Buying an R230: ABC hose photographs and parts differences
An R230 purchase question leads to members’ hose photographs, disagreement about ageing despite fluid servicing, and an SL500/SL55 part-number qualification.
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Buying an R230 after a 560 SL
After nearly ten years with a 1988 560 SL, tsberkey asked MBWorld about buying a 2003-or-newer SL. Retirement and a move south made a powered folding roof attractive, but the unfamiliar R230 and potential repair costs prompted questions. The historical budget was $15,000–$20,000; it is not a current valuation. The discussion below concerns members’ ABC suspension experiences, rather than a diagnosis of a car already purchased by the original poster.
Fluid servicing does not settle the hose-age question
One member suggested that regular fluid and filter changes could avoid ABC trouble. Carguyshu disagreed: in his experience, heat and age still affected pressure hoses and seepage developed near crimped ends. RA41925 then acknowledged that hoses still age. These are attributed forum observations, not proof of a universal failure interval or a maintenance guarantee. The original poster’s follow-up asked what an ABC failure would mean for driving; a photograph cannot establish that a particular car is safe to continue driving.
The item-380 part-number disagreement
The discussion also compared expansion hose item 380. Bobterry99 cited 230-320-74-53, while carguyshu cited 2303208353 and disputed the price. Bobterry99 then clarified that the two numbers referred to SL500 and SL55 applications respectively. This is a model-difference qualification, not evidence that one number fits every R230 or that either quoted historical price is available today. The thread is an ownership discussion, not a verified repair specification.
Positions and a member’s repair account
In a later reply, carguyshu identified the two lines as diagram items 60 and 90 beneath the radiator, running from the valve block to the front struts. He said he had the hoses rebuilt with welded AN fittings so the rubber sections could be removed separately. His diagrams and account do not establish fitment for every R230, the safety of that modification, or a complete pressure-release, removal and installation procedure. His heat-wrap suggestion remains his own recommendation.
Carguyshu’s hose photographs
Carguyshu shared two photographs as examples of hose deterioration and described seepage at the ends or swelling in the hose. They are his contribution to the purchase discussion, not photographs of the original poster’s prospective car. Exact vehicle year, individual photographer and photograph reuse permission are unknown.
Source reply ↗ · carguyshu