the innovator in the car industry, the one too try new things out. Then other people pick it up, just like how Android companies create a bunch of cool stuff, then a few years later apple comes along takes the idea than rebrands it into there own thing. I agree though, i wouldnt buy a newer mercedes. My W211 is amazing!
Wow, is stealing cars that rampant in the states? @9:45
Yup carjackings happen all the time especially in urban areas.
Back when Mercedes used to make cars, now all they make is garbage.
They still make some really nice cars
ah yes… when things like 550, 63(s), and amg meant something
Yea I wish the germans could make a car that is reliable. This thing is so cool, but a gamble.
Trading a sl V8 for a Nissan 😭😭😭😭😭
Whoever would trade in I'm on Mercedes must be crazy or they couldn't afford the upkeep because I am not only a great big fan of Mercedes I am part of the country that makes the car Germany
So m340 power which folks crap on lol but it was ok then
Someone traded this in at a Nissan dealership.
They were ready to unload it 😂
Great car but something about those interior shapes look so Japanese...
ぶりぶりまっちょ💪💩
TheTopher Actor Louis gossett Junior died at age 87
First🖐
That must be a mechanical nightmare to own one 😂
17:00 The brakes are the first to be fully electronic with no physical connection coming from F1 technology at the time, the SBC pump that controls them has to be replaced every 300,000 actuations. Makes changing the pads an slightly interesting, can't open/close the door while doing it or the caliper pistons shoot out.