Is my 230Sl commuter friendly?

[n/a]

I am the proud new owner of a '67 230SL automatic that I am considering using as a commuter car, 70 miles round trip per day. Am I nuts? Currently I use my '96 Jaguar XJ6 that is one thirsty kitty. I cruise at 80 mph early in the am and while I am gentle on my cars, I don't want to slow down. The car is mechanically up to speed, and nice, daily driver grade cosmetically.

230SL

[ja17]

If it is healthy it will do just fine. The only thing you may want to consider is the normal wear and tear on the car. Hopefully you will not have to drive in snow and salt. I drove a 190-SL back and forth to college for many years, highway driving 70 to 80 mph, 260 miles each week-end, in all types of weather. The 230-SL and all W113 cars are much more capable.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[Cees Klumper]

I drive my 280 SL around 6,000 miles per year, which is a lot more than most, and it does very well. I drive around 75 MPH most of the time. Mileage is around 18 MPG. Compared to that, my 1997 C-class goes faster and gets twice the mileage. In Europe, the cost of fuel is much higher than in the US so this is a prohibiting factor. I wish I got a dime for every admiring glance from other drivers, that would more than offset the extra fuel cost. Comfortwise, the SL is fine and of course the trip is much more enjoyable. Safety-wise you are better off in a modern car, of course, so that may be a factor in your personal equation.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic

[Longtooth]

I commute during late spring, summer and early fall in CA (dry, warm months, top down 98% of time).... about 3-4x week average during those months, but only 20 miles each way... at 80-85 mph for 15 of them.  Mileage is averaging 17 - 19 mpg (premium fuel) depending on my lead foot... on relatively new rebuilt engine (8K miles ago? now I think).

Longtooth
67 250SL US #113-043-10-002163
95 SL500

[Ben]

I run my '64 230 as a daily driver. I did over 12,000 miles in it last year in poor weather !  Its a comfortable car but the short gearing and wind noise does make it a bit noisey in the cabin !

Thats the only complaint though and there are a lot of other factors which make up for it !

If the car is sound then you'll have no problems, they can take it !

This is what real motoring is all about !

Regards,
Ben in Ireland.
'64 230SL 4sp.
'03 CLK Kompressor

[rwmastel]

I drive mine about 2,500 miles per year.  I suggest putting about 500 miles on it in "non-critical" driving.  That is, if something breaks and you don't reach your destination, it's no big deal.  Through this testing period you should measure oil usage rate, check all fluid levels every 100 miles, ensure all lubrication is done, and carefully listen and feel for problems.  After those miles, you should have confirmed if the car really is "mechanically up to speed".

Enjoy your new car!

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[n/a]

Thanks to all for the great notes....Can I change the diff gearing slightly to improve gas mileage?

230SL

[rwmastel]

1. Use the Search function.  Go to the main web site home page and do a Search there.  Searching from there will find info in the forums AND in the technical documents.

2. You might want to start a new topic with a totally different question like this.

3.  Your 230SL should have a 3.75:1 rear end, you could swap down to something lower at the cost of acceleration.  Not much of a problem for manual transmissions, but 2nd gear start automatics should not be geared too low.

Rodd
Powell, Ohio, USA
1966 230SL, Euro, Auto, Leather, both  tops
1994 E420

[J. Huber]

Just one thing I would factor in:

How mechanically-savvy are you?? If one looks at this and other Pagoda websites, you can get a feel for some of the things that sometimes go wrong with our cars. With a set of tools and some sense of how things work -- you may be able to limp home, in the unfortunate event of a problem.

I for one, can change a tire, and that's about it. I use my car for recreation, and while I drive it pretty much daily, we are talking 3 miles here, 5 miles there ...

James
63 230SL

[Bearcat]

Jeez Ben you will think I am nuts when we meet. I have done just 400 miles since last March!! See you Thurs.

[n/a]

My 280 sl is my only car. I rely on it for my weekend driving, if I get out of New York, I will drive it 300/400 miles during the weekend.
It did brake down once completely, but I was lucky to be within reach of an antique workshop that talk care of the car while I hitched-hiked back to New York!!!!! I only lost 30mn, but jad to drive 100 miles to get it back the following weekend....
I have heard many stories of people driving extensively their Pagoda around...So my advice, be ready, it could happen to you, just have plan B available (who to call, where to send it to, etc). Happy commute!!!
I guess you might be the only one dreaming of a longer commute!!!

Fabrice
Silver 1971 280 SL
New York City

[Cees Klumper]

Ben - on wind noise - I had this problem when I first got the car. I changed the rubber profiles that the side windows run against in the front (i.e. against the windshield) and it made a big difference. Also I closed the gaps that oftentimes exist right above the side windows with the softtop (between the chrome bars over the windows and the cloth of the top) with some self-sticking foam strips. Ensuring a tight fit of the side windows also helps. In the end, the wind noise came down a lot to a very acceptable level. With the hardtop, it is even less.

Cees Klumper in Amsterdam
'69 white 280 SL automatic